Nollywood Takes the Lead: Inside the 2025 Box Office Records

It is officially 2026, and looking back at the 2025 box office report, one thing is crystal clear: the "Nollywood vs. Hollywood" debate in Nigerian cinemas has reached a fever pitch. For years, we’ve watched big-budget American blockbusters dominate our local screens, but 2025 is yet another year the scales keep getting balanced out.

​In a historic showing, the Top 10 highest-grossing films of the year were split right down the middle. Nollywood claimed five spots, and Hollywood claimed the other five. Compared to last year, Hollywood claimed six spots leaving four spots for Nollywood. If you ever needed proof that Nigerians are falling back in love with home-grown stories, this is it.

​THE BILLION NAIRA GIANT

​Leading the pack at Number 1 is the powerhouse drama "Behind The Scenes." Pulling in a massive ₦1.32 Billion, it didn't just win; it dominated. This film proved that when we get the production quality and the marketing right, our local stories can outperform even the biggest global franchises. It’s a huge win for the industry and shows that the "Billion Naira Club" is no longer just a fluke as it has been achieved three times in a row and it’s the new standard for Nigerian greatness.

​THE BATTLE OF THE TITANS

​The rest of the list is a fascinating "tug-of-war" between local favorites and global superheroes. On the Hollywood side, we saw the usual heavy hitters. Michael B. Jordan’s "Sinners" took the Number 2 spot with ₦775.8M, followed closely by the return of the Man of Steel in "Superman" and the high-stakes action of "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning."

But Nollywood wasn't backing down. Films like "Gingerrr" (₦522.9M), the hilarious "Oversabi Aunty" (₦480.1M), and the epic "Ori: The Rebirth" (₦419.1M) held their ground firmly. These aren't just numbers; they represent millions of Nigerians choosing to spend their hard-earned money to see themselves, their culture, and their humor reflected on the big screen.

Top 10 Highest Grossing films of 2025 (grosses from 1st January - 31st Decemer 2025 only)

1. Behind The Scenes: ₦1.32B* (Nollywood)

2. Sinners: ₦775.8M

3. Everbody Loves Jenifa: ₦758.5M (Nollywood)

4. Gingerrr: ₦522.9M (Nollywood)

5. Superman: ₦493M

6. Fantastic Four: ₦488.8M

7. Oversabi Aunty: ₦480.1M* (Nollywood)

8. Ori: The Rebirth: ₦419.1M (Nollywood)

9. Captain America: Brave New World: ₦419.1M

10. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning: ₦372.6M

* denotes the movie is still playing in cinemas

​THE "JENIFA" MAGIC

​We have to talk about the "Jenifa" effect. "Everybody Loves Jenifa" managed something truly impressive. Despite being a December 2024 release, its "spillover" earnings in 2025 alone were enough to land it the Number 3 spot with ₦758.5M. It is the only film from the previous year to make the 2025 list. It just goes to show that Funke Akindele has a golden touch and a fanbase that simply doesn't quit.

​WHAT THIS MEANS FOR 2026

​The 50/50 split between Nollywood and Hollywood tells us that the audience is no longer choosing movies based on where they come from, but based on the "hype" and the quality of the story. We are seeing a more competitive market where a local comedy can go toe-to-toe with a Marvel movie like "Captain America: Brave New World" and come out on top.

​As we move further into 2026, the bar has been set high. Nollywood has the momentum, and Hollywood has the spectacle. For us film lovers, the real winner is the audience. We get more variety, better stories, and a cinema culture that is thriving like never before.

Top 10 movies of 2024 (Including spillovers)

1. Everybody Loves Jenifa: ₦1.124B* (Nollywood)

2. Deadpool & Wolverine: ₦706.7M

3. A Tribe Called Judah: ₦611.3M (Nollywood)

4. Bad Boys 4: ₦458.1M

5. Gladiator II: ₦398.2M*

6. Moana 2: ₦366.7M*

7. Queen Lateefah: ₦365.5M (Nollywood)

8. Venom 3: ₦317.8M

9. Mufasa: The Lion King: ₦309M*

10. Ajosepo: ₦257.3M (Nollywood)

* denotes the movie was still playing in cinemas