Nollywood’s Cinematic Revival: Nigerian Box Office Records Strongest First Quarter in Six Years

Nigeria’s cinema industry has opened 2026 with renewed momentum, as audiences returned to theatres in numbers not seen in several years. In the first quarter alone, cinemas across the country recorded 752,136 ticket admissions, marking the strongest first-quarter performance in six years.

Data released by the Nigerian box office on Sunday, April 5, 2026, shows the figure represents a clear improvement on 661,720 admissions recorded in Q1 2025, reinforcing signs that theatrical demand is steadily recovering.

A significant driver of this resurgence has been the continued dominance of Nollywood productions. Nigerian films accounted for over 553,000 admissions in Q1 2026, representing 73.5% of all ticket sales during the period. Titles such as Behind The Scenes and Oversabi Aunty delivered standout theatrical runs and attracted strong audience turnout across major cinema circuits.

The latest performance also marks the industry’s highest first-quarter admissions since 2021, when Nollywood recorded approximately 587,700 admissions under unusual market conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced the presence of Hollywood releases in cinemas.

The industry’s path to this point has not been without challenges. Admissions had fallen to 620,477 in 2023 and slipped further to 597,061 in 2024, reflecting a period of volatility as cinema operators adjusted to post-pandemic realities, currency pressures, and shifting consumer habits. Earlier years had seen stronger early-season attendance, with 709,803 admissions recorded in Q1 2021 and 709,979 in Q1 2022, before the downturn began.

Several blockbuster Nollywood productions have also strengthened confidence in the sector’s commercial potential. Toyin Abraham’s “Oversabi Aunty” recently surpassed the ₦1 billion mark at the Nigerian box office, reinforcing her standing as one of the industry’s most commercially successful filmmakers. Meanwhile, Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes”, now available on Netflix, has generated an estimated ₦2.7 billion since its release.

Looking ahead, Nigeria’s cinema industry is projected to surpass ₦20 billion in gross box office revenue by the end of 2026. However, industry analysts suggest the next phase of growth will likely be driven less by rapid expansion of cinema locations and more by improved monetisation strategies, stronger pricing power, and more disciplined release scheduling, according to insights compiled in the West Africa Box Office Year Book 2025.

Audience growth itself is expected to remain gradual. Overall cinema admissions are projected to increase from 2.6 million in 2023 to approximately 2.95 million by 2026, reflecting stabilising consumer behaviour despite persistent inflationary pressures.

Revenue growth, however, has been far more pronounced as Nigeria’s gross box office earnings rose from ₦7.36 billion in 2023 to ₦11.58 billion in 2024, before climbing 28% to reach ₦15.64 billion in 2025.

Taken together, the numbers point to a film industry steadily regaining its footing. With Nollywood productions continuing to command strong local support and audiences returning to theatres, Nigeria’s cinema landscape appears to be entering a more confident phase of growth.