2024 has been a remarkable year for Nigeria’s film industry, with a mix of Nollywood films and Hollywood blockbusters dominating the box office. The country’s cinema scene has shown impressive growth, with the top 10 highest-grossing films collectively generating an outstanding N4.91 billion in revenue.
These films have not only captivated audiences in Nigeria but also made waves internationally. Let’s take a look at five of the biggest box office hits that defined Nigerian cinema in 2024.
Everybody Loves Jenifa – N1.124 Billion
Breaking all box office records, Everybody Loves Jenifa, directed by Funke Akindele, became the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2024, grossing an impressive N1.124 billion.
The comedy-drama, which follows the humorous yet heartfelt journey of Jenifa, struck a chord with Nigerian audiences. In just 19 days, the film surpassed the N1 billion milestone, accounting for 40% of the December box office revenue.
With 201,604 ticket admissions, Everybody Loves Jenifa set a new record as the fastest film to reach the N1 billion mark in the region. Funke Akindele’s success as both the producer and director highlights her immense contribution to Nollywood’s thriving industry.
Deadpool & Wolverine – N706.7 Million
Deadpool & Wolverine took the Nigerian box office by storm, grossing N706.7 million and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2024. This Marvel crossover event brought together two fan-favorite characters, Deadpool and Wolverine, delivering a thrilling cinematic experience full of action and humor.
The film’s appeal was undeniable, as it resonated with both Nigerian audiences and Marvel fans globally.
Surpassing N700 million in earnings, Deadpool & Wolverine became only the fifth movie to reach such a financial benchmark in English-speaking West Africa. With over 142,000 admissions, it stands out as a major success in Nigeria’s growing movie market.
A Tribe Called Judah – N400 Million
Produced in December 2023, A Tribe Called Judah had an explosive box office run, grossing N400 million by the end of the year. The film’s success didn’t stop there—it continued to climb the box office charts, crossing the N1 billion mark by January 2024. Its strong narrative and star-studded cast played a crucial role in its widespread appeal, making it one of the top Nollywood films of the year.
Despite facing a slight drop in ticket sales in mid-January 2024, A Tribe Called Judah retained its position at the top of the box office for five consecutive weeks. By mid-January, the film had grossed a total of N1.32 billion, further cementing its place in Nigerian cinema history.
Bad Boys 4 (Bad Boys: Ride or Die) – N458.1 Million
The high-energy Bad Boys 4 made waves at the Nigerian box office, grossing N458.1 million. Starring the iconic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, the film delivered all the action, humor, and thrills that fans have come to expect from the franchise. From its opening weekend in June, where it grossed N68.94 million, Bad Boys 4 continued to perform strongly, earning N360 million by mid-July.
By surpassing 88,000 ticket admissions, the film became one of the top-grossing releases of 2024. Impressively, it also became the first non-December release to surpass N400 million in revenue, a milestone previously held by major hits like The Woman King and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022. This film’s success reinforced the enduring popularity of action-packed blockbusters in Nigeria.
Gladiator II – N398.2 Million
Gladiator II, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 classic, made a huge impact on Nigerian audiences. Grossing N398.2 million, the film’s action-packed sequences and gripping historical depth kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
The film had an impressive N99.1 million opening weekend, marking the second-highest debut of 2024 in Nigeria. Advanced screenings were also a success, generating N17 million in just two days before the film’s official release. With a star-studded cast including Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II maintained strong momentum, grossing an additional N82.05 million during its opening weekend alone.
Moana 2
Disney’s Moana 2 achieved huge success, grossing N366.7 million. Premiering on November 29, 2024, the animated sequel quickly became a favorite for families. With its vibrant animation and heartwarming themes, Moana 2 crossed the N300 million mark within four weeks of its release. The film’s impressive opening and sustained popularity show the strong appeal of family-friendly movies in Nigeria, contributing to its place among the top films of the year.
Queen Lateefah – N365.5 Million
Nollywood’s Queen Lateefah has made a significant impact, grossing N365.5 million. Released on September 27, 2024, the film has sold over 80,500 tickets, making it the seventh highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time. Its strong performance was a testament to the growing demand for local Nollywood stories. With captivating storytelling and a powerful lead performance, Queen Lateefah became a fan favorite and a key player in the Nigerian box office this year.
Venom 3 – N317.8 Million
The third installment in the Venom franchise, Venom 3 (also known as Venom: The Last Dance), performed incredibly well in Nigerian cinemas, earning N317.8 million by 2024. The film’s thrilling action and dark humor attracted large audiences, solidifying its place as a major blockbuster. Its success was not only in Nigeria but also extended to neighboring countries like Ghana and Liberia. The movie outperformed its predecessor, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, proving that superhero films continue to dominate the box office.
Mufasa: The Lion King – N309 Million
The prequel to the 2019 remake of The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King premiered in Nigerian cinemas on December 20, 2024. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film performed exceptionally well at the box office. It grossed N64 million in its opening weekend, becoming the highest-grossing Hollywood film for the weekend and the strongest live-action opening in Nigeria for 2024. By the end of December, the film had earned N309 million and continues to perform well into the new year.
Ajosepo – N257.3 Million
Ajosepo, a film directed by Kayode Kasum, quickly made its mark at the box office. Released on April 10, 2024, the story revolves around two estranged brothers coming together to save their father on the eve of a wedding. With an opening week gross of N79 million, the film’s powerful storytelling and stellar performances from Yemi Solade, Timini, and Mercy Aigbe captured the hearts of moviegoers, making it one of the top contenders in 2024.