The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood has produced thousands of movies for over six decades. It has kept on growing and thriving each and everywhere and has become one of the biggest movie industries in the world in terms of volume. The industry is worth over $3.5 billion.
As technology has advanced, the industry has advanced as well with the quality, content, and cinematography showing significant improvement over the years.
With the steady release of Nigerian movies into the cinemas, this has only provided a lot of money for the industry. The following movies have made history for being the highest grossing movies in the country.
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10. Up North (2018)
Starring: Banky Wellington, Rahama Sadau, Adesuwa Etomi, Kanayo O. Kanayo
Studios: Anakle Films/Inkblot Production
Directed by: Tope Oshin Ogun
The story is about a young man played by Banky W who is spoilt and rebellious and in a bid to curb his excesses, his father demands that he does the compulsory NYSC programme for graduates in the country. He is sent to Bauchi to participate in the one-year programme to prepare him to take over the company.
The movie shows the beautiful scenery of Bauchi and its culture. It is also relatable as the programme is one that graduates all over the country take each year. This movie grossed N93,660,500.
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9. Fifty (2015)
Starring: Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ireti Doyle, Omoni Oboli, Dakore Akande
Studios: EbonyLife Films
Directed by: Biyi Bandele
Set in the city of Lagos, the story revolves around four women who are around the age of fifty as they juggle their careers, motherhood, family, and life as middle-aged women. It was a beautiful movie rich in fashion and elegance. The movie grossed N94,030,500.
8. 30 Days in Atlanta (2014)
Starring: Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Desmond Elliot
Studios: Corporate World Pictures
Directed by: Robert Peters
When he wins trip for two to the city of Atlanta in the U.S.A, Akposa decides to take his friend and cousin, Richard on an unforgettable trip filled with a lot of laughs and even some romance.
The movie was extremely successful as it grosses N137,200,000. The movie was also recognized in the 2017 Guinness Book of Records as one of the highest grossing films across Bollywood, Nollywood, and Hollywood.
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7. 10 Days in Sun City (2017)
Starring: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Adesua Etomi Wellington, Mercy Johnson, Ayo Makun
Studios: Corporate World Entertainment
Directed by: Adze Ugha
The movie is set in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, the story tells the tale of Akpos played by AY Makun and his beauty queen fiancée, played by Adesua Etomi.
As she is thrust into stardom, she stays loyal to her boyfriend and they travel together to South Africa. However, they have to dodge a wealthy CEO who offers an amazing deal but with an ulterior motive. It grossed N177,000,000.
6. A Trip to Jamaica (2016)
Starring: Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dan Davies
Studios: Corporate World Entertainment
Directed by: Robert Peters
After Akpos (Ayo Makun) proposes to his girlfriend, Bola (Funke Akindele), they take a trip to Jamaica for a pre-honeymoon holiday. The movie is filled with comedy, romance, and adventure and it grossed N178,500,000.
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5. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2016)
Starring: Ayo Makun, Folarin “Falz” Falana, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke
Studios: Corporate World Entertainment/Gush Media
Directed by: Toka Mcbaror
Set in the city of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, four elite bachelors seduce women in seduce, scheme and rob powerful and rich people and give back to the poor.
They are good looking, drive the best cars and sleep with the hottest women. Now, they are faced with their most formidable opponent yet. This movie was a hit in the Nigerian cinemas and grossed N230,000,000.
4. King of Boys (2018)
Starring: Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Reminisce, Toni Tones
Studios: Kemi Adetiba Visuals
Directed by: Kemi Adetiba
This outstanding visual from Kemi Adetiba stars Sola Sobowale in what is arguably her best performance till date as she plays the role of Alhaja Eniola Salami in her struggle for power. It is a political thriller filled with lots of suspense and fine acting from the actors. The film grossed N231,719,753.
3. Chief Daddy (2018)
Starring: Joke Silva, Funke Akindele-Bello, Folarin “Falz” Falana, Ini Edo
Studios: EbonyLife Films
Directed by: Niyi Akinmolayan
When Chief “Daddy” Beecroft, a wealthy and prominent man in the society dies, a race for the wealth he left behind begins among the members of his family. Secrets are revealed and alliances are formed in a bid to receive as much money as they can. The movie laughs and shares a healthy mix of old and new Nollywood actors. The film grossed N387,028,949.
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2. The Wedding Party (2016)
Starring: Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale
Studios: EbonyLife Films/FilmOne/Inkblot Production/Koga Studios
Directed by: Kemi Adetiba
This romantic-comedy broke records as the highest grossing Nigerian film of all time when it was released in 2016. This record was only broken by its sequel the following year.
The movie tells the story of Dunni (Adesua Etomi) and Dozie (Banky Wellington) as they dodge obstacles such as ex-girlfriends, bachelor party videos and even a thief on the day of their wedding.
It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada in September 2016. It was released worldwide in December 2016 and grossed N453,053,000.
1. The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017)
Starring: Sola Sobowale, Banky Wellington, Adesua Etomi, Enyinna Nwigwe
Studios: EbonyLife Films/FilmOne/Inkblot Production/Koga Studios
Directed by: Niyi Akinmolayan
This movie currently holds the record for the highest grossing Nigerian film of all time; a title formerly held by its predecessor.
It follows Nonso (Enyinaa Nwigwe), Dozie’s brother and Deadre (Daniella Down) as they prepare for their wedding ceremony after Nonso proposes by accident.
Their wedding ceremony is to take place in Dubai which is where part of the movie was filmed. It was a hit like its predecessor and grossed N500,000,000.