Nollywood, the powerhouse of Nigerian cinema, has truly entered the global spotlight. Not long ago, earning ₦100 million at the domestic box office was a massive win. Today, producers are setting their sights on billion-naira records, proving the incredible growth and commercial strength of the industry.
This article breaks down the definitive list of the Top 10 Highest-Grossing Nollywood Films of All Time, detailing the blockbusters that reshaped the cinema landscape and highlighting the key figures behind their success.
The All Time Top 5: The Nollywood Giants
The top five films on this list represent the true commercial peak of Nigerian filmmaking. They are must-watch cultural phenomena that drove millions of Nigerians into cinemas.
Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)
All Time Record Holder: ₦1.882 Billion+
The Queen of the Box Office: Funke Akindele (Director/Producer/Star)
The latest installment in the beloved Jenifa franchise shattered every existing record. Funke Akindele’s return to the big screen with her iconic character proved irresistible, making it the first Nollywood film to aggressively push toward the ₦2 billion mark. Its success confirmed that Nollywood audiences have an insatiable appetite for well written, familiar, and highly entertaining sequels.
A Tribe Called Judah (2023)
Box Office Gross: ₦1.408 Billion+
Significance: The first Nigerian film to ever cross the ₦1 billion threshold.
Before Everybody Loves Jenifa took the crown, A Tribe Called Judah was the undisputed king. This highstakes family heist comedy, also starring and co-directed by Funke Akindele, became a cultural sensation during the 2023 Christmas period. Its unprecedented success legitimized the possibility of achieving true blockbuster status in the Nigerian film market.
Battle on Buka Street (2022)
Box Office Gross: ₦668.4 Million
Yet another massive holiday hit from Funke Akindele. This film proved that audiences love stories centered around food, family conflict, and comedy. Its strong performance solidified the Detty December period as the most crucial window for film releases.
A hilarious and emotional rivalry between two half-sisters operating competing food businesses.
Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)
Box Office Gross: ₦636.1 Million
Released during a challenging year (2020), this film’s success was monumental. It revived the cinematic experience for many Nigerians and was a testament to the drawing power of its stars. The gritty, high energy story focused on twin sisters separated at birth who navigate life in the ghetto and the high class suburbs.
Gingerrr (2025)
Box Office Gross: ₦521.9 Million
The highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025.
Breaking the dominance of the Akindele franchises, Gingerrr is a female led action-comedy heist film that smashed expectations in 2025. Its success highlights the growing demand for different genres and the commercial viability of films produced by a new wave of stars and executive producers.
Alakada: Bad & Boujee (2024)
Box Office Gross: ₦500.5 Million
Toyin Abraham (Producer/Star)
Following in the footsteps of the Jenifa franchise, this film stars Toyin Abraham in her much loved role as Yetunde, the social-climbing ‘Alakada’ (pretender). This entry solidified the fact that Nigerian audiences highly value familiar comedic characters. The strong return on this film confirms Toyin Abraham as one of the few producers capable of consistently hitting the half a billion naira mark.
The Wedding Party (2016)
Box Office Gross: ₦452.2 Million
Mo Abudu (Executive Producer, EbonyLife Films)
This is the film that truly ushered in the modern, large-scale box office era for Nollywood. When it was released in 2016, it smashed the existing records by a huge margin. It proved that high-quality production, excellent marketing, and a diverse, star-studded cast (like Banky W and Adesua Etomi) could draw Nigeria’s middle and upper classes back into the cinemas.
The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017)
Box Office Gross: ₦433.1 Million
Despite a slight dip in gross from the first installment (which is common for sequels), The Wedding Party 2 reaffirmed the commercial power of the franchise. By taking the action to Dubai, it showed that Nollywood could compete with global standards in terms of scale and production value, ensuring its place as a massive commercial success. It maintained incredible commercial success for the franchise.
Ori: Rebirth (2025)
Box Office Gross: ₦419.5 Million
Muyiwa Ademola (Producer/Director/Star)
One of the biggest surprises of 2025, Ori: Rebirth is a masterclass in indigenous filmmaking. This Yoruba-language epic drama proves that Nigerian audiences are hungry for high quality, culturally authentic stories. Its success, which occurred outside of the competitive Christmas season, is a major victory for indigenous cinema and has set a new commercial benchmark for non-English Nollywood films.
Chief Daddy (2018)
Box Office Gross: ₦387.5 Million
Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.
This star-studded comedy, produced by EbonyLifeFilms, features a hilarious plot centered around a wealthy man’s death and the chaos that follows among his many family members and secrets. Released during the competitive 2018 holiday season, it leveraged its huge ensemble cast to secure a high-ranking spot and close out the top ten list.
Key Trends Driving Nollywood Success
The Funke Akindele Effect: Having films in the top four spots, Funke Akindele is not just an actor; she is a box-office guarantor. Her films are highly anticipated, proving that star power, combined with strong marketing and directing, is the ultimate recipe for success in the industry.
The December Window: Look at the release yearsmost blockbusters hit the market in December. The Christmas and New Year holidays provide the perfect opportunity for families and friends to go to the cinema, making it the most lucrative release window.
The Rise of Indigenous Epics: The inclusion of Ori: Rebirth (a Yoruba-language epic) in the top 10 shows that high-quality films made in indigenous languages are finding a massive, eager audience that appreciates cultural authenticity.
The Power of Franchises: The recurring presence of the Jenifa series, the Wedding Party series, and the Alakada series demonstrates that building a recognizable brand and character pays off immensely at the box office.
Nollywood is no longer just regional; it is a global force that is generating hundreds of millions of naira on its home soil. With producers aiming higher every year, expect the ₦2 billion record to be challenged very soon!
