Top 15 Highest Grossing Nollywood Movies Ever (Updated: 2024)

Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry, has grown to become one of the largest in the world, producing thousands of movies every year. The industry has not only gained recognition for its unique storytelling but also for its profitability. Over the years, Nollywood has produced numerous blockbuster movies that have grossed millions of dollars both locally and internationally. In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 highest grossing Nollywood movies of all time as of December 2024.

1. A Tribe Called Judah – 1.3 Billion Naira

A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele and starring Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe Etim, Juliana Olayode and many others. The film was released to cinemas nationwide on December 15, 2023. The movie is the first Nollywood movie to hit 1 billion naira at the box office.

• Plot

A Tribe Called Judah” follows Jedidah Judah, a single mother with five sons from different fathers and tribes. While the first two sons are responsible, the last three engage in troublesome behavior: Pere is a pickpocket, Shina a hoodlum, and Ejiro cares only for his girlfriend. When Jedidah falls ill with kidney disease, the sons plan to rob Emeka’s ex-boss, suspected of being a money launderer, to fund her treatment. However, their scheme goes awry when they encounter armed robbers during the robbery.

2. Battle on Buka Street – 668 Million Naira

Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. The film is jointly produced as a collaboration between Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and FilmOne Studios and had its theatrical release on 16 December 2022. The movie is currently the second highest grossing Nigerian movie ever.

• Plot

The plot revolves around the battle between two women who confront each other in a food challenge in order to win the prestigious ‘King of Buka Street’ which is a title conferred to the best local food seller in the region.

3. Omo Ghetto: The Saga – 636 Million Naira

Omo Ghetto: The Saga also known as Omo Ghetto 2 is a 2020 gangster/Agbero comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz. The film stars Funke Akindele, Chioma Akpota, Nancy Isime, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon and Mercy Aigbe in the lead roles. The movie is currently the Highest Grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

• Plot

Omo Ghetto: The Saga is about Twins are reunited as a good-hearted female gangster and her uptight rich sister take on family, crime, cops, and all of the trouble that follows them.

4. “The Wedding Party” – 453 Million Naira

The Wedding Party is a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy drama film, a collaboration between Ebonylife Films, FilmOne, Inkblot Production, Koga Studios, and is directed by Kemi Adetiba.
It is currently the third Highest Grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

• Plot

The entire plot revolves around a Yoruba bride and an Igbo groom and all the drama that unfolds on their wedding day.

5. “The Wedding Party 2” – 433 Million Naira

This 2017 romantic comedy drama film was directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. The Wedding Party 2 is a sequel to the Wedding Party which was released in December 2016. It is currently the fourth highest grossing nollywood movie of all time.

• Plot

The movie focuses on Dozie’s (Banky Wellington) elder brother, Nonso ( Enyinna Nwigwe), who has continued his romance with Deardre (Daniella Down), Dunni’s (Adesua Etomi) bridesmaid. Nonso takes Deardre on a date in Dubai and proposes marriage by accident. After a disastrous traditional engagement ceremony in Lagos, Nonso’s family and Deardre’s aristocratic British family reluctantly agree to a wedding in Dubai.

6. “Chief Daddy” – 387.5 Million Naira

Chief Daddy is a 2018 comedy drama film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu. The movie starred popular Nollywood actors and actresses like Funke Akindele Bello, Kate Henshaw, Nkem Owoh, Joke Silva, Patience Ozokwor, Richard Mofe Damijo and Falz the bad guy.
It is currently the fifth Highest Grossing Nollywood movie of all time.

• Plot

Chief Daddy is about a billionaire industrialist, Chief Beecroft, who serves as a benefactor to a large extended family of relatives, household staff and mistresses. He dies suddenly and his will creates a saga amongst his extended families.

7. Brotherhood – 328.8 Million Naira

Brotherhood is a crime-action thriller produced by Jade Osiberu and starring Tobi Bakre, Boma Akpore, Falz, Basketmouth, Sam Dede, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Toni Tones, Zubby Micheal, Mr Macaroni and a host of others.

• Plot

Twin brothers, Wale (Falz) and Akin (Tobi Bakre) are orphaned when their parents are killed on New Year’s day on their way home from crossover church service. After years of fighting to survive on the streets of Lagos, the brothers fall on opposite sides of the law with Wale joining the police force and Akin joining a notorious gang of robbers.

8. King of Thieves – 320.8 Million Naira

The movie King of Thieves (Agẹṣinkólé) is a thriller produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. It stars Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Adebayo Salami, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ibrahim Chatta. The Epic Yoruba-language movie was produced by Femi Adebayo’s Euphoria360 media and co-produced by the Niyi Akinmolayan’s Anthill studios.

• Plot

King of Thieves is a story about the kingdom of Ajeromi, which is prosperous and peaceful until a powerful bandit named Agesinkole comes to terrorize it. The kingdom of Ajeromi uses all of its resources, including hunters, witches, and wizards, to try and defeat Agesinkole.

9. “Sugar Rush” – 287 Million Naira

Sugar Rush is a 2019 crime action comedy film written by Jadesola Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye, and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film stars Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola and Bimbo Ademoye in the lead roles.

• Plot

The Sugar Sisters discover a whopping $800,000, the financial crimes commission and the supposed owners of the money come for them. Now they team up with unlikely allies and it’s a race against the clock to set things right.

10. Christmas in Miami – 265.5 Million Naira

Christmas in Miami is a Nigerian comedy film released on December 24, 2021, and directed by Robert Peters. The lead cast of the film include Ayo Makun, Kent Morita, John Amos, Nadya Marie, Barry piacente, Catherine Olsen, Osita Iheme, Richard Mofe-Damijo and IK Ogbonna. The movie holds the 9th position on the list of the highest-grossing Nollywood movies ever.

• Plot

Christmas in Miami is the fourth instalment of the Akpos Nollywood film series . Following on from his rib cracking and havoc wrecking adventures, this time Akpos jets off with his family to the exotic city of Miami, Florida to represent Nigeria at the Intercontinental Christmas Fiesta.

11. King of Boys – 244.7 Million Naira

Released in 2018, KOB is a crime thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It is the second movie directed by Kemi Adetiba following the release of The Wedding Party. The movie holds the tenth position on the list of the highest grossing Nollywood movies ever.

• Plot

King of Boys follows the story of Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman and philanthropist with a checkered past and a promising political future. She is a pillar of society – loved by many, feared by most, and truly known by a select few.

12. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons – 235.6 Million Naira

AY Makun ‘s film ‘ Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons’, was released on September 28, 2018. It stars an ensemble cast, which includes: Nollywood lover boy Ramsey Nouah, AY Makun, Jim Iyke, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, and Falz the bad guy. The movie ranks number 11 on the list of Highest Grossing Nollywood Movies ever.

• Plot

The film is set in Abuja. Four rich men (the Merry Men) seduce powerful women, get contracts from the political elite, steal from the rich, give to the poor and have sex with the hottest women in town. They face their biggest challenge yet when they antagonize a notorious and corrupt politician who plans on demolishing a village to build a shopping mall. The four men scheme to save the poor people of the village.

13. Merry Men 2: Another Mission – 234 Million Naira

Merry Men 2: Another Mission is a 2019 Nigerian crime action comedy film and a sequel to Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons. The movie ranks number 12 on the list of Highest Grossing Nollywood Movies ever.

• Plot

To save a kidnapped loved one, a pack of wealthy men must return to their vigilante past when they are blackmailed to pull off a treacherous heist.

14. Ijakumo – 205.2 Million Naira

Ijakumo (The Born Again Stripper) is a 2022 suspense thriller film produced by Toyin Abraham. It was released in theaters on December 23, 2022. The cast includes Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, Lolade Okusanya, Bimbo Akintola, Olumide Oworu, Lillian Afegbai among others. The screenplay was written by Kehinde Joseph and it was directed by Adebayo Tijani.

• Plot

Ijakumo (The Born Again Stripper) tells a story of Asabi (Toyin Abraham), daughter of a powerful spiritualist who is hell bent on destroying the life of her ex lover, a now renowned pastor who cheated her and left her to die.

15. Your Excellency – 186.3 Million Naira

Your Excellency is a 2019 political satire drama comedy film written and directed by Funke Akindele on her directorial debut. The film stars Akin Lewis and Funke Akindele in the lead roles. The film is the fourteenth highest grossing nollywood movie ever.

• Plot

A bumbling billionaire businessman and failed Presidential candidate Chief Olalekan Ajadi (Akin Lewis) is very much obsessed with US President Donald Trump. Just when his political campaign looks on the verge of another flop disaster, Ajadi is anointed by a majority party and becomes a tough credible contender with the assistance of powerful social media.

16. “A Trip to Jamaica” – 180.2 million naria

Written and produced by AY Makun, A Trip to Jamaica was directed by Robert Peters, and stars Funke Akindele, Chris Attoh, Nse Ikpe Etim among others.
The movie is the fifteenth Highest Grossing Nollywood Movie of all time.

• Summary

The film tells a story about the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relatives residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens.

Revised in September 2024