The Nigerian film industry, started the year 2026 with a strong run with local productions collectively generating more than ₦2.25 billion in cinema revenue.
The figure, detailed in ShockNG’s H1 2026 Nigerian Box Office Intelligence Series based on Comscore Movies data, revealed the highest cumulative gross recorded by Nollywood’s top 10 films in a first-half period. It also disclosed that Nigerians are swapping data subscriptions for cinema tickets, and these top ten highest-earning titles are the exact reason Nollywood is laughing all the way to the bank.
Here are the 10 highest-grossing Nollywood movies in the period:
1. Call of My Life (₦719.8 million)
Call of My Life which was released in May was regarded as the undisputed box-office leader. The romantic comedy grossed ₦719,841,658 over nine weeks.
2. Love and New Notes (₦400.5 million)
The second movie on the list of Nollywood’s highest-grossing movies in the first half of 2026 is Love and New Notes. The movie earned ₦400,469,044 after a 15-week theatrical run. Released in February, it was one of the year’s early performers and helped establish romantic stories as a major box-office draw for Nollywood in 2026.
3. The Return of Arinzo (₦351.5 million)
The Return of Arinzo followed closely behind, recording ₦351,501,897 over 10 weeks.
4. Ajosepo: The Gathering (₦165 million)
The sequel Ajosepo: The Gathering earned ₦164,980,425 during its seven-week run.
5. Onobiren (₦138.3 million)
Onobiren grossed ₦138,340,673 after 15 weeks in cinemas. Released in March, it became the fifth-highest-grossing Nollywood title in the H1 ranking, showing the staying power that some Nigerian films enjoyed beyond their opening weeks.
6. Efunroye (₦114.9 million)
Faithia Williams’ historical epic Efunroye earned ₦114,889,200 over 10 weeks. Efunroye tells the story of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the 19th-century merchant and influential figure.
7. The Creek (₦108.1 million)
The Creek was the seventh-highest-grossing Nollywood title, with ₦108,146,532 recorded after nine weeks.
8. Mother’s Love (₦103.1 million)
Mother’s Love crossed the ₦100 million mark, recording ₦103,094,664 over 11 weeks. This drama also marked Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s directorial debut.
9. The Boy Who Gave (₦82.4 million)
The Boy Who Gave earned ₦82,393,225 after nine weeks in cinemas. The drama was among the new-generation Nigerian stories that found a place in the year’s top-performing films. It is focused around the lives of young people in the Niger Delta region.
10. Iwe Ala (₦74.1 million)
Rounding out the list was Iwe Ala, which recorded ₦74,093,920. Released in June, the film had only four weeks of box-office data included in the H1 tracking period.
Top 10 at a glance
1. Call of My Life
2. Love and New Notes
3. The Return of Arinzo
4. Ajosepo: The Gathering
5. Onobiren
6. Efunroye
7. The Creek
8. Mother’s Love
9. The Boy Who Gave
10. Iwe Ala
