The Nigerian cinema landscape is witnessing a historic shift as local productions gain dominance over international blockbusters.
Following a 50/50 revenue split in 2025, Nollywood has surged ahead in the first half of 2026, driven by strong audience connection to homegrown storytelling and a sustained decline in Hollywood ticket sales.
Despite fewer releases, Nigerian films are now setting the pace for box office earnings, signaling a new era for the industry.
Nollywood matched Hollywood in revenue in the Nigerian market in 2025, with each taking 50 percent of the N15.8 billion gross according to the 2025 Nigeria Box Office Yearbook by FilmOne Entertainment.
In the first half of 2026, Nollywood has continued this momentum and moved ahead in total earnings despite fewer releases.
Data from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria and FilmOne Entertainment show Nollywood titles leading high-earning charts. Call of My Life generated N719 million, Love & New Notes earned N385.3 million, and The Return of Arinzo took N350 million. Other titles such as Ajosepo reached N159.7 million over five weeks, Efunroye: The Unicorn earned N102 million, and Onobiren recorded N100 million.
Hollywood releases in the same period included Michael at N790 million, Mortal Kombat II at N215.7 million by its fifth week, and The Devil Wears Prada II at N168.7 million in four weeks. Master of the Universe earned N65.2 million, and Supergirl opened with N66.9 million. Other releases included Super Mario, Toy Story 5, Animal Farm, Scary Movie, among others.
Naz Onuzo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions, said on X, “The context, as always, is that Nollywood attendance is higher now than it was in 2019. Hollywood ticket sales have fallen by almost 2/3rds in the same period. Nigerians have significantly reduced their watching of Hollywood in cinemas post-COVID.”
Only three Hollywood titles have crossed the N100 million mark so far in 2026, with Supergirl looking to join the trend of movies with its huge opening numbers and Spiderman: Brand New Day coming out towards the end of July, poised to become one of the year’s biggest earners.
According to the Box Office Summary for Anglophone West Africa from 2019 to 2025, the Nigerian market grew substantially. Total gross box office rose from lower levels in 2019 to N15.6 billion in 2025, with average ticket prices increasing from N1,450 to N5,959. Nollywood’s share of admissions and earnings showed resilience across these years, even as the number of releases fluctuated.
In 2025, Nollywood accounted for 47 percent of releases compared to Hollywood’s 53 percent, yet achieved parity in revenue. This trend aligns with longer-term shifts. Nollywood attendance is higher now than in 2019, while Hollywood ticket sales have fallen by almost two-thirds over the same period. In 2021, Nollywood held 57 percent of releases and 45 percent of box office earnings. By 2025, its release share stood at 47 percent, but its revenue contribution reached 50 percent.
The market expansion from N5 billion in 2021 to N15.6 billion in 2025 reflects inflationary pressures, higher operating costs, currency depreciation, and a shift toward premium cinema experiences.
Nollywood’s performance in 2025 and the first half of 2026 has been shaped by audience connection to local stories, continuity from late 2024 releases, and sustained engagement. Movies like Call of My Life, Love & New Notes, and The Return of Arinzo highlight audience preference for homegrown productions in H1 2026. Questions remain if Hollywood releases such as Supergirl, Spiderman, and Avengers: Doomsday will dominate Nollywood in the second half of the year.
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