The Story⚡
In a fiercely competitive Easter holiday season, Owambe Thieves made a strong debut, raking in nearly ₦100 million despite stiff competition from both local and international titles. Read on to find out what went down at the box office.
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Directed by Adeoluwa Owu and co-produced by Barbara Babarinsa and Eniola Ajao, Owambe Thieves premiered in Nigerian cinemas on April 18, 2025. The film tells the gripping story of Cheta and Lola, a young couple pushed to the edge by one of Nigeria’s worst economic recessions. With a newborn and mounting financial strain, they are forced to confront a painful reality where the need to survive threatens their moral compass.
Boasting a star-studded cast that includes Tolani Baj, Phyna Otabor, Mo Bimpe Adedimeji, Shina Peters, Denrele Edun, and Tobi Makinde, the film weaves drama and suspense while capturing the harsh economic truths many Nigerians face.
Even before its Easter weekend release, Owambe Thieves was seen as a strong contender at the box office, alongside fellow Nigerian titles Makemation and Aso Ebi Diaries. All three films premiered on the same day. By the end of the weekend, Owambe Thieves had earned ₦54 million, adding another ₦22 million on Easter Monday, bringing its total holiday gross to an impressive ₦76 million.
Top 5 Movies
Here are the top five movies from April 18 to 21, 2025:
5. Minecraft
A Minecraft Movie is a 2025 American fantasy adventure comedy based on the popular 2011 video game by Mojang Studios. Written by Chris Bowman and directed by Jared Hess, the film was released on April 4, 2025. Over the Easter weekend, it grossed ₦7.2 million, with an additional ₦13.1 million on Easter Monday, bringing its holiday total to ₦20.3 million. So far, the title has reached a flash cumulative gross of ₦53.6 million.
4. Aso Ebi Diaries
Renowned for her culturally resonant storytelling, Biodun Stephen directs Aso Ebi Diaries, a film that immerses viewers in Nigeria’s vibrant party culture. Co-written by Janet Aiyegbusi, Abimbola Daramola, and Laide Daramola, the film features a stellar cast including Shaffy Bello, Nancy Isime, Kunle Remi, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori. The narrative traces the evolution of the Aso Ebi tradition, probing its social significance and questioning how its meaning may have shifted over time.
Over the Easter weekend, the film earned ₦19.3 million, with an additional ₦8.4 million on Easter Monday, bringing its flash cumulative total to ₦27.7 million.
3. Makemation
Co-written by Nengi Diri and Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and directed by Michael Akinrogunde, Makemation is a coming-of-age drama set in rural Lagos. The film explores the transformative power of technology and artificial intelligence through the eyes of a brilliant yet underprivileged young girl who uses innovation to tackle some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. With a cast that includes Richard Mofe-Damijo, Shaffy Bello, and Tomi Ojo, Makemation is being hailed as “Africa’s first feature film to spotlight the rising influence of youth, especially girls, in harnessing AI to solve real-world problems.”
Over the Easter weekend, the film grossed ₦21.5 million, adding ₦11.4 million on Easter Monday, bringing its total earnings to ₦32.9 million.
2. Owambe Thieves
The film debuted with ₦54 million over the weekend and added ₦22 million on Easter Monday, bringing its total holiday gross to ₦76 million.
1. Sinners
The American period horror film, written, co-produced, and directed by Ryan Coogler, was released on April 18, 2025. The film features a star-studded cast including Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo.
It received an overwhelming reception from Nigerian audiences, earning ₦74.6 million over the Easter weekend and ₦31.6 million on Easter Monday. Its current flash cumulative gross stands at an impressive ₦111.4 million.
In Summary
With a strong ₦76 million debut, Owambe Thieves has made a confident entrance into the Nigerian box office scene, proving its appeal among holiday audiences. Backed by a relatable storyline, a dynamic cast, and timely themes, the film is already shaping up to be one of the major Nollywood hits of the year. The big question now is—can Owambe Thieves ride this momentum and break past the ₦200 million mark?
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