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With a successful box office year for Nollywood, this post looks at the top 10 Nigerian titles in 2024.
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2024 was indeed a rollercoaster year for the Nigerian film industry, and despite the ups and downs that came the year, it was a year that Nollywood did well at the box office in spite of international competition.
Here are the movies that grossed the highest last year.
Top 10 Movies
10. Muri & Ko
The comedy-drama tells the story of a small-time thief, Muri, played by Kunle Remi, who inadvertently steals a car with an 8-year-old boy, Cole, played by Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, in the backseat. The title was directed by Biodun Stephen, and it also stars Bisola Aiyeola, Bucci Franklin, Femi Jacobs, and Charles Okocha.
Muri & Ko was released nationwide at the box office on the 12th of June, 2024, and it was well received by the audience. Following its spin at the box office, it bowed out with ₦136.02 million.
9. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Written by Tunde Babalola, the biopic about the life and times of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a renowned Nigerian activist and mother of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, screened at the 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and won the prizes for Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay.
Directed and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the title was released at the box office on the 17th of May, 2024. It stars Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, and many others. It bowed out of cinema with a sum of ₦157.09 million.
8. Farmer’s Bride
Set in 1980s Ibadan, the film tells the story of a wealthy yet lonely farmer who seeks companionship through marriage to a young bride, Funmi. However, their relationship becomes strained as Funmi grapples with discontentment, ultimately leading her into a forbidden affair. It was written by Jack’enneth Opukeme and co-directed by Jack’enneth Opukeme and Adebayo Tijani. It stars Mercy Aigbe, Tobi Bakre, Femi Branch, and others.
Debuted at the cinema on the 27th of September, 2024, the film grossed ₦167 million.
7. The Waiter
Ayo Makun’s The Waiter is written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph and Ayo Makun and directed by Toka McBaror. It featured Ayo Makun, Deyemi Okanlawon, Shaffy Bello, Regina Daniels, Bucci Franklin, Uchemba Williams, and a host of others. The title bowed out of cinema in 2024 with ₦185 million following its launching on the 20th of December, 2024. However, it has so far made ₦218.55 million.
6. Lakatabu
Directed by Odunlade Adekola, the film tells the story of a man whose reign of terror takes a dark turn when he kidnaps the daughter of a man who once stole from him, setting the stage for his inevitable downfall. It was released to the cinema on the 21st of June, 2024. It later went on to gross ₦202.25 million.
5. Alakada: Bad and Boujee
Alakada: Bad and Boujee is the latest installment in Toyin Abraham’s Alakada movie franchise. The series follows Yetunde (Toyin Abraham), a young girl from a humble background struggling with an inferiority complex. To gain acceptance and blend in with her peers, she fabricates stories and exaggerates her financial and social status.
Co-produced by Toyin Abraham Production and FilmOne Studios, the title is directed by Adebayo Tijani, and it stars Toyin Abraham, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Ademoye, Idowu Adeyemi, Ini Edo, and many others.
Though still running at the cinema, the title closed in 2024 with ₦229 million. It has, however, made ₦350 million since its release on the 20th of December, 2025.
4. Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju
The thriller film was produced by Eniola Ajao and directed by Adebayo Tijani and Odunlade Adekola, starring Eniola Ajao, Odunlade Adekola, Sola Sobowale, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Fathia Balogun, and others. The film follows the story of a king falling in love with a woman who is half-human and half-beast, all in his bid to get a male child.
It was released to the cinema on the 29th of March, 2024. It grossed ₦252.80 million after its theatrical run.
3. Ajosepo
The title launched at the box office on the 10th of April, 2024. It was written by Kayode Kasum, Stephen Okonkwo, and Dare Olaitan and directed by Kayode Kasum. Starring Muyiwa Ademola, Tomike Adeoye, and Mike Afolarin, it tells the story of a young couple who must deal with all kinds of family tensions on the eve of their wedding. The film made a sum of ₦257.25 million after its spin at the cinema.
2. Queen Lateefah
Written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph and directed by Adeoluwa Owu, the film was launched at the box office on the 27th of September, 2024. It tells the story of a businessman falling in love with a wealthy and successful woman, only to discover that she is not what she takes her to be. It stars Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, and others. It earned ₦365.51 million.
1. Everybody Loves Jenifa
Debuted on Friday, 13th of December 2024, Everybody Loves Jenifa topped the Nigerian box office last year, closing with ₦1.12 billion. The film is the latest sequel in the Jenifa franchise by Funke Akindele. It showcases Jenifa’s ever-entertaining journey of fame, relationships, and personal growth. Co-written by Funke Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, and Collins Okoh, the title was co-directed by Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye. It stars Funke Akindele, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, Patience Ozokwor, and a host of many others. So far, it has made ₦1.466 billion to clench the title of the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time in Nigeria.
In Summary
In 2024, Nollywood’s top 10 movies collectively grossed over ₦3.07 billion, a remarkable improvement compared to 2023’s ₦1.94 billion. Funke Akindele dominated the 2023 box office, contributing ₦1.03 billion to the total while contributing ₦1.12 billion in 2024.
Notably, only one title in 2024, Muri & Ko, fell short of the ₦150 million blockbuster benchmark. Meanwhile, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti earned an impressive ₦157.09 million despite a box office run of less than two months, securing the number one spot for several weeks.
A standout achievement was Wumi Toriola’s debut box office production, Queen Lateefah, which grossed ₦365.51 million, marking a major milestone for the first-time box office producer.
Additionally, Ajosepo emerged as the biggest April release, raking in ₦257.25 million. Interestingly, only three December releases (The Waiter, Alakada: Bad and Boujee, and Everybody Loves Jenifa) made the top 10 list, compared to four in 2023 (Afamefuna, Ada Omo Daddy, Malaika, and A Tribe Called Judah).
These figures underscore Nollywood’s growing box office success and evolving audience preferences in 2024.
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