The Nigerian film industry has experienced a major leap in growth, with the box office revenue soaring by an impressive 60% in 2024. According to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), the country’s cinemas earned a record-breaking N11.5 billion from ticket sales this year, compared to N7.2 billion in 2023.
In addition to the revenue surge, cinemas across Nigeria saw a notable increase in attendance, with over 2.66 million cinema-goers in 2024, up from 2.54 million the previous year. CEAN’s National Chairman, Ope Ajayi, hailed this achievement as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the industry, especially given the challenging economic climate.
“This remarkable growth in both revenue and admissions—up by 60% and 4.5% respectively—is proof of the Nigerian film sector’s unwavering determination,” Ajayi said. “It is also the first time since 2020 that we have witnessed growth in admissions, signaling a positive shift in the cinema subsector.”
Among the standout performers in Nollywood this year were Everybody Loves Jenifa, a comedy by Funke Akindele, which earned an impressive N1.124 billion at the box office. Other top Nollywood films included Queen Lateefah (N365.5 million), Ajosepo (N257.3 million), Ajakaju (N252.8 million), and Alakada Bad & Boujee (N229.1 million).
Meanwhile, Hollywood also made waves in Nigerian cinemas, with Deadpool & Wolverine, Bad Boys 4, Gladiator II, Moana 2, and Venom 3 topping the list of the most successful international releases in the country.
