2023 has been a blockbuster year for Nollywood with some movies making big money. From romantic comedies to gripping thrillers that kept us on edge and nostalgic reboots, the top-grossing films of the year did not only entertain but they also sparked interesting conversations.

Beyond the numbers, these films help to subvert traditional stereotypes, prompting a reevaluation and heightened appreciation for the nuanced brilliance of Nigerian cinema. No longer confined to niche audiences, indigenous films are also drawing attention heavily. This interest translates into increased financial viability, bringing in revenue that not only supports filmmakers but also boosts related industries.

With the holidays coming up, more people are heading to the cinemas, and that means more movies have a shot at hitting it big. As of now, here are the highest grossing Nollywood movies of 2023:

Orisa

Orisa set a Nollywood record with the highest-grossing opening week at ₦27.6 million. After a 14-week run in cinemas nationwide, it exited with a total gross of ₦127.89 million.

The movie features Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Femi Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Idowu Phillips, and Jide Kosoko, telling a compelling story about a once-revered king’s descent into madness.

Merry Men 3

Merry Men 3, brought to life by comedian Ayo Makun, follows the success of the first two installments in the series.

It hit ₦100 million within four weeks in Nigerian theaters. As of December 3, 2023, reported by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), this crime comedy boasts a total gross of ₦117,836,230, securing the second-highest spot to date.

Kesari

Premiering on August 25, Kesari had an impressive start, pulling in ₦41.8 million in just two weeks at the cinema. It’s now proudly sitting as the second-highest grossing Yoruba epic for the year, wrapping up its 11-week run with ₦78,106,925 in total earnings.

Directed by Ibrahim Yekini, Kesari features a fantastic cast, including Mr Macaroni, Deyemi Okolanwon, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Odunlade Adekola, and Yvonne Jegede.

Something Like Gold

As of December 3, 2023, the romantic drama, Something Like Gold, accumulated an impressive total of ₦60.1 million.

 

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Sandra Okunzuwa, a first-time cinema producer and the lead actress, brings a breath of fresh air to the screen with the film which narrates the journey of a woman who discovers love anew after being left at the altar.

The Kujus Again

Kicking off with an impressive ₦19 million in its opening weekend, this comedy-drama concluded its theatrical run with a total box office collection of ₦53.53 million. 

Directed by Biodun Stephen, The Kujus Again, serves as a sequel to the well-received Introducing the Kujus from 2020.

This humorous tale unfolds as a family gathers at a hotel resort for a traditional wedding ceremony, encountering unexpected twists along the way. With a great cast including Bisola Aiyeola, Bimbo Ademoye, Kunle Remi, and Ronke Odusanya, the movie delivers laughter and warmth.

Big Love

Nollywood saw tremendous success with Big Love. It charmed audiences and left a lasting impact at the box office, amassing an impressive sum of 48,466,373.

The heartwarming romcom revolves around an independent woman’s journey to self-improvement, entangled with the unexpected twists of love.

Love in a Pandemic

In February, the collaboration between Bleeding Heart Production and filmOne brought forth Love in a Pandemic, a movie that grossed an N46,479,700 at the box office.

Starring Nancy Isime, Deyemi Okanlawon, Teniola Aladese, Ronke Odusanya, and Eso Dike, this heartfelt film tells the story of a woman navigating love’s complexities during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domitilla: The Reboot 

Domitilla: The Reboot debuted in April 2023. Over 20 weeks, this revamped classic, inspired by Zeb Ejiro’s original tale, earned a cool ₦45,113,750.

Exploring the tough world of sex workers, the film features Eniola Aladese, Elvina Ibru, Chiwetalu Agu, Deyemi Okanlawon, Stan Nze, and Onyinye Odokoro.

A Weekend to Forget 

In A Weekend to Forget, a reunion of seven friends turns tense when old issues resurface, and a friend is found dead. The search for the murderer leads to betrayal and fractured friendships.

Directed by Demola Ademola, this thriller grossed a total of ₦44,180,425.

Honey Money

Honey Money tells the story of a young man in his late 20s from a modest background. As he starts bringing home unexplained riches, his parents strongly oppose, unaware that he’s involved with a notorious gang.

The film was written by Stephen Okonkwo and directed by Ekeje Mekunye. Since it premiered on April 28, it has generated ₦41,659,950.