Nigeria’s cinema industry is approaching a new annual box-office milestone, with year-to-date revenue reaching ₦15.28 billion (approximately US$10.7 million) by 29 October 2026, leaving the market just ₦122 million (approximately US$85,400) short of its entire 2025 performance.
According to Fusion Intelligence’s weekly box-office digest published on 30 October, the 2026 total represents a 29.75% increase on the ₦11.78 billion recorded over the corresponding period in 2025. With two months remaining in the year, the industry is positioned to surpass last year’s full-year takings.
Admissions have also increased, although at a slower rate than revenue. Cinemas recorded 2,333,926 admissions year to date, up 9.28% year on year. The average ticket price rose by 18.73%, from ₦5,513 to ₦6,546, indicating that higher ticket prices are contributing substantially to the market’s revenue growth.
Nollywood productions continue to account for the largest share of cinema activity. Local titles generated approximately 53% of box-office revenue and 58% of admissions, compared with Hollywood’s respective shares of around 46% and 41%. The average ticket price for a Nollywood film stood at approximately ₦6,050, against ₦7,255 for Hollywood titles, suggesting that local productions are attracting audiences at a lower average admission cost.
For the week of 23–29 October, Nigerian cinemas generated approximately ₦241.4 million (US$168,800) from 36,670 admissions, representing a weekly increase of around 4%. Six new releases collectively contributed ₦94.9 million (US$66,400), accounting for approximately 39% of the week’s total revenue.
Agbara Nla: The Return maintained its position at the top of the box-office chart for a fourth consecutive week, generating ₦47 million (US$32,900) during the period. Its cumulative earnings reached ₦422.7 million (US$295,600), supported by 70,663 admissions.
Tele x Zikora placed second in its first full week of release, earning ₦41 million (US$28,700) from 6,508 admissions across 87 cinema locations. Despite finishing behind Agbara Nla: The Return for the week, the film recorded higher daily earnings on three individual days, demonstrating its competitive performance following its wider release.
The figures point to a Nigerian cinema market benefiting from stronger local-film performance and rising average ticket prices. However, the difference between revenue growth and admissions growth highlights the importance of distinguishing increased audience demand from higher spending per cinema visit.
For exhibitors and distributors, the prospect of exceeding the 2025 annual box-office record before the end of November provides a positive indicator for the market. The remaining weeks of 2026 will show whether the momentum can translate into sustained audience growth and a new full-year revenue benchmark.
