Despite the economic difficulties, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) has revealed that Nigerians spent over N2.4 billion on cinema tickets in 2021.
Furthermore, the report revealed that the highest ticket sales, N650m, were recorded during the Christmas season from December 24, 2021 to January 2, 2022.
‘Spider-Man: No way home’, ‘Christmas in Miami’ and ‘Aki & Pawpaw’ were named the three most viewed movies in December.
The report also noted that 2021 saw a 100% increase in ticket sales from 1.2 billion naira in 2020. In 2019, revenue from ticket sales was 4.1 billion naira.
Similarly, at the end of 2021, a year after the pandemic, Ay’s ‘Christmas in Miami’ led the list of the highest-grossing films of the year, with total revenues of N205.78 million in the first two weeks of its release. .
However, despite the slow pace of business, 2021 was certainly a good year for Nollywood as its filmmakers and professionals smiled at the bank.
Funke Akindele’s ‘Omo Ghetto’ the Saga made N636,129m at the box office, beating EbonyLife Wedding Party 1 & 2 (2018), which grossed around N453m and N433m, respectively.
In 2021, the top 10 films in Nigerian theaters in terms of box office receipts included:
Decrease – N43m
Release: July 16, 2021
Produced by Mimi Bartels for Filmone Productions and directed by Kayode Kasum and Dare Olaitan.
Dwindle tells the story of Nedu and Buta alongside Tolani and Juliet; within a couple of days, a series of unfortunate events occur between these four.
The star-studded film featured Funke Akindele, Bisola Aiyeola, Jidekene Achufusi, Gregory Ojefua, Broda Shaggy, Adedimeji Lateef, Timini Egbuson, and others.
Soole–N49m
Release: November 26, 2021
Kayode Kasum directed Soole. The movie featured some big Nollywood names like Sola Sobowale, Adunni Ade, Lateef Adedimeji, Mike Folarin.
Soole tells the story of a group of travelers who take a cheap bus to Enugu State and, along the way, experience a series of unfortunate events along the way.
The film exposes the development of the film industry with quality sound and cinematography.
Bad comments – N66m
Release: August 27, 2021
Bad Comments was directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Jim Iyke. The movie is a fast-paced drama/thriller with some comedic moments thrown in for good measure.
The film is based on true events and depicts the lives of celebrities and how the lies spread by social media trolls can endanger their careers.
The positive reviews were unexpected, but the cast, which includes Jim Iyke, Chiwetalu Agu, Yemi Blaq, Edward Chukwuma-Diah, and others, did a fantastic job.
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Breaded Life – N88m
Release: April 16, 2021
Biodun Stephen wrote, co-produced and directed this film which stars MC Lively, Bisola Aiyeola, Timini Egbuson, Bimbo Ademoye, Bolanle Ninalowo and Adedimeji Lateef.
The film follows the story of a misunderstood but spoiled young man played by Timini Egbuson, who falls in love with a bread seller played by Bimbo Ademoye.
The film grossed around ₦10 million in the opening weekend and ₦32 million in the second week.
Ayinla–N91m
Release: June 18, 2021
Ayinla tells the story of a Nigerian musician, Ayinla Omowura, who used Apala music to address issues in contemporary society by praising and criticizing various government and individual acts.
The Tunde Kelani-directed film is widely praised for the outstanding performance of Lateef Adedimeji, who played the role of Ayinla.
The main cast of the film was Lateef Adedimeji, Omowumi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye, and Mr Macaroni.
The people of my town – N100m
Release: June 11, 2021
Niyi Akinmolayan directed the film, while Bovi Ugboma served as screenwriter and lead actor.
The film starred other Nollywood actors such as Amaechi Muonagor, Charles Inojie, Rachael Oniga, and Binta Ayo Mogaji.
The plot follows Prince, a young man whose weakness for women eventually lands him in trouble when he gets caught up in a strange love triangle with witches.
Aki and PawPaw – N113m
Release: December 17, 2021
Aki and Pawpaw is a remake of Aki na Ukwa, first released in 2003. It was directed by Amayo Philips and produced by Chukwuka Emelionwu.
Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, and Amaechi Muonagor reprized their roles and starred alongside Toyin Abraham, Beverly Osu, and Uti Nwachukwu.
Prophetess – N131m
Release: April 2, 2021
Prophetes Prophetes is a Nigerian sports comedy film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.
The film featured Toyin Abraham, Uzor Arukwe, Stan Nze, and Tina Mba who played the key characters. Other star acts include Kunle Remi, Kehinde Bankole, Lateef Adedimeji, and Deyemi Okanlawon.
The story revolves around a local prophetess who makes bold and fictitious predictions about the outcome of a local club football match over which she has no control.
The Ghost and the scalper too – N134.46m
Release: September 10, 2021.
The Ghost and the tout are also sequels to ‘The Ghost and the tout’ (2018). It tells the story of a young girl raised in a ghetto who meets a ghost after an unfortunate incident.
Mike Akinrogunde directed the film.
Toyin Abraham as the main actor and other casts such as Alexander Abolore, Lateef Adedimeji, Odunlade Adekola, Kola Ajeyemi, Adegbola Akande, Anita Asuoha, Ini Edo, among others.
Christmas in Miami – N205. 78m
Release: December 24, 2021
Christmas in Miami is the fourth installment in the Akpos film series created by renowned Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun, popularly known as ‘Ay’.
The Christmas-themed movie ‘AY’ broke Nollyood’s box office record – it made N100m in the first five days of its release.
Starring in the main roles are Ayo Makun, Richard Mofe Damijo and Osita Iheme,