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Nollywood Breaks Its Own Record: Inside Nigeria’s 2025 Cinema Surge

  • FSA Team
  • Nov 18
  • 2 min read
Nigeria’s cinemas are on fire and this isn’t just hype. At its annual showcase, FilmOne Entertainment announced it’s eyeing a ₦15 billion (approximately $10 milion) box office milestone by the end of 2025,

Nigeria’s cinemas are on fire and this isn’t just hype. At its annual showcase, FilmOne Entertainment announced it’s eyeing a ₦15 billion (approximately $10 milion) box office milestone by the end of 2025, building on a blistering performance that has already outpaced last year’s full-year result.


According to FilmOne CEO Kene Okwuosa, the company pulled in ₦11.3 billion between January and October alone. That’s a 53% surge over 2024 — and they’re banking on December’s lineup to push them over the top.



Why This Moment Is a Turning Point


  • Admissions Are Back: FilmOne reports that over 2 million tickets have been sold so far this year, a 15% increase over 2024. They're projecting to hit 3 million admissions by year-end, a milestone not seen since post-COVID recovery.

  • Balanced Revenue Strategy: FilmOne is betting on both Nollywood and Hollywood. Their goal? A roughly 50/50 split.

  • Holiday Hustle: December could be a game-changer. FilmOne’s year-end slate includes four Nollywood films which is more than ever before and they’re expecting this festive push to generate around ₦4 billion.

  • Diversifying Hits: The company isn’t just leaning on blockbusters. From anime (Demon Slayer) to thriller, Afro-romance, and epic action, they’re serving up variety to bring in all kinds of viewers.

  • Big Distribution Moves: FilmOne recently secured global distribution rights for Funke Akindele’s next film, Behind the Scenes, showing they’re expanding how and where Nigerian stories are told.



The Wider Impact for Nigerian Film


This isn’t just a win for one company. It’s a signal that Nollywood is stepping into a new economic era:


  • With strong December performances, cinemas could finish 2025 with a record-breaking year.

  • More filmmakers may invest in quality production, knowing there’s real money and audience appetite.

  • Cinema chains could expand, bringing movie-going to more Nigerian cities.


Local stories may attract bigger global partners willing to co-produce or invest.



Final Word


If FilmOne hits its ₦15 billion target, it won’t just be a number. It’ll be proof that Nollywood isn’t just recovering — it’s ascending.


For creators, this moment is theirs: higher budgets, more eyeballs, bigger ambition. For audiences, it means more films made for them, by them, and about them.




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