Revenue is up at the Nigerian box office this year, with ticket sales crossing the ₦10 billion mark on the back of stronger local titles and smarter release windows.

By the end of August, cinemas had sold over ₦10 billion worth of tickets,about 58% higher than the same point last year,alongside 1.84 million admissions, up 16% year on year. That keeps 2025 on a record-setting track if momentum holds through the festive season.

The year started fast: Q1 2025 alone delivered ₦3.48 billion in revenue, with admissions of roughly 662,000,a gain on 2024’s first quarter. Early hits set the tone and encouraged more frequent moviegoing among urban audiences.

What’s working at the cinemas

Smarter windowing. Distributors have clustered event titles into clear lanes—family fare during school breaks, star-driven comedies and crowd-pleasers into weekends—reducing cannibalisation and keeping footfall steady between tentpoles. December remains the anchor, with big Nollywood releases training audiences to treat premieres as shared, can’t-miss moments.

Local strength. A steady cadence of Nollywood titles with bankable stars, franchise familiarity, and regional appeal has lifted occupancy even when import titles cycle in and out. The result is less volatility week-to-week and better legs for homegrown films.

Experience and pricing. Operators that leaned into premium auditoriums, tidy facilities, and dynamic pricing have found room to grow despite pressure on household budgets. Well-timed promos and weekday bundles are pulling back casual viewers who drifted during the tougher years.

The macro backdrop (and why it matters)

Inflation has eased from recent peaks but remains high, keeping wallets tight and forcing consumers to trade up only for reliable leisure. That cinemas are growing in this environment suggests a durable shift back to out-of-home entertainment,and gives producers confidence to budget bigger.

A healthier box office does more than lift weekend receipts. It de-risks production investment, supports jobs across the value chain, from writers and crews to exhibitors and marketers, and strengthens the case for new screens in underserved cities.

The ₦10 billion milestone is also a useful signal to brands: cinema remains one of the most efficient ways to reach engaged, paying audiences.

What to watch next

• Holiday slate & release spacing: If distributors avoid bunching top titles on the same weekends, the market could carry today’s gains into Q4.
• Screen expansion: Any additions to the national screen count would compound growth in 2026.
• Pricing discipline: Dynamic offers without eroding average ticket value will be key to protecting margins if costs rise again.