5 Signs Nollywood Movies Are Making Progress

Gone are the days when saying things like I’m not really into Nollywood movies or I could never be caught watching Nollywood movies was such a huge flex. Nowadays if you’re not watching Nollywood movies, you’re missing out on something big.

Especially with the advent of Nollywood originals on streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix, Nollywood movies have been steadily making big moves in recent times.

Movies like Lion Heart, King of Thieves, Anikulapo, Blood Sisters, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, A Tribe Called Judah amongst others have made waves upon their release. When we say big moves we are not only referring to revenue generation but also improved storytelling and significant audience engagement.

Let’s now highlight 5 signs that show that Nollywood movies are making progress.

Record-breaking revenue

Nollywood movies are generating more money than ever before, with some films breaking box office records and earning hundreds of millions of naira. This shows that the industry is growing and attracting more audiences.

Films like “Battle on Buka Street” and “King of Thieves” grossed over N500 million, setting new benchmarks. This growth is driven by improved storytelling, marketing, and distribution strategies.

Mid-size releases

In addition to big-budget blockbusters, smaller films like “Orisa” and “Merry Men 3” have also achieved commercial success without massive budgets. Nollywood’s midsize films are growing, which is great news! This means that there are more types of movies for different people.

New talent and ideas are also emerging and the industry can now support small and big movies. This segment’s growth indicates a maturing industry with diverse audience preferences. This indicates a healthy mid-tier sector in the industry.

Increased market share

The Nigerian film industry accounted for 39% (N2.8 billion) of the total box office revenue of N7.4 billion in 2024. This marks a notable increase from the previous year. Nollywood now contributes 2.3% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This means that Nigerian films are gaining popularity and competing favorably with international movies. Nollywood’s market share increase reflects its growing popularity and competitiveness. This shift is driven by improved production quality, engaging storylines, and effective marketing.

Improved production quality

Advances in technology and investment in better production equipment have enhanced the visual quality of Nollywood films. Examples of some of these production equipment include the use of drones, high-definition cameras, and professional editing software. This has resulted in better sound, pictures, and special effects, making the films more enjoyable to watch.

Broader release windows

Nollywood films are no longer limited to traditional release periods like December and January. They are now being released throughout the year, expanding their reach and audience engagement. This expansion allows for more diverse content, catering to different audience preferences and moods.

This shift has also encouraged creativity in filmmakers. They are now experimenting with innovative storytelling, genres, and themes. This has resulted in Nollywood solidifying its position in the global film industry because it is now providing a fresh and exciting cinematic experience for audiences all over the world.

These signs indicate a bright future for the Nollywood industry, showing its potential for continued success and global recognition. We’re looking forward to seeing what else Nollywood has in store for us in the coming years and I’m sure we’ll not be disappointed.

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Nesiama Fasola

Nesiama (Ness) Fasola is a community manager, tech enthusiast, writer and full time hopeless romantic. She loves to scribble words in a bid to make sense of the jumble of thoughts, ideas and emotions that constantly plague her mind. At her leisure, you can either find her nose-deep in a book, brewing coffee or poking around in her garden.