Nollywood has enjoyed an impressive run at the cinemas so far this year, with audiences showing up for everything from romance and historical epics to faith-based dramas and long-awaited sequels. While streaming platforms continue to grow, the local box office remains a powerful indicator of what resonates with Nigerian moviegoers.
One film has clearly separated itself from the pack. Dammy Twitch’s directorial debut, Call of My Life, has become the first Nollywood movie of the year to cross the ₦600 million mark, cementing its place as the biggest local theatrical success of 2026 so far.
Here are the five highest-grossing Nollywood movies of the year and the stories behind their success.
1. Call of My Life (₦628 Million+)
Sitting comfortably at the top of the chart is Call of My Life, the romantic comedy directed by Dammy Twitch and produced by BluHouse Studios.
The film follows Soluchi, a hopeless romantic trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak. What begins as a painful chapter soon takes an unexpected turn when a routine customer service call introduces her to someone who changes her perspective on love and relationships.
Audiences connected strongly with the film’s relatable themes, charming performances, and feel-good storytelling. Strong word-of-mouth marketing also helped sustain momentum long after its opening weekend.
Its remarkable box office run saw it dominate cinemas across West Africa for several consecutive weeks, eventually becoming one of the fastest contemporary Nollywood romance films to cross half a billion naira.
2. Love and New Notes (₦400.17 Million)
Before Call of My Life took over the box office conversation, Love and New Notes was the movie everyone was talking about.
The romantic drama delivered one of the biggest opening weekends of the year and quickly established itself as a crowd favourite. The film blended romance, personal ambition, and financial challenges into a story that kept audiences invested from start to finish.
Its strong opening performance laid the foundation for an impressive cinema run, helping it become the second-highest-grossing Nollywood release of 2026.
The success of the movie also reinforced the continued popularity of romance-focused stories among Nigerian audiences.
3. The Return of Arinzo (₦347.8 Million)
Sequels can be risky, but The Return of Arinzo proved that audiences are willing to return when a beloved story is revived properly.
The film built on the legacy of the original Arinzo while introducing fresh twists, family secrets, and political drama. Strong nostalgia played a role in drawing audiences to cinemas, but the movie’s ability to maintain interest over several weeks was what truly boosted its earnings.
Its impressive performance made it one of the standout success stories of the year and demonstrated the commercial value of well-executed Nollywood franchises.
4. Onobiren (₦138.2 Million)
Faith-based storytelling continued to find a loyal audience in 2026, and Onobiren stands as one of the clearest examples.
Produced by Laju Iren, the film tells a powerful story of purpose, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing heavily from South-South culture and experiences, the movie resonated with viewers looking for inspirational stories grounded in faith and everyday realities.
Its strong performance shows that meaningful storytelling can still attract large audiences even without blockbuster budgets or heavy spectacle.
5. Efunroye: The Unicorn (₦103.8 Million)
Rounding out the top five is Efunroye: The Unicorn, a historical epic that brought the life of Madam Efunroye Tinubu to the big screen.
The film explores the journey of one of the most influential women in Nigerian history, highlighting her rise as a merchant, political strategist, and community leader.
Audiences were drawn to its rich cultural themes, historical significance, and large-scale production. The movie’s success also reflects growing interest in stories that celebrate African history and heritage through cinema.
Nollywood’s Strong Start to 2026
The first half of 2026 has shown that Nigerian audiences remain eager to support local productions when compelling stories meet quality execution. Romance films have dominated the charts, but faith-based dramas, historical epics, and sequels have also proven they can attract substantial audiences.
With several major releases still expected later in the year, the competition for box office supremacy is far from over. For now, however, Call of My Life remains the film everyone else is chasing.
Which of these movies have you watched? Share your favourite Nollywood release of 2026 so far and keep following RefinedNG for more entertainment updates, movie reviews, and African entertainment stories.