The Nigerian entertainment industry is clearly in a new phase, and Nollywood’s latest box office numbers are making that statement loud and clear. Actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has recorded a major commercial milestone as his epic film Agesinkole 2: King of Thieves grossed an impressive ₦417 million within just 12 days of release.
The box office feat was announced on Tuesday by Blue Pictures Film Distribution Company in a collaborative Instagram post shared with the filmmaker. The company described the achievement as a defining moment for Nollywood’s cinema business, particularly because of the film’s unconventional distribution strategy.
Unlike the traditional multiplex cinema model, Agesinkole 2 was screened primarily through community cinemas across six states in Southwest Nigeria. These screenings took place in event halls and community spaces, bringing the cinema experience closer to grassroots audiences and redefining how Nigerian films can reach viewers.
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Community Cinema Model Sets New Industry Firsts
In its official statement, Blue Pictures highlighted several industry firsts tied to the film’s performance. According to the distributor, Agesinkole 2 is the first Nollywood film to be fully exhibited through community cinemas and the first community cinema title to achieve such a massive box office return.
“What started as a bold idea became a movement. What many doubted became a monumental chapter in Nollywood history. ₦417 million in just 12 days,” the post read in part. The company noted that the project proved what is possible when purpose driven organisations collaborate with audiences at the grassroots level.
The distributor also thanked moviegoers across the Southwest who showed up in large numbers to support the screenings, adding that the success belongs as much to the audience as it does to the filmmakers.
Adebayo later confirmed the figures in a separate post on his X account, reiterating the historic nature of the achievement and describing the community cinema approach as an uncharted but rewarding path for Nollywood.
Agesinkole 2 was co-produced by Euphoria 360, Circuits, and Hawk Studios, with Blue Pictures Film Distribution Company handling distribution.
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Nollywood’s Strong Box Office Run Continues
The success of Agesinkole 2 comes amid an exceptionally strong period for Nollywood at the box office. On Monday, FilmOne Entertainment announced that Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes had grossed ₦1.77 billion, emerging as the number one film of the weekend in West Africa. The distributor confirmed that the figures were verified, with earnings still rising as of January 5.
FilmOne also reiterated Akindele’s status as the only Nigerian director to cross the ₦1 billion box office mark three different times, further cementing her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer.
Similarly, Toyin Abraham’s Oversabi Aunty crossed the ₦700 million mark within 18 days of its cinema release, adding to the growing list of Nigerian films posting record-breaking numbers.
Together, these performances point to a renewed confidence in Nigerian storytelling, innovative distribution strategies, and an audience that continues to show up for local stories, whether in luxury multiplexes or community halls.
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