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Faith-based Nollywood film Agbara Nla: The Return has recorded a reported ₦170.6 million from preview screenings and its first weekend in cinemas, delivering a standout October opening for a Nigerian film.
Premium Times reported that the film collected about ₦71.4 million from preview screenings ending on October 1, then added roughly ₦99.2 million between Friday, October 2, and Sunday, October 4. The combined figure made it the strongest non-December opening for a Nigerian film based on the reported box-office figures.
Why the October result stands out
Nigerian cinema typically benefits from higher attendance during the December holiday period, when families and groups of friends have more time for outings and distributors schedule major releases. A strong opening outside that window can demonstrate demand for local productions even without the seasonal boost.
The result also gives faith-based filmmaking a high-profile commercial milestone. The film’s performance suggests that a clearly defined audience can translate into significant cinema attendance when a release combines existing name recognition, effective promotion and an event-style theatrical launch.
A story returns after more than three decades
The original Agbara Nla was produced by Mike Bamiloye in 1993. The new version, Agbara Nla: The Return, began its cinema run on October 1, 2026, and was directed by his sons Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua “Jay Mikee” Mike-Bamiloye.
Revisiting a familiar story can bring older viewers back while introducing it to a younger audience. The commercial test, however, extends beyond the opening period: sustained attendance and word of mouth will determine how far the film’s run can grow.
What the box-office figure means
The reported opening is an encouraging signal for producers and cinema operators looking to broaden Nigeria’s release calendar beyond the festive season. It also underlines the value of tracking preview earnings and opening-weekend results separately, rather than treating a single gross figure as proof of long-term success.
Source: Premium Times — ‘Agbara Nla: The Return’ remake records biggest non-December Nollywood opening (October 14, 2026).
Tags: Agbara Nla The Return, Nollywood, Nigerian cinema, box office, faith-based film, Mike Bamiloye
