Nollywood dominates Nigerian weekend box office as ‘The Return of Arinzo’ grosses N276.9M

Nigerian cinema audience continue to demonstrate a strong preference for local content, with Nollywood titles dominating the Nigerian Box Office for the weekend of April 17 to April 19. Leading the chart is the blockbuster drama, ‘The Return of Arinzo,’ which earned N28.8 million for the weekend, bringing its impressive cumulative gross to N276.9 million in just three weeks. 

The local industry secured both the first and fourth spots in the top five, underscoring its growing dominance over foreign films.

The Return of Arinzo, a drama about a man confronting the consequences of his return to his hometown after years away, has continued to draw large audiences. The film was praised for its emotional depth and strong performances.

Hollywood’s “You, Me & Tuscany” followed closely with N20.7 million for the weekend and a cumulative N59.3 million after two weeks. The film follows a couple whose relationship is tested during a trip to Tuscany, where unresolved issues, personal differences, and emotional tension begin to surface. The drama continues to perform well, maintaining steady earnings despite newer releases. 

The romantic drama explores love, conflict, and self-discovery in a way that keeps audiences engaged beyond its opening week. Its sustained performance highlights how films with relatable emotional storytelling continue to show strong staying power at the box office. 

In third place, the Hollywood movie, “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” managed N18.1 million, bringing its cumulative figure to be confirmed. The film follows the storyline of its predecessors about a group of explorers who accidentally uncover an ancient tomb tied to a powerful, cursed entity, triggering a chain of supernatural events that put their survival at risk. 

While the sci-fi horror blockbuster held its own, it was no match for the homegrown titles that continue to captivate Nigerian audiences with cultural familiarity and relatable storytelling. 

The fourth spot went to “The Other Side of the Bridge,” a newly released Nollywood film that earned N12.8 million in its opening weekend and now sits at N14.1 million new in cinemas. The film centres on two boxers from contrasting social worlds whose lives become connected through the boxing competition, which is tied to a symbolic bridge between both communities. 

The film has been praised for its unique storyline, a first of its kind in this industry, as it showcases the sporting culture, which has resonated with viewers who have always looked forward to more locally inspired epic tales. 

Hollywood’s animation ‘The Super Mario Galaxy’ earned N12.5 million, bringing its cumulative total to N86 million in its third week. The animated adventure follows Mario on a multiverse-style journey across different galaxies as he works to rescue Princess Peach and restore balance after a new threat disrupts multiple worlds. The film attracts more family audiences, maintaining its position among the top performers. 

Overall, Nollywood accounted for most of the week’s total gross, continuing a trend that has seen locally produced films outperform several foreign titles. The week’s figures indicate a consistent preference for Nigerian stories and productions in local cinemas.