Fakoyejo Olalekan
The Nigerian Cinema Industry generated N136.53 million within three days, as Nigerians thronged the big screen to watch blockbuster movies during the Christmas weekend.
Between Friday, December 23 to Sunday, December 25, about 59,349 people visited Silverbird Cinemas, Ozone, Genesis Cinemas, FilmHouse Cinemas, Viva Cinemas, amongst others to watch at least 17 movies showing on the big screen.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to data obtained from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), foreign movies recorded 30,332 people in attendance, but Nollywood movies attracted 29,017.
Top five revenue-generating movies during Christmas weekend
The five highest-grossing movies during Christmas weekend include Battle On Buka Street, Avatar: The Way Of Water, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.
Analysis shows that the five movies, which include two Nollywood films and three Hollywood motion pictures, accounted for 96.3 per cent, representing N131.59 million of the N136.53 million generated by the 17 movies on display within the three days.
- Battle On Buka Street
Battle On Buka Street is a movie produced by Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele. It tells the story of two women that set up food businesses on the same street, triggering a rivalry between their restaurant.
The movie, which Akindele said would be her last due to her role as the Deputy to PDP Governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, in the Governorship election in Lagos State, generated N48.21 million and was watched by 17,518 people in 71 locations.
- Avatar: The Way Of Water
Canadian filmmaker, James Cameron, produced this American epic science fiction film called Avatar: The Way of Water. It is the second sequel to the 2009 Avatar movie.
Avatar: The Way of Water generated N44.39 million after showing in 67 locations where 14,406 people saw it on the big screen. It was the second highest-grossing movie during the Christmas weekend.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Four years after the American superhero film, Black Panther, made its way into Nigerian cinemas, it came back for another cinema run through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 64 locations.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took off from the success of the 2018 movie starring Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther. It was the third highest-grossing movie with N30.89 million and attracted 10,757 people during the weekend in review.
- Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper
After attracting the fourth-highest eyeballs during the Christmas weekend, Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper generated N30.44 million in revenue.
Over 11,000 people (in 62 locations) went to see the movie directed by Adebayo Tijani, which tells the story of a wealthy and flamboyant pastor that started an affair with his church’s worship leader, who happens to be a stripper.
- Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
This is another sequel movie on the top five highest-grossing films. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish picked up from where the 2011 Puss in Boots motion picture stopped.
The American computer-animated adventure film, which is also a spin-off from the Shrek franchise, generated N8.08 million from the 3,248 people that watched it across 59 locations.
