Cinemas across West Africa ended 2025 on a high, recording N15.6 billion in total box office revenue. Data from FilmOne Entertainment shows that around 2.79 million moviegoers attended screenings of 248 new titles across 122 cinema locations in the region.
FilmOne’s annual report, shared on their official Instagram page, revealed that 16 films surpassed N200 million in box office earnings, while 14 Nollywood productions each brought in over N100 million. Average ticket prices were N5,596 for the year.
Local productions performed strongly, with Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes topping Nollywood’s box office and FilmOne Entertainment finishing as the highest-grossing distributor. Other notable releases included Zootopia 2, leading the animation category; Sinners, as the most successful Hollywood film; and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, which led the anime chart.
Nigeria continues to lead the continental market, generating approximately ₦11.5 billion ($8 million) in box office revenue in 2024—a 60% increase from the previous year, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.
Nigerian films dominated the market, accounting for 49.4% of total box office revenue, followed closely by Hollywood at 48.8%, while Chinese and Liberian films combined contributed 1.2%. Cinemas screened 81 Nollywood titles, 92 Hollywood films, and 52 Indian productions, demonstrating a wide-ranging selection for audiences.
The momentum in African filmmaking extends beyond West Africa. In Côte d’Ivoire, cinema admissions increased 20% between July and August 2025, reaching 48,606 viewers, according to the National Film Office (ONAC-CI). Meanwhile, Senegal’s Une si longue lettre, distributed by Ajamaat Synergy, attracted 7,348 viewers in August, representing more than 15% of the month’s total admissions.
These developments highlight the economic and cultural growth of African cinema, with filmmakers increasingly connecting with audiences across the continent and around the world. The strong box-office performances reflect a rising appreciation for homegrown stories while maintaining a diverse mix of international content.