The West African cinema industry recorded a strong showing in 2025, generating a total box office revenue of N15.6 billion from theatrical releases across the region, according to data compiled by FilmOne Entertainment.

The industry scorecard revealed that 2.79 million people attended cinemas during the year, with 248 new films screened across 122 cinemas in West Africa. The figures point to sustained growth in cinema culture and audience engagement across the sub-region.

Details shared on FilmOne Entertainment’s official Instagram page on Tuesday showed that 16 films surpassed the N200 million mark at the box office, while 14 Nollywood titles recorded earnings above N100 million. The average movie ticket price in 2025 was N5,596.

Among standout performers, Behind The Scenes emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of the year, while FilmOne Entertainment ranked as the highest-grossing distributor. Other category leaders included Zootopia 2 as the top-grossing animation, Sinners as the highest-earning Hollywood title, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle as the leading anime release.

Market share analysis showed that Nollywood accounted for 49.4 per cent of total box office revenue, narrowly ahead of Hollywood, which captured 48.8 per cent. Films from China and Liberia contributed a combined 1.2 per cent of the market.

In terms of output, cinemas screened 81 Nollywood films, 92 Hollywood releases, and 52 Indian titles during the year, reflecting a broad mix of local and international content available to moviegoers.

Overall, the figures underscore the growing strength of the West African film market, driven by increased cinema attendance and rising demand for diverse storytelling across genres and regions.