Agbara Nla: The Return, a faith-based Yoruba film, recorded more than N71 million in preview screenings across West Africa, with distributor Nile Entertainment confirming the milestone ahead of its nationwide cinema release on October 2, 2026.
The Agbara Nla N71m Preview Revenue performance positions the film as one of the most commercially successful preview releases in Nollywood history, with over 12,000 tickets sold and strong audience turnout across multiple Nigerian cities.
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According to early box office data, the film generated about N70 million from 12,134 admissions during its preview run, before surpassing the N71 million mark.
Industry figures indicate that the film achieved the highest single-day preview revenue and the largest preview admission figures recorded in 2026.
The film marks the return of the Agbara Nla franchise 33 years after the original Yoruba Christian production gained prominence within Nigeria’s faith-based film movement, reflecting a renewed audience appetite for spiritually themed storytelling.
Nile Entertainment confirmed that the film also recorded the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title and the highest single-day box office revenue for October, further strengthening its early dominance.
Lagos emerged as the strongest market, contributing 50.8 percent of total revenue, followed by Oyo with 13.2 percent and the Federal Capital Territory with 10.7 percent.
Ogun accounted for 6.2 percent, while Kwara and Osun contributed 4.5 percent and 3.8 percent respectively.
The South-West region collectively accounted for approximately 76.7 percent of total earnings, underlining the film’s strong regional appeal. Outside the region, Abuja recorded the most significant contribution.
The Agbara Nla N71m Preview Revenue also placed the film ahead of competing titles during the same period. Star Lomo generated N45.8 million, while Avengers: Endgame: Encore earned N44.2 million. Spider-Man: Brand New Day recorded N34.5 million, contributing to its cumulative gross exceeding N2.3 billion.
Other titles on the chart included Resident Evil with N29.8 million, 19 with N18 million and Heart of the Beast with N16 million, highlighting the competitive landscape in which the film emerged as a standout performer.
The strong showing reflects a broader shift in Nollywood, where faith-based productions are gaining commercial traction. In 2024, What About Us, produced by Emmanuel Iren, opened with N24.6 million and later surpassed N100 million at the box office. Similarly, Onobiren: A Woman’s Story recorded N30.1 million during its opening weekend in 2026.
Industry observers say the success of Agbara Nla underscores the growing influence of niche storytelling backed by strong audience communities and targeted distribution strategies.
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With its record-setting preview performance, Agbara Nla: The Return enters its full theatrical run with significant momentum, reinforcing its position as a powerful and culturally resonant entry in Nigeria’s evolving film industry.
