‘Agbara Nla: The Return’ breaks the Nigerian box-office record: over 71 million naira from preview screenings

‘Agbara Nla: The Return’, the long-awaited religious film of Nigerian cinema, has set a historic record at the domestic box office: over 71 million naira from the preview screenings alone, before the official nationwide premiere. As Metro Punch reports, according to data published by Nigerian Box Office, the film collected around 70 million naira from 12,134 tickets sold at preview screenings held from 25 September to 1 October 2026.

The performance was described as the largest amount ever recorded for a single preview day in West Africa, placing the production at the top of the rankings for the period. The report adds that the 12,134 admissions are the highest audience figure for an opening day in 2026, while around 70 million naira is the largest amount recorded for a Nollywood title. The film also marked the highest daily amount for the month of October.

The film’s distributor, The Nile Entertainment, celebrated the achievement, calling it “the biggest opening-day amount for a Nollywood title” and “the biggest opening ever for a religious film”. In a statement, the distributor said: “The legend did not simply return. It returned with a bang. And now, over 71 million naira and counting.” The film officially opened in Nigerian cinemas on 2 October 2026.

The success comes 33 years after the 1993 original ‘Agbara Nla’, created by Christian filmmaker Mike Bamiloye and later released in English as ‘The Ultimate Power’ in 1994. The new version is a contemporary re-imagining: the story returns to Muwonleru, a community under the control of the powerful herbalist Isawuru, where two Christians, Olaboye and Olatomi, leave their comfortable city life to spread the Christian message — setting their faith against Isawuru’s spiritual influence.

Bamiloye returns in his iconic role as Isawuru, while the direction is signed by his sons, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye; the production is by Mount Zion Film Productions in partnership with Circuits and Sozo Films. The cast also includes Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Philip Olubakin, Gloria Mike-Bamiloye and David Kola Okeowo. According to Business Metrics, during the preview period the film left behind titles such as ‘Star Lomo’ (45.8 million naira) and even ‘Avengers: Endgame Encore’ (44.2 million).