Nollywood Film ‘Agbara Nla’ Breaks Preview Record With N71m Sales

Nollywood faith-based film, Agbara Nla: The Return, has recorded more than N71 million from single-day cinema previews ahead of its nationwide release.

The film attracted over 12,100 admissions during its preview screenings between September 25 and October 1, according to figures released by Nigerian Box Office, a Nigerian box-office analysis and consultancy platform.

The reported performance makes Agbara Nla: The Return the biggest single-day preview gross in West Africa. The film also recorded the highest first-day admissions figure in 2026 and the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title, according to the reported box-office figures.

Distributor Nile Entertainment described the result as a major milestone for the production, noting that the film also recorded the biggest opening for a faith-based movie.

The film is a modern reimagining of the classic Agbara Nla, originally released in 1993 by Christian filmmaker Mike Bamiloye. The new production returns 33 years after the original and features Bamiloye reprising his role as Isawuru.

Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye directed the new production, while the cast includes Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Philip Olubakin, Gloria Mike-Bamiloye and David Kola Okeowo.

The story follows Olaboye and Olatomi, two believers who leave their city lives to take the Christian message to a community controlled by Isawuru, a powerful herbalist. Their mission leads to a confrontation between their faith and the spiritual power wielded by the village leader.

The filmmakers have said the remake was designed to retain the core story and message of the original while presenting it in a form that connects with contemporary audiences.

Agbara Nla: The Return is currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria. The film is also scheduled for theatrical releases in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, with details of the international screenings expected to be announced by the distributor.