Nollywood films overwhelmed their Hollywood equivalents in Nigerian theatres due to the postponement of many Hollywood films. As a result, the Nigerian film industry has become increasingly reliant on Nollywood films, resulting in more Nollywood films. In the first quarter of 2021, 11 Hollywood films and 19 Nollywood films were released, with the average cinema ticket costing US$ 3.11.
Nollywood, a term coined to describe the Nigerian film industry, was severely impacted by the Conovarius pandemic in 2020, with major studios, cinemas, and productions either shut down or suspended indefinitely.’Omo Ghetto,’ a hit film by Funke Akindele, accounted for 48 per cent of box office receipts and 47 per cent of theatre attendance in Nigeria. As a result, online movie streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have seen a surge in popularity.
Nigerian filmmakers had to go a lot more inventive when theatres were finally allowed to reopen. Thankfully, with no Hollywood blockbusters to compete. By the close of 2020, it was evident that Nigerian filmmakers and stakeholders would have an even better year in 2021.
In its first-quarter box office research, Nigeria’s largest cinema chain, Filmhouse, claims that despite the absence of Hollywood blockbusters and seating capacity restrictions, the Nigerian box office has done significantly well in 2021. According to the report, attendance and gross box office in Nigerian cinemas fell by 32 per cent and 30 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, respectively, compared to figures from 2020. The results, according to Filmhouse, indicate the Nigerian film industry’s resiliency and significant recovery potential.
Intriguingly, no Bollywood film was released in Nigerian theatres in the first quarter of 2021. Curfews and seating capacity limits hampered film screenings in Nigerian theatres in general.
