Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Nollywood faith-based film Agbara Nla: The Return has shattered West African box office records during its preview screenings, grossing over N71 million ahead of its official cinema release on October 2, 2026, according to its distributor, Nile Entertainment. The film generated approximately N70 million from 12,134 admissions during its preview period between September 25 and October 1, with single-day preview earnings surpassing N71 million as the figures continued to accumulate, according to the Nigerian Box Office platform, a Nigerian box-office analysis and consultancy body.
The performance has been described as the biggest single-day preview gross ever recorded in West Africa, placing Agbara Nla at the top of the charts for the period. The film’s 12,134 admissions represented the biggest first-day admissions figure recorded in 2026, while its N70 million gross was the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title. It also recorded the biggest single-day gross for October, according to the box office report.
Nile Entertainment, the film’s distributor, confirmed the figures in a statement issued on Friday, October 2, as the film began its nationwide cinema release. The distributor said the film had recorded “the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title, the biggest faith-based opener of all time, the biggest single-day previews in West Africa (N71M+), and the #1 movie of the week.” In a statement that captured the scale of the achievement, the distributor added, “The Legend didn’t just return. It roared back. And now, N71M+ and counting. This is the power of a story that never truly left us. This is cinema coming together for a moment that will be remembered.”
Agbara Nla: The Return is a modern reimagining of the classic Agbara Nla, which was originally released in 1993. The original film, created by Christian filmmaker Mike Bamiloye, was later released in English as The Ultimate Power in 1994. The new production returns to the story of Muwonleru, a village controlled by the powerful herbalist Isawuru. Two believers, Olaboye and Olatomi, leave their city lives to take the Christian message to the community, leading to a conflict between their faith and Isawuru’s spiritual power. Mike Bamiloye reprises his role as Isawuru, while Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye directed the new production. The cast also includes Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Philip Olubakin, Gloria Mike-Bamiloye and David Kola Okeowo. Chris Odeh produced the film, with Mount Zion Film Productions, Sozo Films and Circuits co-producing. Nile Entertainment handled its theatrical distribution.
The journey to the remake spanned four years. Damilola Bamiloye recounted that he and his brother Joshua initially approached their father about revisiting some of his earlier films about four years ago. “We were exploring how some of those stories could be retold in a contemporary setting for a new generation,” he said. “We presented the idea to Dad, but he told us it was not yet the time.” The project was revisited after Damilola discussed the possibility with producer Chris Odeh, who embraced the idea and convinced them to move forward. The brothers took time to pray about the project, consulted friends and eventually met with their father again. This time, he gave them his blessing. “By the grace of God, the idea eventually became a film,” Damilola said. “We shot the film in about 20 to 21 days, and after that, things continued to fall into place.”
The original Agbara Nla was released during Nigeria’s home-video era, when audiences watched local productions on video cassettes. The 1993 film became a cultural and spiritual landmark, focusing on spiritual warfare and depicting the confrontation between good and evil through storylines involving witchcraft, occultism and demonic oppression. It emphasised core Christian values such as faith, prayer, evangelism, obedience and commitment in marriage and ministry. The 2026 remake retains the original’s central message, the supremacy of God’s power over darkness, while updating the story for a new generation of viewers with improved production quality.
The directors said the response held particular meaning because of the original film’s place in the lives of its viewers. “To see Agbara Nla: The Return receive this kind of response is deeply meaningful to us,” they said in a joint statement. “This is a story our father wrote in 1993, and we knew we were carrying something that already meant a great deal to many people. Our responsibility was to honour the heart of the original while telling the story in a way that could connect with audiences today. Seeing people who grew up with Agbara Nla, alongside a new generation discovering it in cinemas, has been a special experience.”
Thelma Udeze, Head of Theatrical Distribution at Nile Entertainment, said the preview attendance showed the connection between the film and its audience. “The response to Agbara Nla: The Return shows the strength of the connection audiences can have with stories that speak to their faith, culture and lived experiences,” she said. “It is also encouraging to see a faith-based Nigerian film perform at this level within the wider theatrical market. At Nile, our role is to bring films to cinemas and build the right platform for them to reach their audiences, and we are pleased to see Agbara Nla: The Return making this kind of impact.”
Beyond its Nigerian cinema run, the film is also scheduled for theatrical release in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, with the distributor saying it would announce details of the international releases later. The film is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.
The record-breaking preview performance adds to a significant year for Nollywood at the box office. The industry has seen a string of high-profile releases and theatrical successes in 2026, with faith-based films emerging as a particularly strong segment of the market. The success of Agbara Nla: The Return demonstrates the enduring appeal of stories that resonate with Nigerian audiences on cultural and spiritual levels, and it underscores the growing commercial viability of faith-based cinema within the broader theatrical ecosystem. For Mount Zion Film Productions, the film represents a successful transition from the home-video era to the modern cinema market, bridging generations of viewers and proving that stories rooted in faith can compete at the highest level of Nigerian cinema. As Nile Entertainment put it, the legend didn’t just return; it roared back.
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