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Top Ten Highest Grossing Movies By Kunle Afolayan
We have compiled a list of the top 10 highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan, for his contribution to the Nigerian Movie industry
Kunle Afolayan is a popular Nigerian actor, producer, and director. He is widely known and credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets and shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving the Nollywood storylines. His film career started in 1999 as an actor in a political drama titled” Saworoide”, he then made his first directorial debut in 2006, with the Nigerian supernatural thriller Irapada
Other body of works in his cinematography include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation. October 1 was the winner of 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and the second-highest-grossing Nigerian film in Nigerian cinemas at the time of its release. In 2021, the director signed a picture deal with Netflix Swallow released in October 2021, followed by Anikulapo released in September 2022.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan, to recognize his enormous contribution to the Nigerian Movie industry
10. Irapada (2006)- 5 Million Naira
” Irapada”is a Nigerian supernatural thriller film and one of the highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan grossing over ₦5 million at The Nigerian Box office the movie was produced by Kunle Afolayan and also served as his directorial debut.
In 2007, It won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. Irapada was also featured as one of the African Films of the 21st century on CNN African Voices in 2013. The Movie is classified as one of the movies that set the pace of the New Nollywood.
9. Diamond In The Skye (2018)- 10 Million Naira
”Diamond in the Skye” is a Nigerian drama film and one of the highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan, according to an online report the movie grossed over 15 Million Naira at The Nigeria Box office. The movie was directed by Kunle Afolayan.
The film received mostly positive criticism acclaim and was screened worldwide The film was nominated for 11 Best of Nollywood Awards including Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actress (English), and Best Director.
8. Dazzling Mirage (2014)- 18 Million Naira
”Dazzling Mirage” is a Nigerian drama film and one of the highest-grossing movies grossing over ₦ 18 million at the Nigeria Box office. The Movie was produced and directed by Tunde Kelani, however, Kunle Afolayan was one of the lead actors, playing a key role in the success of the movie.
The first trailer for the film was released to the public on 1 December 2013 and a second trailer was released on 14 February 2014. The first official poster, together with a third trailer was released on 18 June 2014. The film screened at the Nollywood Film Festival in New Zealand.
7. The Figurine(2009)- 30 Million Naira
”The Figurine” is a Nigerian supernatural suspense thriller film and one of the highest-grossing movies produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan grossing over ₦ 30 million at the Nigerian box office.
The Figurine received ten nominations at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards and won five awards including the award for The Best Picture. It was the film with the most wins at the ceremony. In October 2014, The Figurine topped Nolly Silver Screen Magazine’s list of “The 10 Best Nollywood Films Ever Made.
6. Phone Swap(2012)- 30.6 Million Naira
”Phone Swap” is a Nigerian romance comedy-drama film and one of the highest-grossing movies at the Nigerian box office, directed and produced by Kunle Afolayan. According to reports, the movie grossed over ₦ 30.6 million, one of the highest at the time of release
The Film Phone Swap received 4 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards which includes the category Best Nigerian Film and won the award for Achievement in Production Design. Also got the most nominations and most wins at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards with a total of twelve nominations
5. Mokalik (2019)- 46 Million Naira
”Mokalik” is a Nigerian bilingual comedy-drama film and one of the highest-grossing movies at the Nigerian box office, produced and directed by veteran filmmaker Kunle Afolayan. The Movie grossed over ₦46 million, a relative level of success at the time.
In 2019 at the Durban International Film Festival, the film was nominated for the Best Film category and was also premiered in several film festivals. A review post by Nollywood praised the movie’s accuracy starting from the drama, down to the costumes that were accurately portrayed.
4.Omugo (2017) -48 Million Naira
”Omugo” is a Nigerian comedic movie and one of the highest-grossing movies at the Nigerian Box office, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. The movie grossed over ₦ 48 million, making it the 59th highest-grossing movie in the history of the Nigerian film Industry.
Kunle Afolayan who is known for his great sense in movies diverted to provide the audience with comic relief. The comedic movie is one of the three movies commissioned by African Magic Films to be produced in collaboration with him.
3. The CEO (2016) – 60 Million Naira
“The CEO” is a Nigerian thrilling drama and one of the highest-grossing movies at the Nigerian box office produced and directed by Kunkle Afolayan. The Movie stirred notable faces such as Kemi Lala Akindoju, Hilda Dokubo, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Angélique Kidjo, and Wale Ojo, grossed over ₦ 60 million
The film premiered at the Eko Hotels and Suites on July 10, 2016, and was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The London premiere was held in October 2016 at Leicester Square Vue Cinema
2. October 1 (2014) – 60 Million Naira
“October 1” is a Nigerian psychological thriller film and one of the highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan grossing over ₦ 60 million at the Nigeria Box office. October 1 was shot with a budget of US$2 million (₦315 million in 2013) and grossed just 100 Million Naira both in Nigeria and Internationally
Critics positively reviewed the film, praising its cinematography, production design and costuming, writing, and acting. The film also won several awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor at the 2014 Africa International Film Festival.
1. Ayinla (2021) – 91 Million Naira
The Nigerian Musical biopic, Ayinla takes the number-one spot among the highest-grossing movies by Kunle Afolayan. It is imperative to note that the movie was directed by the veteran Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani. Still, Kunle Afolayan played one of the lead roles in the movie contributing to its enormous success in the Nigerian Cinemas and the Box Office.
Ayinla was set shot on location in Abeokuta. It was produced by Jadesola Osiberu and the production was sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria. The film premiered on 13 June 2021 in Lagos. After its commercial success in cinema across the countries, AYila earned four nominations at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards, winning just an Award for Achievement in Cinematography.
Top Ten Highest Grossing Movie By Kunle Afolayan
Here is a table summarizing the list of the top 10 highest-grossing movies that featured Kule Aforlayan either as producer, director, or actor.
| Rank | Movie Title | Total Gross |
| 1 | Ayinla (2021) | 90.1 Million Naira |
| 2 | October 1 (2014) | 60 Million Naira |
| 3 | The CEO (2016) | 60 Million Naira |
| 4 | Omugo (2017) | 48 Million Naira |
| 5 | Mokalik (2019) | 46 Million Naira |
| 6 | Phone Swap(2012) | 30.6 Million Naira |
| 7 | The Figurine(2009) | 30 Million Naira |
| 8 | Dazzling Mirage (2014) | 18 Million Naira |
| 9 | Diamond In The Skye (2018) | 15 MIllion Naira |
| 10 | Irapada (2006) | 5 Million Naira |