Nollywood faith-based film ‘Agbara Nla: The Return’ has recorded more than ₦71 million in single-day preview sales ahead of its nationwide cinema release.
The figure was announced by Nile Entertainment, the film’s distributor, which described the performance as the biggest single-day preview gross in West Africa.
The film attracted more than 12,100 admissions during its preview period, with box-office data from Nigerian Box Office (NGAboxoffice) putting the gross at about ₦70 million from 12,134 admissions between September 25 and October 1. Nile Entertainment subsequently announced that the earnings had crossed the ₦71 million mark.
The distributor also said the film recorded the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title and the biggest opening for a faith-based film, while its single-day earnings ranked as the highest for October.
‘Agbara Nla: The Return’ is a modern reimagining of the classic Christian film Agbara Nla, originally released in 1993. The new production arrives in cinemas 33 years after the original and officially opened nationwide on October 1, 2026.
The story centres on Muwonleru, a community under the influence of 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 centred on faith and spiritual warfare.
Mike Bamiloye, who created the original film, reprises his role as Isawuru, while his sons, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua “JayMikee” Bamiloye, directed the new production. Chris Odeh produced the film, with Nile Entertainment handling its theatrical distribution.
The directors previously said the remake was intended to preserve the essence of the original while presenting the story with modern production techniques for contemporary audiences. Production reportedly took about 20 to 21 days.
The strong preview performance has placed ‘Agbara Nla: The Return’ among the notable recent box-office releases in Nigeria, while also highlighting the continued cinema appeal of established Nigerian faith-based stories.
The film is currently showing in cinemas nationwide, with plans for theatrical releases in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada also announced by the distributor.
