Toyin Abraham’s epic film Iyalode claimed the top spot at the Nigerian box office for the weekend of June 20th to 22nd, 2025, earning N31.1 million.
Now in its third week, the Nollywood film has grossed a total of N231.1 million, holding its lead over major international releases like John Wick: Ballerina and Mission Impossible 8. This marks the third consecutive weekend that Iyalode has dominated the box office, showing its strong appeal to audiences.
Iyalode is an epic drama directed by Adebayo Tijani and produced by Toyin Abraham and Kolawole Ajeyemi. The cast includes Toyin Abraham, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Bukky Wright, Kehinde Bankole, Ibrahim Chatta, Peju Ogunmola, and Aisha Lawal. The film tells the story of a woman who challenges societal norms, focusing on themes of legacy, resistance, and power. Shot entirely in Yoruba, it reflects a growing trend in Nigerian cinema toward local-language storytelling.
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The weekend’s top six films showed a mix of local and international titles. In second place, John Wick: Ballerina earned N29.4 million, bringing its three-week total to N169.2 million. Mission Impossible 8 followed in third with N15.3 million, adding to its five-week haul of N335.7 million.
New release 28 Years Later debuted in fourth with N13.3 million, while Red Circle took fifth place with N13 million, totalling N87.5 million after three weeks. Another new entry, Sitaare Zameen Par, rounded out the list in sixth with N8.4 million.
Iyalode’s ability to outperform these global blockbusters highlights its popularity and staying power. The film’s success is a win for Nollywood, proving again that local stories can compete with Hollywood on Nigerian screens. Toyin Abraham, a key figure in the industry as both producer and star, has delivered a project that resonates with viewers and showcases the strength of indigenous cinema.
The box office results point to a broader shift in Nigeria’s film market, where homegrown productions are gaining ground despite strong Hollywood titles. Iyalode’s run at the top underscores the industry’s growth and its potential to draw crowds with quality storytelling rooted in local culture.
