Agbara Nla: The Return draws attention after ₦71m preview sales

Agbara Nla: The Return has generated significant attention after recording more than ₦71 million from preview screenings ahead of its nationwide cinema release.

The figure was announced by the film’s distributor, Nile Entertainment, which said the movie crossed ₦71 million from its single-day preview screenings. Punch, citing Nigerian Box Office data, reported that the film generated about ₦70 million from 12,134 admissions during its preview period between September 25 and October 1.

The performance stands out because the 12,134 admissions were reported as the highest first-day admissions figure recorded in Nigeria in 2026. The roughly ₦70 million gross was also reported as the biggest first-day gross for a Nollywood title this year.

Nigerian Box Office also reported the performance as the biggest single-day preview gross recorded in West Africa, putting the film at No. 1 for the period.

The strong numbers are particularly notable because Agbara Nla: The Return is a modern reimagining of the 1993 Christian film Agbara Nla. The original was created by filmmaker Mike Bamiloye and became one of the better-known productions within Nigeria’s faith-based film community.

The new film returns to that story 33 years later, with Mike Bamiloye reprising his role as Isawuru. His sons, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye, directed the new production.

The preview performance suggests there was already a significant audience interested in seeing the film when it reached cinemas. Its connection to the original production also gives it an established story and audience base to build on.

The numbers are also notable for Nigeria’s faith-based film market. The performance shows that films built around religious themes can attract substantial cinema audiences when they move beyond traditional distribution channels and into mainstream theatres.

However, preview sales are only an early indication of how the film will perform. Its full theatrical run will provide a clearer picture of whether the strong initial interest can be sustained.

For now, Agbara Nla: The Return has made a strong start. More than three decades after the original film was released, its return to the big screen has already made it one of the major talking points at the Nigerian box office.