The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria said on Wednesday that cinemas across the country generated N4.6 billion in the first half of 2024.

Chairman of CEAN, Ope Ajayi, said in an interview with journalists in Lagos that the cinema hosted 1,199,661 visitors within the period under review.

According to him, there was an appreciable increase in revenue generated in the first half of the year compared to revenue generated within the same period in 2023.

He said N3 billion in revenue was generated in the first half of 2023.

Mr Ajayi expressed excitement as revenue generated from Nollywood and Hollywood films in cinemas was beginning to be on par, describing the development as the way to go.

He said, “Nollywood films raked in N2,325,930,952 while Hollywood films generated N2,321,273,174 as revenue in the first half of the year. We also recorded 559,122 total admission for Hollywood films and 640,539 for Nollywood films.

“So, box revenue grew by 34 per cent in the first half of the year when compared with last year but admissions remain flat.

“We are happy that the revenue generated from Nollywood and Hollywood films is on par, and Nollywood is projected to deliver higher box office revenue in the second half of the year. For the first time ever, we expect Nollywood to contribute more to the box office than Hollywood in 2025, while also projecting a 40 per cent growth on last year’s box office.”

He said that Hollywood films to be out in August included Alien: Romulus; It ends with us; Trap;  Blink Twice; Afraid; The Crow; and Borderlands.

Also, Nollywood films for August are Betrayed, Move Like a Boss, The Weekend and Force Empire. 

(NAN)