Entertainment
2018: Behold, Top Five Scintillating Nollywood Movies
2018 was a successful year for many Nollywood actors and actresses. Many of them had a very successful year with several top grossing movie productions and features.
Lion Heart: The movie is produced and directed by Nollywood screen goddess, Genevieve Nnaji. It features Peter Okoye (Mr P), Phyno, Genevieve Pete Odochie, Nkem Wooh, Knanayo O. Kanayo, and Onyeka Onwenu among others.
The movie tells the story of Adaeze (Genevieve the lead character) who had to put up with the excesses of her uncle, Godwill while at the same time striving to effectively manage her father’s business. The movie was released in September 2018.
New Money: the movie which was released in March 2018 by Inkblot Productions and directed by Tope Oshin Ogun parades A-List casts including Kate Henshaw, Jemins Osunde, Dakoru Egbuson – Akande, Kalu Ikeagwu, Folarin – Falana (Falz), Wale Ojo, Osas Ighodaro, Wofai Fada etc.
The lead character in the movie Toun was adopted by Jemina Osunde. Toun is a young lady who inherited his father’s wealth and finds herself in control of a multi billion naira empire. The thrills that followed are something you surely would not want to miss.
King Of Boys: Released in October 20, 2018, is a politics themed movie which was written and directed by popular movie producer, Kemi Adetiba. The cast include Reminiscence (Makanaki) and ……………Bliss (Odogwe Malay). The lead characters in the movie were played by Sola Sobowale (Eniola Salami) and Adesina Etonic – Wellington. Other casts include: Jide Kosoko (Alhaji Salami), Osas Ighodaro (Sade Bello) and Akin Bello among others.
It is reportedly rated the 5th highest grossing Nollywood movie with a gross revenue of over N200 million.
Mummy Dearest (The Wedding): The movie was produced and directed by Willis Ikedum and released on March 8, 2018. The cast include Uti Nwachukwu, Daniel K. Daniel, Liz Benson Ameye, Mary Lazarus etc.
Mummy Dearest (The Wedding) illustrates the life of a man Chijioke who was appointed to lead his company’s project in his home town of Port Harcourt. This motivated him to propose to his girl friend Boma. Their union however, was not blessed by Chijioke’s mother, Rose. The movie is filled with thrills, scorns and romance.
Royal Hibiscus Hotel: The movie was directed by Ishiaka Bello and produced by Temidayo Abudu. The cast include: Zainab Balogun (lead character), Joke Silver, Olu Jacobs, kenneth Okolie, Jide Kosoko, Tomi Tones, Kemi Lala Akindoju and more.
The Romance themed comedy movie illustrates the life of a young lady Ope who returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom and was caught fulfilling the needs of his father to sell off the family hotel and his mum who wants her to get married.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.