Faith based Nollywood film Agbara Nla: The Return has generated more than ₦71 million from single day cinema previews, delivering one of the strongest opening performances for a Nigerian film in 2026, as reported by Punch and The Guardian. The film attracted 12,134 admissions during preview screenings held between September 25 and October 1, with Nigerian Box Office reporting an initial gross of about ₦70 million before distributor Nile Entertainment confirmed that earnings had crossed the ₦71 million mark. The performance was reported as the biggest single day preview gross in West Africa, while its admissions represented the highest first day attendance recorded in Nigeria in 2026.
The commercial performance comes 33 years after the release of the original Agbara Nla, the 1993 Christian film written by veteran filmmaker Mike Bamiloye and released through Mount Zion Film Productions. The new production is a contemporary reimagining of the story, with Bamiloye reprising his role as Isawuru, the powerful herbalist at the centre of the narrative. His sons, Damilola Mike Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye, directed the new film, while Chris Odeh served as producer. The cast includes Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Philip Olubakin, Gloria Mike Bamiloye and David Kola Okeowo.
The early box office response highlights the commercial potential of established Nigerian intellectual property when familiar stories are repositioned for contemporary cinema audiences. Nile Entertainment has described the film’s performance as the biggest opening for a faith based production and the biggest first day gross for a Nollywood title, while the film is now showing in cinemas nationwide. The production is also scheduled for theatrical releases in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, extending the reach of one of Mount Zion’s most recognisable stories beyond its traditional Nigerian audience.
