Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has recorded a major box office milestone: her latest film, The Return of Arinze, grossed N104.8 million in its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing title over the Easter holiday period.
According to figures released by the distributor, the sequel is ranking as the highest-grossing film of the weekend across Nigerian cinemas between April 3 and April 5, 2026.
The film further set a new benchmark for sequels, posting the biggest opening for a Nollywood sequel to date and securing the second-highest opening weekend performance recorded in 2026 so far.
According to a post by the West African distributor on X, Filmone Entertainment,
”Return of Arinzo is back… and it came with a banger! N104.8M in its opening weekend, biggest Easter opening, and the highest-grossing film of the weekend. But beyond the numbers, this is what it looks like when a story connects… when people see themselves on screen and show up for it West Africa, you didn’t just watch you showed up, you filled the cinemas, you made it a moment.”
The strong debut shows the growing momentum in Nigeria’s cinema market, particularly during peak holiday windows such as Easter, which has increasingly become a strategic release period for blockbuster local titles.
Industry observers note that the film’s performance reflects both effective distribution and strong audience anticipation built around the franchise.
