Muyiwa Ademola’s ‘Ori: Rebirth’ has officially become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in ₦419.5 million at the box office. Released on May 1, the Yoruba-language drama has captured the hearts of audiences nationwide, making it the 8th highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time and the biggest non-December release ever.
The film is a sequel to Ademola’s 2004 classic ‘Ori’ and continues the story of Bisade, a man whose destiny is under spiritual attack. In ‘Ori: Rebirth’, Bisade finds himself facing death orchestrated by a powerful cult queen, Yeye Fernandez. With his life hanging in the balance, he’s forced to rely on his “mobile God” in a deep battle involving fate, faith, and the unseen.
Directed by Muyiwa Ademola alongside Tope Salami and Adekola Tijani, the film features a great cast, including Sola Sobowale, Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abraham, Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, and Praise Adejoo. Produced under the ‘My Authentic Films’ banner and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, the project features spiritual themes, cultural depth, and emotional weight.
From its opening weekend, ‘Ori: Rebirth’ saw strong numbers, earning over ₦133.5 million in its first week alone. Its performance has been outstanding given that most high-grossing Nollywood titles are commonly released during festive seasons.
The film’s success can also be credited to a well-thought-out release and promotion strategy. Avoiding the crowded December period, ‘Ori: Rebirth’ launched during a quieter time in the cinema calendar, which allowed it to shine. Promotions included trailers, premiere events in Lagos and Abuja, and constant social media engagement by the cast and crew. Ademola himself actively thanked fans online and celebrated key milestones as the numbers rolled in.
Film investors and executives see the film’s performance as a sign that indigenous-language cinema is gaining stronger ground in Nigeria. It proves that films in our dialect, if well-produced and marketed, can achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success.
With its ₦419.5 million earnings, ‘Ori: Rebirth’ now joins the ranks of major Nollywood hits like ‘King of Boys’, ‘The Wedding Party’, and ‘A Tribe Called Judah’. Whether it crosses the ₦500 million mark remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: ‘Ori: Rebirth’ has made its mark in Nollywood history.
