Nollywood movie Warlord hits N38m at cinemas in its debut weekend

The new epic Nollywood movie “Warlord: Olori Ogun” by Odunlade Adekola has amasssed a significant N38.1 million in its first weekend opening at Nigerian cinemas.

The movie, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, was released on November 28, 2025. Within 3 days, it ranks first among the top six new movies on the Nigerian box office.

According to the Nigerian box office data for the weekend of November 28th to 30th, 2025, Warlord (₦38.1M) leads the top six movies released. This was followed by Now You See Me 3 (₦21.8M, ₦120.1M cumulative), Wicked 2 (₦13.3M, ₦39.6M cumulative), the new animated film Zootopia (₦12.7M, ₦13.2M cumulative), Sisu: Road to Revenge (₦7.6M, ₦23.4M cumulative), and Predator: Badlands (₦6.7M, ₦112M cumulative).

This performance solidifies its position among the notable top-grossing Nigerian film openers for its release quarter, demonstrating a high demand for Yoruba-language epics and star-driven Nollywood productions.

Read also: Nigerian box office rakes in ₦573m in October, one of its best months this year

About the new movie

Warlord: Olori Ogun tells the story of a brave warrior whose choices affect not just his life, but the fate of his people. Set in a world of battles, loyalty, and power struggles, the film takes you on a journey full of action, emotion, and lessons about leadership.

It shows that being strong isn’t just about fighting — it’s about making wise choices, taking responsibility, and facing the consequences of your actions. Along the way, you’ll see courage, friendship, and sacrifice in ways that feel both exciting and relatable.

Odunlade describes his new movie as a “one-movie, four-directors” cinematic event, which featured four directors: Abiodun Olanrewaju, Odunlade Adekola, Tope Adebayo, and Adebayo Tijani.

It also features an all-star cast of Nollywood veterans and popular actors, including Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Ibrahim Chatta, Faithia Williams, Muyiwa Ademola, and Eniola Ajao, among others.

While Odunlade Adekola’s epic, ‘Warlord,’ has garnered significant praise, the film has also faced criticism regarding its production quality on the popular X platform. His colleague, Femi Adebayo, publicly defended him, urging critics to approach the film with respect and an open mind.

Adebayo’s response was directed at a social media user who harshly criticised Adekola’s multifaceted role, stating: “Na you go be producer, main character, singer, director. Na why your movies no dey make sense. Do better.”

In a statement emphasising respect for the creative process, Adebayo highlighted that filmmaking is inherently a team effort involving numerous directors, writers, crew members, and actors. 

He encouraged viewers to watch the movie in cinemas and judge it fairly, rather than resorting to hurtful comments from behind a keyboard.

“I’ve noticed one or two tweets from this account about my brother’s movie. Understandably, you’re entitled to your opinion, but posting comments from behind a keyboard doesn’t automatically make those opinions accurate. Let’s keep it respectful; that is someone’s craft… Watch it at a cinema near you… and judge it with open eyes, not quick fingers. That’s the fair way!” he said.

This immediate industry solidarity follows a weekend of massive public support, clearly demonstrated by the huge turnout during the film’s Grand Premiere on November 26th and its subsequent ₦38 million debut at the box office.

This wave of support shows that the movie has the backing of both colleagues and the public. The highly discussed epic, which premiered on November 28th, is now showing across major cinema locations in Nigeria, including Ikeja City Mall (Lagos), Silverbird Galleria (Victoria Island), Silverbird Entertainment Centre (Abuja), and Jabi Lake Mall (Abuja).

About Odunlade Adekola

Odunlade Adekola is a major force in Nollywood, particularly within the Yoruba tribe. He operates as a prolific actor, producer, scriptwriter, and director under his banner, Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP). His style of filmmaking strongly emphasises Yoruba folklore, culture, and history.

Adekola believes that movies projecting Nigerian culture and values in the right proportion tell the most in-depth stories, and he champions the growing global appreciation for indigenous content. His films often blend traditional elements with modern cinematic production.

He often takes on multiple roles in his productions as a producer, director, writer, and lead actor, which is a common but scrutinised approach in Nollywood. His immense popularity, aided by his iconic status as a highly respected figure, is a huge box-office draw, making his name alone a guarantee of commercial success.

His commitment to indigenous epics is evident in his recent box office success. His film ‘Orisa’ (Deity) became the first Nollywood movie to surpass ₦100 million in 2023, while his 2024 production, ‘Lakatabu,’ achieved a massive opening, eventually grossing over ₦168 million.

Adekola has co-directed and starred in other major hits like ‘Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju),’ which secured ₦101.2 million in just five days, and co-starred in the industry phenomenon ‘King of Thieves (Agesinkole),’ which earned over ₦320 million during its cinema run.

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