The Return of Omotara Johnson Claims Top Spot at Box Office With ₦29.23M In Opening Week, Beating “Moana” & “Call Of My Life”

The Nigerian box office witnessed a fiercely competitive weekend, but local storytelling ultimately triumphed over global heavyweights. The highly anticipated Nollywood sequel The Return of Omotara Johnson edged out Disney’s live-action Moana by a razor-thin margin to secure the number one spot, while the romantic comedy hit Call of My Life continues its historic, record-chasing run.

Here is a breakdown of how the top five films performed this past week.

1. The Return of Omotara Johnson (₦29.23 Million)

Revisiting a classic narrative, The Return of Omotara Johnson pulled in a victorious ₦29.23 million in its opening week following its July 10 debut.

The drama centers on the strong-willed Omotara Johnson as she navigates a complex past filled with deep-seated resentments alongside new relationships. Directed by Adeoluwa Owu and produced by Taiwo Adebayo, the film boasts a powerhouse ensemble blending veteran legends and contemporary stars. Bukky Wright leads the cast, supported by heavyweights like Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Chidi Mokeme, Shaffy Bello, Nse Ikpe-Etim, and Timini Egbuson.

2. Moana (₦29.15 Million)

Falling just short of the top spot by fewer than ₦100,000, Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana debuted with a strong ₦29.15 million.

Released globally around the same July 10 window, the musical adventure brings the 2016 animated classic to life. The film follows the spirited young navigator and the demigod Maui across the ocean to save her island, delivering a visually rich story of courage and cultural heritage that clearly resonated with Nigerian family audiences.

3. Call Of My Life (₦21.36 Million)

In its ninth week, Bluhouse Studios' Call Of My Life remains an absolute box office juggernaut. The romantic comedy pulled in another ₦21.36 million this week, pushing its staggering cumulative gross to ₦756.42 million.

Directed by Dammy Twitch, the film stars Uzoamaka Power as Soluchi, a heartbroken call-center agent who finds an unexpected connection with a charming caller named Eli (Andrew Yaw Bunting). The crowd-pleasing supporting cast features Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, and legendary veterans Patience Ozokwor and Nkem Owoh. Since its May 15 release, it has shown unprecedented staying power in cinemas.

4. Supergirl (₦16.63 Million)

Warner Bros.' latest DC superhero installment, Supergirl, landed in fourth place during its third week in cinemas. Earning ₦16.63 million, the Craig Gillespie-directed film has now reached a cumulative gross of ₦129.60 million.

The interstellar revenge story stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, with an eclectic cast featuring Matthias Schoenaerts, David Corenswet (reprising his role as Superman), and Jason Momoa as Lobo. Distributed in Nigeria by FilmOne Entertainment, it has maintained a steady audience since its June 26 release.

5. Remi & Nneoma (₦14.70 Million)

Rounding out the top five is Remi & Nneoma, a modern Nigerian reimagining of the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. Distributed by Nile Media Entertainment Group, it earned ₦14.70 million in its third week, bringing its total to ₦81.92 million.

Directed by Lyndsey Efejuku, the drama follows a widow (Liz Benson Ameye) and her daughter-in-law (Bisola Aiyeola) navigating grief and new beginnings in Ikwerre as the younger woman chooses loyalty over returning to her own family. Co-starring Uche Montana and Tina Mba, it offers a deeply emotional, family-centric alternative to the blockbuster spectacles dominating the rest of the charts.