In Nollywood, some actors are so beloved that their face alone can sell out cinema seats or push a movie to the top of the Netflix charts. Whether it’s due to their undeniable charisma, loyal fanbase, or acting chops, these stars have proven they can turn scripts into hits.
But building an accurate list of Nollywood’s most bankable actors isn’t just about box office numbers. While those figures matter, it would be ridiculous to ignore streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video. Many actors have proven their audience pull through outsized streaming numbers.
So, for this list, we considered box office numbers, streaming success, staying power, fan appeal, and consistent performance across multiple projects. From cinema screens to digital platforms, these are the most bankable Nigerian actors of the 21st century, ranked.
20. Ayo Makun (AY) (Total gross: ₦1.7B+)
Ayo Makun, the comedian popularly known as AY, has been making Nigerians laugh for years. When he made his feature film debut in 2014 with 30 Days in Atlanta, he became one of the most bankable comedy actors in Nollywood by converting fans of his jokes to his movies. AY, a pioneer of the skit format, has also built a strong online presence, amassing over a million YouTube subscribers and nearly 200 million views.
Despite grossing over ₦1.7 billion at the box office with hit franchises like Merry Men (₦400M+) and Christmas in Miami (₦265M), AY still has work to do to convert his dominance in live December comedy shows into consistent cinematic acclaim. In this new era of Nollywood cinema success, he’s a familiar face, but not yet the household name that automatically guarantees ticket sales.
19. Rita Dominic (Total gross: estimate not available)
Rita Dominic is Nollywood royalty. A household name since the early 2000s, she’s remained relevant by being selective and impactful with her roles. Whether she’s leading a project like La Femme Anjola or appearing in ensemble hits like ‘76, Dominic always brings quiet strength and sophistication to the screen.
However, she has been missing from the cinemas for too long, so she is at this spot. Nonetheless, her major roles in critically acclaimed films and high-grossing titles continue to prove that quality, not quantity, sustains star power.
18. Deyemi Okanlawon (Total gross: ₦4.3 billion+)
Deyemi Okanlawon is a star. He got his start in indie Nollywood films and built his career from the ground up. There are very few in the industry like him — he gained popularity at a time when many came to Nollywood from modelling, but has always remained solely an actor.
If we were going strictly by box office numbers, Okanlawon would easily be #1 on this list, with over ₦4.3 billion in total gross. But when it came time to carry a film as the lead — All Is Fair in Love (2024) — it struggled to make an impact, barely crossing ₦100 million and eventually grossing just ₦132 million during its cinema run. This was despite having Timini Egbuson in the cast — a far cry from how films by others on this list have performed when they were the headline stars.
17. Ini Edo (Total Gross: ₦1.6 billion+)
Ini Edo is one of Nollywood’s most enduring stars, with a career spanning two decades and a résumé that includes everything from old-school home videos to modern cinema blockbusters. She was a standout in Shanty Town, one of Netflix Nigeria’s most talked-about series, and played a key role in A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.408B), helping drive it to box office history.
She’s also one of the few veterans still regularly crossing between streaming and cinema with ease. Ini Edo’s versatility, longevity, and staying power make her one of Nollywood’s most bankable women, —even without constantly being in the spotlight.
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16. Omoni Oboli (Total gross: ₦590M+)
Omoni Oboli is one of the pioneers of bringing Nollywood films to Nigerian cinemas. At a time when many Nigerians still claimed not to watch Nollywood movies, she released titles like Being Mrs. Elliot (2014) and Okafor’s Law (2016), which grossed ₦93M.
In recent years, Oboli has successfully transitioned to YouTube, where her channel has racked up over 270 million views. While she doesn’t act in all the films uploaded there, she’s deeply involved in production and marketing — often starring in them or leading promotions that draw massive attention. She’s proven to understand what makes Nollywood tick in the digital era, continuing to stay bankable even outside the big screen.
15. Sola Sobowale (Total gross: ₦1.34 billion+)
Sola Sobowale is a Nollywood icon whose powerful performances have spanned decades. While she’s long been a respected figure in Yoruba-language cinema, her massive box office breakthrough came with The Wedding Party (2016), which grossed ₦453 million. She followed it up with a career-defining role in King of Boys (2018), and its sequel series, The Return of the King (2021).
Sobowale’s magnetic presence and range make her one of the most bankable veteran actresses in Nigeria. However, her recent box office numbers have slowed, partly due to her testing her star power in lower-budget productions. Still, her legacy as a screen matriarch is unmatched, and any cinematic comeback would easily draw attention.
14. Ireti Doyle (Total gross: ₦2.5 billion+)
Iretiola Doyle is one of Nollywood’s most respected screen veterans, known for bringing grace, authority, and emotional depth to every role. Her career spans both television and film, with major box office successes like The Wedding Party (₦453M), Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (₦235M), Merry Men 2 (₦240M), and King of Boys (₦245M) all contributing to her impressive numbers.
While Doyle is rarely the “lead” draw, her presence in ensemble casts consistently elevates the quality of the films she’s in, and audiences trust her name. She’s transitioned gracefully into playing key matriarchal roles, making her one of the few older actresses still dominating big screens. Her versatility and continued relevance place her firmly in the upper ranks of Nollywood box office stars.
13. Stan Nze (Total gross: ₦3.49 B+)
Stan Nze has quietly become one of the most bankable male leads in Nollywood. Best known for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and Domitilla: The Reboot, Nze has built a career on balancing commercial appeal with dramatic range. He’s not always front and centre in big-budget productions, but when he is — like in The Trade, Charge and Bail, or The Set Up 2 — he proves capable of holding attention.
What’s made Stan Nze a box office heavyweight, though, is his consistency. Whether on cinema or streaming, he shows up in projects that audiences are actually paying to watch. With a total box office gross approaching ₦3.5 billion, his track record speaks for itself: Stan is a dependable star whose name brings confidence to any production.
12. Jide Kene Achufusi (Swanky JKA) (Total gross: ₦2.8B+)
Swanky JKA became a household name after his breakout performance in Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, which was both a critical and commercial hit. Since then, he’s steadily built a reputation as a new-school leading man with strong screen presence and a willingness to take bold, emotionally layered roles.
His success has continued with appearances in hits like The Trade, Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards, and Omoge Suzzy. He often plays the lover boy or emotionally torn hero, but unlike some of his peers, his roles tend to be grounded and intense.
At over ₦2.8 billion in total gross, JKA isn’t just a flash in the pan; he’s part of the generation reshaping Nollywood’s box office formula.
11. Femi Adebayo (Total gross: ₦778 million+)
Femi Adebayo is one of the most successful Yoruba-language actors to break through to mainstream box office success. With decades in the industry, he’s become known for his versatility, from deep traditional epics to modern action dramas.
His 2022 epic King of Thieves (Agesinkole) was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over ₦320 million and proving that indigenous-language films could perform just as well as their English-language counterparts.
While his total gross is lower than some others on this list, Adebayo has been very successful on Netflix, where the movie Jagun Jagun and limited series Seven Doors rose to the top (and stayed there) for days.
10. Kunle Remi (Total gross: ₦372 million+)
Kunle Remi has steadily built a strong acting profile over the past decade, becoming a go-to lead for both romantic dramas and big-budget ensemble films. While his mainstream box office numbers are still growing, he has shown remarkable range and screen presence.
His biggest appearance to date is Aníkúlápó, a culturally rich Netflix-backed Yoruba epic that brought him newfound fame. The film’s success marked a turning point for Remi, introducing him to a broader audience and sparking greater demand for his talents.
Just wait and see what his next big-budget cinema run would be like.
9. Richard Mofe‑Damijo (Total gross: ₦1.54 billion+)
RMD is one of Nollywood’s most iconic and enduring actors. An actual screen legend, his presence in any film immediately adds prestige and cross-generational appeal. While he made his name long before the box office era, RMD has seamlessly transitioned into modern cinema.
His major box office hits include The Wedding Party (₦453M), The Wedding Party 2 (₦512M), and Merry Men (₦235M), where he often plays the suave, elder statesman figure. These roles have helped cement his legacy while drawing in younger fans who know him primarily through recent big-screen appearances. He also won big in the Netflix original, The Black Book in 2023.
Although he’s rarely the sole lead in these projects, RMD’s brand remains bankable. He continues to shine in ensemble casts and prestige roles, proving that star power and longevity still matter in Nollywood’s evolving cinema landscape.
8. Bimbo Ademoye (Total gross: ₦572 million+)
Bimbo Ademoye is not just a movie star, she’s one of the biggest breakout names of the digital Nollywood era. While she’s had major supporting roles in box office hits like Sugar Rush (₦287M), Backup Wife (₦46M), and Looking for Baami (₦32M), her true dominance is clearest on YouTube, where she’s quickly becoming untouchable.
Her blend of humour, charm, and range has made her one of the most bankable names for both low-budget and big-screen projects. With more lead roles at the box office, the AMVCA best actress winner could easily shoot up this list.
7. Kehinde Bankole (Total gross: ₦372M+)
Kehinde Bankole has long been respected for her dramatic chops, but in the last few years, she’s also become a box office force. Her starring role in Adire (₦82 million) helped cement her as a leading lady who can carry a film.
She was also part of the ensemble in Prophetess (₦131M) and Sista (₦159M), both of which were audience favourites. Her performance in these movies stands out because she was the biggest star in what had next to nothing in marketing budget. Only a few actors can do that.
6. Odunlade Adekola (Total gross: ₦904 million+)
Odunlade Adekola is a Yoruba film legend who has successfully crossed into mainstream Nollywood. His comedic timing and charisma have made him a crowd-puller both in regional and national cinema. He starred in Orisa (₦127M), one of the highest-grossing indigenous language films ever, and played a major role in the ensemble comedy Prophetess (₦131M).
He’s also appeared in The Ghost and the Tout Too (₦134M) and Battle on Buka Street (₦668M), showing his versatility across genres and audiences. Odunlade has not crossed the billion mark yet at the box office, but Lisabi and Jagun Jagun, both of which were released on Netflix to great success, prove that a box office win is possible.
5. Genevieve Nnaji (Total gross: estimate not available)
There are very few actors in Nollywood who embody minimum effort, maximum effect quite like Genevieve Nnaji. Every Instagram post she makes turns into a week-long cultural event. She is Nollywood’s ultimate darling, and there’s no doubt that her next big-budget project could push her close to the billion-naira mark—and that’s a conservative estimate.
Her directorial debut, Lionheart — which she also starred in — immediately sparked Oscar buzz and remains one of the most acclaimed Nigerian films to date. Nnaji doesn’t show up often, but when she does, it’s always a moment.
4. Toyin Abraham (Total gross: ₦750M+)
Toyin Abraham is aggressively ambitious about her success in Nollywood, and it’s that drive that’s earned her a top spot on this list. But it’s also the reason she isn’t higher — because we know her actual box office numbers, even for movies where she was the main draw, and they don’t quite stack up to the heavyweights above her.
That said, pulling in ₦500.6 million with Alakada: Bad and Boujee is no small feat. Regardless of the numbers, her tireless dedication to her craft and her commitment to making commercially viable films is why we’re still betting on her.
3. Timini Egbuson (Total gross: ₦2.37 billion+)
Bad Boy Tims is a battle-tested winner. Whether it’s YouTube, cinema, or streaming, Egbuson is the gift that keeps on giving. Raking in over ₦2.37 billion at the box office, he has starred in some of the biggest Nollywood movies of his generation. In 2024, Timini took a bold step as both lead actor and producer in Reel Love, which grossed an impressive ₦356M.
While some critics argue that he’s yet to fully carry a blockbuster on his own, his presence in ensemble casts almost always guarantees success. He understands what works in the current market and has become a go-to name for youthful, bankable energy.
2. Uzor Arukwe (Total gross: ₦2.72 billion+)
Uzor Arukwe’s rise to the top of Nollywood’s box office elite has been nothing short of impressive. While he’s taken on smaller roles in indie titles like Criminal, it’s his appearance in two of Nigeria’s biggest blockbusters that cemented his star power. He was featured in A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.408B), one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time.
Beyond the box office, his lead role in Omoni Oboli’s viral YouTube hit Love in Every World showcased his romantic lead chops and expanded his audience. Whether it’s streaming or cinema, Arukwe has proven he can deliver.
1. Funke Akindele (Total Gross: ₦4.2 Billion+)
Leave it to Funke Akindele, Nollywood’s undisputed box office queen, to consistently achieve record-breaking ticket sales. She led A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.4B), currently holding the record as the biggest Nollywood movie ever. Her directorial hit Battle on Buka Street (₦668M) and the chaotic comedy Omo Ghetto: The Saga (₦636M) also broke previous records at the time of release.
Earlier hits like Your Excellency (₦187M), Chief Daddy (₦387M), Moms at War (₦136M), and Isoken (₦94M) further prove her ability to draw crowds to the cinema and turn everyday stories into box office gold.
