For the third weekend in a row, one film has refused to leave the top spot in West African cinemas.
And the surprising part? It’s not an action blockbuster or a holiday comedy.
It’s a love story.
Love and New Notes, the romantic drama led by Nollywood star Timini Egbuson, has continued its remarkable cinema run, holding the No. 1 box-office position for three consecutive weeks and raking in an impressive ₦245.6 million across West Africa.
The milestone cements the film as one of the biggest Nollywood cinema hits of 2026 so far.
And judging by the crowds still lining up at cinemas, the run is far from over.
A Valentine Release That Turned Into a Box-Office Storm
When Love and New Notes premiered in cinemas on February 13, 2026, many expected a decent Valentine’s weekend turnout.
What they didn’t expect was a record-breaking opening weekend of over ₦106 million, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood release of the year at the time and the first Nigerian film to cross ₦100 million outside the traditional December blockbuster season.
Within days, the film set multiple records:
- Biggest opening weekend for a Nollywood film in 2026
- Highest single-day gross for a 2026 release (₦48M)
- Top film at the Nigerian box office during its debut weekend
Industry watchers quickly realized something unusual was happening: audiences weren’t just watching the movie, they were returning to cinemas and bringing friends.
That momentum has now carried the film to ₦245.6 million and counting.
Directed by Kayode Kasum, Love and New Notes is set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s 1984 currency change, a chaotic moment that reshaped everyday life for millions of Nigerians.
Instead of telling the story purely through politics or economics, the film explores the period through love, ambition, and personal decisions.
At the center of the story is Boma, a young man navigating relationships and life choices during a time when everything including the value of money was suddenly changing.
The film blends romance, humor, nostalgia, and emotional drama, a combination that appears to be striking a chord with audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
A Star-Studded Nollywood Lineup
Part of the film’s appeal lies in its strong ensemble cast, which includes:
- Timini Egbuson
- Sophie Alakija
- Odunlade Adekola
- Eniola Badmus
- Tobi Makinde
Their performances, paired with the film’s nostalgic setting and emotionally charged storytelling, have helped turn the movie into a cinema conversation piece.
Across social media, audiences have been praising its mix of humor, romance, and relatable Nigerian realities.
Timini’s Cinema Momentum Is Getting Hard to Ignore
If the box office numbers feel familiar, it’s because Timini Egbuson has been on a steady cinema streak.
Just a year earlier, his film “Reel Love” became one of Nollywood’s biggest romantic hits, eventually grossing over ₦356 million at the box office after a strong opening run.
Now, with Love and New Notes dominating cinemas again, industry observers are beginning to ask a controversial question:
Is Timini quietly becoming Nollywood’s most bankable romantic lead?
While blockbuster comedies have traditionally dominated the Nigerian box office, the success of films like Reel Love and Love and New Notes suggests something new might be happening.
Audiences, it seems, are showing up for romance again.
Celebrating the film’s continued success, the team behind Love and New Notes credited audiences across West Africa for keeping the movie at the top of the charts.
Their message was simple: This milestone was only possible because people kept showing up.
From Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and even Accra, cinema halls have continued to buzz with viewers eager to see the film everyone has been talking about.
And It’s Still Showing
With ₦245.6 million already in the bag and three straight weeks at No. 1, Love and New Notes is shaping up to be one of the defining Nollywood cinema runs of the year.
The film is still showing in cinemas nationwide, and if the current momentum continues, its box-office journey might be far from finished.
One thing is certain: For now, love and new notes are still ruling the Nigerian box office.