Cinematography played a defining role in Nollywood’s commercial and creative success in 2025, with visual storytelling emerging as a key driver of audience engagement and box office performance. Data from the Nigeria Box Office Year Book, compiled by FilmOne Entertainment, highlights the cinematographers whose work shaped the year’s highest-grossing theatrical releases, with each qualifying film earning over ₦120 million as of December 31, 2025.
Leading the ranking is Peter Moloto, whose work on Behind The Scenes delivered an exceptional ₦1.32 billion in box office revenue. His visual approach combined scale, polish, and emotional clarity, contributing significantly to the film’s historic commercial run and placing him firmly at the top of the 2025 cinematography rankings.
In second position is Idowu Adedapo, widely known as Mr Views. His cinematography across Ori: Rebirth, Iyálode, Abanise: The Ancestor, and Her Excellency generated a combined ₦1.016 billion. The breadth of genres represented in his work underscored his versatility and technical consistency across large-scale productions.
Ranking third is Emmanuel Igbekele, whose visual execution on Gingerrr, The Herd, and The Serpent Gift amassed ₦794 million. His work stood out for its atmospheric control and strong narrative framing, reinforcing the growing importance of mood-driven cinematography in Nollywood storytelling.
At number four, Jonathan Kovel earned ₦539 million through his work on Oversabi Aunty, delivering a visual style that complemented the film’s comedic and cultural themes while maintaining high production value.
Fifth place is held by Sanjo Adegoke, whose combined work on Labake Olododo, Warlord: Olori Ogun, Family Brouhaha, and Out in the Darkness grossed ₦468 million. His year was marked by a steady output across both historical and contemporary narratives.
In sixth position, David Otemolu recorded ₦419 million with Ori: Rebirth, reinforcing his reputation for visually grounded storytelling rooted in cultural authenticity.
Seventh on the list is Muyiwa Oyedele, whose work on Reel Love generated ₦356 million. The film’s clean, modern visual language resonated strongly with cinema audiences, particularly within the romance genre.
At number eight, Barnabas Emordi earned ₦215 million from Asoebi Diaries, Radio Voice, and Colors of Fire, reflecting a year defined by stylistic experimentation and visual texture.
Ninth place is occupied by Samuel Osuolale Jonathan, whose work on Owambe Thieves delivered ₦205 million, further proving the commercial viability of visually dynamic ensemble-driven films.
Rounding out the top ten is Nora Awolowo, whose film Red Circle closed the year with ₦118 million. Her inclusion highlights the continued rise of new voices in Nollywood cinematography and the expanding space for fresh visual perspectives.
Together, these ten cinematographers represent the visual backbone of Nollywood’s 2025 box office success. Their work not only supported commercial outcomes but also elevated the industry’s visual standards, signaling a continued shift toward technically refined, cinema-ready storytelling in Nigerian film.
