Nollywood romantic comedy Call of My Life has crossed ₦222 million at the Nigerian box office, becoming the highest-grossing romance film of 2026 and strengthening the commercial case for locally produced love stories in Nigerian cinemas.

The film, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, has continued to build momentum after a strong opening weekend. Call of My Life is now the first Nollywood title to record a 20% weekend-on-weekend box-office increase in 2026, while also retaining its position as the highest-grossing film for a second consecutive weekend.

The milestone is significant because romance and romantic comedy films are not always treated as major box office drivers in Nollywood. Big theatrical wins often come from comedy, crime drama, family drama or star-led holiday releases. But Call of My Life appears to be proving that a well-positioned romance film can still pull strong cinema numbers when the story, cast, marketing and audience timing align.

Why Call of My Life’s ₦222m Box Office Run Matters

The success of Call of My Life is more than a headline figure. It shows that Nollywood’s cinema market still has room for genre-led growth, especially when a film connects with audiences beyond opening-weekend curiosity.

Many Nigerian films depend heavily on first-week buzz, celebrity promotion and social media conversation. A weekend-on-weekend increase suggests something stronger: positive word of mouth.

That matters because cinema growth is not built only on publicity. It is built on repeat interest, audience recommendation and the feeling that a film is worth paying to watch outside streaming platforms.

For Nollywood producers, this is an important signal. Romance can work theatrically when it is packaged as a broad audience experience, not just a niche love story.

What the Film Is About

Call of My Life follows Soluchi, played by Uzoamaka Power, a hopeless romantic trying to rebuild her life after heartbreak. Her failed relationship with Kalu, played by Zubby Michael, leaves her emotionally shaken, but a routine work call opens the door to a new romantic possibility.

The story blends heartbreak, humour, second chances and emotional recovery. This gives the film a familiar but commercially useful structure: audiences can connect with the pain of disappointment while still enjoying the warmth of a romantic comedy.

According to What Kept Me Up, the film follows Soluchi, a call-centre agent recovering from heartbreak, whose interaction with a new caller makes her reconsider what love can look like. The film was shot in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu, giving it a multi-city Nigerian feel.

The Cast Behind the Momentum

The film’s cast gives it wide audience appeal. Alongside Uzoamaka Power and Zubby Michael, the movie features Andrew Bunting, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Broda Shaggi, Justin Chukwudi Ugonna, and Ezekiel, credited as Justin UG.

That mix is commercially smart. It brings together romance, comedy, veteran Nollywood appeal, and familiarity with a younger audience. Nkem Owoh and Patience Ozokwor bring nostalgia and credibility. Broda Shaggi brings comic value and digital-era recognition. Zubby Michael brings mainstream Nollywood pull. Uzoamaka Power anchors the story with the emotional weight needed for a romance-led film.

Dammy Twitch’s Directorial Breakthrough

The film is directed and edited by Dammy Twitch, widely known for his work in commercials and music videos. Call of My Life marks his feature directorial debut, making the box office performance even more notable.

For a debut feature to cross ₦222 million and become the highest-grossing romance film of the year is a strong industry statement. It suggests that Nollywood’s next wave of theatrical directors may increasingly come from music videos, advertising, short films and digital content, where visual style and audience attention are already core skills.

What Kept Me Up reported earlier that Dammy Twitch had worked on commercials and music videos for major Afrobeats stars, including Burna Boy and Davido, before moving into feature filmmaking.

What This Says About Nollywood’s Cinema Economy

The ₦222 million milestone comes at a time when Nollywood is still balancing cinema releases with the growing influence of streaming platforms. For many producers, streaming offers guaranteed licensing income and wider distribution. But theatrical success can build cultural momentum, strengthen a film’s brand and increase its long-term commercial value.

A strong cinema run can also help a film negotiate better future streaming, international distribution and brand partnership deals.

This is why Call of My Life matters. Its performance shows that Nigerian audiences are still willing to pay for local films in cinemas when the film feels like an event and not just content waiting to move online.

Why Romance Films Can Become a Bigger Business

Romance is one of Nollywood’s most familiar genres, but it has not always been treated as a premium theatrical category. Many Nigerian romance stories have traditionally performed strongly on television, YouTube, streaming platforms and home video-style distribution.

Call of My Life suggests that the genre can do more in cinemas if producers combine strong casting, polished visuals, emotional storytelling and smart marketing.

The film’s performance may encourage more producers to invest in romance films with higher production values, stronger cinema campaigns, and wider theatrical ambitions.

FAQs

How much has Call of My Life made at the box office?

Call of My Life has crossed ₦222 million at the Nigerian box office, according to figures shared by its distributors and reported by Nairametrics.

Is Call of My Life the highest-grossing romance film of 2026?

Yes. The film has been reported as Nigeria’s highest-grossing romance of 2026.

Who directed Call of My Life?

The film was directed and edited by Dammy Twitch, marking his feature directorial debut.

Who stars in Call of My Life?

The cast includes Uzoamaka Power, Zubby Michael, Andrew Bunting, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwor, Broda Shaggi, Justin Chukwudi Ugonna, and Justin UG.