A Lagos street screening of the Nollywood crime thriller 'Black Market' has broken a Guinness World Record that had stood since 2015, with 51,000 qualifying viewers in attendance. The event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos on September 26, 2026, turned the location into an open-air cinema, drawing thousands of moviegoers. The record was officially recognised by Guinness World Records, surpassing the previous record held by the Filipino movie 'Felix Manalo', which had 43,624 viewers at the Philippine Arena in 2015.
The film 'Black Market', directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, follows the story of five women caught up in a cross-border smuggling operation. The plot thickens when the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped, pulling the group deeper into danger. The film features a star-studded cast, including Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, and Susan Pwajok, alongside other notable actors such as Teniola Aladese, Ibrahim Yekini, and Uzor Arukwe.
The record-setting event was organised by production studios FilmOne, Rixel, and Signet Ring as an appreciation event for Nigerian audiences who have supported the film industry. The screening was a mass outdoor event, with the gates opening in the afternoon for a red-carpet session, entertainment, food, and games before the film was screened in the evening. While the wider crowd at the event was estimated to be around 64,000 people, Guinness World Records only counted the 51,000 people who watched the film from start to finish as qualifying viewers.
The organisers had publicly set a target of at least 50,000 viewers ahead of the screening, releasing the film's trailer in advance as part of the promotional build-up. FilmOne Entertainment handled distribution, while Switch Visuals managed the production of the record-setting event. The successful record-breaking attempt adds to Nollywood's growing global profile and could bolster its reputation among audiences and investors who track its cross-border reach.
Nollywood commands a large and loyal following across West Africa, including in Ghana, where Nigerian films are widely watched in cinemas, on television, and through streaming platforms. The record-breaking event has generated significant attention for the film industry, with Pulse Ghana reporting on the achievement. However, the sources reviewed do not detail any specific plans to bring 'Black Market' to Ghanaian cinemas or streaming services.
The Guinness World Record for the largest audience ever recorded at a single film screening was previously held by 'Felix Manalo', which had stood for 11 years. The achievement by 'Black Market' marks a significant milestone for Nollywood, demonstrating its ability to draw large audiences and break existing records. The film's success could pave the way for future record-breaking attempts and further growth for the Nigerian film industry.
While the sources available do not specify any further screenings, a wider theatrical release date, or streaming plans for 'Black Market' beyond the record-setting event in Lagos, the achievement is likely to have a lasting impact on the film's profile and the industry as a whole. The successful record-breaking attempt will likely be seen as a testament to the enduring popularity of Nollywood films and the loyalty of its audience.
Key points
- Nollywood's 'Black Market' sets new Guinness World Record for largest film screening audience with 51,000 viewers in Lagos.
- The film 'Black Market' follows the story of five women caught up in a cross-border smuggling operation.
- The record-breaking event was organised by production studios FilmOne, Rixel, and Signet Ring as an appreciation event for Nigerian audiences.
