In December 2016, a romantic comedy, which was rich in culture, drama, and laughter, hit the big screens and quickly became a nationwide obsession. That film was The Wedding Party, and its impact on Nollywood was nothing short of revolutionary.
The movie was a celebration of love, chaos, and culture, directed by Kemi Adetiba and produced by EbonyLife Films. The Wedding Party was a relatable drama, from the drama to the extravagance of a high-society wedding. From the overbearing in-laws and last-minute disasters to unexpected guests and emotional breakdowns, the film brought to the screen everything we know and fear about weddings in Nigeria. Plot The movie follows the journey of Dunni, played by Adesua Etomi, and Doxie by Banky W, as they navigate one of the most dramatic wedding days ever put to screen. With iconic performances by Sola Sobowale, Ireti Doyle, Richard Mofe Damijo, and Alibaba, it was fully packed with talented people in their line of work.
After its release, The Wedding Party took the Nigerian box office by storm, grossing over #450 million, making it highest highest-grossing Nollywood film at the time— a record that held strong until newer movies like Omo Ghetto: The Saga came into the picture.
The film was selected as the opening night feature at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), putting Nollywood on an international platform like never before. The movie’s success proved that Nollywood could produce a blend of comedy, culture, and class that could appeal to both local and international audiences. It also proved that Nollywood could produce high-quality, cinema-worthy content.
The film also popularized cinematic weddings, influencing a wave of stylish rom-coms and family dramas in the year that followed.
Thanks to its widespread popularity, the movie led to a successful sequel, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai, and helped solidify Kemi Adetiba as a major creative force in Nigerian cinema
It also gave us a real-life love story— Banky W and Adesua Etomi, who played the couple onscreen, ended up getting married in real life just a year later, further fueling public interest in the movie and its stars.
The Wedding Party wasn’t just a film; it was a moment in history marking a turning point where Nollywood proved its power to draw crowds, dominate cinemas, telling Nigerian stories with style and humor, and global appeal.
