The Hollywood action-thriller A Working Man, starring Jason Statham and directed by David Ayer, has earned an impressive N126.9 million at the Nigerian box office, reflecting the continued appeal of international blockbusters among Nigerian audiences.
According to data available as of April 13, the film has been in Nigerian cinemas for three weeks. It opened strong with N34.9 million in its first weekend and closed its first full week with a total of N37.8 million. In its third week, the movie pulled in N14.2 million, maintaining a steady performance despite new entries in the market.
While it hasn’t outpaced recent local hits such as Labake Olododo and Ajakaju, which have each crossed the N200 million mark, A Working Man has carved out a solid space, underlining the popularity of action-driven narratives in Nigeria’s diverse entertainment ecosystem.
Directed by Ayer—best known for End of Watch and Suicide Squad—and co-written by action legend Sylvester Stallone, the film is based on Chuck Dixon’s 2014 novel Levon’s Trade. It follows Levon Cade, a former special forces operative whose attempt at a quiet life is disrupted by violence and corruption, drawing him back into a world of danger.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Michael Peña, David Harbour, Jason Flemyng, Arianna Rivas, and Noemi Gonzalez. Filming began in London in April 2024 and wrapped up at Winnersh Film Studios in Berkshire by the end of May.
Globally, A Working Man has earned $78.8 million since its release on March 28, with $33.5 million from North America and $45.3 million internationally. The film is distributed by Amazon MGM Studios and Warner Bros.
Critically, it has received mixed reactions, holding a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 52/100 on Metacritic. While some critics labelled it a formulaic action flick, audiences have responded positively, giving it a “B” grade via CinemaScore.
Its steady performance in Nigeria highlights an ongoing trend: audiences are embracing a mix of homegrown epics and global thrillers, showing that star power and high-octane storytelling remain strong draws at the box office.
