Popular Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY is a big name in the Nigerian entertainment industry, mostly for his creativity and ability to diversify.
As an already successful comedian, he released his first comedy movie in 2014 titled ’30 Days in Atlanta’ and has since then gone ahead with other successful projects that have also stamped his name in the Nollywood circle as both a comedian and an actor.
Although ’30 Days in Atlanta’ was met with both positive and negative criticism, it is not surprising to see that his other movies grossed high the years they were released.
In this article, we will look at all the movies he has either written or produced, the plot of the movies, and how much they grossed.
30 Days in Atlanta
This movie is written by Patrick “Koinage” Nnamani, produced by Ayo Makun, and directed by Robert Peters.
It tells the story of impulsive but funny Akpors, played by Ayo Makun himself. In this movie, he won a 30 Days holiday trip for two to Atlanta in the US and choose to go with his cousin, Richard played by Ramsey Noah. They go through this holiday trip on a hilarious soul-searching mission, while also trying to adjust to the culture shock they experience while in the US.
The movie casts names like Ramsey Noah, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Desmond Elliot, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson, Juliet Ibrahim amongst many others.
It grossed N163,351,300 in box office return.
A Trip To Jamaica
This movie is another of the Akpors franchise, telling the story of a newly engaged couple played by Ayo Makun and Funke Akindele-Bello. It shows how their love was tested during an adventure outside of their home in Nigeria when they visited Jamaica while also showing their adjustment to culture shock.
It is directed by Robert O. Peters and produced by Ayo Makun with other big names as Nse Ikpe Etim, Dan Davies, Eric Roberts, Cynthia Morgan, Patoranking, Olamide, Nancy Isime amongst others.
The movie grossed N180,264,964.
10 Days in Sun City
This movie written by Kehinde Ogunlola, directed by Adze Ugah was executively produced by Ayo Makun but produced by Darlington Abuda.
It tells the story of an aspiring beauty queen who had to pay the price of being brought to stardom by losing her peace with denouncing her fiancé who happened to be her manager as well. The story explains the importance of true love while showing that it conquers all barriers and challenges.
The movie cast names like Ayo Makun, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Adesua Etomi, Mercy Johnson, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, Gbenro Ajibade, Uti Nwachukwu, 2face Idibia, Yvonne Jegede amongst others.
The movie grossed N176,705,669.
Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demon
This movie by Ayo Makun was directed by Toka McBaror with screenplay credit to Anthony Kehinde Joseph and produced by Darlington Abuda.
It tells the story of four promiscuous businessmen who acts as the Robin Hood of the city, stealing from the rich to save the poor. They had to take on a big project that placed them in danger as the law enforcement agency was after them as well as the powerful people in the country, trying to save their own name from being compromised.
The movie starred Ramsey Noah, Ayo Makun, Jim Iyke, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, Damilola Adegbite, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ireti Doyle, Nancy Isime, Lilian Esoro, Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro, Segun Arinze amongst many others.
The movie grossed N235,628,358.
Merry Men 2: Another Mission
This movie is a continuation of the first part by Ayo Makun, directed by Moses Inwang and produced by Darlington Abuda.
After putting a powerful politician away in the first Merry Men movie, the four friends quit their life of crime to focus on running legitimate businesses but a ghost from their past comes to haunt them with a threat to their family lives and a demand for payment.
The movie starred some of the cast from the first Merry Men with new additions like Ufuoma McDermott and Williams Uchemba.
The movie grossed N234,505,169.
Christmas in Miami
This is the latest movie from Ayo Makun, and it is the fourth installment of the Akpors series directed by Roberts O. Peters.
It follows the story of Akpos who goes to the exotic city of Miami with his family to represent Nigeria at the Intercontinental Christmas Fiesta – a unifying Fiesta that will bring 6 families from 6 very diverse nations across 5 continents together for a weekend leading to Christmas. Also, the movie was aimed at helping each nation present debunk long-held negative stereotypes.
The casts of the movie include Osita Iheme, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ik Ogbonna, Manoj Chandra, Verne Alexandre amongst others.
So far, the movie has passed the 100 million mark in the first 7 days of release. The comedy film made a total of N100,695,675 as its 7-day gross compiled from screening in 61 locations and watched by more than 49,000 viewers since its December 24, 2021 release.
Conclusion
There is no better proof than the ones above to show that Ayo Makun is a big name in the Nigerian movie space. It has been proven beyond all doubt that all the movies he wrote or produced grossed over a hundred million in box office revenue, showing that he knows what his audience wants and can always give it to them.
However, it is important to mention that some of his movies have been met with mixed reactions or negative criticism but that does not downplay his ability to make great movies to give his audience a rib-cracking time.