The latest Nollywood production, ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ directed by the esteemed actress Funke Akindele, has etched its name in history by emerging as the highest-grossing Nollywood film to date, boasting a remarkable N1 billion in box office earnings.
This achievement surpasses the success of Akindele’s previous works, namely ‘Battle on Buka Street,’ which amassed N668.4 million, and ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga,’ with a commendable N636.1 million, currently holding the second and third positions in the hierarchy of top-grossing Nigerian films.
Premiering nationwide on December 15, 2023, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ made an impressive debut with an opening weekend revenue of N113.3 million, marking it as the highest-grossing Nollywood film in the opening weekend for the entire year. The film has also expanded its reach to the United Kingdom.
This cinematic triumph solidified its status as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2023 and the all-time highest-grossing film, as acknowledged by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). Surpassing the historic N1 billion mark within the first two days of 2024, the film concluded 2023 with a cumulative gross of N854.3 million.
During the festive season, the average ticket prices for regular cinemas were N5,500, while IMAX cinemas charged N7,000. Considering the substantial number of admissions and multiplying them by these ticket prices, the film’s rapid ascent to the billion-naira milestone becomes evident.
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‘A Tribe Called Judah’ narrates the story of five brothers—Jide Kene Achufusi as Emeka Judah, Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah, Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah, Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah, and Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah—united to execute a daring heist to save their mother, portrayed by Akindele as Jedidah Judah.
In 2020, Akindele’s ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ set a new record with N636.1 million in earnings, followed by the release of ‘Battle on Buka Street’ in 2022, which surpassed her record with N668.4 million. Akindele stands out as one of the two filmmakers to reach and exceed the N1 billion gross milestone, accomplishing this feat with just two movies.
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Akindele’s adept marketing strategies, featuring engaging trailers, well-crafted social media campaigns, and captivating promotional materials, have been credited for the success of her films in theatres. Her meticulous promotional efforts not only generate widespread anticipation but also establish a profound connection between the audience and the film, ensuring packed cinemas and an impressive cinematic debut.
As the third most-followed woman in Nigeria on social media, boasting over 16 million followers on Instagram alone, Akindele’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality films with compelling narratives has significantly enhanced the appeal of her productions. Her films notably resonate with audiences in the South-west geo-political zone, a strategic advantage considering that the South West region houses 57 percent of the total 81 cinemas in Nigeria, as reported by Statista.
