Lagos, Nigeria – In a historic achievement for the Nigerian film industry, Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ has become the first Nollywood film to exceed the N1 billion mark at the box office. The announcement was made by FilmHouse Group in a statement released on Thursday.
Akindele, who both produced and directed the film, collaborated with co-director Adeoluwa Owu in creating this landmark production. FilmHouse Group hailed the accomplishment as a significant milestone, highlighting the global appeal and strength of local productions within the cinema.
FilmHouse Group’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kene Okwuosa, described the achievement as evidence of a golden era for Nigerian cinema, emphasizing the creative industry’s resilience against global streaming giants like Netflix and Prime Video. Despite facing stiff competition, local content continues to thrive, engaging audiences on a grand scale.
The success of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ follows another prosperous collaboration between Funke Akindele and FilmOne Entertainment. Their joint effort, “Battle on Buka Street,” grossed an impressive N650 million at the box office in 2022. Okwuosa underlined that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reached the N1 billion milestone in record time, an exceptional feat for a movie released just a month ago.
Okwuosa noted that the only other film to achieve N1 billion in the West African Box Office was the foreign title “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in 2021, also distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. Funke Akindele’s previous works, such as ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ in 2021, which grossed N500 million, and ‘Battle on Buka Street’ from last year, further solidify her position as a leading figure in Nigerian cinema.
‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ released nationwide on December 15, 2023, made headlines by grossing over N113 million in its opening weekend, setting a new standard for Nollywood films. In less than three weeks, the movie surpassed the admission records of other blockbusters, including ‘Sugar Rush’ and ‘King of Boys.’ As of the latest report, the film continues to enjoy popularity and critical acclaim.
At the movie premiere, Funke Akindele dedicated ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ to her late mother, Adebanjo Akindele, underscoring the personal and emotional connection embedded in the storyline. The movie addresses the struggles faced by single parents and mothers in society, resonating with audiences and contributing to its phenomenal success at the box office.
