A Tribe Called Judah, directed by Funke Akindele, becomes the first Nollywood film to gross 1 billion naira at the box office. Director Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film, A Tribe Called Judah, has been released in theaters.
It broke box office records within 21 days and became the first Nollywood movie to gross over 1 billion naira in a single film. Popular Nollywood actress and movie producer, Funke Akindele announced the milestone on her personal Instagram page, sharing a one billion naira flier.
In her post, she wrote: “Thank You LORD!!!, Thank NIGERIA!! Thank you GHANA!!”
The movie was released in theaters on the 15th and broke records by grossing NGN 133 million in its opening weekend. In the first 14 days of its release, it grossed over NGN 613 million. It was the highest grossing Nollywood movie of 2023.
The movie set a new record on January 2, grossing 854 million naira in 18 days, making it the highest grossing Nollywood movie of all time. This success surpasses Akindele’s previous films such as “The Battle of Buka Street’” (668.4 million Naira) and “Omo Ghetto’” (636.1 million Naira), which are currently in second and third place at the Nigerian box office.
This record cements 46-year-old Akindele as Nollywood’s highest-grossing director.
“A Tribe Called Judah”’ is the most successful movie in Nigeria at the box office, ahead of Hollywood movies including the highly acclaimed superhero film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,”’ which previously held the record for the country’s highest grossing film.
The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, made a comment on Instagram, saying, “This achievement isn’t just about numbers; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, cultural pride, and the unyielding spirit of Nollywood.”
The film was hailed as a “cultural gem”.
The company also praised Akidele, saying that her approach to storytelling has “written an important chapter in the vibrant fabric of Nigerian cinema.”
“A Tribe Called Judah” received rave reviews from both critics and fans, and received high ratings on her movie review platform.
NAN reports that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is directed by Adeoluwa Owu, popularly known as Captain Digsy, and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
The star-studded film features veteran actors such as Nse Ikpe Etim, Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Ebel Okaro, Uzor Arkwe, Genoveva Ume, Nosa Rex.
Other cast members include Boma Akpore, Ebere Okaro-Onyuke, Etinosa Idemudya, Fathia Balogun, Jide Achufusi, Olayode Juliana, Olumide Owole, Pashalin Alex, Tobi Makinde, Uzor Alukwe, including Yvonne Jegede.
Akindele states that the plot of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ revolves around a woman named Jedida Judah, who has five sons with five different men, each of which belong to different tribes.
The film – which portrays a scheme to rob a mall by five brothers whose mother was battling financial hardship – was inspired by Akindele’s late mother, whom she also dedicated the film to.
She added, “The story is so dear to my heart and it has a part of my late mum in it. It represents the struggles faced by many single parents and mothers in society.”
The film is currently showing in cinemas in Ghana and the United Kingdom.