Funke Akindele’s latest movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, broke a box office record within 21 days of its release in cinemas, becoming the first Nollywood film to surpass ₦1 billion at the box office.
The movie which was released on December 15, 2023, grossed more than N133 million in its opening weekend and over ₦613 million in just two weeks of its release.
Disclosing the N1 billion feat on her Instagram page, Akindele wrote, “Thank You LORD!!!, Thank NIGERIA!!, Thank you GHANA!!”
Directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu, the movie tells the story of a family that plans to rob a mall to raise money for their mothers hospital bill but finds armed robbers already inside when they arrive.
The film featured actors and actresses like Nosa Rex, Nse Ekpe, Jide Kene Achufusi, Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Ebelle Okaro, Boma Akpore, Paschaline Alex, Genoveva Umeh, Olayode Juliana, Olumide Oworu, Yvonne Jegede. and many others.
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According to Akindele, the plot of ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ revolves around a woman called Jedidah Judah, who has five sons from five different men, all belonging to different tribes.
She said, “The story is so dear to my heart and it has a part of my late mum in it, and it represents the struggles faced by many single parents and mothers in society.”
According to her, the movie is currently showing in cinemas in Ghana and the United Kingdom.
‘A Tribe Called Judah’ has now surpassed Akindele’s previous films ‘Battle on Buka Street’ (N668.4m), and ’Omo Ghetto’ (N636.1m) the current second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office respectively, according to reports.
Thousands of congratulations
Akindele has received thousands of congratulations including from the President Bola Tinubu whoi sasid his administration would provide “conducive environment” for movie industry to thrive further.”
Tinubu said: “The creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors, providing jobs for our able and talented youths. It is an industry that is crucial to my administration. I salute Nigerians for their enduring support and patronage of home-grown creative efforts. We will provide the conducive environment for the industry to thrive further.”