"A Tribe Called Judah," produced by Funke Akindele, has been the first Nollywood film to gross more than one billion naira at the box office, marking a historic milestone. This unprecedented feat was formally verified by Film One Studios in a news release issued on January 4, 2024.
The film debuted on December 15, 2023, and acquired popularity very fast. In its first weekend, it brought in ₦113.3 million, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood opening weekend of the year. As the success persisted, sold-out performances around the country and even in the UK resulted.
The Group CEO of Film House Group, Kene Okwuosa, expressed pleasure at this incredible achievement and said that the movie's success marks the beginning of a golden age for Nigerian filmmaking. According to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), "A Tribe Called Judah" concluded 2023 with a total gross of ₦854.3 million, making it not only the highest-grossing Nollywood title for the year but also the highest ever.
The film's plot revolves around five brothers who unite to carry out a heist to save their mother, portrayed by Funke Akindele as Jedidah Judah. The movie's unprecedented financial success underscores the thriving state of the Nigerian creative industry and its global appeal.