Broadcast Media Africa understands that Nigeria’s hit movie ‘Battle on Buka Street’ has broken records locally and internationally.
On December 30, 2022, FilmOne Entertainment and Part Two Media, with the support of Amplify Africa, released ‘Battle on Buka Street’ in the United States and the United Kingdom.
BMA understands that the movie debuted in 11 Regal Cinemas, making Funke Akindele’s film the first-ever Indigenous Nollywood release in the United States.
Despite opening in only 11 locations, the comedy earned US$61 000 over the 4-day New Year Weekend.
Commenting on the movie’s impressive opening, Craig Shurn of Part Two Media said, “We always knew that ‘Battle on Buka Street’ had the potential to do well in the US, especially after its blockbuster results and status in Nigeria, but we never expected these sorts of figures for the first Nollywood release here. Full credit to the star, director and producer Funke Akindele, who worked her magic. The US African diaspora has been underserved and starved of true African content, especially theatrically, for the longest time. So it is an honour to have eventually brought ‘Battle on Buka Street’ to them. It’s a great start and exciting what the future holds.”
Regal has added another 11 locations in the 2nd week due to strong demand and sell-out shows.
Moses Babatope and Kene Okwuosa, from FilmOne Entertainment, said, “With the strong showing of ‘Battle on Buka Street,’ Nigerian film has come full circle and gained more attention from international audiences. As the first indigenous Nollywood release in the US, this film is performing beyond expectation. Moreover, it indicates what we should look forward to this year for global releases of films from Nigeria. In a few months and years, we expect Nollywood releases to be a consistent feature in the US, Europe and beyond cinemas.”
Following Akindele’s release, FilmOne and Regal Cinemas are set to debut Toyin Abraham’s ‘Ijakumo: Born Again Stripper’ in the US and UK on January 13, 2023.
The film opens exclusively at select Regal theatres, with advance screenings beginning on January 12.
