MOVIES

Pastor Iren’s ‘What About Us?’ Dethrones ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ For Top Box Office Spot

Published

2 months ago

July 23, 2024

'What About Us?' Dethrones 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' | fab.ng

The Nigerian box office has seen a shift in leadership this week. The domestic film “What about Us?” directed by Kayode Kasum claims the top spot. This new chart-topper has accumulated an impressive ₦34.7 million since its release, dethroning the Hollywood blockbuster “Bad Boys: Ride or Die“. The latter had dominated the charts since the beginning of the month.

“What about Us?” boasts a star-studded cast featuring Uzor Arukwe, Folu Storms, Kunle Remi, Teniola Aladese, Seyi Awolowo, Marycolette Unamka, and Atlanta Bridget Johnson. The film’s success was particularly notable in its opening weekend. It raked in ₦24 million, according to a report published by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on July 20, 2024.

The report covers the box office performance from July 12 to July 18, 2024.

Also, it reveals a competitive landscape in Nigerian cinemas. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, now occupies the second position with earnings of ₦33.6 million.

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Close on its heels is the Hollywood horror sci-fi “A Quiet Place: Day One,” written and directed by Michael Sarnoski. This film secured the third spot with ₦30.3 million. This brings its total gross to an impressive ₦109.2 million. The Nollywood epic crime thriller “Lakatabu,” helmed by Odunlade Adekola, holds the fourth position with ₦22.1 million for the week. It pushed its total earnings since its June 21, 2024 release to over ₦156 million.

The animated realm continues to perform well. “Despicable Me 4” maintains its fifth-place position. This American animated comedy which Universal Pictures and Illumination produced, added ₦13.8 million to its coffers. With this, it reached a total gross of ₦40 million.

Another strong performer is Biodun Stephen’s “Muri and Ko.” The movie amassed ₦120.4 million since its June 14, 2024 release. It currently sits in sixth place, having earned ₦12.3 million during the week in question. Disney’s “Inside Out 2” follows in seventh place, with weekly earnings of ₦11.5 million and a cumulative gross of ₦68.5 million.

The romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon,” secured the eighth spot with ₦8.1 million. Greg Berlanti directed it and Columbia Pictures distributed it.

Rounding out the top ten are two newer releases.

“The Groomsmen,” a romantic drama Ampong Kwaku Kwakye directed and released on July 12, 2024, took ninth place. It grossed ₦6.1 million for the week, bringing its total to ₦6.2 million. Finally, “Voltage,” premiered on July 5, 2024, claimed the tenth position with weekly earnings of ₦2.4 million, contributing to its total gross of ₦8 million.

This diverse mix of domestic and international films, spanning various genres from action and horror to romance and animation, shows the competitive nature of the Nigerian box office.

The success of local productions like “What about Us?” and “Lakatabu” alongside international blockbusters highlights the growing strength and appeal of Nollywood films to Nigerian audiences.

Check out more updates here.

MOVIES

Omoni Oboli’s “Last Year Single” Debuts On Netflix This September

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Reporter

"Last Year Single" Debuts On Netflix This September | fab.ng

Nollywood actress and director, Omoni Oboli, has announced that her debut series, “Last Year Single,” produced in 2020, will premiere on Netflix on September 6, 2024.

Omoni Oboli embarked on her acting career with her debut role in “Bitter Encounter” (1996). In 2010, she earned recognition for her performances, winning the Best Actress in a Narrative Feature award at the Los Angeles Movie Awards and Best Actress at the Harlem International Film Festival.

Additionally, she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards. Oboli has a notable filmography, including “Moms At War” and the upcoming third instalment of the “Wives on Strike” franchise, “The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3,” set to debut next month.

In an official statement, the talented actor-director confirmed that her romantic drama series, “Last Year Single,” will be available on Netflix starting Friday, September 6, 2024.

“The only thing we are all doing on Friday is grabbing our movie snacks and sitting in front of our TV on Netflix. Because THE HOTTEST SERIES ever is coming LAST YEAR SINGLE This Friday! Exclusive to Netflix.”

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The series “Last Year Single” began production in 2020 but encountered delays due to the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Written by Joy Bewaji and produced by Tomi Adeoye, the show follows the lives of three single women in their 30s as they struggle to find suitable partners while juggling their finances.

The cast includes notable actors such as Bimbo Ademoye, Toni Tones, Abishola Segun Williams, Mawuli Gavor, Kachi Nnochiri, Uzoma Osimkpa, Taye Arimoro, Kabiri Fubara, Chy Nwakama, Anthony Monjaro, and Chamberlyn Okoro, all of whom bring depth and charisma to the story.

Check out more movie updates here.

MOVIES

Daniel Oriahi’s “The Weekend” Officially Selected For BFI London Film Festival

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

Reporter

"The Weekend" selected for BFI London Film Festival | fab.ng

The British Film Institute (BFI) has officially selected the Nollywood film “The Weekend“. Daniel Oriahi directed the film. It is to screen at the prestigious 68th edition of its London Film Festival. The BFI Film Festival in London will occur from October 9th to October 20th, 2024.

The lineup for the festival boasts an impressive 255 titles, including features, shorts, series, and immersive works. They represent a diverse range of 80 countries and feature 64 languages.

Following the successful premiere of his new feature film on August 30th, 2024, Oriahi took to Instagram to share the exciting news of The Weekend‘s selection for the BFI Film Festival. The film garnered a remarkable ₦8 million at the box office.

“I am deeply honoured and proud to announce that The Weekend has been officially selected to screen at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, the largest film festival in the UK. This selection comes as The Weekend continues to break box office records for its genre in Nollywood. The Weekend will be showcased in the BFI (LFF) Cult Section alongside some of the most anticipated thrillers and horror films of the fall season. I am equally thrilled to join the ranks of extraordinary new wave Nigerian filmmakers like @kennethgyang @fierycj @abbatmakama @mikegouken @damiorimogunje and @chukoesiri , whose works have graced past editions of this prestigious festival,” he said.

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Oriahi began his filmmaking journey by producing and directing Misfit.

This is a psychological horror film, as his debut feature on a limited budget. He has also directed other notable works, including Taxi Driver: Oke Ashewo in 2015 and Sylvia in 2018.

The selection committee for the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York reviewed numerous submissions. They chose Oriahi’s comeback film, The Weekend, for screening at the festival. This selection made The Weekend the only Nollywood film to feature at the international event this year.

The Weekend is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Nikiya Talabi, an orphan girl yearning for family. Nikiya visits her fiancée’s seemingly perfect family, only to uncover their sinister secret. The film boasts a talented cast. This includes Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Bucci Franklin, Meg Otanwa, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Gloria Anozie-Young, and Damilola Ogunsi.

Get more movie updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

Juliet Ibrahim On Why She Puts Her Movies On YouTube

Published

3 days ago

September 4, 2024

Reporter

Juliet Ibrahim On Why She Put Her Movies On YouTube | fab.ng

Nollywood actress and producer, Juliet Ibrahim, has explained her decision to release her latest films on YouTube rather than other streaming platforms. She revealed this in a recent interview with TheCable Lifestyle at the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit in Lekki. Juliet revealed that she chose YouTube due to its less demanding requirements.

Unlike platforms like Netflix or Prime, YouTube doesn’t impose strict criteria for equipment, editing, lighting, or crew members. This flexibility allows for a more accessible and inclusive approach to filmmaking.

She said,

“Before you submit to a streaming platform, either Netflix or Prime, you have a list of equipment you must use. There is a criteria for editing, lighting, your crew members, a whole lot of things and that includes a lot of money. That is where I said the funding would now become a problem.”

Speaking further on YouTube’s benefit, Juliet also acknowledged the risk of piracy, saying,

“You see, there is something about being a filmmaker, you make your movie, and you want to own your rights. There is also piracy, so even YouTube is not 100% safe because people still pirate, they would steal your content. However, there is a whole market on YouTube where people make quick and easy money with less stress. Without having to go buy the cinema criteria or streaming platform criteria.”

Juliet Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of reaching diaspora audiences who cannot access cinema content.

“As a filmmaker, you want to have multiple streams of income, and there are people in diaspora who want to watch our content but cannot access our cinema content. Until we can give them good cinema content over there, we can put it on Netflix or YouTube. If Netflix says the content is not good enough for them, we can put it on Showmax or YouTube uploads. A lot of people have different reasons, but most times you have to look at it strategically and also what goes into your pocket,” she added.

Check out more updates here.