The Story⚡
For the first time since January, a Nigerian title leads the box office rankings breaking the Hollywood hold.
Tell Me More
Kesari is the first Indigenous Nigerian title to rank as the top title at the box office. The title is also the first of its kind (Successful YouTube IP) that was accepted into the exhibition market which has now made a mark.
The feature is co-directed by Tope Adebayo and Ibrahim ‘Itele D Icon’ Yekini and co-produced by Itele d’Icon Film Production and FilmOne Production. It is not an epic title like King of Thieves by Femi Adebayo and Orisa by Odunlade Adekola, which have proven to have a favourable acceptance with the audience at the Nigerian box office.
Kesari launched in 52 cinema locations across the country on the 25th of August, 2023. It launched in the midst of Hollywood faves like Blue Beetle, Barbie, Meg 2: The Trench, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. However, despite this competition, Kesari had a smooth weekend opening as it led in the number one position last weekend.
In its first three days, the title earned N21.50 million. Cumulatively, it has grossed a total of N24.06 million at the box office. For a title that is originally a YouTube IP, these figures are strong and desirable to open with.
The title stars famous Nollywood box office faces. They include Ibrahim Yekini, Femi Adebayo, Adebowale Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Boma Akpore, Femi Branch, Kelvin Ikeduba, Yvonne Jegede, Bolaji Ogunmola, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Adebayo Salami. With these names included to give the film a box office appeal, one might want to say that the success is anticipated.
Top 5
Here are the top five movies at the box office last weekend:
5. Meg 2: The Trench
In 42 locations across the country, the title made a sum of N4.57 million. Now in its fourth week, it has made a total of N76.01 million.
4. Retribution
Launched in 57 locations, the film raked in N11 million with a flash cume now at N12.47 million.
3. Blue Beetle
The film grossed N19.57 million in its second weekend. So far, in its ten days, it has amassed a sum of N66.81 million.
2. Barbie
This Hollywood sensation, which spent four weeks in the number-one spot at the Nigerian box office, made N7.84 million last weekend. After six weeks, the title has garnered N213.14 million.
1. Kesari
The film made N21.50 million in its first three days. It has made a gross cume of N24.06 million.
Tangent
Orisa pulled impressive numbers of N27.58 M in 3 days and N40.86M in 7 days. However, the title could not clinch the top spot due to heavy competition from Hollywood products.
Yoruba Epic “Orisa” Dazzles Box Office With N40.86M, Biggest Nollywood Opening For 2023
In Summary
At the pace that Kesari is going, will it be the second Nollywood movie to make over N100 million this year after Orisa?
Has the movie been able to successfully prove the point that a YouTube IP can be successful at the box office or it’s too early to start making assumptions?
Well, the events of the next few days will tell.
