Nollywood’s latest release, ‘The Betrayed’, has made a remarkable impact at the box office, amassing N24 million within just 10 days of its debut.
Produced by Inkblot Productions, the film quickly gained traction in Nigerian cinemas. As of Friday, August 9, 2024, it had already earned N14.7 million, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.
However, the film’s popularity soared over the weekend, culminating in a total gross of N23.8 million by Sunday, August 11, 2024. This surge in earnings has propelled ‘The Betrayed’ to the top spot among Nollywood films currently in theaters.
Directed by Zulumoke Oyibo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions, The Betrayed marks her directorial debut. The screenplay, crafted by Chinaza Onuzo and Tosan Ayanfulu, has captivated audiences with its engaging narrative on trust, betrayal, and the quest for truth.
The film features a stellar cast, including Uche Montana, Gabriel Afolayan, Adunni Ade, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jemima Osunde, Vine Olugu, and Stephanie Zibili. Their performances have received widespread acclaim, contributing to the film’s standout status in Nollywood’s 2024 lineup.
‘The Betrayed’ follows Amarachi, played by Uche Montana, whose life unravels when her husband (Gabriel Afolayan) is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend. The story delves into a labyrinth of secrets and deception, keeping audiences on edge.
Nollywood has seen a robust year at the box office, with several films achieving impressive earnings. Earlier releases such as Funmilayo Ransom Kuti, Muri, and Ko have collectively grossed up to N100 million, while other indigenous films like Ajakaju, Lakatabu, and Ajosepo have also performed strongly. The industry’s cumulative box office revenue has exceeded N600 million.
Nollywood’s growing success is evident in its market share, with the industry capturing 50.05% of the box office revenue in the first half of 2024, surpassing Hollywood’s 45.95%. With over 600,000 cinema tickets sold at an average price of N4,000, Nollywood’s performance reflects the increasing appeal of local content.
Projections for 2024 suggest that Nigerian box office revenue could reach N10 billion by year-end, up from N7.34 billion in 2023, highlighting Nollywood’s expanding commercial viability and audience engagement.
