Mount Zion’s Agbara Nla: The Return has recorded a major cinema milestone, earning over ₦71 million during its single-day previews.
The faith-based film attracted more than 12,100 cinema admissions, according to its distributor, Nile Entertainment.
The Agbara Nla: The Return achievement comes as the movie begins its nationwide cinema release, drawing attention to faith-based Nigerian films.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 2, Nile Entertainment described the film’s performance as a record-breaking opening.
The distributor said it had the biggest opening for a faith-based film, the highest first-day gross for a Nollywood title and the biggest single-day gross for October.
It also described the earnings as the highest single-day preview gross in West Africa.
The film revisits Agbara Nla, an early Mount Zion production written by Mike Bamiloye and first released in 1993.
The original gained attention during Nigeria’s home-video era, when audiences watched local films on video cassettes.
More than three decades later, Bamiloye’s sons, Damilola and Joshua, have directed the new film for cinema audiences.
Chris Odeh produced it, with Mount Zion Film Productions, Sozo Films and Circuits involved in the production.
The directors said the film’s reception was especially meaningful because of the original’s impact on viewers.
“To see Agbara Nla: The Return receive this kind of response is deeply meaningful to us. This is a story our father wrote in 1993, and we knew we were carrying something that already meant a great deal to many people,” they said.
They added that their goal was to respect the original story while connecting with both longtime fans and younger viewers.
Nile Entertainment’s Head of Theatrical Distribution, Thelma Udeze, also praised the audience response.
“The response to Agbara Nla: The Return shows the strength of the connection audiences can have with stories that speak to their faith, culture and lived experiences,” she said.
The film is also expected to reach cinemas in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Nile Entertainment said it would announce international release dates later.
For now, Agbara Nla: The Return is showing in cinemas across Nigeria.
