Agbara Nla opens in US cinemas after $173,000 overseas gross
The Nigerian faith-based film, Agbara Nla: The Return, will open in select cinemas in the United States on Friday, October 30, after its international release generated a reported $173,650 in earnings across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada.
The film’s distributor, Nile Group, announced the US opening in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, directing moviegoers to book tickets through AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas.
The announcement comes as the film’s distributors celebrate its reported box-office performance in the UK and Canada, with an expansion into Ireland also announced.
“AGBARA NLA THE RETURN is officially opening in select U.S. cinemas from this Friday, OCTOBER 30th,” the distributor said.
In a separate post on Thursday, The Nile Group said the film had generated £86,691 in the UK and Ireland and CAD$82,203 in Canada, putting its reported international earnings at $173,650 and counting.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources
The company also described the production as the Nollywood film with the biggest opening weekend ever in the UK, as well as the biggest Nollywood release in the country in 2026. Toyin Abraham threatens legal action over defamatory posts Funke Akindele’s ‘The Four’ sells out London premiere I’m taking English lessons to speak fluently — MC Oluomo
It further claimed that the film recorded the biggest UK pre-sales ever for a Nollywood production and the biggest opening for a faith-based Nollywood film in the country.
The Nile Group said the film was still showing in cinemas across the UK and Canada, while announcing its forthcoming release in Ireland through Odeon Cinemas.
The US release marks another international expansion for the production, which revisits the story of the 1993 film Agbara Nla, created by Christian filmmaker Mike Bamiloye.
The modern reimagining features Bamiloye reprising his role as the herbalist Isawuru. It was directed by his sons, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye, and features actors including Aanu Kolade Abiodun, Remilekun Mosiko, Philip Olubakin, Gloria Mike-Bamiloye and David Kola Okeowo.
Agbara Nla: The Return has grossed ₦408.3m at the Nigerian box office, becoming the second-highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2026, according to figures announced by distributor Nile Entertainment on Monday.
The film has also remained the number-one title at the Nigerian box office for four consecutive weekends.
Okiki Adeduyite
Okiki is a journalist with over seven years experience covering politics, foreign news, society, entertainment and the film industry.
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