The crime thriller, directed by Jade Osiberu, is the only African film to make the list.
By Helena Olori
Gangs of Lagos by Nigerian ace filmmaker, Jade Osiberu, has been ranked as one of Prime Video’s top 10 globally most watched non-English language local original movies and series in the last 12 months, based on performance outside of their country of origin.
The data, recently released by Amazon Prime Video, ranks the leading films based on their viewership during the first three days of release. The feature films, My Fault (Culpa Mía, Spain) and Medellin (Medellín, France), both released earlier this month, topped the list as the first and second biggest travelling non-English language local original titles in Prime Video history. While Gangs of Lagos, released in April, is listed as number nine, and the only African title among the top 10 international hit movies and series. These top-ranked movies provide insights into the popularity of various titles on the streaming platform.
(Read also: Gangs of Lagos Review: In Jade Osiberu’s Crime Thriller, Pre-Electoral Manipulation, Defeated Dreams, And Friendship Take Center Stage)
The action-packed crime thriller, directed by Osiberu, is Prime Video’s first African Original, and was released directly to the streaming platform on Friday, April 7, 2023. The film is an outcome of a deal signed by Osiberu with Amazon Prime Video, requiring her to exclusively produce film content for the platform for three years.
The film’s debut was received with much fanfare within and beyond Nigeria. During its opening weekend, it debuted as number one in West African countries, and trended in more than 30 countries across Africa, South Korea, North America, and the United Kingdom.
(Read also: “There’s No Permanent Enemy, Only Permanent Interests” — Olarotimi Fakunle, Eleniyan of Gangs of Lagos, In Conversation with Afrocritik)
Gangs of Lagos is centred on a group of childhood friends, Obalola, Ify, and Gift, who must navigate their destinies while growing up on the bustling streets and neighborhoods of Isale Eko, Lagos. After their adoptive father is murdered, they are forced to join a gang. Their lives take a turn for the worse when they become entangled in gang wars during election campaigns.
The film features Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Toyin Abraham, Adebowale Adebayo, Bimbo Ademoye, Dami Banwo, Iyabo Ojo, Wasiu Pasuma Alabi, Zlatan Ibile, Chioma Akpota, and others. It is currently streaming on Prime Video.