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Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has made history once again, with her latest film Everybody Loves Jenifa spearheading a record-breaking week for Nigerian cinemas.
From December 20 to 26, 2024, the Nigerian box office grossed an unprecedented N1.02 billion in ticket sales, according to Nile Media Entertainment Group.
Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa, a sequel to her beloved Jenifa franchise, led the charge, raking in N426.9 million in just seven days. By December 26, the film had sold over 153,800 tickets and grossed a staggering N782.8 million, setting it on track to surpass N1 billion in just two weeks—a feat no Nollywood film has ever achieved in such a short time.
“This is a dream come true,” Akindele said. “It’s proof that our stories are not just entertaining but resonate globally. Nollywood is breaking barriers, and this is only the beginning.”
A Historic Week for Nigerian Cinema
The record-breaking week wasn’t just about Everybody Loves Jenifa. Other Nollywood films contributed significantly to the milestone. Mufasa earned N173 million, while Alakada: B&B added N127.3 million. Together with other hits like The Waiter (N104.2 million) and Disney’s Moana 2 (N52.7 million), these films showcased the resilience and creativity of the Nigerian film industry.
On December 26 alone, cinemas grossed N256.4 million, marking the highest single-day revenue in Nigerian cinema history. With over 47,500 tickets sold that day, it became one of the busiest days ever recorded in the industry.
Breaking Barriers, Setting Standards
Everybody Loves Jenifa also broke the record for the fastest Nollywood film to hit N500 million, achieving the milestone in just 12 days. Its international release has further boosted its profile, earning $100,000 in its opening weekend across markets like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
Film critic Nnamdi Okafor hailed the achievement as a testament to Nollywood’s evolution. “This milestone proves that Nollywood is not just surviving—it’s thriving. It shows the global appeal of Nigerian storytelling.”
A Collective Victory for Nollywood
The success of Everybody Loves Jenifa and other Nollywood films highlights the industry’s ability to captivate audiences despite challenges like piracy and fluctuating cinema attendance. For Funke Akindele, the achievement is a shared triumph. “This isn’t just my victory; it’s a win for every filmmaker, actor, and fan who believes in Nollywood,” she said.
As Everybody Loves Jenifa continues to smash records, the film’s performance has set a new benchmark for Nollywood, proving that Nigerian cinema is a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. Fans and industry insiders alike are celebrating this monumental moment, with hopes that it signals even greater successes to come.
See below:
A Billion Reasons to Celebrate 🎥
— The Nile Media Entertainment Group (@TheNilegroup_) December 27, 2024
At Nile Entertainment, we’ve always believed in the power of storytelling, community, and dreaming big. Today, we’re proud to share an incredible milestone: the Nigerian box office has crossed 1 billion Naira in a single week in 2024. #cinemas pic.twitter.com/F6myYLYPW6
#FunkeAkindele
#EverybodyLovesJenifa
#NigerianBoxOffice
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