Nigerian cinemas have reached an unprecedented milestone, grossing over N1 billion in ticket sales within just one week, fueled by the immense success of Funke Akindele’s films, Everybody Loves Jenifa and Alakada! According to data from the Nile Media Entertainment Group, the total sales for the week, spanning from December 20 to 26, 2024, amounted to a staggering N1.02 billion, setting a new record for the Nigerian film industry.
The record-breaking performance of these films is being hailed as a testament to Nollywood’s growing global appeal and the power of Nigerian storytelling. “Today, we’re proud to share an incredible milestone: the Nigerian box office has crossed N1 billion in a single week in 2024,” Nile Media said in a statement. “This achievement reflects the resilience and creativity of the Nigerian film industry.”
Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa, a sequel to her hit series, led the charge with ticket sales of N426.9 million, making it the top-performing film of the week. By December 26, the movie had sold over 153,800 tickets and grossed N782.8 million, with projections indicating it will surpass N1 billion in a matter of days—an impressive feat considering its 14-day run. This rapid success places Everybody Loves Jenifa on track to break the record set by Akindele’s previous film, A Tribe Called Judah, which hit the N1 billion mark in 21 days.
Incredibly, Everybody Loves Jenifa has already made history as the fastest Nollywood film to earn N500 million, reaching that milestone in just 12 days. On its opening weekend, the film earned $100,000 across international markets, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
“This is a big moment for Nollywood,” said Akindele, the director and star of the film. “It’s proof that our industry is evolving, and our stories are resonating beyond Nigeria. It’s a dream come true to see our work break barriers and achieve global success.”
The surge in ticket sales has not only been significant for Everybody Loves Jenifa. Other Nigerian films such as Mufasa (N173 million) and Alakada: B&B (N127.3 million) also performed exceptionally well, with each film contributing to the overall box office success. The week of December 20 to 26 saw several other notable performances, with films like The Waiter (N104.2 million) and Moana 2 (N52.7 million) adding to the tally.
On December 26 alone, ticket sales soared to N256.4 million, marking the highest-grossing day in the history of Nigerian cinemas. With over 47,500 tickets sold on that day, it became the third-highest single-day ticket sale behind 55,449 tickets sold on December 26, 2019, and 52,563 sold on December 26, 2018. These record-breaking figures reflect the growing demand for Nigerian films, with audiences flocking to cinemas in greater numbers than ever before.
Industry experts note that this remarkable achievement highlights the increasing resilience of Nollywood, especially in the face of global challenges. “This milestone proves that despite the hurdles, Nollywood continues to thrive and captivate audiences at home and abroad,” said film critic Nnamdi Okafor. “It’s clear that the Nigerian film industry is on a path to even greater success, and these figures only reinforce that belief.”
The landmark achievement is also seen as a victory for the Nigerian cinema ecosystem, which has faced its share of struggles in recent years, from piracy to fluctuating audience interest. However, films like Everybody Loves Jenifa have sparked renewed interest in local cinemas, as more Nigerians turn to the big screen to enjoy homegrown content.
The performance of Nollywood films in 2024 has shown the industry’s ability to adapt to changing trends and audience preferences. “The resilience of the industry is unparalleled. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the fans and the hard work of the filmmakers,” added Akindele. “This success is a collective victory for the entire Nigerian film industry.”
Additionally, Everybody Loves Jenifa has broken the record for the highest single-day gross in Nigerian cinema, surpassing its own previous record of N89.8 million. The film’s box office performance continues to set new standards, with several films crossing the N25 million mark in a single day, while others raked in between N5 million and N15 million.
For Nile Media Entertainment Group, which tracked the figures, the N1 billion box office total is seen as a powerful demonstration of the Nigerian film industry’s potential. “It is proof that our stories matter, that audiences are eager to connect, and that together, we can achieve greatness,” the company said in a statement.
