Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele made Nollywood history with her latest release, “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” which grossed a staggering N206 million in its debut weekend.
The movie premiered on December 13, 2024, and immediately dominated the Nigerian box office, earning N45.22 million on its opening Friday alone—a 30% increase over last year’s “A Tribe Called Judah.”
This impressive performance positions “Everybody Loves Jenifa” as a strong contender to break Nollywood’s all-time attendance record of 450,000, currently held by Akindele’s “Omo Ghetto.”
On its first day, the film attracted 9,409 viewers, surpassing the 8,870 admissions recorded by “A Tribe Called Judah.” This achievement is even more remarkable considering “Everybody Loves Jenifa” was not screened at Genesis Cinemas and had limited showings at Silverbird Cinemas, highlighting its immense popularity despite restricted availability.
In an Instagram post, Akindele celebrated the film’s success, revealing it had set a Nollywood milestone by earning N87.8 million in a single day.
With 38,353 tickets sold during its opening weekend, the film now holds the record for the highest-grossing debut weekend in Nollywood history.
Before its wide release, the film also generated N16.8 million from advanced screenings, further underscoring its strong audience anticipation.
Additionally, its international debut across 30 countries through Nile Group Entertainment has extended its global reach and impact.
“Everybody Loves Jenifa” is the latest installment in Akindele’s iconic Jenifa series, chronicling the life of the lovable Jenifa as she navigates fame, relationships, and personal growth. This time, Jenifa faces stiff competition from Lobster, a mysterious neighbor whose charitable deeds overshadow her own. The story takes a dramatic twist when Jenifa and her friends accidentally become entangled with a Ghanaian drug lord after a mix-up involving a bag of drugs in their rental.
The film, co-written by Funke Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, and Collins Okoh, is co-directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye. It strikes a perfect balance between comedy and thought-provoking themes, resonating deeply with audiences in Nigeria and abroad.
The star-studded cast includes Funke Akindele, Patience Ozokwor, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, and Falz, delivering memorable performances that elevate the movie to new heights.
