Record-breaking Week in Nigerian Cinemas
Nigerian cinemas have seen an unprecedented surge in ticket sales, surpassing the ₦1 billion mark in just one week, thanks largely to Funke Akindele’s latest releases, “Everybody Loves Jenifa” and “Alakada! Bad and Boujee”. According to Nile Media Entertainment Group, sales reached ₦1.02 billion from December 20 to 26, 2024, setting a new record for the industry.
“Everybody Loves Jenifa” Achieves Multiple Milestones
“Everybody Loves Jenifa” has been particularly successful, amassing 153,800 ticket sales by December 26, totaling N782.8 million in just 14 days. This film is on pace to exceed the billion-naira mark faster than her previous hit, “A Tribe Called Judah,” which took 21 days to hit the same figure. Notably, it is the fastest Nollywood movie to reach ₦500 million, achieving this in only 12 days.
International and Domestic Success
The film’s success isn’t limited to Nigeria; it has also made waves internationally, earning $100,000 in its opening weekend across nine countries including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. Domestically, December 26 marked the highest-grossing day in Nigerian box office history, with sales reaching N256.4 million and over 47,500 tickets sold.
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Box Office Breakdown
Breaking down the week’s performance, “Everybody Loves Jenifa” led with N426.9 million, followed by “Mufasa” at N173 million, “Alakada: B&B” with N127.3 million, “The Waiter” at N104.2 million, and “Moana 2” pulling in N52.7 million. This week saw multiple films hitting significant daily sales figures, with “Everybody Loves Jenifa” setting a record by grossing over N100 million in a single day.
A Testament to Nigerian Cinema’s Vitality
Nile Media praised the week’s achievements as a reflection of the Nigerian film industry’s creativity, resilience, and the audience’s desire for local storytelling. The milestone is seen as a testament to the cultural significance and global appeal of Nigerian cinema, suggesting a bright future for the industry.
