Award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has broken new ground with her latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ), which has achieved historic success at the Nigerian box office.
Released on December 13, 2024, the comedy-drama grossed an astonishing N206 million during its opening weekend, setting a new Nollywood record for the highest-grossing opening weekend.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Everybody Loves Jenifa sold 38,353 tickets in its debut weekend, making it the biggest opening weekend in Nollywood this year. On its release day alone, the film earned N45.22 million, a 30% increase in first-day revenue compared to Akindele’s 2023 hit, A Tribe Called Judah.
In a landmark feat, ELJ recorded N87.8 million in a single day, the highest ever for a Nollywood film.
Global Reach
Beyond its local success, the film premiered internationally across 30 countries, thanks to distribution by Nile Group Entertainment. This achievement underscores its growing appeal to audiences beyond Nigeria.
Challenges Overcome
Notably, ELJ accomplished these milestones despite not screening at Genesis Cinemas and missing part of the opening day at Silverbird Cinemas.
Akindele’s Gratitude
In an Instagram post celebrating the film’s success, Akindele expressed her gratitude, writing:
“Thank you Lord!!! Thank you Nigeria!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!”
Industry Impact
The success of Everybody Loves Jenifa cements Funke Akindele’s status as one of Nollywood’s most influential filmmakers and highlights the growing global appeal of Nigerian cinema.
