Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with her latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, which raked in an astounding N206 million during its debut weekend.
Premiering on December 13, 2024, the film soared to the top of the Nigerian box office, amassing an impressive N45.22 million on its opening Friday alone.
This marks a significant 30% increase in first-day ticket sales compared to last year’s hit, A Tribe Called Judah.
With strong word-of-mouth endorsements, Everybody Loves Jenifa is on track to surpass Nollywood’s current attendance record of 450,000, held by Omo Ghetto.
On its release day, ELJ drew an impressive 9,409 viewers, edging past A Tribe Called Judah, which recorded 8,870 admissions.
Remarkably, this was achieved despite the movie not being screened at Genesis Cinemas and experiencing limited showings at Silverbird Cinemas.
These figures underscore the film’s immense popularity, even in the face of restricted cinema availability.
In an Instagram post, Akindele revealed that Everybody Loves Jenifa set a new Nollywood benchmark, earning N87.8 million in a single day—the highest for any movie in the industry.
During its opening weekend, the film sold 38,353 tickets, making it the most successful debut of 2024 and setting a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history.
Even before its wide release, ELJ generated N16.8 million through advanced screenings.
The film has also expanded its reach internationally, debuting in 30 countries through Nile Group Entertainment, further solidifying its global impact.
About the Film
Everybody Loves Jenifa is the latest chapter in Akindele’s beloved Jenifa series, following the iconic character’s journey through fame, relationships, and personal growth.
In this installment, Jenifa’s popularity takes a hit when Lobster, a mysterious new neighbor, eclipses her charitable efforts.
Things take a dramatic turn when Jenifa and her friends inadvertently end up in a dangerous showdown with a Ghanaian drug lord after mistakenly receiving a bag of drugs in their rental.
The film, co-written by Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, and Collins Okoh, is co-directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye.
It masterfully combines comedy with thought-provoking themes, resonating with audiences in Nigeria and beyond.
The star-studded cast includes Funke Akindele alongside notable names like Patience Ozokwor, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, and Falz.
With its unique blend of humour, drama, and relatability, Everybody Loves Jenifa is being celebrated as one of Nollywood’s greatest cinematic achievements.
