Funke Akindele’s latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, has smashed Nollywood’s box office records, grossing ₦45.2 million on its opening day, making it the highest-grossing opening day film in the industry’s history.
Everybody Loves Jenifa shattered box office records yesterday. It had the biggest opening day for a Nollywood film with ₦45.2M! ELJ drew 9,409 admissions, surpassing ATCJ's 8,870 despite not screening at Genesis & missing most of the day at Silverbird Cinemas.
— Nigerian Box Office (@NGAboxoffice) December 14, 2024
The Nigerian Box Office disclosed that the film, released in cinemas on Friday, December 13, 2024, drew 9,409 admissions despite not screening at Genesis Cinemas and missing most of the day at Silverbird Cinemas. The figures are expected to rise slightly after adjustments for advanced screenings.
The record-breaking achievement surpasses Akindele’s 2023 hit, A Tribe Called Judah, which grossed over ₦1 billion during its theatrical run and had 8,870 admissions on its opening day.
Film One Entertainment also confirmed the milestone, highlighting that Everybody Loves Jenifa not only set a record for the biggest Nollywood opening day in history but also achieved the highest admission count for any film released in 2024.
Part of the beloved Jenifa franchise that has entertained audiences since 2008, the movie features a star-studded cast, including Nancy Isime, Jackie Appiah, Falz, Omowunmi Dada, Chimezie Imo, Patience Ozokwor, Stan Nze, and Layi Wasabi.
Reacting to the success, Akindele warned against piracy, stating that anyone caught pirating the film would face legal consequences.
This milestone reinforces Funke Akindele’s position as a dominant force in Nollywood, with Everybody Loves Jenifa already shaping up to be one of the most successful films in the franchise’s history.