Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa and Toyin Abraham’s Alakada Bad & Boujee have jointly surpassed N2 billion at the Nigerian box office, setting a new benchmark for Nollywood. The record-breaking figures were confirmed by FilmOne, a top West African film distribution company.
Everybody Loves Jenifa, released on December 13, 2024, contributed a massive N1.6 billion, accounting for 80% of the combined revenue. The highly anticipated sequel made an explosive debut, grossing N783 million within 14 days and hitting the N1 billion milestone in just 19 days. It captivated over 201,604 viewers nationwide and attracted more than 71,700 moviegoers during its second weekend, making it the fastest Nollywood film to exceed N500 million.
Globally, Everybody Loves Jenifa grossed $327,723 (approximately N238 million) in 22 days across the diaspora, adding to its commercial triumph. The film’s seamless blend of humor, drama, and societal themes continues to resonate deeply with audiences, building on Akindele’s prior success with Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which grossed over N1.5 billion.
Toyin Abraham’s Alakada Bad & Boujee, released a week later on December 20, 2024, has amassed an impressive N401 million, making up the remaining 20%. With N58.6 million earned during its opening weekend and N134 million in the first week, the film secured its place as a holiday blockbuster. Abraham’s storytelling prowess and relatable humor have made the Alakada franchise a staple in Nigerian cinema, with previous installments like Alakada Reloaded (2017) and Fate of Alakada (2020) grossing N74.3 million and over N100 million, respectively.
Nollywood experienced a remarkable surge in 2024, achieving a record-breaking N11.58 billion in box office revenue, a 60% increase from N7.35 billion in 2023. This marks an astonishing 460% growth compared to 2020, reflecting the industry’s resilience and growing global appeal. Of the 207 films released in 2024, 75 were Nigerian productions, with 15 grossing over N100 million.
