Wunmi Toriola’s Queen Lateefah Hits N256M After 3 Weeks in Cinemas
Wunmi Toriola’s latest Nollywood hit, Queen Lateefah, continues to dominate the West African box office, grossing N256 million by the third weekend of October 2024. From October 18-20 alone, the film earned N23.3 million, securing its spot as one of the top-grossing films of the period, second only to Omoni Oboli’s The Uprising.
With Queen Lateefah maintaining its momentum, experts predict that the film could surpass N300 million by the end of its cinema run. Just last week, Nairametrics reported that the film had raked in N216 million within its first 18 days, further demonstrating its box office appeal.
Opeyemi Ajayi, CEO of Cinemax, confirmed that the movie is set to run for at least 12 weeks in cinemas, providing more time for it to generate significant revenue. Already, Queen Lateefah has outperformed major Nollywood releases like Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds (N250 million) and Lakatabu (over N200 million).
Co-produced by Wumi Toriola Productions and Captain of the Sea Productions, Queen Lateefah tells the story of Lateefah Adeleke, a 30-year-old businesswoman striving to climb the social ladder. The narrative focuses on the tension between her carefully crafted public persona and her real-life struggles, particularly after she meets Jide Rhodes, a 35-year-old businessman who exposes the cracks in her facade. The film explores themes of illusion and reality, centering on Lateefah’s life in a rundown neighborhood despite portraying herself as a successful professional.
Featuring top Nollywood stars such as Kunle Remi, Femi Adebayo, Nancy Isime, and Broda Shaggi, Queen Lateefah appeals to a wide audience, bolstering its box office success. In its opening week, the film earned N100.2 million, marking a notable debut for Toriola as a producer.
The success of Queen Lateefah demonstrates the growing potential of Nollywood to drive cultural content across Africa. As Cinemax continues its collaborations with local filmmakers, Opeyemi Ajayi emphasized the company’s commitment to positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s film industry by focusing on authentic African stories.
