Funke Akindele’s ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ Breaks Records with Nearly N300 Million in Ticket Sales
Funke Akindele’s latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ), is making waves in Nollywood, nearing the N300 million mark in ticket sales within its first week. The movie premiered on December 13, 2024, and has quickly become a standout success, captivating audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
By December 17, ELJ had grossed over N280 million, including a remarkable N72 million earned on Monday and Tuesday alone. Industry predictions suggest the film is on track to achieve the biggest opening week in Nigerian box office history, surpassing previous records.
The movie’s opening weekend was particularly groundbreaking, raking in N206 million—a record-breaking figure for Nollywood. ELJ debuted with N45.22 million on its first Friday, a 30% increase in first-day admissions compared to last year’s hit, A Tribe Called Judah.
Despite some initial challenges, such as limited screenings at Genesis Cinemas and partial availability at Silverbird Cinemas, ELJ achieved 9,409 admissions on its opening day, outpacing A Tribe Called Judah’s 8,870 admissions. Positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth have fueled the film’s remarkable success.
Funke Akindele celebrated the film’s achievements on Instagram, highlighting its record-breaking N87.8 million single-day earnings. ELJ also sold 38,353 tickets during its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history. Advanced screenings contributed an additional N16.8 million before its official release.
Internationally, the film premiered in 30 countries through Nile Group Entertainment, further boosting its global appeal. Its December 20th UK premiere sold out so quickly that a second screening was added, which also sold out—an unprecedented feat for a Nigerian film.
Co-written by Funke Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, and Collins Okoh, and co-directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye, ELJ combines comedy with life lessons, resonating deeply with audiences. The star-studded cast includes Patience Ozokwor, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, and Falz.
As Everybody Loves Jenifa continues to break records and earn international acclaim, it underscores the potential of Nigerian cinema to reach new heights through compelling storytelling, visionary leadership, and unwavering audience support.
