A Record-Breaking Achievement
Nollywood star Funke Akindele has officially become the highest-grossing lead actress of 2024, thanks to the phenomenal success of her film, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’. The movie shattered records at the Nigerian box office, grossing a staggering ₦1.775 billion, solidifying her status as one of the most bankable actors in the industry.
The Success of ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’
‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ is the latest installment in the popular Jenifa franchise, a beloved Nollywood comedy series that has captivated audiences since 2008. The character Jenifa, played by Funke Akindele, has become a cultural phenomenon, appealing to both old and new audiences.
The film’s performance at the box office was nothing short of historic:
- Opening Day Earnings: Over ₦40 million, setting a record for the highest opening day for a Nollywood film.
- First Week Revenue: ₦355.1 million, demonstrating strong audience interest.
- Second Weekend: The total gross crossed ₦700 million, maintaining a dominant lead at the cinemas.
- 19 Days After Release: It surpassed the ₦1 billion mark, making it the fastest Nollywood film to reach this milestone.
Why the Movie Performed So Well
Several factors contributed to the overwhelming success of the film:
- A Strong Fan Base: The Jenifa franchise has a well-established audience, ensuring a strong box office turnout.
- Effective Marketing: The movie was promoted across social media, television, and influencer campaigns, generating significant anticipation.
- High Production Quality: Improved cinematography, engaging storytelling, and Funke Akindele’s outstanding performance helped the film gain traction.
- Nationwide Release: The film had widespread distribution, maximizing its reach across major cinemas.
Funke Akindele: Nollywood’s Box Office Queen
Funke Akindele’s dominance at the box office is no surprise. She has consistently delivered hit movies, with past projects like ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’ also breaking records. Her ability to create engaging and relatable content has made her one of the most successful figures in Nollywood.
Top 10 Highest-Grossing Nollywood Actresses of 2024
FilmOne Entertainment, a leading film distribution company in West Africa, recently released its list of the highest-grossing actresses of the year. The rankings were based on the total box office revenue generated by films in which they played lead roles.
- Funke Akindele – ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ (₦1.775 billion)
- Wunmi Toriola – ‘Queen Lateefah’ (₦365 million)
- Toyin Abraham – ‘Alakada: Bad and Boujee’ & ‘American Japa’ (₦266 million)
- Tomike Adeoye – ‘Ajosepo’ (₦257 million)
- Eniola Ajao – ‘Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju’ (₦253 million)
- Kehinde Bankole – ‘Funmilayo Ransom Kuti’ & ‘Blacksmith’ (₦222 million)
- Adunni Ade – ‘Lakatabu’ (₦202 million)
- Uche Montana – ‘Thinline,’ ‘The Betrayer,’ & ‘Silent Intruder’ (₦186 million)
- Regina Daniels – ‘The Waiter’ (₦167 million)
- Gbubemi Ejeye – ‘Farmer’s Bride’ (₦167 million)
Supporting Actresses Who Made an Impact
In addition to the lead actresses, FilmOne Entertainment also recognized the highest-grossing supporting actresses of 2024:
- Omotunde Adebowale and Juliana Olayode topped the list.
- Mercy Aigbe and Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori followed closely in second and third place.
Nollywood’s Box Office Growth in 2024
The Nigerian film industry has seen significant growth in recent years, and 2024 has been a landmark year for the box office. Industry reports estimate that total Nollywood box office revenue reached ₦11.6 billion, with blockbusters like ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ playing a major role in driving these figures.
The growth can be attributed to:
- Higher production standards and improved storytelling.
- Increased audience interest in Nigerian-made films.
- Wider global reach, with Nollywood movies now available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax.
- Government support and private investment in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Impact of Funke Akindele’s Success on Nollywood
Funke Akindele’s continued dominance in the industry has broader implications for Nollywood:
- Inspiring More Female-Led Productions: Her success demonstrates that female-led films can dominate the box office, encouraging more producers to invest in women-led stories.
- Boosting the Franchise Model: The Jenifa franchise has proven that long-running series-based storytelling can be highly profitable.
- Setting Higher Industry Standards: With each release, Funke Akindele raises the bar for production quality and marketing strategies in Nollywood.
The Future of Nollywood Blockbusters
With the success of ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’, the future looks promising for big-budget Nollywood productions. Analysts predict that more filmmakers will invest in high-quality storytelling, better cinematography, and strategic marketing to compete with international films at the Nigerian box office.
The competition among leading actresses is also expected to intensify, with names like Wunmi Toriola, Toyin Abraham, and Eniola Ajao continuing to command large audiences.
Final Thoughts
Funke Akindele’s historic box office record with ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ is a significant milestone for Nollywood. As the industry continues to evolve, she remains a trailblazer, pushing boundaries and redefining success in African cinema. With her influence and ability to consistently break records, Funke Akindele is not just Nollywood’s box office queen—she is shaping the future of Nigerian cinema.
