How Jenifa and Alakada Hit N2 Billion at the Nigerian Box Office

Nollywood’s newest two blockbuster films, Everybody Loves Jenifa by Funke Akindele and Alakada: Bad & Boujee by Toyin Abraham, have collectively earned a whopping N2 billion at the Nigerian box office. 

This incredible achievement shows the growing power of Nollywood and its ability to draw huge audiences.

How it all happened

According to FilmOne, a top movie distribution company in West Africa, Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa was the main contributor, earning a massive N1.6 billion, an impressive 80% of the total revenue. Meanwhile, Toyin Abraham’s Alakada: Bad & Boujee brought in N401 million, making up the remaining 20%.

Both movies were released during the holiday season, just a week apart, and their success helped push Nigeria’s 2024 box office revenue to a record-breaking N11.58 billion.

The Magic of ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’

Released on December 13, 2024, Everybody Loves Jenifa was an instant hit. In just 14 days, it grossed N783 million, breaking records and cementing its place as one of Nollywood’s most successful films. By its 19th day, the film had crossed the N1 billion mark, earning over N1.03 billion from 201,604 tickets sold.

The movie’s second weekend saw over 71,700 people flocking to cinemas, making it the fastest Nollywood film to hit the N500 million milestone.

This success builds on Akindele’s previous achievements, especially with Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which grossed over N1.5 billion and remains one of Nollywood’s top earners. Even internationally, Everybody Loves Jenifa made waves, earning $327,723 (about N240 million) within 22 days in diaspora cinemas.

‘Alakada: Bad & Boujee’ – A Comedy Favorite

Toyin Abraham’s Alakada: Bad & Boujee, released on December 20, 2024, was another crowd-puller. During its opening weekend, it earned N58.6 million and continued its winning streak, grossing N134 million in just its first week. 

To date, the movie has raked in N401 million, solidifying its place as one of the highest-grossing films of the season. The Alakada franchise has always performed well, with earlier installments like Alakada Reloaded (2017) earning N74.3 million and Fate of Alakada (2020) grossing over N100 million in 53 days.

A record-breaking year for Nollywood

The success of Everybody Loves Jenifa and Alakada: Bad & Boujee comes during a golden year for Nollywood. In 2024, Nigerian box office revenue hit an all-time high of N11.58 billion, a significant jump from N7.35 billion in 2023. 

This represents a remarkable 60% growth in just one year and a staggering 460% increase since 2020.

Out of the 207 films released in 2024, 75 were Nigerian productions. Impressively, 15 of these Nollywood films earned over N100 million each, showcasing the industry’s growing commercial appeal.

What makes these films special?

The success of these two blockbusters boils down to their creators’ unique storytelling skills. Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham know how to craft stories that resonate with audiences. They bring humor, heart, and a touch of reality to their movies, making them relatable and entertaining for Nigerians of all ages.

Their work not only entertains but also inspires the next generation of filmmakers, proving that Nollywood has what it takes to compete on a global stage.