Wunmi Toriola’s “Queen Lateefah” Nears N300 Million at Box Office

Wunmi Toriola’s film “Queen Lateefah” is doing very well at the West African box office, making N256 million by its third weekend in October 2024.

The film earned N23.3 million between October 18-20, making it one of the highest-earning films of that time, just behind Omoni Oboli’s “The Uprising.”

The strong earnings show that the film might soon pass the N300 million mark. A recent report by Business Elites mentioned that “Queen Lateefah” had made N216 million in just 18 days.

Opeyemi Ajayi, CEO of Cinemax, mentioned that the film would be shown in cinemas for at least 12 more weeks, suggesting it could earn even more money.

“Queen Lateefah” has done better than other big Nollywood films this year, such as “Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds,” which made N250 million, and “Lakatabu,” which earned over N200 million.

Background

The film, produced by Wunmi Toriola Productions and Captain of the Sea Productions, tells the story of Lateefah Adeleke, a 30-year-old businesswoman trying to move up in society.

Her life changes when she meets Jide Rhodes, a 35-year-old businessman, who shows the difference between how she appears to others and her real life.

This difference between appearance and reality is a key part of the film, offering a story full of tension and layers.

Lateefah, raised by a mother who couldn’t read and living in tough conditions, lives in a rundown building with quirky neighbors.

The cast of “Queen Lateefah” includes well-known actors like Kunle Remi, Femi Adebayo, Nancy Isime, and Broda Shaggi, who is a two-time winner of the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award.

In its first week, “Queen Lateefah” made N100.2 million, a great start for Toriola as a producer. Ajayi highlighted Cinemax’s goal to become a key player in the Nigerian film industry by working with local filmmakers and focusing on stories from Africa.