‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ Rakes In $100,000 in Diaspora Debut Week
Nollywood filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele’s movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, has reportedly set a new record in the Nigerian film industry.
In an Instagram post, Akindele revealed that the movie earned $100,000 in its opening week in cinemas across the diaspora, which makes it the “Nollywood film with the biggest opening weekend outside Africa.”
The film was released in Nigerian cinemas on December 13 and debuted in 30 countries across six continents on December 20. The international release marks a major milestone for the Jenifa franchise, which has captivated audiences since its inception in 2008.
Akindele expressed gratitude to her cast, fans, and the diasporan community for their support.
“We did it, guys. $100,000 in diaspora sales and counting, the first Nollywood film to hit this milestone,” she wrote.
“I’m beyond grateful to my incredible cast, the unstoppable Jenifans, my amazing colleagues, the diasporan community and everyone who’s been part of this journey, you’re the real MVPs.
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“Your love and support have been the fuel behind this dream. I couldn’t have done this without you. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart,” she wrote.
The film features celebrities such as Layi Wasabi, Nancy Isime, Jackie Appiah, Falz, Omowunmi Dada, Chimezie Imo, Patience Ozokwor, Stan Nze, and Bisola amongst other actors.
Since its domestic release, Everybody Loves Jenifa has also made ground recording in Nigeria, grossing over N500m within its first two weeks.
According to the Nigerian Box Office, the film earned N156m in its second weekend alone, bringing the total to N511m and surpassing 101,000 admissions.
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The announcement was made on December 23, via its X page (formerly Twitter), where the Nigerian Box Office celebrated the movie’s success.
“Looks like another ₦156M for Everybody Loves Jenifa in its 2nd weekend taking its cumulative to ₦511M and raking in over 101,000 admissions,” the post read.
The Jenifa franchise is known for its comedic brilliance and relatable storytelling. The franchise has continued to resonate with both local and international audiences.
Amid early success of the movie, Akindele has warned potential pirates that strict legal measures would be taken against anyone caught pirating the movie.
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