Funke Akindele has evolved her craft and gone on to establish herself as the queen of Nigerian Box Office. She has dominated all aspects of TV in Nigeria, from having one of the biggest sitcoms in the country in Jenifa’s Diaries to holding the top four spots in our Box Office history. Her consistency in branding and high level of output has allowed her to compete with and dominate Hollywood movies in the African market; which is a rare feat.
It’s very uncommon for Hollywood blockbusters, especially those from Disney, to struggle at the box office, let alone in multiple markets. They almost always succeed and dominate globally, with very few exceptions. Funke Akindele , one of Nollywood’s most prolific producers, has proven to be a formidable contender.
Everybody Loves Jenifa has shattered records to become the highest-grossing film in Nigerian box office history. In doing so, it has not only maintained a commanding hold on the top spot but has also pushed Disney’s highly-anticipated Mufasa: The Lion King to a distant second place.
Globally, Mufasa: The Lion King reigns supreme in key territories like France, India, the UK/Ireland, and Italy, among others. In Nigeria however, the film has struggled to keep pace with the massive fanbase and cultural resonance Funke Akindele commands.
This phenomenon isn’t new, and isn’t the first time Funke Akindele will be in the news for pulling such. She did the same in 2022, when Battle On Buka Street pulled off a similar feat during the holiday season, outshining James Cameron’s global juggernaut, Avatar: The Way of Water.
Despite the massive marketing push behind Cameron’s sequel, Akindele’s local hit resonated more deeply with Nigerian audiences, securing the top spot at the national box office.
Everybody Loves Jenifa, the latest installment in Akindele’s beloved comedy series, has grossed an astounding ₦1.466 billion at the Nigerian box office
Meanwhile, the last reported figure for Mufasa: The Lion King stood at just over ₦173 million—a distant runner-up.
With this latest achievement, Akindele now dominates the top four positions on Nollywood’s all-time box office list.
Her previous film, A Tribe Called Judah, was the first Nigerian production to breach the ₦1 billion mark.
Following closely are Battle On Buka Street and Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which hold the third and fourth positions, respectively.
This remarkable feat has solidified Funke Akindele’s status as a force to reckon with in Nigerian cinema. Her ability to consistently outpace Hollywood’s biggest productions at home speaks volumes about her cultural impact, storytelling prowess, and the unwavering loyalty of her fanbase. Funke Akindele has not only established herself as a top filmmaker at home, but also a cultural figure and phenomenon.
