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Summary
Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele, trailblazers in Nollywood, continue to dominate the industry with box office successes, releasing blockbuster films that redefine standards and showcase the growing influence of women in the filmmaking industry
Nollywood’s leading filmmakers, Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele, continue to dominate the Nigerian film industry, shattering box office records with their recent releases. The duo has increasingly been releasing movies tailored for box office success, further reflecting their influence in the industry.
Toyin Abraham’s latest movie, Alakada: Bad and Boujee, debuted on December 20 and has already become the highest-opening instalment in the Alakada franchise. This marks the fifth chapter of the beloved series, which follows the comedic adventures of Yetunde, a young woman navigating insecurities and societal pressures. Directed by Adebayo Tijani, the film features a star-studded cast, including Toyin Abraham herself, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Ademoye, and Kolawole Ajeyemi.
Meanwhile, Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa has set unprecedented milestones, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever. The film grossed an astounding ₦206 million during its opening weekend, breaking the record for the highest single-day earnings in Nigerian cinema history with ₦87.8 million. It also attracted over 38,000 viewers within three days, setting a new benchmark for admissions in 2024.
The movie boasts an ensemble cast of Nollywood’s brightest stars, including Falz, Omowunmi Dada, Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Destiny Etiko, Patience Ozokwor, Lateef Adedimeji, Bisola Aiyeola, Chimezie Imo, Jide Kosoko, Ayoola Akinyoola, D’banj, Layi Wasabi, and Cute Abiola, among others.
The Alakada franchise, which first launched in 2009, has consistently performed well at the box office, with earlier instalments like Alakada Reloaded (2017) and Fate of Alakada (2020) grossing ₦50 million and over ₦100 million, respectively. Similarly, Everybody Loves Jenifa continues the beloved “Jenifa’s Diary” television comedy series, which debuted in 2008. Funke’s Jenifa series has built a loyal fan base, with its latest success further solidifying her status as a powerhouse in Nollywood.
These achievements highlight the growing influence of female filmmakers in the Nigerian film industry as both Abraham and Akindele continue to redefine standards and set new records. Their ability to tell compelling, relatable stories has captivated audiences and positioned them as key drivers of Nollywood’s global success.
As Alakada: Bad and Boujee and Everybody Loves Jenifa dominate the box office, the rise of these trailblazing women shows a new era for Nollywood, led by talent, creativity, and an unwavering drive to succeed.
