Move over, Disney—Funke Akindele is here to stay! The Nollywood powerhouse has done it again, with her latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, smashing records and leaving Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion Kingin the dust at the Nigerian box office.
It’s not every day you see a Hollywood juggernaut struggle to keep up, but in Nigeria, Akindele’s cultural resonance and unmatched storytelling have proven unstoppable. Her comedy series, now elevated to record-breaking status, has grossed an eye-popping ₦1.466 billion, while Mufasa trails far behind at just ₦173 million.
This isn’t Akindele’s first rodeo. Back in 2022, she pulled off a similar feat when Battle On Buka Streetovershadowed James Cameron’s highly anticipated Avatar: The Way of Water. Despite Cameron’s colossal marketing efforts, Akindele’s locally beloved film captivated Nigerian audiences, cementing her position as the queen of Nollywood.
With Everybody Loves Jenifa, Akindele now claims the top four spots on Nollywood’s all-time box office list. Her blockbuster A Tribe Called Judah was the first Nigerian film to cross the ₦1 billion mark, while Battle On Buka Street and Omo Ghetto: The Saga follow closely behind.
Globally, Mufasa: The Lion King may be roaring in markets like France, India, and the UK, but in Nigeria, Akindele is the undisputed queen. Her ability to connect deeply with local audiences while delivering relatable, hilarious, and culturally rich stories has made her a phenomenon in Nigerian cinema.
As Hollywood watches in awe, Funke Akindele continues to prove that Nollywood is not just a competitor—it’s a force to be reckoned with. And in the hearts of Nigerian moviegoers, Akindele isn’t just a filmmaker; she’s a legend.
