The Nigerian box office made history in December 2024, raking in over ₦2.8 billion from ticket sales totaling more than 537,000. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the industry, showcasing the growing influence of Nollywood and the resilience of Nigerian cinema.
Leading the pack was the movie “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” which brought in a whopping ₦1.035 billion by its third weekend, with a staggering ₦250 million added in the final weekend alone. Other Nollywood hits like “Mufasa” and “Alakada: Bad & Boujee” also made substantial contributions, generating ₦267 million and ₦205.3 million, respectively, to the month’s overall success.
International films also made their mark, with “Sonic 3” earning ₦70.6 million in its debut and “Moana 2” grossing ₦358.3 million after five weeks in theaters.
One standout day was Boxing Day, which saw a record-breaking 47,672 tickets sold. This marked the highest post-pandemic single-day total and the third-highest in Nigerian cinema history.
With an average ticket price of ₦5,220, the success of Nollywood in December highlighted the increasing demand for local stories among Nigerian audiences. This growth is in line with government initiatives like the ₦5 billion Creative Fund, which provides support to Nollywood producers.
Industry experts predict that Nigerian cinema could surpass ₦10 billion in annual revenue, solidifying its position as a vital pillar of the nation’s creative economy. The industry’s success in December 2024 not only reflects the popularity of Nollywood but also demonstrates the potential for continued growth and prosperity in the future.
