Wunmi Toriola’s Queen Lateefah, produced and distributed by Cinemax, has become one of Nollywood’s top-grossing films of 2024 so far with N317 million in earnings.
Since its release on September 27, the film has captivated audiences across Nigeria, driving sustained ticket sales and setting new records.
Here’s a closer look at Queen Lateefah’s remarkable performance trajectory and what it signals for Nollywood:
In its debut week alone, Queen Lateefah stormed past expectations by grossing N100.2 million, setting the stage for a highly successful run.
This initial surge, as reported by Naijaonpoint, was buoyed by strong word-of-mouth and an engaging storyline that resonated with Nigerian audiences. By the end of its first 3 day weekend, the film had already generated N58 million, securing its spot as the highest-grossing Nigerian film during a non-holiday weekend in 2024.
Cinemax founder Ope Ajayi highlighted the company’s focus on connecting filmmakers with audiences, noting that Queen Lateefah’s success shows the growing appetite for Nigerian stories.
As of November 3, Queen Lateefah officially crossed the N300 million threshold, grossing a total of N317 million. This milestone places the film among Nollywood’s most successful productions and reinforces the industry’s potential for large-scale commercial success.
Cinemax’s achievements with Queen Lateefah also point to a promising future for Nigerian cinema, with plans to expand into global distribution partnerships. The success of Queen Lateefah reinforces the notion that Nollywood is on a path to becoming a dominant force in Africa’s entertainment landscape, capturing the hearts of audiences and setting new benchmarks for Nigerian storytelling.