In its opening weekend, Queen Lateefah grossed a stunning N100.2 million, fueled by strong word-of-mouth and a storyline that resonated widely with Nigerian audiences. This debut put it firmly on track for an extraordinary run, with the film pulling in N58 million in its first three-day weekend alone, a record for a non-holiday release in 2024.
A Box Office Journey To Remember
As weeks passed, Queen Lateefah kept breaking new ground, surpassing N200 million within three weeks of its premiere. By October 15, the film had earned N216 million, solidifying its place among the top-grossing titles in Nigerian cinema. Cinemax’s founder, Ope Ajayi, attributes the movie’s success to its universal appeal and a strategic distribution push that brought the story to audiences nationwide.
The film hit another milestone by mid-October, nearing the coveted N300 million mark. During the October 18-20 weekend, it added N23.3 million to its earnings, second only to The Uprising by Omoni Oboli in box office rankings, showcasing Nollywood’s ability to compete with foreign releases during peak periods.
By November 3, Queen Lateefah officially joined the N300 million club, with a cumulative gross of N317 million. Ajayi projects the film will continue drawing viewers, potentially reaching a final total of N400 million by the end of its box office run.
Shaping Nollywood’s Future
The remarkable performance of Queen Lateefah signifies the growing appetite for Nigerian-made stories and Nollywood’s evolution into a significant player within West Africa’s entertainment landscape. With over 23,000 tickets sold, the film has enjoyed strong, sustained returns, and Cinemax is now looking to explore global distribution partnerships.
This milestone for Queen Lateefah underscores the transformative power of Nigerian cinema, proving that Nollywood can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international productions. As the industry continues to expand and connect with larger audiences, Queen Lateefah sets a high bar, marking a new era of success for Nigerian storytelling.
