This film has established itself as the seventh highest-grossing production in Nollywood history and is noted for being the top-grossing film released outside the typically lucrative December period, excluding inflation considerations.
Reports from the Nigerian Box Office indicate that this remarkable performance underscores the increasing appetite for authentic Nollywood stories.
In the company of hit films like Ajosepo, which garnered N257.2 million, and Ajakaju, with N252.8 million, Queen Lateefah has swiftly made a name for itself as a standout success among Nollywood's non-December releases.
Queen Lateefah has achieved remarkable success at the box office, marked by several key milestones. Within just three weeks of its release, the film surpassed the N200 million threshold, a feat that only a select few Nigerian films accomplish. By mid-October, its box office earnings had reached N216 million, securing its status as one of the highest-grossing films in Nigeria's cinematic history.
Cinemax Distribution, the film's distributor, has played a crucial role in expanding Queen Lateefah’s audience across the nation.
By the third weekend of October, the film's earnings climbed to N256 million, and during the weekend of October 18-20, it generated an additional N23.3 million.
This positioned it closely behind Omoni Oboli’s The Uprising in the weekend box office rankings.
The film's achievement can be credited to its wide-ranging appeal and the strategic distribution plan implemented by Cinemax Distribution. Ope Ajayi, the founder of Cinemax and a prominent figure in Nollywood's distribution and production landscape, emphasized the significance of engaging audiences with narratives that resonate on both cultural and emotional levels.
“At Cinemax, our mission is to empower Nigerian storytellers by ensuring their creations reach the appropriate audience,” Ajayi remarked. “The success of Queen Lateefah demonstrates a rising demand for local narratives that mirror the varied experiences and aspirations of Nigerian viewers. The box office results indicate a collective appreciation for our culture and stories, marking just the beginning for Nollywood.”
The continued success of Queen Lateefah represents a significant milestone for Nollywood, demonstrating its ability to rival international films. In spite of the obstacles presented by foreign productions, the film's consistent ticket sales during October underscore Nollywood's growing impact and the rising demand for Nigerian cinema.