Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has shattered another box office record, cementing her status as the industry's most successful filmmaker. Her latest cinematic offering, 'Behind the Scenes,' has grossed a staggering ₦512 million within a mere 12 days of its nationwide release.
A Historic Run at the Box Office
The film, which had its advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, 2024, officially opened in cinemas across Nigeria on December 12. In under two weeks, it achieved a monumental feat, becoming the fastest Nollywood title ever to cross the ₦500 million mark. This incredible performance also secured its position as the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of 2025 so far and the number one film of its opening weekend.
The film's distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, announced the historic achievement in a celebratory Instagram post. The company attributed the massive earnings to strong audience belief in the story and its creator. "And yet, another history has been made. Thank you, West Africa, for showing up, filling cinemas, and carrying this story with love," the post read, highlighting the film's record-breaking pace and weekend dominance.
Solidifying Akindele's Box Office Dominance
This latest milestone further extends Funke Akindele's unparalleled reign over the Nollywood box office. She already holds the title for the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time with 'Everybody Loves Jenifa,' which earned over ₦1.88 billion. Her dominance is underscored by the fact that she occupies four of the top five spots on the all-time highest-grossing list:
- Everybody Loves Jenifa
- Omo Ghetto: The Saga
- Battle on Buka Street
- A Tribe Called Judah
Akindele's consistent success is driven by a powerful formula of relatable storytelling coupled with robust marketing strategies, ensuring her projects dominate public conversation and translate that buzz into phenomenal ticket sales.
Implications for Nollywood and the Cinema Market
The explosive performance of 'Behind the Scenes' is a strong indicator of the growing strength and maturity of Nigeria's cinema market, particularly during the lucrative festive season. December has traditionally been a peak period for cinema attendance, and Akindele's film has capitalized on this trend perfectly.
With its current record-breaking momentum, industry analysts have high expectations that 'Behind the Scenes' will continue its climb up the all-time highest-grossing charts in the coming weeks. This achievement serves as further proof of Akindele's immense influence and relevance in an industry where box office competition is increasingly fierce. Her work continues to set the benchmark for commercial success in Nollywood.
