Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has expressed overwhelming emotion following the record-breaking debut of her latest cinematic offering, 'Behind The Scenes'. The film has reportedly achieved a historic opening weekend, pulling in massive numbers both at home and in international markets.
Historic Box Office Numbers
Early reports indicate that the movie generated a staggering over N200 million in Nigerian cinemas during its first weekend. Its success was not confined to Nigeria, as it also made a significant impact abroad, grossing £42,000 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This performance has been described as the biggest Nollywood opening weekend ever recorded in those regions.
An elated Akindele took to her Instagram platform to celebrate the milestone with her fans. In a heartfelt post, she credited the achievement to persistence and consistency. She wrote, "We’re showing up and not giving up! Big ups, Naija! Huge thank you for coming out to support Behind The Scenes at the cinemas! We broke another record, the biggest opening in 2025!"
A Grateful Star and Fan Reactions
The movie star extended special gratitude to her supporters in Nigeria, the UK, and Ireland for their unwavering loyalty. "A massive shoutout to our UK and Ireland fans, you guys made it the biggest Nollywood opening weekend EVER!" she added. Akindele confirmed that the film is still showing in cinemas nationwide and in select Odeon Cinemas across the UK and Ireland, urging audiences to keep the momentum alive.
Fans have flooded social media with praise for the film and its producer. One user, @dimple_abike, shared, "Behind the Scenes is a MUST watch... I haven’t cried because of a movie a while but BTS definitely brought tears rolling down my eyes." Another fan, @olusayo_orodele, who watched with family, rated it a solid 9/10, noting the emotional impact. Some fans, like @doyen_, even requested more screen times in their cities to accommodate the high demand.
Context and Continued Momentum
This box office triumph comes on the heels of other personal moments for the actress shared publicly. Recently, Funke Akindele was in the news for hitting the gym after a fan humorously pointed out she should watch her weight, a move that further endeared her to the public for taking feedback in good faith.
The success of 'Behind The Scenes' underscores Funke Akindele's powerful influence and business acumen in Nollywood. It reinforces her position as a leading filmmaker capable of delivering content that resonates deeply with audiences, breaking financial records and setting new benchmarks for the industry in 2025.
