Funke Akindele has made history as Africa’s highest-grossing filmmaker after her latest movie, Behind The Scenes, grossed over ₦2.1 billion at the box office.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, which disclosed via Instagram that Behind The Scenes has generated ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales. The feat makes it the first Nollywood film to surpass the ₦2 billion mark at the African box office.
FilmOne said the record-setting performance positions Behind The Scenes as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa, while also emerging as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Reacting to the achievement, the distributor thanked cinema audiences for their overwhelming support, describing the film’s run as more than a commercial success but a cultural movement powered by audience loyalty and strong word-of-mouth momentum.
A record-breaking run
The ₦2.1 billion milestone caps an exceptional box office run for the film. Earlier reports showed that Behind The Scenes crossed the ₦500 million mark within just two weeks of release, making it the fastest Nollywood film to achieve the feat at the time.
Box office data from FilmOne Entertainment and the Nigerian Box Office revealed that the film grossed ₦514 million in its early run, while Oversabi Aunty, produced by Toyin Abraham, debuted in second place with ₦100 million.
The opening weekend alone delivered over ₦200 million from 34,548 tickets sold, setting five new opening-weekend records for 2025. Advance screenings generated ₦27.2 million, the highest ever recorded for a Nollywood title, while early UK screenings sold out multiple screens with more than 1,550 admissions.
About Behind The Scenes
Produced by Funke Akindele, Behind The Scenes was released in cinemas on December 12, 2025, quickly emerging as a box office sensation across Nigeria and West Africa.
The contemporary Nollywood drama blends social realism with commercial storytelling, focusing on the concept of “black tax”—the societal expectation that financially stable individuals must support extended family members.
The film’s exploration of emotional, social and financial pressures resonated strongly with audiences, particularly young adults, driving sustained cinema attendance across local and international markets.
Its star-studded cast includes Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, Adebowale “Mr Macaroni,” Ibrahim Chatta, and Kamo State, among others.
Industry watchers attribute the film’s extraordinary performance to relatable storytelling, strong casting, aggressive marketing, and Akindele’s proven box office pedigree.
With its cinema run still ongoing and international markets continuing to contribute to revenue, Behind The Scenes is widely regarded as a defining moment in Nollywood’s commercial evolution, underscoring the industry’s growing ability to deliver billion-naira blockbusters with global appeal.
About Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is an award-winning Nigerian actress, filmmaker and producer, widely recognised as one of Nollywood’s most influential and bankable figures. She rose to prominence with the hit TV series Jenifa’s Diary, which later became a successful film franchise.
Known for blending social commentary with mainstream appeal, Akindele has consistently broken box office records with projects such as Everybody Loves Jenifa, cementing her dominance in African cinema.
Beyond acting, she has distinguished herself as a director, writer and producer, continually pushing Nollywood’s creative and commercial boundaries while expanding its global footprint.
0 Comments