Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has once again rewritten the history books of African cinema. Her latest cinematic offering, 'Behind the Scenes,' has officially crossed the monumental ₦2 billion mark at the box office, setting an unprecedented record for the Nigerian film industry.
A Historic Milestone for Nigerian Cinema
According to an official announcement from the film's distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, 'Behind the Scenes' has achieved a staggering cumulative gross of ₦2,103,039,706. The company celebrated this landmark achievement in an Instagram post, declaring the film the first Nollywood production ever to reach the ₦2 billion threshold across Africa.
FilmOne's statement was emphatic, noting that the movie is now the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in territories including Africa, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. This phenomenal success also cements Akindele's status as the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years, solidifying her title as West Africa's top-grossing filmmaker, writer, director, and producer.
A Triumph Against Industry Headwinds
The film's record-breaking run is even more remarkable considering the context of its release. The December 2025 cinema season was mired in controversy, with several producers raising alarms about alleged boycotts, limited screening slots, and reduced promotional support for local films. There were widespread reports of audiences deliberately avoiding cinemas during the period.
Despite these significant industry challenges, 'Behind the Scenes' demonstrated undeniable audience pull. It had already signaled its blockbuster potential by becoming the fastest Nollywood film to cross ₦500 million, achieving that feat in just 12 days with ₦512 million. Its momentum continued unchecked, climbing to ₦1.77 billion and dominating weekend charts before finally smashing the ₦2 billion ceiling.
Gratitude and a Call to Support Local Stories
Reacting to the historic news, Funke Akindele took to her Instagram page to express profound gratitude. She described the achievement as a shared journey with her fans, whom she now considers family.
"Joy overflow! Our heart is full of gratitude to God and to you, my amazing fans," she wrote. "Thank you for showing up, supporting, and believing in this journey. Reaching this incredible milestone and still counting would not have been possible without you." She ended her message with a call to continue supporting the Funke Akindele Network brand.
FilmOne Entertainment echoed this sentiment, attributing the success to sustained audience belief in local storytelling. "This is now a movement and we love to see it. From our hearts to yours, thank you for believing in the magic of storytelling and making history with us," the distributor stated.
This new record sees Akindele surpassing her own previous benchmark. Her 2024 film, 'Everybody Loves Jenifa,' previously held the title of highest-grossing Nollywood movie with ₦1.88 billion. She continues to dominate Nigeria's all-time box office charts with other hits like:
- Omo Ghetto: The Saga
- Battle on Buka Street
- A Tribe Called Judah
The unprecedented success of 'Behind the Scenes' sends a powerful message about the commercial viability and massive audience appetite for well-produced Nigerian stories, even in the face of industry uncertainties.
