Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has once again rewritten the rules of Nigerian cinema, with her latest film Behind The Scenes crossing the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, an unprecedented milestone in the industry.
The achievement cements Akindele’s status as one of Africa’s most commercially successful filmmakers and underscores the rising global appeal of Nigerian movies.
The record-breaking success, officially reported at ₦2.1 billion, marks Akindele’s third consecutive year leading African box office charts, reinforcing her reputation as a trailblazer whose films consistently draw massive audiences. The December 2025 release of Behind The Scenes smashed the ₦1 billion milestone in record time, propelled by word-of-mouth buzz and overwhelming audience turnout across Nigeria and beyond.
Reacting to the feat, actress Juliana Olayode took to Instagram to celebrate Akindele’s vision, hard work, and resilience, describing her as “an exceptional woman” and a pioneer who has opened doors for countless others in Nollywood. “Five times the highest‑grossing QUEEN!!! What an exceptional woman! I’m so glad that God continues to crown your efforts with great grace and success,” Olayode wrote, applauding the filmmaker’s unwavering dedication.
Industry analysts say the latest box office milestone builds on a string of Akindele hits, including A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa, which themselves set records and reshaped the Nigerian film landscape. Beyond numbers, Akindele’s achievements demonstrate the growing commercial potential of Nollywood, highlighting how high-quality, audience-driven content can thrive in an increasingly competitive entertainment market.
Olayode’s tribute echoes a wider industry sentiment: Akindele’s historic success is more than just a personal triumph, it raises the bar for box office performance, inspires emerging filmmakers, and reinforces Nollywood’s status on the global stage.
