Nollywood’s reigning box office queen, Funke Akindele, has once again proven her unstoppable pull with her latest release, Behind The Scenes, which raked in over ₦200 million in ticket sales during its debut weekend — the biggest opening of 2025.
Since hitting screens nationwide on December 12, the film has not only shattered five opening weekend records but also recorded the highest cinema admissions of the year, with more than 34,500 tickets sold across theaters. The feat reinforces Akindele’s status as a powerhouse in the Nigerian film industry and underscores the growing appetite for compelling homegrown stories.
Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, Behind The Scenes tackles the complex and relatable pressures of “black tax” — the expectation that working adults financially support extended family. The film’s ensemble cast, featuring Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Tobi Bakre, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima‑Okojie, alongside popular personalities like Mr Macaroni, Wanni, and Handi Danbaki, delivers a mix of cultural insight and broad entertainment appeal.
In a celebratory Instagram post, FilmOne hailed Akindele as “the Queen of the Box Office”, praising her unmatched ability to draw audiences and crediting the film’s success to strong local support and enthusiastic word-of-mouth.
This latest hit adds to Akindele’s impressive track record. Her earlier film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, became one of Nollywood’s highest-grossing productions, crossing the ₦1 billion mark during its theatrical run and solidifying one of the industry’s most beloved characters.
With Behind The Scenes continuing its cinematic run, Funke Akindele is once again setting new standards in Nollywood, proving that local productions can rival international blockbusters while establishing fresh box office benchmarks. Industry analysts predict the film’s momentum will continue, potentially raising its total earnings even higher before the year concludes.
