Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has made cinematic history with her latest film, Behind the Scenes, which has become the first African movie to surpass ₦2 billion in box office revenue.
FilmOne, a leading Nigerian film distributor, announced that the movie grossed ₦2,103,039,706 within just one month of its release.
This landmark achievement cements Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, and she now holds the record as the highest-grossing producer, writer, and director in West African film history.
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Funke Akindele has also become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years.
Major African Box Office Blockbusters
• Behind The Scenes (2025, Nigeria) – Currently the highest‑grossing Nollywood and West African film of all time, grossing over ₦2 billion at the Nigerian box office and breaking multiple regional records.
• Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024, Nigeria) – One of the top‑grossing Nollywood films ever, with around ₦1.8 billion in domestic grosses.
• A Tribe Called Judah (2023, Nigeria) – Another Nollywood hit exceeding ₦1.4 billion at the box office.
• Battle on Buka Street (2022, Nigeria) – A big Nollywood performer with over ₦668 million.
• Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020/21, Nigeria) – Broke box office records in its run, topping several weeks in cinemas with cumulative grosses placing it high among Nigerian films
Celebrating the milestone on Instagram, Akindele said, “We have every reason to thank God. Two billion and counting is not a joke. Ladies and gentlemen, Behind the Scenes to the world.
“Joy overflows; my heart is full of gratitude to God and my amazing fans. Reaching this incredible milestone and still counting would not have been possible without you. I’m deeply grateful.”
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The film’s unprecedented success reflects the growing strength of Nollywood and Akindele’s unmatched influence in African cinema.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
