Funke Akindele has made December her season, and this 2025 is no exception. The award-winning actress and producer has set a new benchmark for Nollywood with her latest film, Behind The Scenes, which has already raked in over ₦500 million at the box office, a record for the year. Within its first week, the film became the fastest Nollywood movie to hit ₦500 million, cementing Akindele’s reputation as the reigning queen of Nigeria’s cinema scene.
Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, topping weekend admissions, and generating massive buzz from advanced screenings on December 10 and 11 before its nationwide release on December 12. FilmOne celebrated the milestone on Instagram, writing,
“And yet, another history has been made. Thank you, West Africa, for showing up, filling cinemas, and carrying this story with love. ₦512M at the box office. Highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025. Fastest Nollywood movie to hit ₦500M. Number one film of the weekend. This is what belief looks like.”
Featuring an ensemble of Nollywood stars, including Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, and Adebowale ‘Mr Macaroni’, the film explores the theme of black tax through the story of Ronke Fernandez, a wealthy and benevolent woman pushed to her limits by her family’s constant demands. Co-directed by Tunde Olaoye, the movie combines relatability, humour, and cultural insight, reflecting real-life struggles while maintaining the entertainment punch audiences expect from Funke Akindele.
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A December Tradition of Box Office Dominance
Funke Akindele has consistently turned December into her own box office season. Her previous hits, including Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga, have consistently dominated ticket sales. Everybody Loves Jenifa remains the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time, earning over ₦1.8 billion domestically. Akindele holds four of the top five spots for the highest-grossing Nollywood films, demonstrating her unmatched ability to combine relatable storytelling with savvy marketing and audience insight.
The success of Behind The Scenes also reflects the growing strength of Nigeria’s cinema market, particularly during festive periods when audiences flock to cinemas for high-quality local productions. By blending engaging narratives with star-studded casts, Akindele has not only captivated viewers but has also reinforced the potential of Nollywood as a major player in the global creative economy.
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Funke Akindele’s Influence: Beyond the Box Office
Behind the numbers, Akindele’s approach to filmmaking remains deeply personal and inspired. She has revealed that Behind The Scenes came to her through what she describes as divine guidance, redirecting her from other planned projects, including a sequel to A Tribe Called Judah. The result is a film that feels both timely and resonant, exploring hidden struggles while maintaining the charm and wit audiences have come to expect from her productions.
With its current momentum, Behind The Scenes continues to climb Nollywood’s all-time box office rankings. The film’s success reinforces Funke Akindele’s influence and staying power in an increasingly competitive industry, proving once again that she sets the gold standard for cinematic excellence in Nigeria.
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