In less than four weeks, Funke Akindele’s Behind the Scenes earns ₦1.77 billion, making it Nollywood’s highest-grossing movie of 2025.
Actress and producer Funke Akindele, who has won numerous awards, has succeeded once more, and this time the numbers speak louder than praise.
With an incredible ₦1.767 billion in less than four weeks, her most recent film, Behind the Scenes, has officially become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025.
Behind the Scenes broke five opening-weekend records, including the largest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day with ₦129.5 million, according to information released earlier in the film’s release cycle by its distributor, FilmOne Entertainment. It was clear from that announcement that something strange was happening.
In response to the milestone, FilmOne characterized the occasion as both strange and communal, attributing the film’s return to the top slot as the weekend’s top feature to audience loyalty. And that feeling seems to be true. This was momentum rather than just ticket sales.
The fact that Behind the Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third movie to reach ₦1 billion makes this accomplishment all the more remarkable. A Tribe Called Judah was the previous movie, followed by Everybody Loves Jenifa, which not only had a huge opening but also became the highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever. It is no longer an anomaly at this time. There is a pattern.
Strategy plays a part in Behind The Scenes’ success. Prior to its countrywide release on December 12, the movie had sneak showing on December 10 and 11, subtly generating interest and discussion. Audiences already felt compelled to see it by the time it was formally released in theaters.
The cast comes next. The cast of the movie, which includes Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and a number of others, seems purposefully stacked. Strong fan bases, well-known faces, and performances that continued to spread the word long beyond opening weekend.
However, there’s more going on here than just timing and casting. Funke Akindele is aware of Nigerian audiences. Their pace, their humor, and their emotional buttons. Instead of speculating, she computes, tests, listens, and improves.
Behind the Scenes surpassing ₦1.77 billion is validation, not just another headline. From being a popular actress, Funke Akindele has evolved into one of Nollywood’s most dependable commercial powers. Three-billion-naira movies don’t just happen. They occur when audience trust, business acumen, and storytelling come together.
And she appears to be in control of that alignment at the moment.
