Nollywood filmmaker and actor Funke Akindele has etched her name deeper into African cinema history after her latest film, ‘Behind the Scenes’, made history with a ₦2 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first Nollywood production to achieve the feat.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, in a post on X, which revealed that the movie has grossed ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales.
Announcing the achievement, FilmOne described the performance as record-shattering, noting that ‘Behind the Scenes’ is now the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa.
The distributor also said the film currently holds the record as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
FilmOne said the box office success further solidifies Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, describing her as the highest-grossing writer, director, and producer in West Africa’s history.
The distributor also disclosed that Akindele has become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years, a feat it described as unprecedented in the region’s film industry.
Reacting to the overwhelming audience support, FilmOne thanked cinema-goers for “believing in the magic of storytelling,” describing the film’s run as not just a commercial triumph but a cultural movement powered by strong word-of-mouth and audience loyalty.
The ₦2 billion milestone marks a significant leap from the film’s earlier box office records.
‘Behind the Scenes’ had previously crossed the ₦1 billion mark before climbing to ₦1.77 billion, already positioning it among the most successful Nollywood titles ever.
Its continued surge in earnings has now placed it firmly at the top of the industry’s all-time rankings.
The film stars Scarlet Gomez in the lead role and features an ensemble cast, including Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, Adebowale “Mr. Macaroni”, Ibrahim Chatta, and Kamo State, alongside other established and emerging actors.
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At its core, ‘Behind the Scenes’ explores the theme of black tax, delving into the emotional, social, and financial pressures placed on individuals expected to support extended family members.
The storyline has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly young adults, contributing to sustained cinema attendance across Nigeria and the wider West African market.
Industry observers and fans have attributed the film’s exceptional performance to its relatable storytelling, strong ensemble casting, aggressive marketing strategy, and Akindele’s enduring appeal as a filmmaker with a proven track record of commercial success.
The achievement adds to Akindele’s growing list of box office triumphs.
Her earlier releases, including ‘Everybody loves Jenifa’, recorded rapid earnings growth and set multiple opening-week and cumulative revenue records, cementing her reputation as Nollywood’s most bankable figure.
With its cinema run still ongoing and international markets continuing to contribute to revenue, ‘Behind the Scenes’ is widely regarded as a defining moment in Nollywood’s commercial evolution, signaling the industry’s increasing capacity to deliver billion-naira blockbusters with a global reach.
