Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Smashes ₦200 Million in Opening Weekend, Redefines Nollywood’s 2025 Box Office

Renowned actress, filmmaker and producer Funke Akindele has once again raised the bar in Nollywood, as her latest cinematic offering, Behind The Scenes, recorded a historic opening weekend, crossing the ₦200 million mark within just a few days of its release. The achievement makes the film the biggest opening of 2025 so far and reinforces Akindele’s status as Nollywood’s most bankable box office force.

According to the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, Behind The Scenes shattered five opening weekend records, becoming the first Nollywood film this year to post such an extraordinary performance. The distributor credited the success to massive audience turnout, strong word of mouth and Akindele’s loyal fan base, which has consistently shown up for her projects over the years.

In a celebratory statement shared online, FilmOne Entertainment hailed Akindele’s achievement and expressed gratitude to cinema audiences across the country. “We call her the Queen of Box Office for a reason! Thank you, Nigeria, for showing up, filling cinemas and spreading the word. Behind The Scenes crossed ₦200M in just one weekend, broke five opening weekend records and became the biggest opening of 2025. It’s your love that made this possible,” the caption read.

The film’s journey to box office dominance began even before its official release. Advanced screenings held on December 10 and 11 generated significant excitement, with early viewers praising the storyline, performances and production quality. The buzz created by these previews translated into massive cinema traffic when the film officially opened nationwide on December 12, resulting in sold out screenings across multiple locations.

Behind The Scenes boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring some of Nollywood’s most popular and in demand stars. The lineup includes Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana and several others, whose performances have been widely applauded by audiences. The strong cast, combined with Akindele’s storytelling expertise and production experience, has been widely cited as a major factor behind the film’s commercial success.

This latest triumph adds to Funke Akindele’s already remarkable box office legacy. Her previous release, Everybody Loves Jenifa, set a new industry standard by recording the biggest opening weekend in Nollywood history. The film surpassed her earlier record established by A Tribe Called Judah, which opened with ₦113 million. Everybody Loves Jenifa went on to become the highest grossing Nollywood film of all time, earning over ₦1.8 billion at the Nigerian box office, in addition to substantial revenue from international markets.

Akindele’s consistent success has not only redefined what is possible for Nollywood films commercially but has also played a key role in expanding the industry’s global reach. Her ability to combine compelling storytelling, star power and effective marketing has positioned her as a trailblazer in African cinema.

With Behind The Scenes already off to a record breaking start, industry observers anticipate that the film could go on to achieve even greater milestones in the coming weeks. As cinema attendance continues to grow and audience enthusiasm remains strong, the movie is expected to enjoy a sustained run at the box office.

Once again, Funke Akindele has demonstrated why she remains one of Nollywood’s most influential figures. Behind The Scenes is not just another successful film but a testament to her enduring appeal, creative vision and unmatched ability to connect with audiences across generations.