Funke Akindele Tops African Box Office for Third Year as Behind the Scenes Hits ₦2 Billion
In a record-breaking moment for Nigerian cinema, Funke Akindele’s latest film, Behind the Scenes, has officially surpassed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office. The milestone, confirmed on 12 January 2026, makes the film the first Nollywood production in history to achieve such a feat within Africa. It now stands as the highest-grossing Nollywood title of all time across Africa, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
With this achievement, Funke Akindele has become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years. She currently holds the distinction of being West Africa’s highest-grossing filmmaker, as well as the most successful writer, director, and producer in the region’s cinematic history.
Behind the Scenes follows the story of Aderonke Faniran, a successful real estate entrepreneur who serves as the financial backbone for her siblings, father, and extended social circle. The film explores the societal pressures of “black tax” and the emotional toll of unchecked generosity. As personal and professional challenges unfold, Aderonke is forced to reassess the boundaries of her sacrifices and redefine her sense of responsibility.
The film boasts a mix of established and rising talents, including Scarlet Gomez as Aderonke Faniran, Funke Akindele as Adetutu, Tobi Bakre as Adewale, Uzor Arukwe as Victor, and Destiny Etiko as the housemaid. The supporting cast also features Iyabo Ojo, Ibrahim Chatta, Uche Montana, Ini Dima-Okojie, and Mr Macaroni.
Reflecting on the milestone via her Instagram page, Funke Akindele shared her thoughts on the film’s success, describing the achievement as a testament to faith, consistency, and dedication to craft:
“Records are milestones, not the mission. From A Tribe Called Judah grossing ₦1 billion to Behind the Scenes crossing ₦2 billion and still counting, this is God in motion. I am most grateful to my Maker and return all the glory to Him. The lesson remains unchanged: serve the story, respect the audience, refine the craft, and let the work earn its applause.”
FilmOne Entertainment, the film’s distributor, also revealed that Behind the Scenes set a new benchmark for the highest single-day box office gross in Nigeria, earning ₦129.5 million on Boxing Day.
