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Funke Akindele’s latest film, Behind the Scenes, has officially crossed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, setting a new milestone in Nollywood cinema history. According to FilmOne Entertainment, the movie’s distributor, the film has grossed ₦2,103,039,706 since its release.
Ejes Gist Media reports that this achievement marks an unprecedented moment for a Nollywood production.
FilmOne Entertainment Announces Record-Breaking Achievement
In an Instagram post, FilmOne Entertainment celebrated the milestone, describing it as “unprecedented for a Nollywood film.” The distributor stated:
“Behind the Scenes has officially broken and shattered records, hitting over ₦2 billion at the box office and becoming the first Nollywood film in Africa to cross the ₦2 billion mark.”
The company further noted that the film now holds the title of highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time across Africa, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Funke Akindele also becomes the first filmmaker to rank number one at the box office in Africa for three consecutive years.
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Also Read: Funke Akindele new movie: “A Tribe Called Judah; Becomes First Nollywood Film To Hit ₦1bn
FilmOne highlighted Akindele’s achievements as West Africa’s highest-grossing filmmaker, writer, director, and producer, attributing the success to sustained audience support and a growing appreciation for local storytelling.
“This is now a movement and we love to see it. From our hearts to yours, thank you for believing in the magic of storytelling and making history with us,” the distributor added.
Funke Akindele Reacts to Milestone
Reacting to the record-breaking box office performance, Akindele expressed gratitude to God and her fans via her Instagram page. She described the success as a shared journey between her team and audiences.
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“Joy overflow! Our heart is full of gratitude to God and to you, my amazing fans who have truly become family. Thank you for showing up, supporting, and believing in this journey. Reaching this incredible milestone and still counting would not have been possible without you. Let’s keep pushing, growing, and supporting the Funke Akindele Network brand together,” she wrote.
Rapid Box Office Growth
The ₦2 billion milestone comes just weeks after Behind the Scenes achieved ₦512 million in 12 days, making it the fastest Nollywood film to cross the ₦500 million threshold. The film continued its strong run, climbing to ₦1.77 billion, topping the box office for several weekends before eventually surpassing the ₦2 billion barrier.
Industry analysts note that this performance is particularly impressive given the challenges during the December cinema season, including alleged cinema boycotts, limited screening slots, and reduced promotion for some films.
Despite these hurdles, Behind the Scenes recorded one of the strongest box office runs in Nollywood history, demonstrating the enduring demand for Funke Akindele’s films.
Funke Akindele’s Record-Breaking Legacy
Akindele already holds multiple Nollywood box office records. Her film Everybody Loves Jenifa previously stood as the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time, earning ₦1.88 billion. She also dominates Nigeria’s top-grossing films list with titles such as:
- Omo Ghetto: The Saga
- Battle on Buka Street
- A Tribe Called Judah
With Behind the Scenes surpassing the ₦2 billion mark, Funke Akindele’s legacy as a box office powerhouse continues to grow, solidifying her position as one of Nollywood’s most influential filmmakers.
Box Office Snapshot: Behind the Scenes
| Milestone | Box Office Gross | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First 12 Days | ₦512 million | Fastest Nollywood film to reach ₦500M |
| Later Run | ₦1.77 billion | Multiple weekends at #1 |
| Total | ₦2,103,039,706 | Highest-grossing Nollywood film in Africa, UK, Ireland |
Ejes Gist Media reports that Behind the Scenes has set a new benchmark for Nollywood cinema, reflecting the growing global appetite for African storytelling and the economic potential of locally produced films. With this achievement, Funke Akindele continues to push the boundaries of the Nigerian film industry.
