Nollywood filmmaker and actor Funke Akindele has further cemented her status as one of Africa’s most influential figures in cinema after her latest film, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first Nollywood production to achieve the milestone.
The record-breaking feat was confirmed on Monday by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, in a post on X. According to the announcement, Behind The Scenes has now grossed a total of ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales since its release.
FilmOne described the achievement as historic, stating that the film had “officially broken and shattered records” by becoming the first Nollywood title in Africa to surpass ₦2 billion in box office revenue. The distributor added that the film is now the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time on the African continent and has emerged as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The distributor further noted that the success of Behind The Scenes reinforces Akindele’s reputation as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker. According to FilmOne, she now holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing writer, director and producer in the history of West African cinema.
In another landmark achievement, FilmOne revealed that Akindele has become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years. The distributor described the accomplishment as unprecedented, highlighting her consistency and dominance in an increasingly competitive film industry.
Reacting to the overwhelming audience support, FilmOne expressed gratitude to cinema-goers across Nigeria and the diaspora, thanking them for “believing in the magic of storytelling. The distributor described the film’s box office run as more than just a commercial victory, but a cultural movement driven by strong audience loyalty, positive reviews and sustained word-of-mouth.
The ₦2 billion milestone represents a significant leap from the film’s earlier achievements. Behind The Scenes had previously crossed the ₦1 billion mark before surging to ₦1.77 billion, already placing it among the most successful Nollywood films ever produced. Its continued momentum has now firmly positioned it at the pinnacle of the industry’s all-time box office rankings.
With a star-studded cast and widespread appeal, Behind The Scenes has further underscored Nollywood’s growing global influence. Industry observers say the film’s performance signals a new era for African cinema, one in which local productions can rival international blockbusters in commercial success.
