Funke Akindele Officially Becomes Africa’s Highest-Grossing Filmmaker of All Time
Nollywood actress, filmmaker and producer Funke Akindele has made history as Africa’s highest-
grossing filmmaker of all time after her latest movie, Behind The Scenes, smashed box office records in
Nigeria and across the continent.
According to data released by FilmOne Entertainment, the film has now grossed over ₦2.1 billion (about
$2.5 million) in ticket sales, making it the first Nollywood film to cross the ₦2 billion threshold, and
cementing Akindele’s commercial success on the African cinematic landscape.
Behind The Scenes also set new benchmarks overseas, becoming the top-grossing Nollywood title in the
United Kingdom and Ireland.
The record-breaking milestone was confirmed in a social media announcement by FilmOne
Entertainment on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The distributor said Behind The Scenes had “officially broken and shattered records,” ranking No. 1 at
the African box office for three consecutive years, an unprecedented achievement for any filmmaker in
the region.
The success of Behind The Scenes, which tackles themes around black tax and the emotional and
economic pressures of extended family obligations, reinforces Akindele’s reputation as one of
Nollywood’s most bankable creatives.
The film boasts an ensemble cast including Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche
Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, and others, drawing strong cinema turnout since its nationwide
release on December 12, 2025.
Industry analysts note that Akindele’s commercial dominance follows a string of box office hits she has
produced and directed in recent years, with her movies consistently grossing in the hundreds of millions
and billions of naira, achievements that have reshaped expectations for Nollywood productions.
Behind The Scenes becoming a billion-naira film within weeks and then surpassing ₦2 billion signifies a
major milestone in the growth and international appeal of African filmmaking.
Funke Akindele’s rise to the top of box office charts across Africa has been celebrated widely by fans,
peers in the entertainment industry and cultural commentators, who see the achievement as a
milestone not just for her career, but for Nollywood’s global competitiveness in commercial cinema.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
