In a report by TVC News, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has reached a staggering milestone as her new film, Behind The Scenes, officially becomes the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of 2025. The production has reportedly earned over ₦512 million within its first week of release, signaling a dominant start for the industry this year.
The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, confirmed the achievement via social media, noting that the project shattered five separate opening-weekend records. This rapid financial success places Akindele ahead of her previous benchmarks, further solidifying her reputation as the “Queen of the Box Office.”
Industry analysts point out that the movie’s pace is unprecedented, reaching the half-billion naira mark faster than any other local title this year. Fans and critics alike have flooded social platforms to celebrate the filmmaker’s ability to consistently draw massive crowds to cinemas.
* Legit NG reports: “Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes crosses ₦2.4bn, topping box office charts.”
* FilmOne Entertainment stated on Instagram: “Fastest Nollywood movie to hit ₦500M… This is what belief looks like.”
Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele continues to prove that she has cracked the code for Nigerian cinema-goers. This record-breaking run suggests that despite economic shifts, high-quality indigenous storytelling with aggressive marketing still commands massive purchasing power. Watch for this film to potentially challenge the ₦1 billion mark before the end of its theatrical run.
Source: TVC News — https://www.tvcnews.tv/funke-akindeles-behind-the-scenes-becomes-highest-grossing-nollywood-film-of-2025/ February 14, 2026
Photo Credit: Daily Post
Tag: Box office
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Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office Records with Latest Nollywood Hit
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Iyabo Ojo Stirs Drama Over Funke Akindele and Kunle Afolayan’s Movie Promotion
In a post shared by @iyaboojofespris, the Nollywood actress has sparked a fresh debate regarding the promotional strategies used by industry giants Funke Akindele and Kunle Afolayan. In what many are calling a “subtle jab,” Iyabo Ojo questioned the trend of using viral dance videos and social media gimmicks to drive box office numbers, suggesting that the focus should remain on the “quality of the craft” rather than “clout.”
The comment follows a week where Funke Akindele’s frequent dance videos for her latest project were contrasted with Kunle Afolayan’s more traditional, cinematic approach to marketing. While Ojo did not mention names directly, the timing and context made the target of her critique clear to industry insiders and fans alike.
Funke Akindele, known for her “Queen of the Box Office” status, has frequently used TikTok trends to propel her films to record-breaking heights. Afolayan, meanwhile, has often advocated for a more “prestige” aesthetic in Nollywood. Iyabo Ojo’s intervention has divided fans, with some supporting her call for artistic integrity and others defending the commercial necessity of social media “hype.”
As the debate rages, other Nollywood stars like Regina Chukwu have weighed in, noting that “life is turn by turn” and that there is room for different styles of success in the evolving Nigerian film market.
* Olori Supergal reported on the clash: “The debate over Nollywood promotion styles has reached a fever pitch as Iyabo Ojo’s comments go viral.”
* Legit NG highlighted the rivalry: “Fans are choosing sides as the promotion strategies of Akindele and Afolayan are put under the microscope by their peers.”
Echotitbits take: This isn’t just a “celebrity spat”—it’s a philosophical divide in Nollywood. One side prioritizes the “influencer-to-cinema” pipeline that guarantees revenue, while the other values the “film festival” prestige. Iyabo Ojo is positioning herself as the voice of the “traditional” actor, but in an economy where Funke Akindele’s methods consistently break records, Ojo’s critique might be seen as shouting against the wind. Watch for Funke’s inevitable “indirect” video response.
Source: Legit NG — https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1695836-funke-akindele-kunle-afolayan-iyabo-ojo-drops-subtle-jab-movie-promotion-style-saga/ February 6, 2026
Photo Credit: Legit NG
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Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind The Scenes’ Makes History with N2 Billion Box Office Record
In a post shared by TheCable Lifestyle, Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele has once again redefined cinematic success as her latest film, Behind The Scenes, officially became the first Nigerian movie to cross the ₦2 billion mark at the box office. The film reached this unprecedented milestone in record time, further cementing Akindele’s status as the undisputed “Queen of the Box Office.”
The movie had already signaled its dominance early on, hitting the ₦500 million mark in just 12 days. Its continued momentum into February 2026 showcases the growing purchasing power of the Nigerian cinema-going audience and the immense appeal of Akindele’s storytelling. The actress and producer expressed her profound gratitude to her fans, whom she affectionately calls “family,” for their unwavering support.
Behind The Scenes has outpaced her previous record-breaking hits like A Tribe Called Judah, suggesting that Nollywood’s commercial ceiling is continuing to rise. The film’s success is being viewed as a “movement” rather than just a theatrical run, with FilmOne distribution confirming that the numbers have “shattered all previous records” in Africa.
This milestone comes at a time when Nollywood is seeking more international showcase opportunities, with two other unnamed Nigerian films recently selected for Hollywood showcases. Akindele’s success provides a blueprint for commercial viability that combines local relatability with high production standards.
* FilmOne Entertainment (via Instagram): “Behind the Scenes has officially BROKEN and SHATTERED records hitting over 2 BILLION at the box office.”
* Funke Akindele (via Instagram): “This is now a movement and we love to see it! I am grateful to God and my fans.”
Echotitbits take:
Funke Akindele isn’t just making movies; she’s building an empire that rival Hollywood’s mid-budget successes. Crossing ₦2 billion is a massive psychological and financial win for Nollywood, likely leading to increased venture capital interest in the industry. Watch for Akindele to potentially announce a global streaming deal or an international franchise expansion next.
Source: TheCable Lifestyle — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/behind-the-scenes-is-first-nollywood-film-to-cross-n2b-mark/ February 2, 2026
Photo Credit: TheCable Lifestyle
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Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele Clash Over Movie Marketing “Dancing” Tactics
A post shared by Legit.ng details a burgeoning friction between Nollywood heavyweights Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele regarding their promotional styles. The drama began when Afolayan remarked in a video that he is not interested in “chasing Box Office records” or performing TikTok dances to sell his films, a comment many perceived as a direct shade toward Akindele.
Akindele, known for her high-energy social media campaigns and “dancing” marketing strategies that have led to record-breaking box office hits like A Tribe Called Judah, reportedly fired back online. The exchange has divided fans, with some defending Afolayan’s “pure art” approach and others hailing Akindele as a marketing genius who understands the modern audience.
Afolayan later clarified his comments, stating that while he respects her success, his personal brand focuses on a different cinematic experience. However, the tension remains palpable, as Akindele allegedly called the director to express her displeasure over what she felt was an elitist dismissal of her hard work.
This controversy highlights a growing philosophical rift in Nollywood between the “Old School” auteur directors and the “New Wave” commercial juggernauts. While both have contributed significantly to the industry’s growth, their public disagreement has become the talk of the Nigerian film community.
* Punch Newspapers (Official Website): “Funke Akindele slams critics over ‘dancing’ marketing style… Afolayan says he’ll never dance to promote movies.”
* The Nation Nigeria (Official Website): “Funke Akindele fumes as Kunle Afolayan clarifies cinema comment… ‘Funke Akindele called to yell at me’.”
Echotitbits take:
This isn’t just a petty celebrity feud; it’s a debate on the future of African cinema. Akindele has proven that “populist” marketing sells tickets, while Afolayan maintains the prestige of the “festival” film. The friction is natural as Nollywood matures, but both need to be careful—alienating each other’s fanbases helps no one in an industry still fighting for global shelf space.
Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/funke-akindele-kunle-afolayan-faceoff-over-film-promotion-tactics/ February 1, 2026
Photo Credits: The Punch
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Funke Akindele Honored by Federal Government for N2 Billion Box Office Feat
Reporting by Channels TV indicates that the Federal Government has lauded Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele for a record-breaking box office performance reportedly surpassing N2 billion. The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy described the feat as a benchmark for the creative economy and a signal of Nollywood’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to GDP.
Officials said the recognition reflects growing interest in positioning the creative sector as a serious economic pillar. Plans were also referenced around institutional support through a Creative Economy Fund, aimed at enabling larger-scale productions and industry financing.
Vanguard corroborated the commendation and quoted the minister praising Nigerian stories as commercially powerful, while The Punch amplified the milestone as a historic Nollywood commercial height in a single theatrical run.
Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele has evolved from superstar to commercial institution. This N2bn signal is exactly what investors look for—expect more private equity-style financing structures, distribution partnerships, and higher-stakes marketing plays across Nollywood.
Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/fg-hails-funke-akindele-on-box-office-record/ 2026-01-29
Photo Credit: The Punch
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Funke Akindele Shatters Box Office Records with Latest Nollywood Epic
Funke Akindele is being credited with another record-breaking opening weekend for her latest Nigerian film, with packed cinemas across the country reinforcing her status as Nollywood’s most bankable contemporary filmmaker.
Analysts continue to cite her marketing precision as a core advantage, combining a strong social following with mass-appeal storytelling and cross-demographic casting.
Market watchers expect the performance to trigger renewed competition for international streaming rights, as global platforms seek reliable Nigerian box office IP with proven demand.
Echotitbits take: Akindele is a business blueprint. She understands audience psychology and distribution economics better than most. Her consistency is a strong signal to investors that Nigerian cinema can be high-yield when the product-market fit is disciplined.
Source: NigeriaInfo – https://www.nigeriainfo.fm/news/homepagelagos/funke-akindele-breaks-african-box-office-records/ 2026-01-26
Photo Credit: Punch -
Funke Akindele Breaks Record with New Movie Premiere
According to @funkejenifaakindele on Instagram, her latest cinematic release has broken opening weekend records for a Nollywood film. The actress and producer shared photos from the premiere and thanked fans for their support.
Akindele—often positioned as one of Nollywood’s most bankable hitmakers—has repeatedly delivered high-grossing theatrical titles that connect strongly with mainstream Nigerian audiences. Her new project reportedly blends social themes with her signature comedic sensibility, a formula that has historically traveled well in local cinemas.
The Nation described the performance as another proof-point of her commercial consistency. Premium Times also pointed to the broader significance for Nigerian theatrical releases and investor confidence.
Echotitbits take
Akindele’s box office track record is not accidental; it is audience science. Sustained success at this level helps normalize private investment into Nollywood production and distribution—especially for cinema-first releases.
Source: @funkejenifaakindele on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvG3AIATMb/ (January 22, 2026)
Photo credit: Instagram
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New Nollywood release from Funke Akindele’s stable crosses ₦1.77bn at box office
According to The Punch, Funke Akindele’s latest cinema-backed project hit about ₦1.77 billion in box-office receipts, reinforcing her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most bankable filmmakers.
The report highlights the growing scale of Nigeria’s cinema economy, where marketing, distribution and opening-week momentum can determine whether a release becomes a breakout success.
Industry observers say record grosses can attract more investment into production quality and distribution—but also raise expectations for storytelling, professionalism and transparent reporting of figures.
The performance adds to broader conversations about job creation in the creative sector and the export potential of Nigerian film content.
Echotitbits take: The next frontier is sustainability—can Nollywood turn blockbuster moments into repeatable pipelines? Watch for stronger cinema infrastructure, anti-piracy enforcement and international distribution deals.
Source: Pulse – https://www.pulse.ng/story/funke-akindele-makes-box-office-history-as-behind-the-scenes-crosses-naira177bn-2026010612012495665 5 January 2026
Pulse 2026-01-05
Photo Credit: Pulse
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Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham Dominate Nigeria’s Early-2026 Box Office
According to BusinessDay, Nollywood stars Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham are leading cinema charts as their December 2025 releases continued strong runs into January 2026, setting new benchmarks for domestic box office performance.
Reports indicated Akindele’s latest title crossed major revenue milestones within weeks, while Abraham’s film remained close behind, supported by strong viewing interest including diaspora markets.
Analysts say the success is boosting Nollywood’s broader value chain—marketing, costumes, post-production, and streaming—while increasing attention on international distribution and ancillary revenue beyond ticket sales.
The Punch and Vanguard also highlighted the continued momentum and the competitive dynamic as a driver of rising production standards.
Echotitbits take: These numbers underline Nollywood’s export potential. Expect more aggressive global distribution deals and tighter measurement of true producer earnings across cinemas and platforms in 2026.
Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/nollywoods-biggest-box-office-movies-of-2025-why-funke-akindele-remains-the-queen/ 2026-01-09
Photo Credit: Vanguard
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Nollywood stars push back on “unfair cinema practices” as exhibitor debate heats up
2025-12-31 15:53:00
Reporting by Punch indicates a group of Nollywood actors—including Ini Edo and Toyin Abraham—have publicly called out cinemas over practices they say disadvantage films and mislead audiences.
The claims quickly turned into a wider creator-versus-exhibitor conversation online, with fans demanding clearer explanations from cinema chains and distributors.
- Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “call out cinemas over unfair practices.”
- BusinessDay (Businessday.ng): “allegations of unfair treatment by some cinemas.”
Echotitbits take: As Nollywood scales, operational fairness matters as much as hype. If showtimes and reporting feel inconsistent, the ecosystem risks rewarding only the biggest names—so watch for exhibitor responses and any distributor-led reforms in 2026.
Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/ini-edo-toyin-abraham-others-call-out-cinemas-over-unfair-practices/
The Punch
2025-12-27
Photo Credit: The Punch