A billion-naira gross used to be a once-in-a-decade miracle that shocked the movie industry. Now, Funke Akindele has turned that impossible feat into her yearly tradition. Her latest film, Behind the Scenes, made a remarkable ₦1.1 billion in just 17 days. This isn’t just a hit; it’s a commercial success that has changed the financial rules for African cinema in 2025.
Most films aim to break even in their first month, but Behind the Scenes earned ₦512 million in just 12 days. By day 17, it surpassed the billion-naira mark, making it the fastest film in West African history to reach this level.
On Boxing Day 2025, the film made ₦129.5 million in one day. This is the highest single-day gross ever recorded in Nigeria. In just 24 hours, this movie made more money than many successful Nollywood films earn in their entire run.
Why This Story? The “Black Tax” Factor
Many Nigerians are going to the cinemas because of a powerful story. The film explores the idea of “Black Tax.” This is the unspoken expectation for successful people to help their extended families financially.
The story follows Aderonke “Ronky-Fella” Faniran (played by Scarlet Gomez). She is a successful real estate entrepreneur whose kindness starts to overwhelm her. This theme is relatable to many Nigerian professionals. When you see Ronky-Fella struggling to say “no” to her cousin’s school fees or a relative’s medical bills, it feels like a reflection of your own financial situation, especially during the festive season.
Funke Akindele’s Strategy
Funke Akindele is more than just a filmmaker; she is also skilled at managing the business side of the film industry. She has had three consecutive hits, each making over ₦1 billion: A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa, and Behind the Scenes. Her success relies on three key strategies:
- The Multiplier: Funke chooses a diverse cast to broaden the film’s reach. She includes experienced actors like Ibrahim Chatta, fresh faces like Scarlet Gomez, and social media stars like Mr. Macaroni, Wanni, and Handi. This strategy ensures that people across Nigeria are talking about the film.
- The Release: Releasing the film on December 12 is a smart move. It attracts the holiday crowd early, builds excitement through word-of-mouth by Christmas, and peaks on Boxing Day, when spending is at its highest during the festive season.
- The Distribution: By collaborating with FilmOne Entertainment, her films appear on more screens and more often than those of her competitors. In the cinema world, having more showings is crucial for success.
Understanding the “Gross”
When we say a movie “grossed ₦1.1 billion,” it refers to the total amount made from ticket sales at the cinema, but this isn’t what the producer actually earns. Here’s a breakdown:
- Box Office Gross: The total value of all tickets sold at the cinema. It is not the profit.
- The Exhibitor’s Cut (The Cinema): Cinema owners, such as Filmhouse, Genesis, and Silverbird, usually take about 50%-55% of ticket sales.
- The Distributor’s Fee: Companies like FilmOne take a percentage, usually 10% to 15%, for getting the movie into theaters and handling logistics.
- Taxes and Levies: The government takes its share through VAT and other entertainment taxes.
- Producer’s Share: After everyone else gets their share, the producer, like Funke Akindele, receives the leftover amount. From a gross of ₦1.1 billion, the producer might take home between ₦350 million and ₦450 million. However, they still need to cover their large production and marketing costs from this amount.
Conclusion
Funke Akindele has shown that Nollywood can achieve more than we thought. By leveraging strong marketing and storytelling that resonate with audiences, she has built a successful business model. While others worry about the economy, Akindele demonstrates that if you give Nigerians a relatable story, they will find a way to buy a ticket.
Some stories don’t just entertain… they reveal the parts of us we hide. Behind the Scenes is for anyone who has ever smiled through pain, carried invisible battles, or kept showing up even when it was hard. It’s a story about truth, pressure, healing, and everything we don’t say out loud. Watch the official trailer is here.
