Nollywood star and filmmaker Funke Akindele has recorded another major milestone as her latest movie, Behind the Scenes, delivered an impressive opening weekend performance in North America, earning a combined $301,505 across the United States and Canada.
Figures shared by the film’s executive producer show that the drama grossed $190,249 in the U.S. and $111,256 in Canada within its first three days in cinemas.
Akindele described the achievement as deeply humbling, expressing appreciation to audiences in both countries for their support.
The North American debut comes on the heels of the film’s exceptional run in West Africa, where it surpassed ₦2 billion in box office revenue, reinforcing Akindele’s dominance in the regional film market.
Film details and storyline
Behind the Scenes is co-directed by Funke Akindele and Tunde Olaoye and boasts a star-studded cast that includes Destiny Etiko, Ibrahim Chatta, Ini Dima-Okojie, Iyabo Ojo, Tobi Bakre, Uzor Arukwe, and Victoria Adeleye.
The drama runs for two hours and 24 minutes and carries a 12A rating.
The plot centers on Aderonke “Ronky-Fella” Faniran, a prosperous real estate developer whose relentless generosity begins to take a toll on her personal life.
The story explores themes of selflessness, emotional boundaries, and the cost of always putting others first.
The film is currently screening in major cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana, including Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Accra.
High production costs, higher expectations
Akindele previously revealed that production expenses for Behind the Scenes exceeded ₦1 billion, reflecting the growing financial demands of large-scale Nollywood productions.
Rising costs, inflation, and reduced consumer spending have increased pressure on filmmakers to deliver strong theatrical returns.
Following the film’s release, Akindele also cautioned viewers against recording or sharing scenes online, warning that piracy could negatively impact its commercial success.
Record-breaking box office streak
The success of Behind the Scenes further cements Akindele’s historic run at the box office.
She remains the first African filmmaker to rank number one at the continental box office for three consecutive years, with a combined domestic gross exceeding ₦5.3 billion.
Her recent releases show a steady upward trajectory:
- 2023: A Tribe Called Judah – ₦1.408 billion
- 2024: Everybody Loves Jenifa – ₦1.883 billion
- 2025: Behind the Scenes – ₦2.103 billion
With these results, Akindele is widely regarded as Africa’s highest-grossing filmmaker, as well as the continent’s top-grossing director, producer, and screenwriter.
The film was released under the Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
