Behind the Scenes Sets a New Pace at the Nigerian Box Office After 38 Days

After 38 days in cinemas, Behind the Scenes has done something no other film has managed at the same point in its run. With 385,689 tickets sold, the 2025 release is now the fastest-selling movie in Nigerian cinema history at this stage, outperforming every major blockbuster before it, both local and international. The only title that remains ahead when compared strictly at the same point is the original Black Panther from 2018.

To understand how significant this is, it helps to place Behind the Scenes alongside films that once defined box office success in Nigeria.

In 2024, Everybody Loves Jenifa had sold 334,194 tickets at a similar point in its run, before eventually closing at 368,741 admissions. In 2023, A Tribe Called Judah stood at 361,750 tickets at the same stage and later finished with 375,965. Both films were considered massive hits in their time, with strong word of mouth and consistent audience turnout.

Looking further back, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had sold 281,786 tickets at this point in 2022, eventually reaching a final total of 380,202. Omo Ghetto: The Saga, one of the most talked-about local films of the last decade, stood at 333,159 tickets in 2020 before going on to a remarkable final tally of 449,901. Even The Wedding Party in 2016, the film that changed how Nollywood box office success was measured, had sold 345,164 tickets at this stage, later finishing at 401,668.

Against this backdrop, Behind the Scenes stands out clearly. At 385,689 tickets after just 38 days, it has already surpassed the mid-run numbers of every single one of these titles. That alone would be impressive. What makes it even more remarkable is that this performance is happening in a far more competitive and fragmented cinema landscape, where audiences have more entertainment options than ever.

The only film that still leads at this point is Black Panther (2018), which had sold an estimated 487,900 tickets at a similar stage, on its way to a final total of 588,815. That film was a global cultural moment, backed by Marvel’s machine and unprecedented international hype. For Behind the Scenes, a local production, to be mentioned in the same breath speaks volumes.

What this comparison shows clearly is momentum. Behind the Scenes is not just selling tickets; it is doing so at a pace that suggests strong repeat viewership and sustained interest. Several of the films listed above experienced sharp slowdowns after their initial surge. In contrast, Behind the Scenes appears to be maintaining consistency deep into its run, a sign that audience reception is translating into ongoing demand rather than a short-lived opening rush.

There is also an important psychological factor at play. Once a film begins to dominate box office conversations, it becomes an event. People who may not have rushed out in the first two weeks begin to feel they “have to” see it, simply to be part of the cultural moment. This effect was seen with Omo Ghetto: The Saga and The Wedding Party, and Behind the Scenes seems to be benefiting from a similar wave, only at a much faster rate.

Another key takeaway is how the numbers challenge long-held assumptions about ceiling limits for local films. For years, the benchmark for exceptional performance was set by a handful of titles. Behind the Scenes is not only crossing those benchmarks earlier, it is redefining what “early success” looks like in Nigerian cinemas.

At 38 days, the film has already outperformed the final totals of some major releases and is within touching distance of others that took much longer to reach their peak. If current trends continue, discussions will likely shift from whether Behind the Scenes is a hit to how far it can ultimately go.

For now, one thing is certain. Based strictly on tickets sold at this stage, Behind the Scenes has achieved something unprecedented. It has set a new pace, rewritten historical comparisons, and positioned itself as one of the most important box office stories Nigerian cinema has ever produced.