Funke Akindele Reclaims the Record for Highest Advanced Screening Gross in Nollywood History

Funke Akindele has done it again. Her new film Behind The Scenes (BTS) has shattered records before its official release, pulling in an impressive ₦27.2 million from advanced screenings alone. With this feat, the film now holds the title for the highest advanced screening gross ever recorded by a Nollywood movie, overtaking Ori (Rebirth), which previously set the mark with ₦19.3 million. Before that, Everybody Loves Jenifa (ELJ) had held a strong position with ₦16.75 million.

The early numbers put BTS ahead of Ori by ₦7.9 million, and the buzz around the film suggests audiences are ready for another Funke Akindele cinema run. It’s a strong indicator of what may follow as the film heads into full release, especially considering the filmmaker’s recent winning streak at the box office.

For context, Funke Akindele currently owns the crown for the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time with Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024), which stands at a massive ₦1,882,549,548. Aside that, she holds the second, third, and fourth spots as well. Meanwhile, Ori (Rebirth), released in 2025, continues to perform steadily and currently sits at the number nine spot on the all-time chart with ₦419,570,525.

With Behind the Scenes already breaking records before opening weekend, all eyes are now on its box office journey. If this momentum holds, we may be watching another major milestone take shape. Funke Akindele isn’t just raising the bar, she’s resetting it.

Part of what makes this new achievement stand out is the consistency behind it. Funke Akindele has built a run that few filmmakers on the continent can match. Over the past few years, she has delivered one box office landmark after another, each time widening the gap between herself and the rest of the industry. It’s not just that her movies make money, they become cultural moments, spark conversations, and attract viewers who don’t always show up for Nigerian films.

Everybody Loves Jenifa is a prime example. The film tapped into nostalgia, laughter, emotion, and long-standing love for the Jenifa character. It didn’t become Nigeria’s highest-grossing film by luck; it was a perfect mix of timing, story, and audience loyalty. When a filmmaker keeps achieving results on this scale, it changes the expectations around their work. That is exactly what we’re seeing with BTS.

Advanced screenings have become an important part of Nollywood’s cinema culture. They serve as a preview for the film’s potential, a confidence test from the audience, and a sign of how much anticipation the title has already built. Many films record modest numbers at this stage. Even strong box office hits don’t always perform big during advanced screenings because audiences prefer to wait for opening weekend.

So when a film begins its run with over ₦27 million before the official release date, it sends a clear message. It means viewers were not only interested, they were eager. They didn’t want to wait. It suggests the film carries the kind of weight or curiosity that pushes fans to secure their seats early.

Muyiwa Ademola the producer of Ori (Rebirth)

This is why the comparison with Ori (Rebirth) and Everybody Loves Jenifa matters. Ori had strong support during its run and built a loyal following, which is why it entered the list of all-time top ten Nollywood films. Yet, even with that success, its advanced screening figures sit noticeably below what Behind the Scenes has just achieved. The same goes for Everybody Loves Jenifa, a record-breaking film in its own right. When Behind the Scenes clears them both before the main release, it shows that interest around this new project is on a different level.

Several factors seem to be working in the film’s favor already. First, Funke Akindele’s name itself has become a draw. Audiences trust her to deliver a compelling story wrapped in humor, drama, and relatability. She has built a connection with viewers who see her movies as something worth leaving home for.

Second, the marketing push around Behind The Scenes has been strong. There’s been steady chatter online, curiosity about what story the film is telling, and talk around how different it seems from some of her previous work. Even without revealing too much, the promotional material created an appetite.

Then there is the cast strength. Funke has a reputation for selecting actors who feel grounded in their roles. The public sees these choices and expects chemistry, humour, and the kind of emotional depth that turns simple stories into memorable cinema experiences.

For Behind the Scenes, we have a strong ensemble of casts which include Scarlet Gomez who's much loved and adored by fans for her role in Wura, then there's Tobi Bakre from Brotherhood and Gang of Lagos, there's also Uzor Arukwe who's still basking in his Odogwu era from Love in Every Word, not to mention Iyabo Ojo, Mr Macaroni, Ibrahim Chatta, and a host of other amazing and fans beloved actors.

All these elements combine to create the excitement we’re seeing at the moment.

The Nigerian cinema landscape in 2024 and 2025 has been competitive. New filmmakers have emerged, established directors are becoming bolder, and more genres are getting attention. In the last two years alone, we’ve seen epic adventures, faith-based stories, comedies, thrillers, and social dramas pull big numbers.

Yet, even in this crowded space, Funke Akindele continues to dominate the top spots. Her films aren’t just financially successful; they influence strategies. Cinema owners prepare differently when her films are on the way. Marketers pay attention because they know her releases shift audience behavior. Other filmmakers observe the timing of her premieres because they understand the impact she brings to the market.

Ori (Rebirth) deserves recognition for the lane it created. After its release in 2025, it climbed steadily and secured a place among the top ten highest-grossing Nollywood films. The film’s ₦419 million run shows that audiences responded strongly to its themes. Advanced screenings of ₦19.3 million were considered impressive at the time.

This is why the record mattered. Breaking it wasn’t guaranteed. For BTS to come in and exceed it by a wide margin shows the depth of support Funke Akindele continues to command.

Speaking of big numbers, Everybody Loves Jenifa still stands tall. Crossing ₦1.88 billion made it the first Nollywood title to reach that level. Its success wasn’t only about box office figures; it became a cultural event. People rewatched it, quoted it, talked about it, and added it to the list of films that define Nollywood’s modern era.

When a filmmaker reaches that level, the public starts watching their next moves closely. Behind the Scenes benefits from that effect. The audience’s trust is already established, and the willingness to show up early reflects that.

If advanced screenings are any indication, Behind The Scenes may be gearing up for a huge opening weekend. A strong start often leads to strong weekday numbers, especially when the film is driven by curiosity and positive word of mouth. The holiday period around this time of year also gives movies more room to grow.

Some industry watchers believe Behind the Scenes may become Funke Akindele’s next entry into the top ten list and even surpassing Everybody Loves Jenifa. Others are waiting to see how the film performs in its second and third weeks, which often decide long-term placement. Either way, the early signs are promising.

Funke Akindele has once again moved the conversation forward. The ₦27.2 million advanced screening achievement is more than a statistic. It’s a reflection of influence, trust, and the deep relationship she has built with her audience.

If the movie continues on this trajectory, we may be witnessing the start of another major chapter in Nollywood’s box office story. And as usual, Funke Akindele is at the center of it, shaping the landscape one milestone at a time.