Funke Akindele extends December blockbuster tradition

For years, Funke Akindele has turned December into a defining moment for Nollywood, releasing films that dominate the holiday box office and set new commercial records.

This year, she is set to continue that tradition with her latest project, Behind The Scenes, which was officially announced on her birthday through her production company, the Funke Akindele Network (FAAN).

The film boasts a star-studded lineup featuring Tobi Bakare, Scarlet Gomez, Ini Dima-Okojie, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Uzor Arukwe, Uche Montana, and Big Brother Naija alumni Handi and Wanni. While little has been revealed about its storyline, its December release already signals Akindele’s confidence in her established formula of ensemble-driven storytelling infused with humour, family drama, and cultural resonance.

Akindele’s grip on the December box office is no coincidence. In 2020, she rewrote Nollywood history with Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which grossed over ₦636 million to become the highest-grossing Nigerian film at the time. She broke that record again in 2022 with Battle on Buka Street, which closed with more than ₦668 million.

In 2023, she achieved an even bigger milestone with A Tribe Called Judah, the first Nollywood film to cross the ₦1 billion mark, ultimately earning more than ₦1.4 billion.

These releases have not only reset the financial benchmarks of Nigerian cinema but also cemented Akindele’s reputation as a filmmaker attuned to what audiences want during the festive season.

The December slot has since become her trademark, a period when moviegoers expect her work and cinemas brace for massive turnouts.

With three record-breaking films already behind her, expectations are high for Behind The Scenes.

The question now is not whether audiences will fill theatres, but whether Akindele can continue her upward streak and once again raise the ceiling of Nollywood’s box office.

Her December releases have grown beyond simple film launches into cultural events, eagerly anticipated nationwide.

As Behind The Scenes prepares for release, it enters this tradition with enormous momentum, poised to extend a streak that has already reshaped the landscape of Nigerian cinema.