Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ Spreads Christmas Cheer as Film Smashes ₦200 Million Opening Weekend

Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has struck a festive chord with fans after sharing a heartfelt Christmas message from the cast of her latest movie, Behind the Scenes, a family-oriented film currently showing in cinemas across Nigeria and select Odeon locations in the United Kingdom.

The post, which features warm behind-the-scenes moments from the set, reinforces the movie’s central themes of peace, laughter, and love—values closely associated with the Christmas season.

In the message, Akindele and the cast extend seasonal goodwill to audiences, encouraging families to see the film together as part of their holiday celebrations.

The tone is reflective and uplifting, positioning Behind the Scenes not just as entertainment, but as a story designed to spark conversations about unity, forgiveness, and the importance of family bonds.

Co-directed by Tunde Olaoye, the film stars Akindele in the role of a wealthy and influential matriarch whose carefully constructed world begins to unravel as long-buried family tensions resurface. As secrets come to light and relationships are tested, the character is forced to confront the true meaning of love, leadership, and togetherness.

The narrative blends humor with emotional depth, a formula Akindele has mastered over the years and which continues to resonate strongly with Nigerian audiences.

Commercially, Behind the Scenes has already made history. The film debuted to an impressive ₦200 million opening weekend, becoming the first Nollywood release of 2025 to reach that milestone.

The achievement further cements Akindele’s reputation as Nollywood’s most bankable filmmaker, following previous box office records set by hits such as A Tribe Called Judah, which dominated cinemas and redefined audience expectations for local productions.

The success also reflects a growing appetite for high-quality, family-friendly Nigerian films during the holiday season, as audiences increasingly seek stories that balance humor with meaningful life lessons.

Industry observers note that Akindele’s consistency in delivering relatable narratives, combined with strong marketing and strategic cinema distribution, has positioned her at the forefront of Nollywood’s commercial evolution.

Accompanying Akindele’s Christmas post are four vibrant photographs featuring the diverse Behind the Scenes cast dressed in festive pajamas and Santa hats, surrounded by holiday decorations.

The images radiate warmth and camaraderie, offering fans a glimpse of the chemistry that translated onto the big screen. Within hours of being shared, the post attracted over 800 likes and a wave of enthusiastic replies, with many fans praising the cast’s energy and congratulating Akindele on yet another successful project.

Beyond box office numbers, Behind the Scenes appears to be strengthening Akindele’s cultural influence as a filmmaker who understands the emotional pulse of her audience.

By aligning the film’s message with the spirit of Christmas, she has effectively turned it into a seasonal must-watch, especially for families looking to reconnect and unwind together.

As the festive season continues and cinema attendance peaks, expectations remain high that Behind the Scenes will sustain its momentum and possibly set new records.

For Funke Akindele, the film is not just another commercial win—it is a reminder of Nollywood’s growing power to tell universal stories that entertain, inspire, and bring people together.