Nollywood icon Funke Akindele has officially cemented her status as the “Queen of the Box Office,” becoming the first Nigerian filmmaker to gross over ₦6.3 billion in cumulative domestic revenue over five years (2020–2025).
This unprecedented milestone was achieved through a string of record-breaking blockbusters that have consistently redefined commercial success in West African cinema.
Akindele’s dominance is driven by a strategy of high-production value, relatable grassroots storytelling, and aggressive social media marketing. Below is the revenue breakdown of her lead projects since 2020:
| Year | Movie Title | Box Office Gross (Approx.) | Key Milestone |
| 2020 | Omo Ghetto: The Saga | ₦636 Million | Highest-grossing Nollywood film of the pandemic era. |
| 2022 | Battle on Buka Street | ₦670 Million | Surpassed Omo Ghetto to become the then-highest grosser. |
| 2023 | A Tribe Called Judah | ₦1.4 Billion | First Nollywood film to hit the ₦1 Billion mark. |
| 2024 | Everybody Loves Jenifa | ₦1.88 Billion | Fastest film to reach ₦1 Billion in West Africa. |
| 2025 | Behind The Scenes | ₦1.77 Billion+ | Highest-grossing film of 2025; currently still in cinemas. |
| TOTAL | ₦6.36 Billion |
The “December Queen” Strategy: Akindele has successfully “owned” the Christmas release window, making her films a staple for Nigerian families during the holidays.
Massive Digital Reach: With over 20 million followers on Instagram, she bypasses traditional media to speak directly to her audience, creating “cultural moments” rather than just movies.
Economic Resilience: Despite rising ticket prices (now averaging ₦5,500–₦7,000 for holiday blockbusters), her films continue to see record-breaking admissions, proving her brand is “inflation-proof.”
This ₦6 billion streak has forced a shift in Nollywood’s investment landscape, with more executive producers now aiming for the “Billion Naira Club.” Akindele currently holds three of the top four positions on the list of highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time.
