Celebrating Funke Akindele at 48: Five Funke Akindele Films You Should See!
- Oluwaseun Mary Temitope
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
Funke Akindele turned 48 yesterday, and we are happy to celebrate a talented and iconic woman in the film industry! From her breakout role as Jenifa to becoming the highest-grossing filmmaker in Nollywood, Funke continues to redefine success and how much women can achieve in the industry.
In true Funke Akindele style, she celebrated the milestone by announcing her new movie “Behind The Scenes” set to hit screens in December 2025. The excitement is real.
In this spirit, we have brought you FIVE of her most talked-about films that not only highlight her versatility but also cement her legacy as an entertainment titan:
This is where it all began. Jenifa is the character that launched Funke Akindele into stardom. Her portrayal of a naive village girl yearning to make it in the city struck a chord nationwide. The film’s comedic brilliance and emotional depth showcased her range and made the role iconic.
A wildly successful sequel to her earlier Omo Ghetto, this film not only entertained but also broke box office records, raking in over ₦636 million. The other part of the film was meant to be released on YouTube in May 2025, but Funke Akindele announced it had to be postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Funke Akindele co-directed and produced this comic-drama masterpiece. We highly recommend you watch this if you have not watched it before. This movie brought in over ₦668 million and was one of the biggest hits of 2022, with its engaging storyline and stellar performances making it a standout in her directorial portfolio.
Funke Akindele used this as a return to her signature character “Jenifa”, everyone indeed loves Jenifa and her performance, so this movie was another blockbuster. The film grossed ₦500 million within just 12 days and hit the ₦1 billion mark in a record 19 days making it one of the fastest Nollywood titles to reach such heights.
In this film, Funke Akindele was at her emotional and creative peak. She played “Jedidiah”, a mother of five sons facing financial and familial chaos, and she seamlessly delivers both humour and heart. The film became the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of all time, solidifying her brilliance both in front of and behind the camera.
Funke Akindele’s journey at 48 is nothing short of remarkable. From the unforgettable Jenifa to her ambitious strides as a director and producer, she’s not just entertaining us—she’s shaping Nollywood’s future. These five films are not just movies; they are milestones in a career defined by talent, creativity, and breaking records.
Happy birthday to the Box Office Queen, here’s to many more years of laughter, stories and box-office wins!
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