Funke Akindele is one of the biggest names in Nollywood, having built an impressive career as an actress, producer, writer, and director. From her iconic role as Jenifa to her work behind the camera, she has established herself as one of Nigeria’s most successful and influential filmmakers.
She recently announced that she has a new film, The Four, coming later this year. Fans are already looking forward to it, especially as Funke has become known for delivering a major movie release during the Detty December season every year.
Her movies are known for their comedy, memorable characters and stories that connect with everyday Nigerian life. But beneath the humour, many of her films also explore important themes like family, friendship, money, jealousy, betrayal, ambition and survival.
Akindele has also become a major force at the Nigerian box office. Films like Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Battle on Buka Street and A Tribe Called Judah have all achieved huge success in cinemas, with A Tribe Called Judah becoming one of Nigeria’s biggest box-office hits.
But which of her movies is actually the best?
For this ranking, we’re looking at five of Funke Akindele’s biggest films, judging them based on their story, acting, characters, comedy, emotional moments, cultural impact and box-office success.
1. A Tribe Called Judah (2023)
A Tribe Called Judah follows Jedidah Judah, a mother with five sons from different fathers.
The five brothers have very different personalities and often argue. Despite their differences, they remain connected by their mother and their family.
Funke Akindele plays Jedidah, with a cast that includes Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Tobi Makinde, Olumide Oworu, Uzee Usman, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Genoveva Umeh, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede and Uzor Arukwe.
When the family faces serious financial problems, the brothers decide to rob a shopping mall. But their plan quickly goes wrong when they arrive and discover that real criminals are already carrying out a robbery. The brothers are suddenly caught in a dangerous situation they never expected.
The film mixes comedy, crime, action and family drama, but its strongest point is the relationship between the brothers. They may fight with one another, but when they face danger, they must work together. The film also explores poverty, desperation, family loyalty, forgiveness and survival.
A Tribe Called Judah became a major milestone for Nollywood after becoming the first Nigerian film to cross ₦1 billion at the domestic box office.
It takes the top spot because it offers the best balance of comedy, action, family drama and emotion. The characters are also strong enough to keep the story interesting from beginning to end.
2. Behind the Scenes (2025)
Behind the Scenes tells the story of Aderonke “Ronky-Fella” Faniran, played by Scarlet Gomez.
Aderonke is a successful real-estate entrepreneur and mother of two. She is also known for being extremely generous and constantly helping her family, friends and other people around her. But her kindness begins to create problems.
Some people become so comfortable with her generosity that they start expecting her to keep giving. Aderonke eventually begins to question the people around her and wonders who truly cares about her and who is only interested in what she can provide.
The film features Funke Akindele, Scarlet Gomez, Tobi Bakre, Uzor Arukwe, Wanni x Handi, Ini Dima-Okojie, Iyabo Ojo, Mr Macaroni, Destiny Etiko, Uche Montana, Ibrahim Chatta and Vee, among others.
At its heart, the movie is about setting boundaries. It shows that being generous does not mean allowing people to take advantage of you. The story also explores friendship, family, betrayal, love and self-worth.
It ranks second because of its mature themes and emotional story. If the ranking were based only on box-office performance, it could easily take the number-one position.
3. Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)
Omo Ghetto: The Saga is the sequel to the original Omo Ghetto and remains one of Funke Akindele’s most popular films.
Akindele plays Lefty, one of the most memorable characters of her career. Lefty is tough, loud, fearless and deeply connected to street life.
Akindele also plays Ayomide, giving the actress two very different characters in the same film.
The movie features Chioma Akpotha, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Nancy Isime, Deyemi Okanlawon, Alex Ekubo, Zubby Michael, Akah Nnani, Mercy Aigbe and Yemi Alade, among others.
The film combines comedy, action, crime and family drama while exploring issues such as poverty, friendship, loyalty and survival.
One of its biggest strengths is its characters. Lefty is unpredictable, aggressive and funny, while the supporting characters add even more comedy to the story.
It ranks third because it remains one of Akindele’s most entertaining movies. The characters are memorable, the comedy is strong and the action keeps the story moving.
4. Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)
Everybody Loves Jenifa brought one of Funke Akindele’s most famous characters back to the big screen.
Jenifa is now older and more successful. She is also involved in charity and wants to help the people around her.
Her life becomes complicated when a new neighbour named Lobster arrives. He appears successful and generous, but he is hiding a darker side.
Things become even more complicated when Jenifa and her friends travel to Ghana and accidentally become connected to a drug operation after a bag containing drugs is mistakenly left with them. The film combines the familiar Jenifa comedy with crime, action and drama.
Akindele stars alongside Stan Nze, Nancy Isime, Jackie Appiah, Omotunde Adebowale David, Lateef Adedimeji, Bisola Aiyeola, Layi Wasabi, Tope Tedela, Patience Ozokwor, Tobi Makinde and others.
One of the movie’s biggest strengths is the return of Jenifa. Audiences already know the character, her personality and her unique style of comedy, giving the film a strong nostalgic appeal.
The movie also explores friendship, kindness, jealousy, popularity, charity, crime and betrayal.
5. Battle on Buka Street (2022)
Battle on Buka Street follows Yejide and Asake, two half-sisters whose difficult relationship turns into a fierce competition.
Their rivalry becomes even stronger when they both open food businesses on the same street. Instead of working together, they compete to see who can attract more customers.
Funke Akindele plays Yejide, while Mercy Johnson plays Asake. The cast also includes Sola Sobowale, Tina Mba, Nkem Owoh, Femi Jacobs, Kelvin Ikeduba, Bimbo Ademoye and Mike Afolarin.
The story is simple but entertaining. The competition between the two women eventually exposes deeper family problems. The film explores jealousy, ambition, competition, family rivalry, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The performances by Akindele and Johnson are among the film’s strongest features. Their characters are very different, but both are determined to prove that they are better than the other.
Funke Akindele’s filmography shows why she has become one of the most important figures in modern Nollywood. Her movies combine humour with stories about everyday Nigerian life, family and relationships, while also attracting huge audiences to cinemas.
From the family drama of A Tribe Called Judah to the street comedy of Omo Ghetto: The Saga and the nostalgia of Everybody Loves Jenifa, each film offers something different.
The post Ranking Funke Akindele’s Movies of the 2020s appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
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