Funke Akindele announced her December film, “The Four,” scheduled for release on December 11, 2026. This release comes a week before the highly anticipated releases of “Doomsday” and “Dune 3” (DunesDay). Despite the tight schedule, can she break her box office records and surpass ₦1 billion with these competing films?
What You Should Know About “ The Four”
“The Four: No One Fights Alone” is set to be one of Funke Akindele’s most emotionally charged films, and it follows the story of four women who are loyal to each other and unite to fight for the future of a young man they love. It is set between a quiet, picturesque community and a fast-paced city.
“The Four” emphasises the importance of loyalty, unity, resilience, and friendship. The cast members of this film are Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bisola Aiyeola, Waje, Chioma Akpotha, Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, Mide Iwasokun, John Ekanem, Shoday, Ogbolor, Kolapo Omotosho, Uzor Arukwe, Ali Nuhu, Wunmi Toriola, Ronke Oshodi, Samuel Banks, Antar Laniyan, and more.
Can “The Four” Survive December Cinema With DunesDay?
Doomsday and Dune are highly anticipated films, with Doomsday being the first full Avengers film since the release of Avengers: Endgame and Dune’s star-studded cast. However, there are a few reasons “The Four” could still pull over a billion naira in Nigerian cinema, and they are the following:
- A Loyal Fanbase
One of the key factors in the success of films for most directors is a loyal fanbase willing to watch what they put out. It is evident in the success of “The Odyssey,” with Christopher Nolan having a loyal and dedicated fanbase, and in Nigeria, Funke Akindele is the director with one of the most loyal fanbases, who troop to the cinema to watch her films. With a fanbase that comes out every year to watch her films, the closeness of DunesDay to her release date will not stop the success of “The Four.”
- The Marketing
A consistent theme in the success of Funke Akindele’s films is the way she markets her upcoming films. While most may begin marketing their film a month or two before its release, Funke takes the Hollywood blockbuster route, marketing months before her film drops to build anticipation and hype that eventually play into its success during its cinema run.
- The Casting Choice
One of the most consistent factors in a film’s success is casting. While a director is important in getting fans to watch a film, the cast members are also key, especially when they have their own loyal fanbase who will troop to the cinema to watch them and support their work. Funke Akindele has gotten consistent at casting the right stars for her films, which also adds an element of excitement for fans, and the casting choice for “The Four” is no exception.
- The Plot
Funke Akindele is a director who is never afraid to try new plots and expand her storylines, and the plot of “The Four” that has been shared is unlike anything fans have seen. Similar to “Doomsday” and “Dune,” it might feel familiar but is something new and exciting, which always builds anticipation among fans. With a good plot, Funke has a great chance at breaking her own box office records.
- Nollywood vs Hollywood
It is also important to note that the success of Hollywood films in Nigerian cinema is no longer a deterrent to Nollywood films. Nigerian cinema culture is slowly but surely being awakened to Nigerian films; from the success of “Call of My Life” to that of “My Father’s Shadow,” it has become clear that the Nigerian audience will support Nollywood films if they present a good and exciting premise.
What we think
Often, the audiences for these films are also different, with the people willing to watch “The Four,” not being the same crowd that will watch “DunesDay,” and while there might be some competition, Funke Akindele is in a lane of her own, and this has been proven by her long wrap sheet of success every December for the past couple of years.
