Ferdinand Ekechukwu
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele is set to return to cinemas later this year with a star-studded cast of her latest feature, The Four: No One Fights Alone. The film follows three successive December releases that have strengthened Akindele’s position as one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful filmmaker.
Scheduled to hit cinemas December 11, 2026, ‘The Four’ is a drama about friendship, motherhood, love, sacrifice and resilience. It tells the story of Esosa and three women who come together to fight for the future of a young man they care about. Their journey tests their friendship, courage and loyalty.
The Four’ also explores themes of hope, sacrifice and unity, while incorporating music, fashion, language and tradition to reflect aspects of Nigeria’s cultural identity. It comes after another successful year for Akindele, who has become one of the leading names in Nigerian cinema.
Remarkably, Akindele has continued to prove herself as one of Nigeria’s biggest filmmakers, with several successful movies in recent years. Her latest projects have helped made her one of the leading forces in Nollywood and one of the industry’s biggest box-office names.
Akindele’s latest film brings together some powerful names in Nigerian movie, and music, including Akindele herself as usual in the lead role, Antar Laniyan, Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Uzor Arukwe, Ronke Oshodi Oke, and Wunmi Toriola.
The cast also features singer Waje, Afrobeats artiste Shoday, and entertainment personalities, Omotunde Adebowale David (Lolo 1), Samuel Banks, Kolapo Omotosho and Mide of BBNaija. Akindele, who wrote, directed and produced the film, said the feature explores the relationships that shape people’s lives.
With this project, expectations are already high for Akindele who is renowned for creating culturally resonant stories with mass audience appeal. Akindele, who has in recent years kept a strong run of yearly movie releases, has produced and directed blockbusters, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
In 2022, she released Battle on Buka Street, which became a major box-office hit. In 2023, she followed it with A Tribe Called Judah, which broke more box-office records. In 2024, she released Everybody Loves Jenifa, bringing back the popular Jenifa character. In 2025, she continued the run with Behind the Scenes.
Akindele, who wrote, directed and produced the film, said it explores the relationships that shape people’s lives. “With The Four, we are exploring the relationships that shape us, challenge us and stay with us.” The upcoming production will test Akindele’s strength to sustain the momentum of her recent December releases and extend a run that has repeatedly made cinema records.