There are Nollywood movies that make you laugh till your stomach hurts, and those that make you scream at the screen in pure frustration. But there are also the ones that break you open, sit heavy on your chest, drag tears out of your eyes, leaving you thinking about life long after the credits roll. Because sometimes, a good cry is exactly just what we need.
Nollywood has never shied away from the raw stuff: death, heartbreak, betrayal, sacrifice and the unshakable bonds of family. And when our filmmakers lean into those emotions, they tap into something relatable.
Here are the 10 best Nollywood movies to watch when you need a good cry.
10. Tears for Nancy (2005)
Running time: 2h 23m
Director: Ebere Onwu
Genre: Drama
Nancy (Ini Edo), an only child, is caught in a painful stir of family conflict: her parents’ ill-fated marriage, born of a union between a much older man and a younger woman, crumbles under strain. When she finds herself pregnant, her situation gets even more complicated as the father of her child and her father don’t see eye to eye.
If you’re looking for a go-to Nollywood sob story with its intense emotional scenes, Tears for Nancy taps directly into themes of abandonment, innocence and the unintended consequences of adult conflict.
Watch Tears for Nancy on YouTube.
9. Stigma (2013)
Running time: 1h 37m
Director: Dagogo Daminas
Genre: Drama
Set in a rural community, Ibiso (Hilda Dokubo), a traditional midwife, and her daughter Vanessa (Jackie Appiah) contract HIV through their caregiving work. When the harsh truth emerges, their world unravels. Ibiso dies alone, ostracised by neighbours and family, while Vanessa faces betrayal from her lover.
At her lowest, Vanessa considers ending her life, but finds hope instead, thanks to steadfast allies. What makes Stigma a movie that truly moves the viewer is its unapologetic portrayal of societal cruelty, self-pity, personal grief and the strength of the human spirit.
Stigma isn’t currently streaming anywhere but watch this excerpt on YouTube.
8. Weeping Soul (2009)
Running time: 2h 21m
Director: Okey Zubelu Okoh
Genre: Drama
Grace (Mercy Johnson) loses her mother unexpectedly. This tragic event derails her education because her uncle misappropriates her late mother’s savings and pressures her toward early marriage. With no financial support to continue school, she reluctantly agrees to go to Lagos with a family friend who promises shelter and education under her sister’s care.
But once in Lagos, the hope she clung to is shaky, and things begin to fall apart, leaving her and the audience wondering just how long her dreams will endure. It’s a familiar Nollywood tale about grief, betrayal, and survival, but what makes it devastating to watch is Mercy Johnson’s performance.
Watch Weeping Soul on YouTube.
7. Ayomi (2015)
Running time: 2h 29m
Director: Muhideen Oladapo
Genre: Romance
The movie follows the story of Rantimi (Bukunmi Oluwashina), a visually impaired young woman, who has loved her childhood friend (Gabriel Afolayan) all her life. When he leaves to further his studies, her world collapses into grief and longing, forcing her to navigate heartbreak with only memories to hold onto.
But just as she surrenders to despair, life hands her a fragile thread of hope that changes everything. The film navigates the pain of unspoken love, separation, and the blind trust of holding onto hope.
6. Mothering Sunday (2001)
Running time: 1h 33m
Director: Chika Onu
Genre: Family Drama
Ejike abandons his mother (Chinwe Owoh), leaving her to grapple with the crushing reality of rejection after a lifetime of sacrifice. What begins as a story of devotion soon unravels into heartbreak, as her love and resilience are tested by the pain of being forgotten by the child she gave everything to.
A deeply emotional family drama, Mothering Sunday reflects the devastating reality of unreciprocated love, anchored by Owoh’s raw performance that makes viewers feel every ache of abandonment and every ounce of a mother’s unyielding love.
Watch Mothering Sunday on YouTube.
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5. A Cry For Help (2002)
Running time: 1h 59m
Director: Andy Amenechi
Genre: Drama
Blessing (Nkiru Sylvanus) begins her journey in mourning, draped in black at her parents’ graveside as a haunting Igbo hymn fills the air. Sent from her aunt’s village home to live with her troubled uncle in the city, her search for stability only leads to further heartbreak.
Abused and betrayed at every turn, Blessing is falsely accused of theft, unjustly dismissed for rejecting advances, and pressured into a life of prostitution she bravely resists. Her suffering builds into a portrait of innocence caught in a relentless cycle of cruelty and survival.
A Cry for Help is unforgettable for its raw portrayal of injustice and resilience, with Sylvanus embodying the quiet strength of a young woman determined to hold on to her dignity against all odds.
Watch A Cry for Help on YouTube.
4. Tears In Heaven (2001)
Running time: 1h 51m
Director: Zeb Ejiro
Genre: Drama
After the sudden death of their parents, four siblings are thrust into survival mode. Taken in by their uncle, they quickly fall under the cruelty of his wife, who makes their lives unbearable. Their only escape and means of survival is their shared gift—singing.
At the heart of their struggle is Mena, the eldest sister, who becomes both caretaker and breadwinner. While shielding her siblings from hardship, she hides her own devastating battle with blood cancer.
Tears in Heaven resonates for the way it layers grief, sacrifice, and resilience into one story. The siblings’ suffering, Mena’s selfless devotion, and the bittersweet reliance on music create an emotional journey that lingers long after the credits roll.
Watch Tears In Heaven on YouTube.
3. 07:07 (2018)
Running time: 2h 2m
Director: Titi Jeje
Genre: Drama, Romance
07:07 follows Lillian (Bimpe Oyebade Adedimeji), a married woman whose life shatters just after a moment of celebration. One piece of devastating news turns her joy into despair, as a dangerous diagnosis threatens not only her health but also her dreams and stability.
With moving performances by Bimpe Oyebade and Lateef Adedimeji, the film transforms hope into fragility and everyday normalcy into grief. Watching Lillian confront her new reality is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can turn, leaving viewers with a lump in their throat.
2. My Love (2002)
Running time: 2h
Director: Fred Amata
Genre: Drama, Romance
My Love tells the story of Onwe (Chiege Alisigwe) and Paul (Ramsey Nouah), two young lovers caught in the crossfire of family pride and social class differences. Their parents’ disapproval threatens to tear them apart, yet they remain determined to fight for their relationship against all odds.
Though the premise may seem familiar, the film’s execution is where its strength lies—balancing romance, suspense, and raw emotion in a way that keeps viewers engaged and unexpectedly teary-eyed. It captures the universal pain of love stifled by family and society.
My Love is currently not streaming anywhere, but watch the trailer on Dailymotion.
1. Conspiracy Part 1 & 2 (1999)
Running time: 2h 36m
Director: Ndubuisi Okoh
Genre: Drama
At the heart of Conspiracy is Grace (Onyeka Onwenu), a woman wrongly accused of infidelity by her husband’s family. To prove her innocence, she’s forced to swear an oath before a village shrine. But the chief priest, secretly part of the plot against her, uses the ritual to drive her insane—unaware she is pregnant.
Roaming the streets for years in madness, Grace gives birth to twins who are taken in and raised by a childless couple. The children grow into successful businessmen and a medical doctor, and eventually set out to cure their mother’s insanity and uncover the conspiracy that ruined her life.
The movie is a haunting portrait of injustice and betrayal. Watching Grace lose her sanity, her dignity, and her family evokes deep pity and sorrow, cementing the film as one of Nollywood’s most unforgettable tragedies.
Watch Conspiracy Part 1 and 2 on YouTube.
