Nollywood loves a good comeback, and nothing proves it more than the trend of remakes hitting our screens. From sequels to OG hits like Living in Bondage to reboots like Domitilla, filmmakers are dusting off old gems and giving them a modern spin.
However, where some remakes actually elevate the originals, others make you wonder if a remake was even necessary.
Here’s our ranking of every Nollywood remake so far.
1. Domitilla: the Reboot (2023)
Director: Zeb Ejiro
Runtime: 1h 50m
Genre: Crime, Drama
A true reboot of the 1996 classic, Domitilla: the Reboot revisits the reality of sex work and survival in Lagos through a modern lens. While the original followed the titular character’s entry into the world of escort services, the reboot expands the story to focus on four women caught in the cold web of exploitation, where escape often comes at a high cost.
The remake is a more contemporary take that centres female agency without the sensationalism that sometimes plagued old Nollywood. The production team clearly respected the spirit of the original while factoring in recent socio-cultural developments and the modernity of this era.
2. Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020)
Director: Ramsey Noah
Runtime: 2h 15m
Genre: Drama
Coming off the high of Living in Bondage, Ramsey Nouah delivered again. After young Ahanna (Stan Nze) witnesses a street mob lynch a thief, and his father tells him only poor people suffer such public humiliation, it solidifies his determination to seek a better life.
The film follows his transformation from desperate son to criminal mastermind. The film works because it doesn’t glorify or over-moralise Ahanna’s choices; it simply shows how each decision leads logically to the next.
Although some plot points seem rushed, the film still delivers a genuinely entertaining story that respects its source material.
Watch Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story on Netflix.
3. Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019)
Director: Ramsey Noah
Runtime: 2h 30m
Genre: Drama
This was Nollywood’s first entry into the world of remakes, although it was more of a sequel to the original Living in Bondage.
We follow Nnamdi Okeke (Swanky JKA), the long-lost, extremely ambitious son of Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo) from the 1992 movie. Like his father before him, Nnamdi is consumed by the obsessive quest for quick wealth, which inevitably leads him into the clutches of the dreaded Cult of the Six.
This film basically revived the idea of the Nollywood cinematic universe. It also proved that you can revive the classic quick wealth storyline even for a modern audience.
Watch Living in Bondage: Breaking Free on Netflix.
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4. Aki and Paw Paw (2021)
Director: Biodun Stephen
Runtime: 1h 50m
Genre: Comedy
This remake brings back the iconic comic duo Aki (Chinedu Ikedieze) and Paw Paw (Osita Iheme) to our screens, a nod to their 2002 breakout film Aki na Ukwa.
While the original was simply a low-budget comedy about two mischievous boys wreaking havoc in their rural community, the remake takes it up a notch. Aki and Paw Paw are now grown but still chaotic, which leads to their antics going viral on social media, turning them into overnight digital celebrities.
The film tries to explore the pitfalls of instant fame in the Nigerian digital age while maintaining the humour the duo is famous for. However, the movie falls short of expectation in terms of actually being funny and it also suffers from a lack of tie-in to the older movie.
Watch Aki and Paw Paw on Netflix.
5. Glamour Girls (2022)
Director: Bunmi Ajakaiye
Runtime: 2h 15m
Genre: Drama
In the 1994 original, we follow a group of ambitious, desperate young women as they navigate the dangerous world of high-end escort work and “big-girl” hustling in Lagos, often with tragic outcomes.
The 2022 remake attempts to update this premise for the internet era, following a new generation of women driven by designer bags and luxury penthouses.
However, where the 1994 film was clearly about poverty and exploitation, this version glosses over some inaccuracies. For instance, the women look perpetually Instagram-ready, making people wonder if they are actually struggling.
Watch Glamour Girls on Netflix.
6. Nneka the Pretty Serpent (2020)
Director: Tosin Igho
Runtime: 1h 50m
Genre: Fantasy/Thriller
Nneka the Pretty Serpent is a remake of the 1994 horror mystery of the same name. The remake follows Nneka Agu (Idia Aisien), a young woman who discovers she is the spiritual reincarnation of the snake priestess.
She must embrace her destiny to avenge her parents’ mysterious murder. The core elements of the original—the snake and Nneka’s desperation for vengeance—remain, but the execution sometimes felt short for a big-budget production.
The film tries to be a complex thriller with multiple plot twists, but it falls short due to a lack of a fully fleshed-out backstory and avoidable plot holes.
Watch Nneka the Pretty Serpent on Netflix.
