These days, Nollywood action films are entering their cinematic universe era, packed with explosions, high-stakes stunts, gripping revenge plots, and enough tension to make your head pound. And where better to stream them all in one place than on Netflix?
Whether you prefer your protagonist brooding and bloodied like in The Black Book, love epic battles and ancestral legacies like in Jagun Jagun, or want your justice served slow and politically charged like in 4th Republic, this list rounds up the ten best Nollywood action movies for every adrenaline junkie.
10. Hijack ‘93 (2024)
Running time: 1h 26m
Director: Robert O. Peters
Genre: Action
Hijack ‘93 dramatises one of Nigeria’s most audacious real-life events. Set amid the political fallout of the annulled June 12 election, it follows four fearless teenagers who seize a Nigerian Airways flight from Lagos to Abuja, demanding the reinstatement of MKO Abiola. Fueled by patriotism and youthful audacity, their story proves that sometimes the boldest acts come from believing you can change the world.
If you love true-life thrillers and Nigerian history on screen, this one’s a must-watch.
9. Merry Men 3: Nemesis (2023)
Running time: 2h 11m
Director: Moses Inwang
Genre: Action/Comedy
In the third instalment of the Merry Men franchise, the usual mischief and elite party boy energy take a dark turn. Falz, AY Makun, Jim Iyke, and Williams Uchemba return as Nigeria’s smoothest vigilante crew — but this time, it’s personal. When one of their own is assassinated, the mission becomes less about luxury heists and more about settling scores.
Merry Men 3: Nemesis raises the bar for the franchise, delivering tighter action sequences, improved fight choreography, and a plot that dials up the emotion without losing the signature style. It’s more than just agbada and Instagram-worthy shots — this time, there’s real heat.
It deserves a spot on this list because it blends entertainment with actual stakes, proving that Nollywood action can look good and hit hard.
Watch Merry Men 3: Nemesis on Netflix.
8. Sugar Rush (2019)
Running time: 1h 59m
Director: Kayode Kasum
Genre: Action/Comedy
When three sisters — played by Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Bimbo Ademoye, and Bisola Aiyeola — stumble on $800,000 at a crime scene, their first instinct is to take the money and run. What follows is pure chaos: secret agents, crime lords, and supernatural twists all hunting down the infamous Sugar Sisters as they try to hold on to the cash and stay alive.
Sugar Rush earns its place on this list because it’s fast-paced, hilarious, and stylish, with the kind of fun you rarely see in Nigerian action films. It’s female-led, full of wild plot turns, and never takes itself too seriously, making it the perfect watch for anyone who loves their action served with laughs and drama.
7. 4th Republic (2019)
Running time: 1h 59m
Director: Ishaya Bako
Genre: Action/Political Thriller
What do you get when you mix Nigerian politics, murder, betrayal, and one woman’s refusal to be silenced? 4th Republic — a sharp, suspenseful political thriller that hits uncomfortably close to home.
Kate Henshaw stars as Mabel King, a gubernatorial candidate whose campaign is thrown into chaos after a rigged election and the brutal killing of her trusted aide. Instead of walking away, she teams up with a young investigator (Eyinna Nwigwe) to uncover the truth. But the deeper they dig, the more powerful and dangerous the enemies become.
4th Republic earns its place on this list for turning the Nigerian political system into a minefield of suspense. It’s action-packed, emotionally gripping, and one of the few Nollywood films to put a strong woman at the centre of a political war. It’s not just a movie — it’s a reminder of how high the stakes are when justice is on the ballot.
Watch 4th Republic on Netflix.
6. Amina (2021)
Running time: 1h 45m
Director: Izu Ojukwu
Genre: Action/Epic
Before Jagun Jagun and Lisabi, there was Amina — a true pioneer of Nollywood’s historical epics. Set in the 16th-century city-state of Zazzau (now Zaria), the film tells the legendary story of Queen Amina, a fearless Hausa warrior who defied tradition, led armies, and carved her name into history with a sword.
Amina wasn’t just a princess — she was the throne. And this film brings her legend to life with sweeping battle scenes, sharp political intrigue, and strong cultural detail.
Amina earns its place on this list for showing that action doesn’t always need guns and car chases — sometimes, it’s a woman on horseback with a blade and a kingdom to defend. A must-watch for lovers of strategy, strength, and stories rooted in African heritage.
5. Lisabi: The Uprising (2024)
Running time: 1h 47m
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan
Genre: Action/Epic
If you loved Jagun Jagun, you’ll want to add Lisabi: The Uprising to your list. This epic retells the legendary 18th-century Egba rebellion against the Oyo Empire, led by the fearless Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala, played by Lateef Adedimeji.
Lisabi starts as a humble farmer, but after witnessing the ruthless oppression of his people by Oyo’s tax collectors, he quietly organises a rebellion disguised as communal farming. What begins in secrecy explodes into a full-scale uprising that secures Egba independence.
This film earns its place on the list not just for its action-packed fight scenes, but for its rich historical storytelling and tribute to Yoruba resistance. Lisabi is proof that Nollywood epics are getting bolder, smarter, and prouder — and we’re here for it.
Watch Lisabi: The Uprising on Netflix.
4. Tokunbo (2024)
Running time: 1h 52m
Director: Ramsey Nouah
Genre: Action
If you’ve been craving a gritty, no-nonsense Nollywood crime thriller with real tension and stakes, Tokunbo is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Gideon Okeke gives one of his rawest performances yet as a reformed car smuggler dragged back into the criminal world he thought he’d left behind. But this time, it’s not about fast cars or glory — it’s about survival. With his family in danger and nowhere else to turn, Tokunbo takes on one final job, knowing it could be his last.
This film earns its spot on the list for delivering true street-level storytelling with style and substance. It’s dark, intense, and filled with characters who don’t fit neatly into good or bad. If you like your action dirty, desperate, and deeply personal, this is a must-watch.
3. King of Boys (2018)
Running time: 2h 49m
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Genre: Action/Thriller
King of Boys is more than a movie — it’s a political crime thriller, a cultural reset, and a loud warning to anyone who dares to underestimate a woman with nothing to lose. Sola Sobowale commands the screen as Eniola Salami, a powerful businesswoman with political ambition and ties to Lagos’s criminal underworld.
She wants a seat at the highest table in Nigerian politics, but the system isn’t ready for a woman who plays harder and dirtier than the men. As betrayals pile up and bodies fall, Eniola must decide how far she’s willing to go for power.
This film makes the list because it’s a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, with unforgettable dialogue, heavy suspense, and raw emotion. It’s about power — how to get it, how to keep it, and how it costs more than you ever expect. If you want brains, blood, and betrayal in one package, King of Boys delivers.
Watch King Of Boys on Netflix.
2. The Black Book (2023)
Running time: 2h 4m
Director: Editi Effiong
Genre: Action/Thriller
What happens when a quiet man of God is forced to dust off a bloody past? You get The Black Book — Nollywood’s answer to John Wick, but make it Nigerian, gritty, and painfully personal.
Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) stars as Paul Edima, a retired hitman turned pastor whose life shatters when corrupt police officers frame and kill his only son. With nothing left to lose, he trades the pulpit for a pistol and goes after everyone responsible — no prayers, just payback.
This is the first Nigerian Netflix original to go truly global, racking up over 70 million views and putting Nollywood action on the international map. The Black Book makes this list for its slick production, strong emotional core, and the rare balance it strikes between heart and heat. If you’re into vengeance arcs, brutal justice, and beautifully shot chaos, this is it.
Watch The Black Book on Netflix.
1. Jagun Jagun (2024)
Running time: 2h 13m
Directors: Tope Adebayo & Adebayo Tijani
Genre: Action/Epic
Jagun Jagun isn’t just a movie — it’s a full-blown cinematic war cry. This Yoruba-language epic follows Gbotija (Lateef Adedimeji), a young warrior with big dreams of glory, as he enters a brutal training camp ruled by the fearsome warlord Ogunjimi (Femi Adebayo). But this isn’t just about swords and scars — it’s about destiny, betrayal, tradition, and blood-soaked ambition.
The film blends action with Yoruba spirituality, magic, and politics, creating a world that feels ancient, intense, and mythic. The fight choreography is sharp, the performances are powerful, and the storytelling is packed with tension and heart.
Jagun Jagun takes the top spot because it pushes the boundaries of what an African epic can look like — visually stunning, culturally rich, and emotionally heavy. It’s a must-watch, and arguably Nollywood’s most ambitious action film to date.
