There are two types of people in this world, normal people who enjoy thrillers and others who, frankly, cannot be trusted. If you fall in the first category of people, Nollywood has plenty to offer on that front. In this post, we’ve combined a list of the best Nollywood crime thrillers that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
1. The Black Book (2024)
Running time: 2h 4m
Director: Editi Effiong
In many ways, The Black Book is Nigeria’s version of John Wick. It follows a deacon (Richard Mofe-Damijo) with a dark military past who goes on a rampage to clear his son’s name after his son is framed and killed by corrupt policemen.
Watch The Black Book on Netflix.
2. Gangs of Lagos (2023)
Running time: 2h 4m
Director: Jade Osiberu
Set in the bustling streets of Isale Eko, Lagos, this film follows a group of childhood friends: Obalola (Tobi Bakre), Ify (Chike) and Gift (Adesua Etomi) as they navigate life and the treacherous waters of gang life and political puppeteering.
Watch Gangs of Lagos on Prime Video.
3. Son of The Soil (2025)
Running time: 1h 56m
Director: Chee Keong Chung
Zion Ladejo (Razaaq Adoti), a former soldier who has spent most of his life in the US, returns to Nigeria after the death of his sister, Ronke (Sharon Rotimi), a hotel staff member who mistakenly witnessed a murder. In a bid to discover those responsible for his sister’s death, Zion finds himself returning to a past he thought he had left behind.
Watch Son of The Soil on Netflix.
4. Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story (2020)
Running time: 2h 15m
Director: Ramsey Noah
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. This leads to him creating a criminal gang called the Armadas, pulling off a series of successful heists.
Watch Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story on Netflix
5. Tokunbo (2024)
Running time: 1h 44m
Director: Ramsey Noah
Tokunbo follows a repentant car smuggler (Gideon Okeke) trying to leave the world of crime behind, only to be pulled back in when he unknowingly finds himself entangled in a deadly kidnapping mission.
6. Brotherhood (2022)
Running time: 2h 4m
Director: Loukman Ali
Twin brothers Akin (Tobi Bakre) and Wale Adetula (Falz) witnessed their parents’ murder as young boys. Years later, they find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Wale is part of the police while Akin, after his most recent prison release, joins a notorious gang, Ojuju boys.
Watch Brotherhood on Amazon Prime Video.
7. Shanty Town (2023)
Running time: 50m
Director: Dimeji Ajibola
Shanty Town follows a group of sex workers who live in the titular Shanty Town under the control of Scar (Chidi Mokeme), a ruthless gang leader.
8. The Herd (2025)
Running time: 2h 4m
Director: Daniel Etim Effiong
What starts as a traffic jam turns into a nightmare when Gosi (Daniel Etim Effiong) alongside his newly married friends are captured by kidnappers, disguised as herders.
9. State of Emergency (2004)
Running time: 3h 22m
Director: Teco Benson
State of Emergency follows the crisis created by Omega 12, an intelligence team turned rogue. The story begins with the brutal murder of the children of high ranking politicians, all on the same day. An FBI Officer (Saint Obi) suspects that these killings are linked to a covert military squad he once belonged to, known as Omega 12 and is set to uncover the truth.
Watch State of Emergency on YouTube.
10. October 1 (2014)
Running time: 2h 25m
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s independence in 1960, October 1 follows a police detective (Kunle Remi) as he tries to uncover the truth behind a series of killings in a remote village.
