This article is part of Had I Known, Zikoko’s theme for September 2025, where we explore Nigerian stories of regret and the lessons learnt. Read more Had I Known stories here.
A lot has been said globally about the slow death of the cinema, but some films really just hit different on the big screen. More than just watching a story, it’s the sound shaking through the hall, the HD visuals pulling you in, and the shared reactions of a packed audience that make for an experience that’s hard to replicate at home.
That’s why missing a Nollywood cinema run can sting. By the time you finally catch the movie on a streaming platform or, worse, hear your friends gushing about the experience, you’re left wondering what it would have felt like to sit in that dark hall, lights down, surrounded by Nigerians gleefully reacting to every twist and turn.
As part of our Had I Known theme for the month of September, we asked 10 Nigerians which Nollywood movies they regret not experiencing in the cinema.
1. Ajosepo (2024)
Director: Kayode Kasum
Running time: 2h 14m
Genre: Romance, Comedy
This film follows a couple, Dapo and Tani, who are preparing for their wedding. On their wedding eve, things take an interesting turn when Dapo’s father is caught in a scandalous affair with Tani’s aunt. In a bid to save the wedding and their families from scandal, Dapo and his estranged brother Jide (Timini Egbuson) must navigate misadventures, unravel family secrets and hidden hypocrisies.
“The trailer looked so good and hilarious, and since I’m a big fan of comedy, I was excited. A lot of my faves, like Bisola Aiyeola, Tomike, and Mike Afolarin, were in it too. Unfortunately, I wasn’t near a cinema at the time, so I missed it. I’ve been waiting over a year for it to hit streaming platforms… cries in deep sadness.” — Fifi
The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.
2. Ayinla (2021)
Director: Tunde Kelani
Running time: 1h 59m
Genre: Drama
Ayinla is a passionate retelling of the life and tragic fall of Apala legend Ayinla Omowura (Lateef Adedimeji). Set in 1970s Abeokuta, the film follows the magnetic yet self-destructive musician whose rising fame, tangled love affairs, and hostilities with his manager (Mr Macaroni) culminate in an unexpected ending.
With Lateef Adedimeji delivering a stellar performance as Ayinla and Kelani recreating the era through music and costumes, Ayinla feels less like a biopic and more like a cultural homage, celebrating Yoruba culture while reminding us how talent often dances too close to drama.
“I completely missed the hype when it first came out, only to discover later that it was actually a brilliant film. Even though it told the story of a tragic end, the way it was executed made me wish I had experienced it with the emotions of a cinema audience.” — Beloved
3. Ori: The Rebirth (2025)
Director: Tope Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Adebayo Tijani
Running time: 1h 59m
Genre: Drama
Ori: The Rebirth revives one of Nollywood’s most iconic spiritual dramas, serving as a sequel to Muyiwa Ademola’s 2004 classic Ori. Where the original became a pacesetter for metaphysical storytelling, this new chapter deepens the exploration of fate, sacrifice, and the cosmic balance of good and evil.
The story follows Bisade, whose tragic death at the hands of a secret cult sparks a confrontation between the earthly and the divine. Ademola returns, this time joined by an all-star cast — Toyin Abraham, Bimbo Akintola, Sola Sobowale, Omowunmi Dada, Ifayemi Elebuibon, Dele Odule, Joke Muyiwa — who all deliver. With its sweeping visuals and weighty spiritual symbolism, the film proves that Nollywood’s mythology-driven epics can also be box-office powerhouses, grossing over ₦419 million.
“I’m not much of a cinema person, and since it was only showing there, I missed it. I feel like this movie could have been the one to finally break my cinema-phobia, but I missed it. ” — Sandra
The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.
4. A Tribe Called Judah (2024)
Director: Funke Akindele
Running time: 2h 14m
Genre: Comedy
A Tribe Called Judah, another blockbuster from Funke Akindele, tells the story of a heist woven through the everyday struggles of a Nigerian family. Akindele directs and stars as Jedidah, a single mother with five sons played by Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde, and Olumide Oworu whose lives collide when illness and poverty push them toward desperate choices. What could have been a straightforward crime story instead becomes a layered portrait of resilience and the weight of family bonds.
“I don’t trust when Nigerians hype things, and since my friends didn’t push me to watch it either, I just let it pass. Looking back, I definitely regret not trusting the hype back then.” — Khalee
Watch A Tribe Called Judah on Prime Video.
ALSO READ: 40 Best Bollywood Movies to Watch, Ranked By Nigerian Fans
5. Red Circle (2025)
Director: Akay Mason
Running time: 1h 59m
Genre: Drama
Red Circle follows Fikayo Holloway, a journalist from a wealthy Lagos family whose curiosity pulls her into a conspiracy far bigger than she could imagine Played by Folu Storms, Fikayo becomes the audience’s way into a story that blurs the line between seeking and encountering danger. The film surrounds her with a stellar ensemble that includes Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, and Bukky Wright.
At its core, the movie is less about crime than it is about power — how it’s hoarded, abused, and challenged in a society where influence feels untouchable. Akay Mason keeps the tension palpable while drawing the audience into Lagos’ social realities. The result is a sleek thriller that not only entertains but probes the costs of ambition.
“I genuinely wanted to see it, but I just didn’t have the time and the nearest cinema was too far. Missing it still stings.” — Chi
6. Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)
Director: Funke Akindele, Akinlabi Ishola, Collins Okoh
Running time: 2h 15m
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Drama seems to follow Jenifa (Funke Akindele) wherever she goes, and in this sequel, even her good intentions can’t shield her from trouble. Funke Akindele leans fully into Jenifa’s mix of charm and clumsiness, as a bag of misplaced drugs pulls her from Lagos to Ghana in a whirlwind of danger.
Falz’s Shege brings his easy humor, while Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, and Jackie Appiah add depth to the story with their unique acting style. Beneath the laughter is a showcase of how envy and betrayal can creep in when success finally arrives. The film may revel in slapstick comedy, but its heart beats with the joy of community.
“I didn’t get the chance to see it in cinemas, but now that it’s finally on Prime Video, I’m glad I’ll get to watch it soon.” — Jojo Gera
Watch Everybody Loves Jenifa on Prime Video.
7. Gangs of Lagos (2023)
Director: Jade Osiberu
Running time: 2h 4m
Genre: Crime, Thriller
A young man’s childhood grief becomes the spark that ignites Lagos’s underworld in Gangs of Lagos. Tobi Bakre embodies Obalola with fierceness, while Adesua Etomi as Gift and Chike as Ify pull the story together. A stolen bag and a sensational act of bravery pulls Obalola into the orbit of Nino, a rising gang leader digging himself into the city’s violent roots.
The film tracks Obalola’s transformation from a grieving boy into a feared crime lord. Jade Osiberu showcases her sharp eye for detail, weaving visceral action with a humanising lens that challenges viewers to see past labels of “gangster.”
“When Gangs of Lagos came out, I just didn’t have the time. To be honest, I’m also a bit lazy about watching movies… lol. Hopefully one day I’ll finally sit down to watch it.” — Daisy
Watch Gangs of Lagos on Prime Video.
8. King of Boys (2018)
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Running time: 2h 49m
Genre: Crime, Thriller
In King of Boys, Alhaja Eniola Salami (Sola Sobowale) is a formidable businesswoman and philanthropist with a shadowy past and a burgeoning political future. As her ambitions soar, she finds herself ensnared in a perilous power struggle that threatens everything she holds dear.
Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the film explores loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of ambition. The ensemble cast includes Adesua Etomi as Kemi Salami, Toni Tones as Young Eniola, Reminisce as Makanaki, and Illbliss as Odogwu Malay. King of Boys offers a gripping narrative that keeps audiences on edge and glued to the screen.
“That’s the kind of movie you should really enjoy for the first time with other people, not alone. I regret missing out on that shared viewing experience.” — Tams
Watch King Of Boys on Netflix.
9. Queen Lateefah (2024)
Director: Adeoluwa Owu
Running time: 2h
Genre: Crime, Thriller
In Queen Lateefah, Lateefah Adeleke (Wumi Toriola) rules her world with confidence and a wardrobe of carefully curated lies until her persona is challenged by Jide Rhodes (Kunle Remi), a dashing businessman who’s intrigued by more than just her façade. The film is centred around one key question: would she choose love or money?
The film’s star studded supporting cast, including Femi Adebayo, Nancy Isime, Lateef Adedimeji andBroda Shaggi, bring balance to the film. While the central story feels like every other con artist story, the movie avoids those clichés. Ultimately, it delivers an entertaining experience that finely mixes drama, comedy and romance.
“The trailers looked really good, but somehow I still haven’t gotten around to watching it. I kind of wish I’d just gone to the cinema back then.” -Adebola
The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.
10. Farmer’s Bride (2024)
Director: Jack’enneth Opukeme, Adebayo Tijani
Running time: 1h 52m
Genre: Drama
Set in 1980s Ibadan, Farmer’s Bride carries echoes of Charlotte Mew’s 1912 poem, where a young bride is trapped in a loveless marriage and yearns for freedom. In Jackenneth Opukeme’s film, that same dynamic plays out in 1980s Ibadan, as Funmi (Gbubemi Ejeye) is forced into marriage with Odun (Femi Branch), a wealthy but lonely farmer. Like Mew’s bride, Funmi resists the life imposed on her, and her restlessness finds dangerous release in an affair with Odun’s nephew, played by Tobi Bakre
What begins as a period romance unravels into betrayal, as duty collides with desire and tradition with personal freedom. Director Jackenneth Opukeme captures the cultural richness of Yoruba life while building a story that feels both intimate and unsettling. The result is a gripping drama about love and the costs of defying expectations.
“The trailer and little clips looked really good, but at this point I don’t think they’ll ever release it on streaming platforms. That makes missing out on it even more painful.” — Dee
The movie is currently not available on any streaming platforms.
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