There are movies that are about Christmas (A Naija Christmas), and then there are movies that, even though they’re about other things — scammers, weddings and evil spirits— still accurately capture the joyful Christmas feeling. 

This list is perfect for those looking to try something different with the movies they watch this holiday season. 

Beyoncé vs Rihanna 

Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of an icon, Jesus Christ. So, it only makes sense to spend the holidays watching Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Nadia Buari bounce around in the crustiest wigs while playing two other icons: Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Beyoncé vs Rihanna‘s plot is unhinged, but you could at least play a drinking game and take a shot of tequila anytime Omotola or Nadia try to lip-sync or execute some weird ass dance move. 

Isoken 

If you plan on going on multiple dates or finding love during the holiday, watch Isoken ASAP. One of the best Nollywood romcoms of all time, Isoken is a feel-good classic about following your heart and waiting for the right person. And if, like Isoken (Dakore Egbuson), you’re looking to land a white man, December feels like the right time to step into the streets because IJGBs usually come back one or two of their colonise buddies. 

Lionheart 

Lionheart follows Adaeze (Genevieve Nnaji) on her quest to save her father’s company and prove to all the sexist mandem around her that she’s fit to be a leader. This is a wholesome family movie that could either trigger first daughters or make them feel seen while they navigate the stress of being second mothers this Christmas.

White Hunters

If you’re wondering why a film about women trapping white men is on a Christmas list, remember that it’s December, and IJGBs are back to throwing money like it’s nothing. Considering the fact that you earn in naira, you’d do well to snag one of them to fund your Detty December rocks, and White Hunters will teach you just how to do that. 

Please don’t say I didn’t do anything for you. 

Diamond Ring 2

In the sequel to Diamond Ring, Richard Mofe Damijo plays a father who’ll go to any length (including carrying a dead body) to save his thieving son, who’s haunted by a very angry Liz Benson in powdered ghost make-up.

While the film is scary AF, it truly captures the spirit of Christmas. After all, aren’t we celebrating the birth of the son God sent as a sacrifice to save his children? True fatherly love at its peak. 

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The Wedding Party 

Plenty of geles, food, fighting family members and Sola Sobowale shouting? The Wedding Party could very well be called The Christmas Party and no one would notice. Just close your eyes and imagine Banky W as Father Christmas. 

The Royal Hibiscus Hotel 

A chef leaves an annoying job and boss in the UK to try her hands at being a local champion chef at her dad’s hotel in Nigeria. Her plan sounds good until she realises her dad is selling the hotel to her mysterious love interest with a six-pack. Will she follow a hot man or fight for her family’s hotel? 

This lowkey sounds like the plot of every Netflix Christmas movie ever made. 

Kasala 

Ema Edosio’s Kasala follows three friends who borrow and crash a car on the way to a party in Lagos. The film is hilarious and honest in its depiction of friendship. But for real Lagos drivers navigating chaotic traffic this December, Kasala might feel more like a documentary and less like a fictional film. 

Day of Destiny 

If you want to watch other people have a little adventure while you drink wine and eat chin chin, add Day of Destiny to your to-watch list this Christmas. The time-travelling comedy features Denola Adepetun and Olumide Owuru as teenagers who take a trip to the past to change their destinies after deciding that SAPA is not for them.

There’s weird CGI, cringe-acting and a cliche ending. If this doesn’t sound like a Christmas classic, then I don’t know what to say. 

Sugar Rush 

Three sisters have to deal with and survive the daughter of a mob king, the EFCC, a sketchy ex, a bulletproof mob boss and an invisible Lamborghini in one film. Omo, Sugar Rush has a lot happening all at once, but outside all the initial gragra, the film is truly about family and coming through for the people you love —  even when hitmen are trying to unalive them. 

ALSO READ: 10 Relatable Things That Signal The Arrival Of Christmas

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