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  • There are Nollywood movies that make you laugh till your stomach hurts, and those that make you scream at the screen in pure frustration. But there are also the ones that break you open, sit heavy on your chest, drag tears out of your eyes, leaving you thinking about life long after the credits roll. Because sometimes, a good cry is exactly just what we need.

    Nollywood has never shied away from the raw stuff: death, heartbreak, betrayal, sacrifice and the unshakable bonds of family. And when our filmmakers lean into those emotions, they tap into something relatable.

    Here are the 10 best Nollywood movies to watch when you need a good cry.

    10. Tears for Nancy (2005)

    Running time: 2h 23m

    Director: Ebere Onwu

    Genre: Drama

    Nancy (Ini Edo), an only child, is caught in a painful stir of family conflict: her parents’ ill-fated marriage, born of a union between a much older man and a younger woman, crumbles under strain. When she finds herself pregnant, her situation gets even more complicated as the father of her child and her father don’t see eye to eye. 

    If you’re looking for a go-to Nollywood sob story with its intense emotional scenes, Tears for Nancy taps directly into themes of abandonment, innocence and the unintended consequences of adult conflict.

    Watch Tears for Nancy on YouTube.

    9. Stigma (2013)

    Running time: 1h 37m

    Director: Dagogo Daminas

    Genre: Drama

    Set in a rural community, Ibiso (Hilda Dokubo), a traditional midwife, and her daughter Vanessa (Jackie Appiah) contract HIV through their caregiving work. When the harsh truth emerges, their world unravels. Ibiso dies alone, ostracised by neighbours and family, while Vanessa faces betrayal from her lover.

    At her lowest, Vanessa considers ending her life, but finds hope instead, thanks to steadfast allies. What makes Stigma a movie that truly moves the viewer is its unapologetic portrayal of societal cruelty, self-pity, personal grief and the strength of the human spirit.

    Stigma isn’t currently streaming anywhere but watch this excerpt on YouTube.

    8. Weeping Soul (2009)

    Running time: 2h 21m

    Director: Okey Zubelu Okoh

    Genre: Drama

    Grace (Mercy Johnson) loses her mother unexpectedly. This tragic event derails her education because her uncle misappropriates her late mother’s savings and pressures her toward early marriage. With no financial support to continue school, she reluctantly agrees to go to Lagos with a family friend who promises shelter and education under her sister’s care.

    But once in Lagos, the hope she clung to is shaky, and things begin to fall apart, leaving her and the audience wondering just how long her dreams will endure. It’s a familiar Nollywood tale about grief, betrayal, and survival, but what makes it devastating to watch is Mercy Johnson’s performance.

    Watch Weeping Soul on YouTube.

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    7. Ayomi (2015)

    Running time: 2h 29m

    Director: Muhideen Oladapo

    Genre: Romance

    The movie follows the story of Rantimi (Bukunmi Oluwashina), a visually impaired young woman, who has loved her childhood friend (Gabriel Afolayan) all her life. When he leaves to further his studies, her world collapses into grief and longing, forcing her to navigate heartbreak with only memories to hold onto.

    But just as she surrenders to despair, life hands her a fragile thread of hope that changes everything. The film navigates the pain of unspoken love, separation, and the blind trust of holding onto hope.

    Watch Ayomi on YouTube.

    6. Mothering Sunday (2001)

    Running time: 1h 33m

    Director: Chika Onu

    Genre: Family Drama

    Ejike abandons his mother (Chinwe Owoh), leaving her to grapple with the crushing reality of rejection after a lifetime of sacrifice. What begins as a story of devotion soon unravels into heartbreak, as her love and resilience are tested by the pain of being forgotten by the child she gave everything to.

    A deeply emotional family drama, Mothering Sunday reflects the devastating reality of unreciprocated love, anchored by Owoh’s raw performance that makes viewers feel every ache of abandonment and every ounce of a mother’s unyielding love.

    Watch Mothering Sunday on YouTube.

    READ NEXT: Nollywood Movies Based On True Stories

    5. A Cry For Help (2002)

    Running time: 1h 59m

    Director: Andy Amenechi

    Genre: Drama

    Blessing (Nkiru Sylvanus) begins her journey in mourning, draped in black at her parents’ graveside as a haunting Igbo hymn fills the air. Sent from her aunt’s village home to live with her troubled uncle in the city, her search for stability only leads to further heartbreak.

    Abused and betrayed at every turn, Blessing is falsely accused of theft, unjustly dismissed for rejecting advances, and pressured into a life of prostitution she bravely resists. Her suffering builds into a portrait of innocence caught in a relentless cycle of cruelty and survival.

    A Cry for Help is unforgettable for its raw portrayal of injustice and resilience, with Sylvanus embodying the quiet strength of a young woman determined to hold on to her dignity against all odds.

    Watch A Cry for Help on YouTube.

    4. Tears In Heaven (2001)

    Running time: 1h 51m

    Director: Zeb Ejiro

    Genre: Drama

    After the sudden death of their parents, four siblings are thrust into survival mode. Taken in by their uncle, they quickly fall under the cruelty of his wife, who makes their lives unbearable. Their only escape and means of survival is their shared gift—singing.

    At the heart of their struggle is Mena, the eldest sister, who becomes both caretaker and breadwinner. While shielding her siblings from hardship, she hides her own devastating battle with blood cancer.

    Tears in Heaven resonates for the way it layers grief, sacrifice, and resilience into one story. The siblings’ suffering, Mena’s selfless devotion, and the bittersweet reliance on music create an emotional journey that lingers long after the credits roll.

    Watch Tears In Heaven on YouTube.

    3. 07:07 (2018)

    Running time: 2h 2m

    Director: Titi Jeje

    Genre: Drama, Romance

    07:07 follows Lillian (Bimpe Oyebade Adedimeji), a married woman whose life shatters just after a moment of celebration. One piece of devastating news turns her joy into despair, as a dangerous diagnosis threatens not only her health but also her dreams and stability.

    With moving performances by Bimpe Oyebade and Lateef Adedimeji, the film transforms hope into fragility and everyday normalcy into grief. Watching Lillian confront her new reality is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can turn, leaving viewers with a lump in their throat.

    Watch 07:07 on YouTube.

    2. My Love (2002)

    Running time: 2h

    Director: Fred Amata

    Genre: Drama, Romance

    My Love tells the story of Onwe (Chiege Alisigwe) and Paul (Ramsey Nouah), two young lovers caught in the crossfire of family pride and social class differences. Their parents’ disapproval threatens to tear them apart, yet they remain determined to fight for their relationship against all odds.

    Though the premise may seem familiar, the film’s execution is where its strength lies—balancing romance, suspense, and raw emotion in a way that keeps viewers engaged and unexpectedly teary-eyed. It captures the universal pain of love stifled by family and society.

    My Love is currently not streaming anywhere, but watch the trailer on Dailymotion.

    1. Conspiracy Part 1 & 2 (1999)

    Running time: 2h 36m

    Director: Ndubuisi Okoh

    Genre: Drama

    At the heart of Conspiracy is Grace (Onyeka Onwenu), a woman wrongly accused of infidelity by her husband’s family. To prove her innocence, she’s forced to swear an oath before a village shrine. But the chief priest, secretly part of the plot against her, uses the ritual to drive her insane—unaware she is pregnant.

    Roaming the streets for years in madness, Grace gives birth to twins who are taken in and raised by a childless couple. The children grow into successful businessmen and a medical doctor, and eventually set out to cure their mother’s insanity and uncover the conspiracy that ruined her life.

    The movie is a haunting portrait of injustice and betrayal. Watching Grace lose her sanity, her dignity, and her family evokes deep pity and sorrow, cementing the film as one of Nollywood’s most unforgettable tragedies.

    Watch Conspiracy Part 1 and 2 on YouTube.

    ALSO READ: The 10 Best Nollywood Movies That Capture The Essence of Lagos

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  • Is your man really in love with you if he doesn’t burst into tears as you walk down the aisle? The answer is no, obviously. So here are 11 things you can do to make your groom cry on your wedding day. 

    Find people to beat him 

    If he can’t cry on his own, he clearly deserves beating. Get one or two guys to “pay him a visit” the night before the wedding. And then make sure they’re invited to the wedding, so whenever he looks round the hall and sees them, he’s reminded of the terror. 

    Leave him at the altar

    Wait until they ask you if you take him as your lawfully wedded husband, then sprint out of the venue. While he’s devastated, thinking of what went wrong, he’ll start tearing up. Make sure you hide somewhere close sha, and the moment you see him crying, you can start walking back down the aisle. Just tell him you had to pee or something.

    Cheat on him the day before 

    You could do it the day before or even earlier. Find his best man and hook up with him. If your husband loves you, he’ll forgive you. Because what’s love without a bit of forgiveness? 

    Put aboniki in his handkerchief

    You’d need to work with his best man for this one. Just add a lirru bit of aboniki to his handkerchief and plan with the event centre to turn off the air conditioner 20 minutes before you come in. He’ll have no other option but to wipe his face, no? 

    Tell him you’re pregnant 

    Whether he’ll cry tears of joy or anguish and sorrow entirely depends on him. Your own is that he must cry. 

    Invite all his side chicks 

    Get a room and invite all his exes, sneakily links, side pieces and work wives. He’ll start crying when he sees them because he’s reminded of all the fun memories he had as a single man. 

    Call him the wrong name 

    For more effect, call him the name of one of your exes — or even his best man. You won’t even need to tell him to start crying.

    Marry someone else

    The aim is for you to make your man cry on “your” wedding day. Nobody says he has to be the one you’re getting married to. 

    Slap him while he reads his vows 

    The violent take it by force. So, trust us, it works. 

    Wear his club jersey

    If there’s anything we know, it’s that men are in a toxic relationship with their football clubs. No matter how often they complain that the club is trying to end their lives, they stay loyal. So ditch your white wedding dress and just go in their club jersey. They’ll either cry because they think it’s a sweet gesture or because it’s giving them PTSD from all their betting slips that cut, FPL formations that got ruined and all the banter the club made them suffer. 

    Beg him

    Before you finish trying all these things, call your partner aside and beg them not to disgrace you. Even if it’s one small tear, they should cry it and put your haters to shame.

    FOLLOW IT UP: How to Make a Man Cry in Bed  

  • If these things make you cry, you’re definitely a crybaby. Take the quiz to find out:

    Select all that apply to you:

  • Are you a bit of a crybaby or are you the biggest crybaby ever?

    Let’s find out:

  • This is for all those who burst into tears because dodo has finished at the buka. Or because you forgot your charger at home. We are here to tell you that you are not mad and you are not alone.

    You were one of those children who’ll start crying and rolling on the floor once you see cane.

    They’ve not even told you that they want to beat you yet.

    At least once a week something will make you go to your office toilet to cry.

    If it’s not because your boss vexed you it’s because you read something sad on Twitter

    This is you watching a movie like Maami or The Notebook.

    When someone didn’t die in your house.

    If your eyeliner and mascara isn’t waterproof then you can’t wear it out.

    When you tried it this was you by the end of the day.

    When you get upset at someone you can’t even explain well why you are upset because you are too busy crying.

    Someone can’t even say something serious without getting disgraced.

    When someone tells you that they haven’t cried in years.

    Can’t relate because you cried that morning.

    When you are crying and people keep telling you to stop crying as if you can put it off like tap.

    It’s like you people think I just enjoy crying.

    You are constantly explaining to people that it’s not as if you are overly sensitive you just can’t control your tear ducts.

    It’s really not your fault.

    When you are out with friends in public and something trivial is about to make you cry but you don’t want to disgrace them.

    You’ve disgraced them too many times in the past.

    Nobody can tell the difference between when you get good news and when you get bad news because you’ll cry either way.

    Just got promoted? cry. Just lost your job? cry.

    When someone makes the mistake of thinking you are weak just because you cry a lot.

    Bitch you thought. Hold my tissue.

    You know the kinds of songs and movies that make you cry, but will you avoid them? No

    Are you not doing yourself?

    If you see someone crying you too, you’ll start crying.

    Someone you don’t know from anywhere o.

    This is you trying to have an argument with someone without bursting into tears.

    Must. Not. Cry. Today

    You are forever lying about the real reason you are crying to people who don’t know you.

    How will you explain that you are crying because you misplaced your earphones.

    When you think that you can’t possibly cry anymore tears in a day but you were wrong.

    It’s enough now.

    You’ve discovered coded ways to cry without anyone finding out.

    Why are you wearing sunglasses inside? It’s because I have apollo, I’m not crying.

    When something happens and all your friends look at you waiting for you to cry.

    And those tears will come.

    At least your constantly leaking eyes has sha helped you get out of wahala with police before.

    Police: Sister where is your licence

    You: Starts crying

    Police: Abeg just be going

  • 1. When you wake up in the morning and you’ve overslept your alarm

    2. When you get to work late and your boss starts shouting at you.

    3. When you forget your wallet at home.

    4. When you and your other half are fighting and they start saying really mean things.

    5. When your parents say “I’m disappointed in you”.

    6. When LASTMA, VIO or police people stop your car and start harassing you.

    7. When you check your bank balance after a long weekend of irresponsibility.

    8. When you and your best friend are watching a sad movie.

    9. You, reading this post:

  • Zimbabweans on Twitter are using #Howtheyrobbedus to tell sad stories of how the government of President Robert Mugabe has failed the people.

    1. When world class hospitals become dumping grounds.

    2. Hospitals that are under-staffed and ill-equipped.

    3. When we are forced to flee our homes.

    4. And we don’t see our loved ones for years.

    https://twitter.com/NzouSuwani/status/788068096800067589

    5. We are forced to go to places where we are not welcome.

    https://twitter.com/NzouSuwani/status/788168438674055168

    6. We go to places where they hate us.

    7. Places where our loved ones die alone.

    8. We come home with foreign degrees, still, there are no jobs.

    https://twitter.com/TinoNyandoro/status/788140768171069440

    9. A government that steals our dreams.

    https://twitter.com/missyemu/status/788284202009686016

    10. A government that silences us.

    11. And steals our hard-earned money.

    https://twitter.com/cslicc/status/787956123492028416

    12. A government that makes us lose our sense of self.

    https://twitter.com/Only_OneHeather/status/788055695740510208

    13. A rotten system where nothing works.

    https://twitter.com/Cde_Huruva/status/788298034086117376

    14. Even being a graduate means nothing.

    15. Yet, government officials continue to enrich their pockets.

    https://twitter.com/NorthPrinc3/status/788283504115257344