• Nollywood filmmakers have been releasing their projects on YouTube for a hot minute. Most of them are not that great, but every now and again, they receive divine inspiration and give us something we can actually watch. 

    “Sneaky link”

    The love of your life might be your sister’s boss crush that she’s enlisted your help to try and woo. X falls in love with her sister’s crush and starts sneaking around with him, but how long before their secrets come out and her sister finds out about her betrayal?

    “Unfaithfuls”

    The film follows two best friends in not-so-happy marriages as they try to find happiness and figure out what that means for their relationship with their partners.

    “Price of love”

    Obinna’s mother ignores his long-term relationship with Lala and decides to marry a wife for him. Instead of fighting for the love he shares with his girlfriend, he decides to break up with her and try to make it work with his new wife. Obviously, Lala isn’t very pleased by that and tries to fight for her man.

    “Fiancee for a day”

    I think it’s great when old and new Nollywood come together to maximize their joint slay. Why do Omoni Oboli and Eso Dike have chemistry?
    “Fiance for a Day” follows x and x as they deceive their family members and then somehow fall in love because God forbid exes fake kiss each other for a day without old feelings rekindling.

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    “Marriage of Inconvenience”

    Let it be said that nobody put a gun to Gerald and Jennifer’s heads and forced them to pretend to be married. They chose to get into this, then almost blocked our ears with complaints only to turn around and mark territory whenever other people expressed interest.

    “Unbridled”

    What do you do if you find out the love of your life has a life-threatening disease and he decides the only way to deal with it is by disappearing? You give up on love. But, sometimes, that doesn’t work because everyone starts disturbing you to give love a trial again. Bisola finds someone else who is not interested in finding love, and they get married, but life doesn’t care about anyone’s plans, and they fall in love just as her ex resurfaces.

    “Hello Pot”

    Someone decided to cast Timini and Uche Montana as love interests. Bad Boy T cosplays Ruger, and Uche Montana goes about threatening to break people’s heads. A lot happens in this weird-as-hell love story.

    “Selina”

    If you haven’t watched any movie from the  Selina franchise yet, congratulations, peer pressure has nothing on you. The franchise follows Selina and her boo, Reuben, as they fall in love, face scorned exes, ill-mannered family members, and try to make their relationship work.

    “Open Marriage”

    I love it when Nollywood movies have self-explanatory titles because, believe it or not, open marriage is actually about a marriage that gets opened. Remy cheats on his wife once, and she gives him a taste of his own medicine. Hazel finds herself a rich, handsome man who treats her like a princess and has Remy almost choking from jealousy.

    “In your Heart”

    Rema thinks he’s fallen in love with a neighbour and seeks his wife’s permission to pursue a relationship with her. His wife reluctantly agrees and gets caught in the web of her husband’s new relationship.

    “Imperfect Match”

    Bukky gets chased out of her cousin’s house and finds solace in the arms of a stranger. They clash at first, but after an unfortunate accident, they realize that opposites do attract and they might have feelings for each other.

    “The Photographer”

    Obviously, nobody’s ever told Tamara’s fiance that he’s a buffoon because if they did, he wouldn’t have spent the entire film acting like an idiot without home training. The photographer is about Tamara finding herself and escaping an abusive relationship.

    “Cloud 9”

    Eddy gets accused of sexual assault by his neighbour. He fights to clear his name while struggling to make sense of his new feelings for his housekeeper. 

    “It’s About Us”

    Seun and David hate each other and absolutely refuse to work together until they’re forced to. Now, they must find a way to let go of the past and build the future.

    “When Love Calls”

    This might be the most wholesome movie on this list. “In Your Heart” follows a widow struggling to fight her fears, tear down her walls, and let love in again.

    “Falling Again”

    Chike meets his long-lost love, Laura, and employs strange tactics to get her back. At first, Laura fights her heart and refuses to give him the time of day, but it doesn’t last long.

    RECOMMENDED: We Ranked Prime Video’s Most Recent Releases From “I’ll Watch This Again” to Time Waster

  • It’s halfway through 2024, and Nollywood has delivered some captivating titles that have kept us on the edge of our seats. In case you’re late to the party or missed the memo, here are some of the best Nigerian movies of 2024 that you need to add to your binge list.

    The Best Nigerian Movies of 2024 You Need To Watch

    Best Nollywood Action Movies

    Ajakaju

    If you enjoyed Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun and Odunlade Adekola’s Orisa, you’ll love actress Eniola Ajao’s big screen debut, Ajakaju.

    This Yoruba epic follows the story of a king whose reign is threatened due to his three queens’ struggle to give him an heir. When all three wives fall pregnant again, they all bear girls. In desperation, King Towobola marries a woman from a strange village who grants his desire, but not without consequences.

    Ajakuju stars Eniola Ajao, Odunlade Adekola, and Mercy Aigbe, among others. It’s available to stream on Prime Video.

    Lakataabu

    Actor Odunlade Adekola returns to the big screen with this Nollywood movie, Lakataabu. If you loved the actor’s 2023 film Orisa, you should definitely give this some screen time.

    Lakataabu explores themes of power, corruption, and enmity. The film follows the story of a powerful human who transforms into a fearless warrior, causing panic and chaos in communities. The movie stars Lateef Adedimeji, Ninolowo Bolanle, Femi Adebayo, Adunni Ade, and Bro Shaggi, among others.

    Best Nollywood Comedy Released in 2024

    Ajosepo

    Ace Nollywood director Kayode Kasum made his first cinema run of 2024 with this mixed-language family comedy.

    Ajosepo features a stellar ensemble and follows the lives of Dapo and Tani, a young couple preparing for their wedding with their families in a luxurious hotel. However, the festivities soon lead to a series of chaotic events.

    The movie stars Yemi Solade, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Bisola Aiyeola, and Timini Egbuson, among others.

    Muri & Ko

    If you’re a fan of Biodun Stephen movies, Muri & Ko should be on your binge list. This satirical comedy follows the story of Muri, a petty thief who steals and sells car parts. Muri soon steals a complete car, not realising the owner’s child is inside. His quest to sell the car while keeping the child safe leads to a series of comical misadventures that birth a friendship between the two.

    The movie stars Kunle Remi, Bisola Aiyeola, and KieKie. It’s still showing in cinemas across Nigeria.

    Best Nollywood Romcom Movies in 2024

    Meeting Funmi’s Parents

    Dinner at My Place director Kevin Apaa takes the director’s chair on this Nollywood romcom set in Nigeria and the United States.

    The movie follows the story of Funmi, who gets engaged to her American boyfriend and flies him to Nigeria to meet her parents. Her father, however, insists that he wants a cultured Yoruba man, not a foreigner. He does everything he can to break off their engagement.

    Meeting Funmi’s Parents stars Timini Egbuson, Omowunmi Dada, Roman Thomson, Akin Lewis, and Tina Mba, among others.

    Blacksmith” (Alagbede)

    Veteran Nollywood actress Jaiye Kuti makes her first big screen debut in this movie, which has been likened to Mainframe’s Oleku for its cinematography and costumes.

    Alagbede is the story of a poor blacksmith who falls in love with a woman from a humble background. His soon-to-be mother-in-law makes it clear she’d only support their union if he levels up, leading the blacksmith to resort to money rituals. Unfortunately, his newfound wealth comes with several complications.

    The movie stars Femi Adebayo, Kehinde Bankole, Gabriel Afolayan, and Jaiye Kuti, among others.

    All is Fair in Love

    Directed by Kayode Kasum, this title explores the delicate balance between love and friendship. The movie follows the story of two childhood friends and entrepreneurs, Demi and Kanla, who are trying to take their business international. They hire an executive consultant, Mbali, and soon get caught in a love triangle with her. However, Mbali isn’t who she claims to be; she’s part of a money laundering cartel with plans to lure them into making a costly mistake that would ruin their business.

    The movie stars Timini Egbuson, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Juliet Ibrahim, among others.

    Best Nollywood Thriller Movies in 2024

    Criminal

    This movie results from a programme launched by ace Nollywood director Niyi Akinmolayan to mentor upcoming filmmakers. The crime thriller follows the story of a criminal gang leader who holds a hospital hostage to get lifesaving treatment for his wounded brother. Upon hearing that the police have been contacted, the gang threatens to harm both patients and staff if they are not attended to.

    Criminal stars Uzor Arukwe, Funlola Aofiyebi, and Segun Arinze, among others.

    A Green Fever

    Directed by Taiwo Egunjobi, this historical drama follows the story of a man and his daughter taking shelter in a military officer’s residence under the guise of seeking help for her illness. Things take dark turns as the story unfolds when nobody is exactly who they claim to be.

    Temilolu Fosudo, William Benson, and Darasimi Nadi star in the movie.

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    Kill Boro

    With a dramatic title that leaves you wondering why Boro must be killed, this Courage Obayuwana-directed film will set you on the edge of your seat. It explores the complexities of family, survival, and the consequences of choices.

    The movie follows the harrowing story of Elijah, a young boy desperate to put an end to his father Boro’s relentless brutality against his mother. Driven by desperation, Elijah strikes a deal with a notorious gang leader to kill his father. Kill Boro stars Brutus Richard, Blessing Uzero, and Hilda Dokubo. It’s available to stream on Prime Video.

    Best Nollywood Horror Movies in 2024

    Casa De Novia

    The House of Secrets and Mikolo director, Niyi Akinmolayan, makes an even bigger comeback with Casa De Novia.

    The movie follows Yoyo, a young journalist in Lagos desperately searching for a new place to live. She soon finds an opulent, suspiciously affordable mansion in the upscale Ikoyi neighbourhood. After she moves in, Yoyo starts to experience strange occurrences powered by supernatural forces. She soon finds out that the mansion is haunted by the ghost of its previous occupant. Casa De Novia stars Lilian Esoro, Efe Irele, and Tope Tedela, among others. It’s available to stream on Prime Video.

    Dead of Night

    If you loved The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi, you should definitely give this Chiemeka Osuagwu-directed title a spin.

    Dead of Night unfolds in a quiet village as the robbery plan of three teenage girls takes a terrifying turn when they become trapped in an abandoned mansion with dark secrets. Haunted by mysterious forces, the girls must fight their way through a labyrinth of horror to escape the clutches of an evil entity determined to claim their souls.

    The movie stars Frank Donga, Chuks Joseph, and Eric Obinna, among others. It’s available to stream on Showmax.

    Enjoyed this piece about the best Nigerian movies of 2024? Read this next: 11 Badass Female Characters Nollywood Has Given Us

  • 7 Nollywood Romantic Movies to Watch If You Just Finished “Bridgerton”

    Whether you’re a new fan of Bridgerton who just binged all three seasons, or an old fan who is anxiously waiting for the second part of the third season to drop, we know some Nollywood romantic movies that might be the perfect placeholder.

    “Big Love”

    He might not be the Duke of Hastings, but our resident Nollywood bad boy, Timini Egbuson, has all the allure to keep you glued to your screens. He stars alongside Bimbo Ademoye in this Biodun Stephen-directed romcom.

    Adil (Timini) falls in love with Adina (Bimbo), an independent woman struggling to make ends meet at a graduate training camp, but a secret threatens to ruin their love. Shaffy Bello, Jaiye Kuti and Seyi Awolowo star in this film too.

    “Namaste Wahala”

    You know how the fashion in “Bridgerton” is so fire? This might be the closest Nollywood movie to that because it combines the richness of Indian and Nigerian cultures.

    Released in 2020, Namaste Wahala follows the budding romance between a Nigerian woman and an Indian man, leading to a charming and heartwarming tale of love, family and acceptance. It’s a delightful romantic comedy that celebrates love across cultural boundaries. Ini Dima-Okojie plays the lead with support from Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva, Osas Ighodaro, among others.

    “Hey You”

    Bridgerton had its fair share of slightly “rated 18” scenes, and if there’s one Nollywood movie that can reprise these steamy scenes, it has to be Hey You. This movie recruits Nollywood’s Timini Egbuson to play Abel, a 32-year-old software designer who is shy about meeting women. Abel will rather hide behind keypads as a fan-only user, watching red-room models and jerking off to their kinkiness. On the other side is Bianca, a caregiver at an orphanage who doubles as an adult model on the 18+ site, to which Abel is a subscriber. A friendship soon starts between the two, and things get hotter when Abel discover Bianca’s double life. Efe Irele and Stan Nze also star in this movie.

    It’s available to stream on Prime Video.

    “The Royal Hibiscus Hotel”

    If you’re a fan of the picturesque settings in Bridgerton, you’ll love The Royal Hibiscus Hotel as it’s one of those Nollywood romantic movies with a stunning location.

    Released in 2017, the Ebonylife production tells a charming love story as Ope, a talented London chef, navigates the challenges of reviving her parents’ struggling hotel. She soon encounters a guest who turns out to be her prince charming. Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Jide Kososo, among others, feature in this film.

    It’s available to stream on Netflix.

    “Isoken”

    If you can relate to the way Bridgerton puts pressure on characters to find the perfect partner and get married, you’ll understand why Isoken deserves a spot on this list.

    This 2017 movie follows the life of a woman who is under pressure to get married. When she meets Oshina, a handsome investment banker, she starts to question her ideas about love and marriage. It has all the tropes about self-discovery, family and finding love in unexpected places, just like BridgertonIsoken stars Dakore Egbuson and Joseph Benjamin, among others. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

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    “A Sunday Affair”

    It’s one of the Nollywood romantic movies that had lovers hooked during the Valentine’s Day period of 2023. Starring two of Nollywood’s most iconic actresses, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Dakore Akande, as best friends, the two fall in love with the same man, and it’s a downward spiral from there that makes for gripping TV. You’ll get the kick from this movie just like that Bridgerton season where the Sharma sisters fall for the Viscount Bridgerton. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

    “The Wedding Party”

    You can’t possibly talk about Nollywood romantic classics and miss out on Ebonylife’s The Wedding Party. If you’re desperately hoping some of the Bridgerton couples take their romantic relationship offscreen to the modern day, this is one movie that’ll tickle your fancy.

    Released in 2016, the romantic comedy which stars Adesua Etomi and Banky W unfolds against the backdrop of a lavish Nigerian wedding. Their love is threatened by cultural clashes that stem from the coming together of their different families. It also stars Sola Sobowale, Ali Baba, Ireti Doyle, among others. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

    Take this quiz: Which Bridgerton Couple Is Your Favourite?

  • So you just finished watching the Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti movie and are now curious about Nigerian historical figures? We curated a list of Nigerian biopics you should jump on next.

    “Badamasi: Portrait of A General”

    If Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti gave you a lesson in history, you might want to put a spin on this 2021 biopic about the former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

    The movie follows his life, how he rose through the ranks in the Nigerian Army despite his humble beginnings. It gives a glimpse into his time as a head of state, featuring the annulment of the June 1993 presidential elections. Enyinna Nwigwe played the titular character, with support from  Julius Agwu, Charles Inojie, Okey Bakassi, among others. You can stream it on Prime Video.

    “The Herbert Macaulay Affair”

    Directed by Imoh Umoren, this 2019 period film set in the 1920s follows the life of renowned Nigerian nationalist, Herbert Macaulay. Like with the Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti movie, you’ll learn about the political activist who played a vital role in the fight for Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule. William Benson plays the lead role of Macaulay, with Saidi Balogun and Kelechi Udegbe playing supporting roles.

    “Amina”

    Just like the Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti movie which is about a female historical figure, this 2021 period drama portrays the events that led to the warrior queen Amina of Zazzau (modern day Zaria)’s ascension to the throne of her father’s empire. Lucy Ameh played the titular character. The movie also stars Ali Nuhu, Clarion Chukwura, Usman Tijani, among others. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

    “Ayinla”

    If you grew up in a Yoruba home or have grandparents who love music, you’ll have heard a song or two from the Apala musician, Ayinla Omowura. In case you don’t know, there’s a movie biopic about the late musician made by legendary filmmaker, Tunde Kelani.

    Released in 2021, Ayinla follows the life of the famed Apala musician until his untimely death at the hands of his manager. Lateef Adedimeji plays the titular character with support from Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan and Mr Macaroni. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

    “Efunsetan Aniwura”

    Ever heard stories of the second Iyalode of Ibadan who was also one of the wealthiest women in the Oyo Empire of the 18th century? That woman is Efunsetan Aniwura, and this movie is about her exploits and struggles. Efunsetan became a menace after she lost her husband and only child. She forbade her slaves from getting pregnant or having children, and beheaded those who did.

    Directed by Funmi Holder, the 2020 Yoruba biopic stars Iyabo Ogunsola, Kareem Adepoju, Deji Aderemi, among others. It’s available to stream on YouTube.

    “93 Days”

    Before the COVID pandemic in 2020, there was the Ebola epidemic outbreak of 2014 that resulted in the loss of several lives. All of that was reenacted in the Nollywood movie, 93 Days, which sheds light on the sacrifices made by several health workers to contain the virus after the first Nigerian patient, Patrick Sawyer, was diagnosed.

    Directed by Steve Gukas, 93 Days (2016) focuses on the heroic acts of Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, a female physician who played a key role in curbing the spread of the disease. It stars Keppy Ekpeyong, Bimbo Akintola, Danny Glover, among others. It’s available to stream on Prime Video.

    “Invasion 1897”

    Released in 2014, this Lancelot Imasuen-directed period piece gives a glimpse into the February 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom by British forces under the command of Sir Harry Rawson. The movie also follows the story of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the 35th Oba of the ancient empire, and his dethronement. Invasion 1897 portrays how the famous Benin bronze statues were shipped off to European museums.

    Mike Omoregbee played the lead role as Ovonramwen, with support from Segun Arinze, Justus Esiri and Paul Obazele. You can stream it on YouTube.

    Read this next: The Latest Yoruba Movies You Should See in 2024

  • Since Tinubu baby hit the ground running 12 months ago, Nigerians have barely known a second of peace. From the fuel subsidy to the constant national grid collapses to the heat waves, we’ve been through it.

    We would give you a list of films that might make you feel better, but since we’re already on the path of premium shege and confusion, we’ll just give you  a list of Nollywood films that’ll leave you confused AF. You might even find yourself wondering, “who the fuck brought me to this Nigeria.”

    “Water and Garri “

    This one has really pretty cinematography and gorgeous talents,  but all of this is just to deceive you and lure you into the most confusing plotline you might see this month. 

    “Japa!”

    You’ll start “Japa!” a bit hopeful because all your faves are together. You’ll think you’re in for a cinematic masterpiece, but your bubble will be popped. You’ll be reminded of what your country is putting you through after you watch everyone go through senseless problems for the entire duration of the film.

    “Merry Men 3” 

    If we’re being honest, MerryMen 1 and 2 are in this boat as well. AY brought Ramsey Nouah and Jim Iyke to our screens and saw that people somewhat liked it, now he has refused to let us rest. You’ll get jokes, some bit of action, and a weird VFX scene in Merry Men 2 that might make you hate yourself for a hot minute.

    “The Kujus Again”

    You’ll have a good time watching this; some bits are actually funny. It will be  a 5/10 experience until the plot loses you along the way and you’ll have to piece it all together. Think of it like how Nigerians are enjoying good music and global recognition right now, even though the weather is a mess and there’s fuel scarcity spreading through the land.

    “The Men’s Club” Season 4

    Remember when they changed the actor playing Aminu and told us it was going to be okay? Was it really okay? Like that wasn’t enough, they decided to put our happy-go-lucky Louis and Lola through hell, which made us suffer. When you watch this season of TMC, you’ll feel like the writer and director have joined forces with your village people to show you pepper.

    “A Sunday Affair”

    Two best friends fall in love with the same man, and that’s fine. However, when you add cancer, the trifling man actively pursuing them both and a possible death on the horizon, you get chaos that’ll take your brain a very long time to process.

    “Skinny Girl in Transit” Season 7

    There’s nothing as chaotic and confusing as THE Mide Macaulay kissing another woman while his child is in the hospital. Congratulations to whoever wrote in that little piece of chaos and sent the entire country on a downward spiral. Thank you for reminding us what our leaders do every time they speak to us.

    “Postcards”

    If you want to watch RMD brood and pine over his long-lost love, then this is for you. Just make sure you’re ready to spend the next week contemplating if somoenone who truly loves themselves would willingly go through that. 

    Also, the characters act like they know what they’re doing and why they’re doing it, but if you look really closely, you’ll see that everyone is just running on vibes, and not even the good type.

  • In March 2024, film executive, Mo Abudu, announced a collaboration with Hollywood actor, Idris Elba, which would see him take the director’s chair on her short film project, Dust To Dream.

    What to Expect as Idris Elba, Mo Abudu Wrap up the Filming on “Dust to Dream”

    Weeks after the announcement, filming has wrapped on the project, and here’s what we know so far.

    The plot

    Dust To Dreams follows the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter, and how they navigate her first encounter with her father. The father, a long-lost soldier must confront new realities as he reunites with his family after a long time away from home. 

    The Cast

    Directed by Idris-Elba, the project features performances from some of Nollywood’s finest actors.

    Nse Nkpe Etim

    What to Expect as Idris Elba, Mo Abudu Wrap up the Filming on “Dust to Dream”

    She plays Milli, a Lagos nightclub owner.

    Seal

    The British-Nigerian musician plays a soldier.

    The biggest women-only festival in Lagos is BACK.
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    Eku Edewor

    What to Expect as Idris Elba, Mo Abudu Wrap up the Filming on “Dust to Dream”

    She plays Comfort, Milli’s (Nse Nkpe Etim) sister.

    Atlanta Bridget Johnson

    She plays Patience, Milli’s (Nse Nkpe Etim) sister.

    Constance Olatunde

    The former Nigerian Idol contestant plays Bisola, Milli’s (Nse Nkpe Etim) daughter.

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    Behind-the-scenes

    Some of the actors have shared BTS photos, giving fans a glimpse into their characters and what to expect when the film is released. The BTS stills also indicate the film was shot in parts of Lagos Island and the mainland.

    When and where will it be released?

    There’s no word about the project’s potential release date or if it will be available on a streaming platform. However, if it’s anything like Abudu’s previous short films, My Perfect Life and Iyawo Mi, it should enjoy cinema festival runs. 

    READ NEXT: I Watched The Movie, “Breath of Life” So You Don’t Have To

  • Imagine this: You’re watching Adesua Etomi and Wale Ojo confessing their love to each other, then they randomly burst into song and a choreographed dance routine. There’s nothing as fun and freeing as Nollywood musicals (yes, even when Nancy Isime is singing about finding her missing child), and we can prove it.

    From Oscar Heman-Ackah’s upcoming ‘Finding Messiah’ to ‘Sacred Tradition’ and Obara’m, Nollywood has always been in their musical bag.

    “Ayamma”

    Think ‘The Little Mermaid’  if the main character, Iko, is in no way a princess, and her voice wasn’t stolen. 

    The chief priest just cursed the land, and there’s a possibility of her dying if she so much as hums a tune. 

    The film gave love, drama, and a really annoying protagonist you’d want to fight with all your might.

    “Ayinla”

    You can’t really tell a story about the Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager without adding a little song and dance, can you?

    Well, you could try, but ‘Ayinla’ said God forbid. The musical infuses original music from Ayinla Omowura, exploring themes of betrayal, rivalry, and what happens when you steal your manager’s girlfriend with zero remorse.

    “Inale” 

    If there’s anything I’m sure of, it’s whoever came up with the phrase “Fight for love” didn’t mean it the way the people of Otukpo took it. 

    Odeh, the love of Inale’s life, fights other suitors to win her hand and loses (which just goes to show how unserious he is). The film follows the couple after this loss, as Inale is drowned by her sister and becomes a temporary mermaid.Her sister marries her betrothed – Prince Agaba, and Odeh deals with the guilt of his loss.

    “Sacred Tradition”

    An OG feminist, Ugomma hates the traditions and customs of her land and would rather walk barefoott on glass if it meant not following any of them. So obviously the writers make her fall in love with Dinta, a hunter, against the traditions of her village.

    “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”

    ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ themes include abuse, passion, faith, and love. The film follows Debby, a victim of spousal abuse, as she tries to hide the reality of her marriage to Moses, a choir leader and gospel singer.

    “Obara’m”

    You know the producers of a musical really mean business when they throw actual musicians, like The Cavemen in and let them do their thing.

    The Kayode Kasum-directed film tells Oluchi’s story as she confronts her past mistakes and reconnects with her daughter through their love for music.

    “Deadly Price”

    The film is a spin on the folktale about the princess who married an otherworldly being disguised as a human and followed him to the land of the spirits.

    ‘Deadly Price’ follows Akwaeke as she falls under Odum’s spell, marries and follows him to the land of the dead. Now Ogbuagu must rescue her and return her to the palace where she belongs.

    “Lara and the Beat”

    According to Trish from the movie, ‘Poverty isn’t interesting.’   But somehow, the Giwa sisters find a way to do just that in ‘Lara and the Beat’. Seyi Shay serenades us through the film as her character finds herself, falls in love, and sees her music career take off.

    “Nwaogo the housemaid”

    There aren’t many things that match up to watching someone pine over and yearn for the person they love. It’s even betterwhen the person doing the pining is the prince of Okwe kingdom, and the love of his life is Nwaogo, who doesn’t send him like that.

    We see Nwaogo sing about her tragic life in servitude, and then the prince comes into the equation. We definitely see him chase her around a tree and sing of his love for her multiple times. 

    “Hoodrush”

    Who needs P-Square when we can have the Jabarih brothers?

    Singing, dancing, two-timing, and a possible robbery —you name it — the Jabarih brothers will do it as long as it leads them to success.

    RECOMMENDED: Which of these Old Nollywood Soundtracks Do You Remember?

  • Nollywood has come a long way since travelling theatres in the 1940s and the VHS cassettes of the 1990s. From Nollywood’s Netflix debut to breaking into ₦1 billion naira in sales, here are all the times Nollywood shattered glass ceilings in the last few years.

    First Netflix original film and Oscar nomination

    After 28 years in front of the screen, Genevieve Nnaji made her directorial debut with Lionheart, a film about a first daughter looking to save her father’s company and prove her worth. Netflix acquired and released it in 2019. The same year, Lionheart became the first Nollywood movie to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Film category, until it was dropped because only ten minutes of it featured a foreign language (Igbo).

    First Netflix original series

    A remake of the 2003 Nollywood classic, Blood Sister, the mini-series made its way to Netflix as the first Nigerian original series on the platform. It hit the top 10 list in 30 countries and garnered a viewing of 11,070,000 hours and counting.

    First Nigerian feature film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 

    In January 2023, Mami Wata began its journey at the world’s biggest indie film festival, Sundance Film Festival. The black and white fantasy thriller, directed by CJ Obasi and produced by Oge Obasi, has gone on to win the 2023 National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award for Best Nigerian Film at AMAA and 2023 Best Feature Film at the Mashariki African Film Festival. It’s also received an Oscar 2024 nomination for Best International Film.

    First Nigerian Prime Video original

    A storyline that mirrored the average Nigerian’s reality, love, and fight scenes that had us jumping in glee, you name it, Gangs of Lagos had it. Nollywood’s debut Prime Video original was written and directed by Jade Osiberu, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike, Bimbo Ademoye and Tayo Faniran.

    Top five on global Netflix 

    Editi Effiong’s revenge thriller, The Black Book, was released in September 2023 and hit Number 3 on Netflix’s global charts before the end of the year, with more than 20 million views worldwide. The film, which follows a father seeking justice for his son, gained 5.6 million views just 48 hours after its release, breaking Netflix’s Top 10 list in more than 69 countries.

    Number 1 non-English film on Netflix 

    Directed by Moses Inwang, Blood Vessel follows six youths as they flee their towns as stowaways on a mysterious ship. The thriller is majorly in Ijaw and Niger-Delta pidgin, and it emerged number one on Netflix’s top 10 non-English titles chart, with over 8.8 million hours of viewing time and 4.4 million views.

    The most streamed African original in Nigeria 

    After a two-year break, Chidi Mokeme returned to our screens with Shanty Town in January 2023. The Netflix original series not only had us in a chokehold for months, but it also went on to become the most streamed African original in Nigeria and the second most streamed across Africa.

    The first film to gross ₦1 billion

    One thing Funke Akindele will do is make a box office blockbuster. With her films already gracing the top 3 spots at the Nigerian box office, her only competition is herself. 

    A Tribe Called Judah made its way to cinemas on December 15, and seven days later, it hit ₦400m at the box office. Three weeks after its premiere, the movie grossed ₦1 billion in sales, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve such success.