Introduction:
Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, continues to captivate audiences both domestically and internationally with its unique storytelling and cinematic flair. As we enter the year 2023, we present the top 12 Nollywood movies that have garnered significant attention and praise from viewers. From thrilling suspense to heartwarming tales of friendship and love, these movies have left an indelible mark on the industry. Let’s dive into the list and explore the ratings and directors of each film, along with a brief overview of their captivating storylines.
1. A Sunday Affair
Lifelong best friends Uche and Toyin fall for the same complicated man, which tests their loyalty to each other as they face a heartbreaking revelation.
Cast
Dakore Egbuson-Akande
Nse Ikpe-Etim
Oris Erhuero
Alexx Ekubo
Uzor Osimkpa
Hilda Dokubo
Chris Iheuwa
Eku Edewor
2. A Simple Lie
In this rom-com, a woman’s lie to her ex spirals out of control, exposing secrets within a group of friends who are cheating on — and with — each other.
Cast
Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori
Bisola Aiyeola
Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyi
Kachi Nnochiri
Blessing Obasi
Bolaji Ogunmola
3. Strangers
In a story based on real events, a boy deals with disease and despair in a remote Nigerian village — until an unexpected source of help changes his life.
Cast
Lateef Adedimeji
Bimbo Oshin
Bolaji Ogunmola
Chris Iheuwa
Nonso Odogwu
Debby Felix
Ndamo Damarise
Bimbo Akintola
Peter Fatomilola
Daniel Bogunmbe
Mide Glover
4. Here Love Lies
Preacher’s daughter turned single mother and travel blogger, Amanda finds more than romance when she takes a chance to meet a social media suitor in NYC.
Cast
Tope Oshin
Sam Dede
Tina Mba
Omowunmi Dada
Tim Shelburne
Angel Unigwe
5. The Wildflower
Three women silently endure abuse and assault from a lecherous boss, an abusive husband and a creepy neighbor until one of the women speaks out.
Cast
Deyemi Okanlawon
Damilare Kuku
Zubby Michael
Toyin Abraham
Nosa Rex
Eso Dike
Sandra Okunzuwa
Kiki Omeili
Etinosa Idemudia
6. King of Thieves
King of Thieves, a Nigerian thriller film produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Tope Adebayo, and Adebayo Tijani is a story of a famous town and prosperous kingdom of Ajeromi, things were going as good as they should be in the Ajeromi kingdom until Agesinkole, a powerful bandit and terrorist came to terrorize the peaceful and prosperous kingdom of Ajeromi.
The Ajeromi Kingdom, however, sought to destroy this Agesinkole bandit with just every power within them, including their h, witches, wizard, and every power they possess.
Cast
Femi Adebayo as Agesinkole
Odunlade Adekola as King of Ajeromi
Toyin Abraham as Queen of Ajeromi
Ibrahim Chatta
Lateef Adedimeji
Aisha Lawal
Broda Shaggi
Segun Arinze – Narrator
Mr. Macaroni
Dele Odule
Adebayo Salami
7. Before Valentine’s
While preparing for the most romantic day of the year, four hairdressers at a Lagos salon face wild dramas in their love lives and their families.
Before Valentine, a romantic love-story mainly revolves around an ensemble cast of characters, all experiencing the trials of love, all before the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day.
Cast
Shawn Faqua
Meg Otanwa
Uche Montana
Teddy A
Ngozi Nwosu
Elozonam Ogbolu
Baaj Adebule
Inem King
Venita Akpofure
Ben Touitou
Bolaji Ogunmola
Yvonne Jegede
Clinton Chekwube
8. Blood Sisters
Blood Sisters is a Nigerian thriller series produced by Netflix.
The crime thriller follows the story of two friends, Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie) and Kemi (Nancy Isime), who became fugitives after Sarah’s husband to be, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon), disappears mysteriously on their engagement day, the circumstances of his disappearance became a mystery to the public until he (Kola) was declared dead few days after when his body was found in a shallow grave.
This situation then made Sarah and Kemi wanted fugitives, as they had to leave town to escape for their lives.
As everyone tries to find Kola’s killer, more secrets about Kola, his siblings, mother and family feud became revealed.
Cast
Ini Dima-Okojie as Sarah Duru
Nancy Isime as Kemi Sanya
Deyemi Okanlawon as Kola Ademola
Gabriel Afolayan as Femi Ademola
Ramsey Noah as Uncle B
Kate Henshaw as Uduak Ademola
Kehinde Bankole as Yinka Ademola
Genoveva Umeh as Timeyin
Uche Jombo as Sarah’s mother
Wale Ojo as Inspector Joe
Tope Tedela as Dr Adeboye/The Good Doctor
Toke Makinwa as Abby
Segun Arinze as Tijano
Daniel Etim-Effiong as Akin Bassey
9. The Wait
The Wait is a Nigerian faith-based drama film directed by Yemi Morafa and Fiyin Gambo.
The film is based on God’s Waiting Room, a faith-based book written by prominent Nigerian lawyer Yewande Zaccheaus.
Cast
Nse Ikpe Etim
Ini Dima-Okojie
Deyemi Okanlawon
Jimmy Odukoya
Chimezie Imo
Joke Silva
Kate Henshaw
Meg Otanwa
Uche Chika Elumelu
Aisha Sanni-Shittu
Juliana Olayode
10. Far From Home
Far From Home is the first Netflix Nigerian young adult TV series.
‘Far From Home’ is the story of Ishaya, a charismatic teenager and talented artist from a poor family whose dreams are suddenly realized when he receives a prestigious scholarship to the country’s most exclusive school, catapulting him into the luxurious world of Nigeria’s elite.
Meanwhile, a tremendous secret threatens his newfound status and, ultimately, the safety of his family.
Cast
Mike Afolarin as Ishaya Bello
Elma Mbadiwe as Carmen Wilmer-Willoughby
Genoveva Umeh as Zina
Bolanle Ninalowo as Oga Rambo
Bucci Franklin as Government
Natse Jemide as Reggie
Richard Mofe-Damijo as Feyi Wilmer-Willoughby
Bimbo Akintola as Mabel Wilmer-Willoughby
Funke Akindele as Patricia Bello
Paul Adams as Ishaya Bello Snr
Olumide Oworu as Atlas
Adesua Etomi as Mrs. Irurhe
Tomi Ojo as Rahila
Linda Ejiofor as Mrs. Abubakar
Carol King as Principal Gemade
Gbubemi Ejeye as Adufe
Richard Tanksley as Mr. Boyle
Deyemi Okanlawon as Essien
11. Shanty Town
Shanty Town is a Nigerian crime thriller created by Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah and produced by Ini Edo and Chi Chi Nworah.
The six-part series was released to Netflix on 20 January 2023.
Shanty Town follows the story of a ruthless leader named Scar (played by Chidi Mokeme) who handles a lot of dirty business and is popularly regarded as the King of Shanty Town.
Some of the Lagos hustlers who Scar and his associates have held captive have now united and wage war against him after it was discovered that captives that Scar supposedly sets free are always missing from existence.
Cast
Chidi Mokeme as Scar
Ini Edo as Inem and Idong
Richard Mofe-Damijo as Chief Fernandez
Sola Sobowale as Mummy Tornado
Nse Ikpe-Etim as Ene
Zubby Michael as Colorado
Nancy Isime as Shalewa
Shaffy Bello as Dame Dabola
Mercy Eke as Jackie
Ali Nuhu as Accountant
Uche Jombo as Detective Janice
12. Dark October
Dark October is a Nigerian film executively produced by Linda Ikeji and released to Netflix on 3 February 2023.
The film is centered on the true life event of the lynching of four young students at the University of Port Harcourt, popularly known as Aluu Four lynching.
The four were falsely accused of theft in the Aluu area of Port Harcourt and they were all lynched.
The film aims to document the events that led to their killings and the aftermath of the event.
Cast
Chuks Joseph
Munachi Okpara
Kem-Ajieh Ikechukwu
Oriaku Kelechukwu James
Following its release to Netflix, the executive producer, Linda Ikeji had said that she hopes that the film will spark a conversation about the dangers of extrajudicial killings and the importance of ensuring justice for all.
