Ngozi NwaubaniNollywood is always constantly hard at work to bring its best productions to the silver screen. They delivered great renditions, most of which were amazing performances. Going by this list, most of you will agree that these movies are fire.
Nigerian cinema has truly evolved into fine wine, it might be hard for you to swallow, but this one no be juju. I’m no prophetess, but I can tell Nollywood will soon be the home to the kings of cinema, get it? Below is the list of 10 blockbuster movies you should see if you haven’t. Enjoy!
10. Fine Wine
Initial release: 12 February 2021
Director: Seyi Babatope
Starring: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Zainab Balogun, Nse Ikpe-Etim
Written by: Temitope Akinbode; Diche Enunwa
Produced by: Neville Sajere; Patrick Uzoh
In fine wine, a wealthy, lonely man in his fifties falls for a much younger woman and has to confront the social stigma around age-gap romances.
The movie stars Richard Mofe Damijo and Oge Nwosu. Ademola Adedoyin, Belinda Effah, Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey, and Tina Mba.
It’s cliche but doesn’t teach anything new or different. It doesn’t show us anything we hadn’t seen before, and the conflict is as predictable as it is mild. But it still works. The movie is really likeable and has some positive reviews.
9. Swallow
Initial release: 1 October 2021
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Based on: Swallow (novel by Seffi Atta)
Production companies: Netflix, Netflix Studios
Distributor: Netflix
Languages: English, Yoruba
Swallow depicts an exciting picture of Nigeria in the 1980s. Based on Sefi Atta’s 2008 book of the same name, Swallow tells a story of two women, Tolani (Niyola) and Rose (Ijeoma Grace-Agu), united by their struggle to survive in a patriarchal society.
For this Netflix original, director Kunle Afolayan enlisted Deyemi Okanlawon, Eniola Badmus and Kelvin Ikeduba to bring the adaptation to life.
8. Juju Stories
Initial release: 2021
Directors: Michael Omonua, C. J. Obasi, Abba Makama
Produced by: Oge Obasi
Juju Stories is a 3-part feature film exploring supernatural themes based on urban legends in Nigerian superstition and folklore. Written and directed by C.J. Obasi, Abba Makama and Michael Omonua, the film features three stories: “Love Potion”, “YAM”, and “Suffer The Witch”.
Juju Stories is all about juju but set in contemporary Lagos, seen through three stories. In Love Potion, an unmarried woman agrees to use juju (charm) to find a perfect partner.
In Yam, a street urchin picks up money from the roadside and has to face the music of his actions.
In Suffer the Witch, love and friendship turn into an obsession when a young college woman attracts her crush’s interest.
The feature film won the Boccalino d’Oro award for best film and was nominated for other notable international awards.
7. La Femme Anjola
Release date: 19 March 2021 (Nigeria)
Director: Mildred Okwo
Cast: Rita Dominic, Nonso Bassey, Joke Silva Femi Jacobs, Aderounmu Adejumoke
This movie is a psychological thriller about a young stockbroker whose life is thrown into chaos when he falls for a femme fatale married to a wealthy gangster. The film stars a lot of A-list actors.
The film also garnered four nominations from African Movie Academy Awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Nigerian Film, and Best Sound.
5. The Therapist
Release date: 26 March 2021 (Nigeria)
Director: Kayode Kasum
Starring: Toyin Abraham; Rita Dominic; Michelle Dede
Produced by: Onome Odometa; Esse Odometa
The movie centers on the story of a woman who must make drastic decisions before her marriage leaves her in a messy divorce.
It stars Rita Dominic in a lead role alongside Mokeme, Michelle Dede, Toyin Abraham, Shaffy Bello, Tope Tedela, Anthony Monjaro and Anee Icha.
4. Ponzi
Initial release: 12 March 2021
Director: Kayode Kasum
Produced by: Vincent Okonkwo
Production companies: VSL Media; Film Trybe
Ponzi is a comedy that follows the story of residents of a close who take on an amateur heist after falling prey to a Ponzi Scheme.
The feature was produced by Vincent Okonkwo and distributed by Filmone. It stars Zubby Michael, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Timini Egbuson, Jide Kosoko, Chinyere Winifred, Broda Shaggi, Tope Tedela, among others. It’s currently at N31,309,150 in the box office.
3. Breaded Life
Release date: 16 April 2021
Director: Biodun Stephen
Starring: MC Lively; Bisola Aiyeola; Timini Egbuson; Bimbo Ademoye; Bolanle Ninalowo; Adedimeji Lateef; Tina Mba
Produced by: Biodun Stephen; Tara Ajibulu; Sowade
Breaded Life follows the story of a rich spoilt brat (Timini Egbuson) who wakes up one day to find that he is unknown to everyone but Toluwade (Bimbo Ademoye), a bread seller.
In typical fashion, Sunmisola has to work his way up back to riches, and this sets the tone for the entire movie.
The movie was impressive, climbing the ranks with N32,702,150 in its second week of release.
2. Prophetess
Release date: 2 April 2021
Written by: Niyi Akinmolayan, Victoria Akujobi
Produced by: Victoria Akujobi, Mimi Bartels, Matilda Sola
Starring: Toyin Abraham, Kehinde Bankole, Stan Nze, Uzor Arukwe
The comedy starring Toyin Abraham took a top spot for comedy movies for 2021. It was the number 16 highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria with a whooping sum of N108,416,600.
The movie received positive reviews since its opening.
It centres on a fake local prophetess who makes bold predictions about the outcome of a local club football match that goes beyond her control. The film was predominantly shot in Ibadan, Layole village in Oyo State.
1. King of Boys 2; The Return of the King
First episode date: 27 August 2021
Director: Kemi Adetiba
Starring: Sola Sobowale, Toni Tones, Reminisce, Illbliss, Akin Lewis, Osas Ighodaro and Keppy Ekpenyong
It’s technically not a full movie, but we just have to put it here. King of Boys; The Return of the King was released as a sequel to the King of Boys 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film.
The second part was made into a limited series. It was critically acclaimed as one of the biggest hits of 2021 and was released exclusively on Netflix.
Sola Sobowale and Toni Tones reprised their roles as older and younger versions of Eniola Salami, respectively, with Reminisce, Illbliss, Akin Lewis, Osas Ighodaro and Keppy Ekpenyong also reprising their roles.
New cast members include Nse IkpeEtim, Richard Mofe Damijo, Efa Iwara, Deyemi Okanlawon and Charlie Boy.
Afeez Azeez
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