By Rejoice AnodoSince the advent of Nigerian-made films on streaming platforms, after Lionheart made its debut with $1.8 million for streaming rights, they have witnessed a considerable spike in coverage, gaining massive views from different countries, despite language and cultural barriers.
Most of these movies and their respective character lists have been nominated for several awards, while raking in millions in revenue from topping the charts for weeks. As opposed to Old Nollywood where movies had to rely on physical cassettes, cinema viewings and limited screen time on specific local television stations, Netflix presents a life-changing opportunity.
These are a list of most most-watched movies and series of Nollywood origin, trending on Netflix at the moment.
- The Black Book
This is a crime thriller written and produced by Editi Efiong. It is the story of a Deacon, Richard Mofe-Damijo, whose son is wrongfully accused of kidnapping and murdered. He goes on to seek revenge, in the company of a dogged reporter, after the country’s justice system fails him. Accompanied by a dogged reporter, his findings take him into the heart of a deadly crime syndicate.
The Black Book is an engaging thriller spanning the themes of familial love, revenge, fighting the system, and getting justice.
Release date: 22nd September, 2023
Runtime: 2h 4m
Maturity Rating: 16+
Cast: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Shaffy Bello, Ade Laoye, Kelechi Udegbe, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo Omiagbo.
- Jagun Jagun
Set in the warring periods during colonial times in Yoruba land, Jagun Jagun which means The Warrior, is a film that follows the trajectory of a young man who set out to be an elite warrior in another kingdom. His heritage and mystic skills catch the eye of a fierce warrior, gaining him friends, enemies and hard choices.
Femi Adebayo’s production is stunning with epic visual details and excellent cinematography.
Release date: 10th August, 2023
Runtime: 2h 14m
Maturity Rating: 18+
Cast: Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Odunlade Adekola, İbrahim Yekini Itele, Bukunmi Oluwashina, Adebayo Salami, Fathia Balogun, Muyiwa Ademola, Yinka Quadri, Debo Adeboye.
- RattleSnake – The Ahanna Story
A modern remake of RattleSnake, RattleSnake- The Ahanna story is a Nigerian action thriller produced by Charles Okpalaeke, and directed by Ramsey Nouah. It is the story of Ahanna who assembles a group of young, bodily fit individuals with specialised skills who carry out intricate, multiple heists to create fast wealth.
These heists go on as planned until Ahanna’s activities begin to gain the attention of powerful enemies.
Release date: 13th November 2020
Runtime: 2h 15m
Maturity Rating: 16+
Cast: Stan Nze, Osas Ighodaro, Bucci Franklin, Odera Adimorah, Efa Iwara, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Elma Mbadiwe, Norbert Young, Brutus Richard, Chinyere Wilfred, Sonny McDon, Chiwetalu Agu.
- Anikulapo
Based on Yoruba myths and legends, Anikulapo, the one who conquers death, is the story of a young man, Saro. His sojourn in the great Oyo Kingdom links him with characters who play a vital role in his life. Soon after, he is blessed by forces beyond his control to restore the dead. His path takes a dark turn when he betrays the love of the woman who risks everything for him, ending his swift and glorious ascent to being invincible.
Anikulapo is one of Kunle Afolayan’s outstanding creations based on Yoruba culture and folklore.
Release date: 30th September, 2022
Runtime: 2h 22m
Maturity Rating: 18+
Cast: Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sola Sobowale, Taiwo Hassan.
- Blood Sisters
Mo Abud’s production is based on the tale of two best friends bound by friendship and a dark secret. They are soon declared wanted by the police after a wealthy groom disappears during his wedding, which they are part of, one of them as the bride-to-be, the other as the bridesmaid.
Blood Sisters is the first original Nigerian thriller series to air on Netflix.
Release date, first episode: 5th May, 2022
Runtime: Four episodes
Maturity Rating: 16+
Cast: Ini Dima-Okojie, Nancy Isime, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Ramsey Nouah, Deyemi Okanlawon, Genoveva Umeh, Gabriel Afolayan, Kehinde Bankole, Uche Jombo, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Daniel Etim Effiong, Ibrahim Suleiman, Maurice Sam, Wale Ojo, Segun Arinze.
- Shanty Town
In this limited series crime thriller, a group of young women attempt to escape the grip of a drug lord in charge of a slum in Lagos where they survive as courtesans. Their plot coincides with an undercover operation by law enforcement agencies to infiltrate and subdue the town. Their goal is almost impossible, deterred by blood ties and higher political forces.
Release date: 20th January, 2023
Runtime: Six episodes
Maturity Rating: 18+
Cast: Ini Edo, Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Zubby Micheal, Shaffy Bello, Nancy Isime, Uche Jombo, Mercy Eke, Ali Nuhu, Peter Okoye, Lilian Afegbai, Toyin Ibrahim, Regina Daniels.
- Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman
Based on a true story set in Oyo Town in the 1940s, a king’s horseman must lay down his life for his master, the ruler, to serve him as a faithful servant in the afterlife.
Things are set in motion to go according to plan, but some distractions derail them, and tragedy strikes.
Release date: 28th October, 2022.
Runtime: 1h 36m
Maturity Rating: 18+
Cast: Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Deyemi Okanlawon, Mark Elderkin, Jenny Stead, Omowunmi Dada, Jide Kosoko, Kevin Ushi, Langley Kirkwood, Olawale ‘Brymo’ Olofooro.
- Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
A young man’s quest to make wealth by all means drowns him in occult activities, fueled by the actions of his mysterious mentor and boss. Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is a sequel to the original film, Living in Bondage (1998). It is a supernatural thriller shot by Charles Okpalaeke, who aims to display societal vices while retaining the humanness of the cast.
Release date: 2019
Runtime: 2h 29m
Maturity Rating: 16+
Cast: Swanky JKA, Kenneth Okonkwo, Ramsey Nouah, Enyinna Nwigwe, Nancy Isime, Shawn Faqua, Munachi Abii, Zulu Adigwe.
- Far From Home
Far From Home is Nigeria’s first young adult series to debut on Netflix. Ishaya Bello, a zealous artist from an average home in Lagos, is awarded a scholarship that gets him into a luxurious private school for the extremely rich. While he has plans, he has thrilling experiences and a love interest that soon derails him from his original intentions.
Release date first episode: 16th December, 2022
Runtime: Five episodes
Maturity Rating: 16+
Cast: Funke Akindele-Bello, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mike Afolarin, Elma Mbadiwe, Gbubemi Ejeye, Olumide Oworu, Moshood Fattah, Tomi Ojo, Genoveva Umeh, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Ruby P. Okezie, Raymond Umenze, Natse Jemide, Bucci Franklin, Bolanle Ninalowo.
- King of Boys: The Return of the King
Kemi Adetiba’s sequel to the original King of Boys (2018), shows the return of Eniola Salami, returning from her self-exile abroad to reclaim her alleged rightful position in state politics as the next governor of Lagos State. This political crime drama, a seven-part limited series, carries tropes attached to the original film: regret, revenge, ruthlessness, and anger.
Kemi Adetiba’s production is suspenseful, leaving viewers guessing until the very last minute.
Release date: 27th August, 2021
Runtime: Seven Episodes
Maturity Rating: 18+
Cast: Sola Sobowale, Toni Tones, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Efa Iwara, Titi Kuti, Tobechukwu “iLLbliss” Ejiofor, Remilekun “Reminiscence” Safaru, Charles “Charly Boy”, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Akin Lewis, Lord Frank, Osas Ighodaro, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Paul Sambo.
