A Netflix subscription is cool but have you tried finding movies to stream then just quitting the whole thing midway? Let’s plug you to the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix that are sure to keep you glued throughout the viewing duration.
Anikulapo
The Netflix original, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan, premiered September 30, 2022. 11 days after its release, it went to top of the Netflix weekly global chart as the most viewed non-English Netflix original movie after garnering 8,730,000 views in less than two weeks. Anikulapo follows an overzealous traveller, Saro (Kunle Remi), who takes advantage of the power he got from a mystical bird. It stars Bimbo Ademoye, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Sola Sobowale.
Omo Ghetto: The Saga
Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga was initially released to cinemas in December 2020. But the gangster comedy finally arrived on Netflix on September 10, 2021 and became one of the most viewed Nollywood title on the streaming platform at the time. Omo Ghetto is about twin sisters who were displaced at birth. It raked in a total of ₦636m at the Nigerian box office and featured Eniola Badmus, Chioma Akpotha, Zubby Michael and Deyemi Okanlawon.
Jagun Jagun
Following King of Thieves (2022)’s hugely successful theatrical run, Femi Adebayo sent his 2023 offering, Jagun Jagun, straight to Netflix. The Yoruba epic raked in 2.1 million viewing hours after one week of release and is currently the most-watched Nollywood title on Netflix. Jagun Jagun tells the story of a young man who joins an elite army in his bid to become a powerful warrior and win a woman’s heart.
A Naija Christmas
Kunle Afolayan’s A Naija Christmas holds the record of the first Nigerian Christmas film to debut on Netflix. The title which stars late veteran, Rachel Oniga, premiered on December 16, 2021. A Naija Christmas is about an aging mother who is distraught because her sons have refused to get married and give her grandchildren. It stars Kunle Remi, Efa Iwara and Linda Osifo.
King of Boys
Kemi Adetiba’s feature film, King of Boys, was released to cinemas in October 2018. But the political thriller didn’t land on Netflix until September 20, 2019. King of Boys follows Alhaja Eniola Salami (played by Sola Sobowale) in her tussle for power in a world where men call the shots. It raked in over ₦231 million at the box office and was one of the most-watched Nollywood titles when it landed on Netflix.
Citation
Content creator and billionaire daughter, Temi Otedola, made her acting debut in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation, which was released exclusively on Netflix on November 6, 2020. She played a young graduate student, Moremi, who takes on a university professor, Lucien N’Dyare (Jimmy Jean-Louis), who tried to sexually abuse her. Joke Silva, Sadiq Daba and Gabriel Afolayan star in the film.
Chief Daddy
EbonyLife’s Chief Daddy is no doubt one of the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix, especially if you’re looking to have a good laugh. The star-studded film was released to the cinemas in December 2018 but arrived on Netflix on March 15, 2019. Chief Daddy revolves around family and what plays out after a wealthy patriarch suddenly passes away. Some cast members include Shaffy Bello, Rachel Oniga, Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, among others.
October 1
Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 should be on your radar if you’re looking for a Nollywood title that gives a brief account of Nigerian history. It was released on October 1, 2014, to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration at the time, and debuted on Netflix in March 2015. The Nollywood thriller stars Sadiq Daba, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kehinde Bankole and Kayode Olaiya.
Sugar Rush
Directed by Kayode Kasum, Sugar Rush follows the story of three sisters who stumble upon a large sum of money and find themselves in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy. The comedy-action was released to Nigerian cinemas in December 2019. It premiered on the streaming platform in July 2020. Bisola Aiyeola, Adesua Etomi and Bimbo Ademoye played the three sisters.
Isoken
If you’re big on love and mushy feelings, then Jade Osiberu’s Isoken is one of the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix. It deserves your time and data. The romantic drama was initially released in June 2017 before finding its way to Netflix in December 2019. Isoken is about a 34-year-old spinster whose singledom worries her family members. Some of the cast members include Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba and Funke Akindele.
Oloture
Directed by Kenneth Gyang, Oloture explores the dark world of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Nigeria. The Nollywood title was released for cinema viewing in October 2019 and arrived on Netflix in October 2020. With Sharon Ooja playing the lead, it tells the story of a young investigative journalist named Ehi, who goes undercover as a prostitute to expose a human trafficking syndicate.
Lionheart
Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut skipped a theatrical run after it was acquired by Netflix in September 2018. The drama premiered in January 2019 to rave reviews from viewers across the world. Lionheart follows Adaeze (Genevieve Nnaji) as she takes charge of her father’s failing company despite barriers from a sexist society. Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Nkem Owoh starred in the movie.
The Bling Lagosians
Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, The Bling Lagosians hit the Nigerian cinemas in 2019 and premiered on Netflix on October 11 of the same year. The comedy is about the Holloway family, who realise they’re broke but still try to keep up appearances as one of the wealthiest families in the city of Lagos. Cast members include Elvina Ibru, Denola Grey and Sharon Ooja.
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is the remake of the 1992 Nollywood classic. Directed by Ramsey Nouah, it was released to Nigerian cinemas in November 2019 and debuted on Netflix in May 2020. It follows the life of an ambitious young man who gets involved with the occult in his bid to become wealthy. Jide Kene Achufusi, Enyinna Nwigwe and Shawn Faqua are featured in the film.
Elesin Oba
Ebonylife’s Elesin Oba is an adaptation of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s 1975 play, Death and the King’s Horseman. The Yoruba language film premiered exclusively on Netflix on September 10, 2020. In it, the titular character had to commit ritual suicide to aid the late king’s passage to the afterlife. Shaffy Bello, Deyemi Okanlanwon and Jide Kosoko feature.
