Behind its better known competitors in the U.S. and India, Nigeria has the world’s third-largest movie industry. Nigerian films, made under the banner of Nollywood, are ubiquitous across Africa and the industry is prolific, pumping out around 50 full-length movies per week.
Many outside of Africa have never had the chance to experience Nollywood’s charms. But now that streaming service Netflix has launched in Nigeria, the country’s cinematic offerings are becoming more widely available. Here’s a beginner’s guide to 10 Nollywood films you should make time for.
1. Fifty
Set in Nigeria’s most populous city of Lagos, this drama follows four 50-year-old women as they each encounter their own mid-life crises. The movie features music from Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend Fela, and promises to make you “see African women like never before.”
2. Diary of a Lagos Girl
This soon to be released romantic comedy Diary of a Lagos Girl features Bim (Dalopo Oni), whose impending role as a bridesmaid hastens her search for a partner. She doesn’t expect a lot: He just needs to be handsome, rich, funny and influential.
Her search leads her to Ife (Alex Ekubo), and together they learn about the true value of love.
3. 93 Days
Featuring U.S. star Danny Glover, of Lethal Weapon fame, this forthcoming medical drama about Nigeria’s first Ebola case has generated controversy even before its release. The movie focuses on Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the late doctor who correctly diagnosed the first case of Ebola in the country and helped prevent an outbreak before tragically succumbing to the disease herself. Adadevoh’s family disputed the film, claiming it was inaccurate, a charge rejected by the movie’s producers.
4. Couple of Days
For three married Nigerian couples, a romantic weekend getaway provides the perfect opportunity to revive the flames of passion dampened by familiarity. But then a host of problems–from erectile dysfunction to unfaithful partners–leaves them doubting their futures. Due for release in February, the cast is led by Lilian Esoro Franklin, one half of one of Nigeria’s glamorous celebrity couples. Lilian Esoro married Nigerian music mogul Ubi Franklin in January 2015 and the couple recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. Let’s hope they don’t go away for a couple of days…
5. ’76
Hype has been building for several years around this forthcoming historical fiction, which focuses on the 1976 coup during which Nigeria’s then-military ruler, Murtala Mohammed, was assassinated. The story is told from two perspectives: a soldier accused of involvement in the coup and his heavily pregnant wife who is left alone while her husband is interrogated. Starring award-winning Nigerian actor Ramsey Nouah, the film went through a seven-month-long approval period with the Nigerian military before production started.
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