Recently, we’ve observed an increase in Nollywood movies on Netflix.
However, the movie streaming giant has had a complete relationship with the Nigerian film industry for several years.
The Existence of Netflix
Netflix has existed for a long time, and while it is arguably the best network for streaming movies and TV shows, it has experienced challenges.
Netflix was founded in August 1997 and is exclusively a movie rental service. Users can request movies from your website and receive DVDs when they are released.
Netflix has now become one of the world’s leading online entertainment platforms. Today, Netflix has over 151 million paying subscribers in over 190 countries.
History of Netflix in Nigeria
Popular 2014 Nollywood producer and director Kunle Afolayan licensed his film on Netflix on October 1. Likewise, Netflix has purchased a license for a Biy Bandele film titled “Fifty.”
However, 2018 was a turning point for Nollywood films on Netflix, as Lionheart, a film by veteran actress and producer Geneviève Nnaji, became Nigeria’s first original Netflix film.
Soon, in 2019, many Nollywood films, especially those that performed well at the box office, were licensed to Netflix.
Netflix Nigeria launched in February 2020. This romance between Nollywood and Netflix is growing stronger as they have not only created a Twitter account specifically for Nigerian content (@NetflixNaija) but are constantly buying and downloading movies on their platform. The Netflix Nigeria original series is currently under construction.
The tweet read, “N is for Najia. N is for Nollywood. N is the fourteenth alphabet. 14 is also the amount of top talent you watch. N is for Netflix. But most important … hello Nigeria!
Since then, Netflix has made over 40 Nollywood movies, from blockbusters like King of Boys, Chief Daddy, and Isoken to less popular films like Kasala. and Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo).
As the number of Nigerian movies on Netflix grows, picking the best one to watch might be challenging.
Best Nigerian movies on Netflix
We’ve picked out the top 20+ Nollywood movies on Netflix that are currently streaming to help you.
Some of these movies have earned the highest money in Nollywood.
1. Elevator Baby (2019)
Starring Timini Egbuson, Toyin Abraham, Shaffy Bello, Yemi Solade, Emem Ufot, and Broda Shaggi, Elevator Baby is a 2019 Nollywood drama film directed by Akay Mason and produced by Niyi Akinmolayan of Anthill Studios.
The film is about Dare (played by Timini Egbuson), a wealthy and spoiled young man who finds himself somehow stuck with a less privileged pregnant woman who later struggles.
The film opened in Nigeria’s theatres on Friday, October 11, 2019, and has since received two accolades at the recently concluded Magic Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2020. It premiered on Netflix on June 19, 2020.
2. Your Excellency (2019)
From the directorial debut of veteran Nigerian actress Funka Akindele, Your Excellency’s comedy has been directed at a politician and businessman. Boss Olalekan Ajadi (played by Akin Lewis) is appearing at the presidency.
The film stars, among others, Funke Akindele, Alex Ekubo, Shaffy Bello, Osas Ighodaro, Eku Edewor, Toni Tones, Deyemi Okanlawon, Folarin Falana (Falz) and Beverly Osu. It hit theatres on December 13, 2019, after which it premiered on Netflix on July 10, 2020.
3. Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019)
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free, also known as Living in Bondage 2, is a Nigerian supernatural film directed by Ramsey Nouah and is a sequel to the 1992 Nollywood classic Living in Bondage.
The film stars Kanayo O. Kanayo, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kenneth Okonkwo, Muna Abii, and Swanky JKA.
The film received 11 AMVCA 2020 nominations and won seven awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best West African Film, and more.
It premiered in theatres on November 8, 2019, and aired on Netflix in May 2020.
4. Nimbe: The Movie (2019)
The Nimbe movie is a 2019 Nollywood film directed by Tope Alake that focuses on drug addiction.
The film stars Chimezie Imo, Toyin Abraham, Odunlade Adekola, Rachel Okonkwo, and Doyin Abiola, among other actors.
The film opened in Nigerian cinemas on March 29, 2019, and since then, one of the most successful Nigerian films has been released 2019.
The film was also nominated for the UK Nollywood Film Festival 2019 award, and Netflix’s debut started on July 24, 2020.
5. Sugar Rush (2019)
What would you do first if you found $800 million? Well, that’s what the movie Sugar Rush is about three sisters who find $800 million and have a hard time deciding whether to raise money.
Sugar Rush is a 2019 film written by Jadesola Osiberu and Bunmi Ajakaiye and directed by Kayode Kasum.
It features artists such as Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Bisola Aiyeola, Bimbo Ademoye, Toke Makinwa, Banky W, Omoni Oboli, William Uchemba, Tobi Bakre, Jide Kosoko, and Mawuli Gavor.
The film premiered at Christmas 2019 and is the fourth highest-grossing Nigerian film ever. It was then released on Netflix on July 3, 2020.
6. Kasanova (2019)
Looking for a Nigerian rom-com movie? Then you have to see Kasanova.
Acting artists such as Wale Ojo, Ireta Doyle, Abayomi Alvin, and Ruby Akubueze, Kasanova’s film was directed by Oluseyi Asurf and produced by Eddy Young and Faith Ojo stars as executive producer.
The film portrays the love story of a young man, a young woman, and their parents, as the young man’s single father falls in love with the young woman’s mother.
The film was first released in theatres on September 13, 2019, then debuted on Netflix on June 26, 2020.
7. Merry Men 2: Another Mission (2019)
After the 2018 blockbuster, Ayo Makun and his gang didn’t finish the job as they designed another mission. This follows the events of the movie Happy Men: Real Yoruba Demons in 2018.
The story tells how Happy Men will deal with a mistake from their past even after deciding to live a life free from crime.
The film recalled Ramsey Nouah, Ayo Makun, Williams Uchemba, Ireti Doyle, Folarin Falana (Falz), Jim Iyke, Damilola Adegbite, and others. He also played Ufuom McDermott in the lead role.
The film debuted in theatres on December 20, 2019, and premiered on Netflix on June 5, 2020.
8. The Millions (2019)
Starring Ramsey Nouah, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Toyin Abraham, Nancy Isime, Ayo Makun, and others, The Millions would be among the most costly films ever made in Nigeria, with a budget of 62 million.
The film is about how friends plan a robbery to move a stack of $42 million a politician keeps in an apartment.
The film premiered in Nigerian theatres on August 30, 2019, and on Netflix on July 17, 2020.
9. Black Rose (2018)
Written by Elizabeth Emoh and directed by Okechukwu Oku, Black Rose is a Nigerian drama about Rose, a young woman with good virtues.
However, she had doubts about her character when she fell in love with a man named Desmond.
The film stars artists like Blossom Chukwujekwu, J.K.A Swanky, Echelon Mbadiwe, and Betty Bellor.
On August 30, 2019, the film hit theatres and debuted on Netflix on August 21, 2020.
10. Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)
Hotel Royal Hibiscus is a 2017 Nigerian romantic comedy film directed by Ishaya Bako and produced by production house Ebonylife.
The movie debuted at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8, 2017, and then hit Nigerian theatres on February 10, 2018.
The story tells the story of a disappointed London chef who travels to Nigeria to fight his matchmaker mother and rebuild a dilapidated family hotel.
However, her heart breaks when she discovers the man she loves buys her.
The 90-minute Nollywood movie stars Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Jide Kosoko, Rachel Oniga, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Toni Tones, Ina Dima Okojie, Joke Silva, and several other main actors.
However, the film debuted on Netflix on June 22, 2020.
11. Hire a Woman (2019)
Hire a Woman is another Nollywood romantic comedy film currently available on Netflix. It was produced and directed by Eze de Chinney and Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi.
He has performed, among others, with artists such as Model Arukwe, Nancy Isime, Bellinda Effah, Alexx Ekubo, Ifu Enadda, Mike Godson, and Eric Nlewedim of Big Brother Nai.
The film is one of the best in the Hire a Man movie, released in 2017 and achieved worldwide box office success with € 820.8 million. It was released and became the highest-grossing film in Nigeria in March 2019.
Later, the film was released decently on Netflix on June 24, 2020.
12. Love is War (2019)
Omoni Oboli did a great job directing this comedy-drama film written by The Wedding Party 2 screenwriter Chinaza Onuzo. It stars Oboli, Richard Mofe Damijo, Toke Makinwa, Bimbo Manuel, Shaffy Bello, Femi Branch, and Yemi Blaq.
The film, which results from a collaboration between Dioni Visions and Inkblot Productions Omoni Oboli, is his second film after Moms of War 2018. It portrays the story of a couple competing for the governor’s office.
The film first premiered in Nigerian theatres on September 27, 2019, but debuted on Netflix on April 29, 2020.
13. Lost Okoroshi (2019)
Directed and written by Abba Makama, The Lost Okoroshi is a Nollywood adventure drama that tells a security guard who awakens and transforms into a mute, purple spirit.
The film stars Judith Audu, Seun Ajayi, Tope Tedela, Ifu Ennada, and Demi Banwo. It first premiered in Nigerian theatres on September 6, 2019, and then debuted on Netflix on September 4, 2020.
14. King of Boys (2018)
If you haven’t seen King of Boys Part 1 yet, Netflix is your best option to watch one of the best Nigerian movies ever made.
King of Boys is a Nigerian thriller co-produced and directed by the brilliant Kemi Adetiba following her success in the 2017 film Wedding.
It also stars Nigerian rappers Reminisce and Illbliss, who played vital roles in the film Wedding movie. Other roles include Toni Tones, Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro, Akin Lewis, Demola Adedoyin, Sani Muazu, and Sharon Ooja.
The film was released on October 26, 2018, and has been a hotbed in the Nollywood film industry ever since. He debuted on Netflix a year after his release in the film.
15. Coming from Insanity (2019)
Written and directed by Akinyemi Sebastian Akinropo, Coming Out of Madness is a Nigerian comedy-drama that follows the story of a young servant, Kossi, who grows up finding ways in the art of making counterfeit money.
However, not all turned out well for the youngsters as it was put on the EFCC’s radar.
The film stars Gabriel Afolayan, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Damilola Adegbite, Wale Ojo, Odunlade Adekola, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Tina Mba.
The film premiered in Nigerian theatres on June 14, 2019, and debuted on Netflix on September 11, 2020.
16. Bling Lagosians (2019)
The Bling Lagosian is a Nollywood drama film written by Anthony Kehinde Joseph and directed and produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters.
The film stars Elvina Ibru, Sharon Ooja, Osas Ighodaro, Toyin Abraham, Helen Paul, Alexx Ekubo, Bisola Aiyeola, Monalisa Chinda, Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi), Ayoola Ayolola, and Jide Kosoko.
The film premiered on June 28, 2019. It is about a wealthy family from Lagos and their mother, Mopeloli (played by Elvina Ibra).
He is preparing for his 51st birthday despite individual arguments and fights between his family members. It debuted on Netflix on October 11, 2019.
17. Fourth Republic (2019)
Directed and co-written with Ishaya Bako, 4th Republic is a Nigerian political drama film starring artists such as Kate Henshaw, Sani Muazu, Bimbo Manuel, Enyinna Nwigwe, Ihuoma Linda Ejiofor, and Yakubu Mohammed, among others.
The film is about Mabel King (played by Kate Henshaw), a politician who ran for governor while suffering the consequences of violent and fraudulent elections that resulted in her campaign leader, Sikiru (Jide Attah).
The film was screened in Nigerian cinemas on April 12, 2019, and at seven Nigerian universities collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Enough (EiE Nigeria) to combat electoral violence. The film debuted on Netflix on June 13, 2020.
18. The Set-Up (2019)
Based on the story of a young woman who leaves her childhood virginity to risk a crime to survive, The Set-Up is a Nigerian crime film directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and written by Chinaze Onuzo.
The film stars characters such as Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Kehinde Bankole, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Jim Iyke, Tina Mba, Joke Silva, Ayoola Ayolola and Uzor Arukwe.
The film premiered in Nigerian theatres on August 9, 2019, and debuted on Netflix on April 22, 2020.
19. God Calling (2018)
Directed and written by Bodurin Sasore, God Call is a 2018 Nigerian drama film about a young woman traumatized after losing her daughter in a fire that caused her to kill herself but was saved by God’s intervention.
The film stars Zainab Balogun, Eku Edewor, Richard Mofe Damijo, Shaffy Bello, Tina Mba, Nkem Owoh, and Onyeka Onwenu, among others. The theatrical edition was on December 21, 2020.
20. Gold Statue (2019)
Written and directed by veteran Nollywood filmmaker Tade Ogidan, The Golden Statue is a 2019 comedy adventure drama starring Gabriel Afolayan, Kunle Remi, Sola Sobowale, Richard Mofe Damijo, Kevin Ikedugba, and Segu Arinze, among others.
The award-winning film portrays the story of two young men, Wale and Chike (played by Gabriel Afolayan and Kunle Remi), who seek out the “Golden Statue,” whom they believe to be a deity inherited from their generation.
The film opened in Nigerian theatres on May 17, 2019, and is available on Amazon Prime Video.
21. More Movies
Here are more Nollywood movies on Netflix. Do let us know in the comment section if we missed your favorite.
- Three Thieves
- Lionheart
- Fate of Alakada
- Citation
