Top 10 Nollywood Films of All Time

Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut, "Lionheart," became the first Netflix original film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian film submitted for Academy Award consideration in the Best International Feature Film category. The film tells the story of a woman navigating corporate succession in her father's transport company and earned widespread praise for its authentic portrayal of Igbo culture. Netflix's acquisition deal, reported at around $3.8 million, signaled a new era for African cinema on global platforms.

Kemi Adetiba's political thriller stars Sola Sobowale as Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman with deep ties to Lagos's criminal underworld who seeks legitimate political power. The film grossed over 100 million naira in its opening weekend and earned an 8.1 rating on IMDb — among the highest for any Nollywood title. Its Netflix sequel series (2021) was watched in over 100 countries within its first month, cementing its status as a franchise.

Directed by and starring Funke Akindele, "Omo Ghetto: The Saga" grossed over 103 million naira in its opening weekend, setting a new record for a Nollywood film released during the COVID-19 pandemic. The action-comedy blends Lagos street culture with heartfelt storytelling and features an ensemble of Nigeria's most bankable comedic actors. Akindele has become Nollywood's most commercially successful female filmmaker, with her films consistently dominating box office charts.

Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, "Elevator Baby" is a socially sharp comedy-drama in which a spoiled rich kid is forced to assist a struggling young mother giving birth in a stuck elevator. The film earned critical praise for its commentary on class inequality in Lagos and grossed over 60 million naira at the box office. It was screened at several international film festivals, including the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Funke Akindele's 2023 blockbuster became the highest-grossing Nollywood film in history at time of release, earning over 620 million naira ($400,000) in its first week. The heist film follows five women from different Nigerian tribes who pull off an elaborate robbery, weaving themes of female solidarity and class struggle throughout. It shattered previous box office records and proved that locally produced, culturally specific content could dominate Nigerian cinemas against Hollywood competition.

Based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Booker Prize-shortlisted novel, "Half of a Yellow Sun" is directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton in a story set during the Biafran War (1967-1970). Produced with a budget of $8 million — unusually high for a Nollywood production — the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened in over 20 countries. It remains the most internationally distributed Nigerian film ever made.

Kunle Afolayan's "Citation" is a bold drama tackling sexual harassment in Nigerian universities, inspired by a real incident at the University of Lagos. Acquired by Netflix for global distribution, it became one of the most-watched Nigerian films on the platform in its first month, reaching audiences in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and the UK. The film's courage in addressing a taboo subject within an academic setting prompted public debate in Nigeria and was screened at embassies across Africa.

One of the most anticipated Nigerian crime films of 2024, "Gangsta Paradise" blends Lagos street life with American gangster film aesthetics and features a cameo from international star Idris Elba. The film grossed over 200 million naira in its opening two weeks and trended on X (formerly Twitter) in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK simultaneously. It represents the new wave of Nollywood productions targeting both domestic audiences and African diaspora streaming subscribers.

A sequel to the 1992 film "Living in Bondage" — widely considered the movie that launched Nollywood as an industry — this revival directed by Ramsey Nouah grossed over 100 million naira and introduced the franchise to a new generation. The original 1992 VHS film sold over 750,000 copies and is credited with proving that Nigerian-language home video could be commercially viable. The sequel won Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2020.

Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut, "Lionheart," became the first Netflix original film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian film submitted for Academy Award consideration in the Best International Feature Film category. The film tells the story of a woman navigating corporate succession in her father's transport company and earned widespread praise for its authentic portrayal of Igbo culture. Netflix's acquisition deal, reported at around $3.8 million, signaled a new era for African cinema on global platforms.

Kemi Adetiba's political thriller stars Sola Sobowale as Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman with deep ties to Lagos's criminal underworld who seeks legitimate political power. The film grossed over 100 million naira in its opening weekend and earned an 8.1 rating on IMDb — among the highest for any Nollywood title. Its Netflix sequel series (2021) was watched in over 100 countries within its first month, cementing its status as a franchise.

Directed by and starring Funke Akindele, "Omo Ghetto: The Saga" grossed over 103 million naira in its opening weekend, setting a new record for a Nollywood film released during the COVID-19 pandemic. The action-comedy blends Lagos street culture with heartfelt storytelling and features an ensemble of Nigeria's most bankable comedic actors. Akindele has become Nollywood's most commercially successful female filmmaker, with her films consistently dominating box office charts.

Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, "Elevator Baby" is a socially sharp comedy-drama in which a spoiled rich kid is forced to assist a struggling young mother giving birth in a stuck elevator. The film earned critical praise for its commentary on class inequality in Lagos and grossed over 60 million naira at the box office. It was screened at several international film festivals, including the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Funke Akindele's 2023 blockbuster became the highest-grossing Nollywood film in history at time of release, earning over 620 million naira ($400,000) in its first week. The heist film follows five women from different Nigerian tribes who pull off an elaborate robbery, weaving themes of female solidarity and class struggle throughout. It shattered previous box office records and proved that locally produced, culturally specific content could dominate Nigerian cinemas against Hollywood competition.

Based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Booker Prize-shortlisted novel, "Half of a Yellow Sun" is directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandiwe Newton in a story set during the Biafran War (1967-1970). Produced with a budget of $8 million — unusually high for a Nollywood production — the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened in over 20 countries. It remains the most internationally distributed Nigerian film ever made.

Kunle Afolayan's "Citation" is a bold drama tackling sexual harassment in Nigerian universities, inspired by a real incident at the University of Lagos. Acquired by Netflix for global distribution, it became one of the most-watched Nigerian films on the platform in its first month, reaching audiences in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and the UK. The film's courage in addressing a taboo subject within an academic setting prompted public debate in Nigeria and was screened at embassies across Africa.

One of the most anticipated Nigerian crime films of 2024, "Gangsta Paradise" blends Lagos street life with American gangster film aesthetics and features a cameo from international star Idris Elba. The film grossed over 200 million naira in its opening two weeks and trended on X (formerly Twitter) in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK simultaneously. It represents the new wave of Nollywood productions targeting both domestic audiences and African diaspora streaming subscribers.

A sequel to the 1992 film "Living in Bondage" — widely considered the movie that launched Nollywood as an industry — this revival directed by Ramsey Nouah grossed over 100 million naira and introduced the franchise to a new generation. The original 1992 VHS film sold over 750,000 copies and is credited with proving that Nigerian-language home video could be commercially viable. The sequel won Best Nigerian Film at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2020.