by Adeyinka A. Ayomitide
African movies have received a lot of special praise, pushing the global movie scene further into the spotlight as among the best movie makers in the cinematic industry. We have undoubtedly come a long way in our movie production, casting of African actors, scripting, and overall movie distribution. However, there are a few iconic movies that will always stand the test of time in being the best African movies to have ever been produced and released in Africa.
We have carefully selected a list of ten iconic African movies that we believe you should add to your watchlist either for a spark of nostalgia, for fun, or to understand better that African movie scenes have been meeting the bars set by Hollywood and many other worldwide movie industries, breaking records, staking a claim in the international movie industry, and winning awards. These ten African movies that we have chosen were selected from many different countries in Africa; they were chosen because of their excellent acting skills, adherence to culture, storytelling, and originality.
These movies stuck to their roots basked in their culture and depicted it just as it is. They will forever live on as the greatest and most iconic African movies, and in no particular order:
The Gods Must Be Crazy (South Africa–1980)
The Gods Must Be Crazy is a South African movie production that saw the love and demand for African movies in the world. Released in the 1980s, you could wonder why a film this old is on the list. The Gods Must Be Crazy is a slapstick comedy movie that was produced ahead of its time because it never fails to make its viewers laugh. The journey of the film begins with a bottle of Coca-Cola landing in the Kalahari desert; it had been dropped by a pilot who was flying over the desert. Nǃxau ǂToma picks up the strange item and takes it with him to his tribe. It quickly becomes an object of desire as everyone covets it for themselves. N!xau recognizes this and tries to return the bottle to the gods by taking it to “the ends of the earth.” Along the way, he, a simple bushman, who has never seen the modern world, meets strange people–Jamie Uys, Sandra Prinsloo, Marius Weyers.
Johnny Mad Dog (Liberia–2008)
This Liberian 2008 movie is based on the book written by a Congolese author, Emmanuel Dongala. It tells the story of a group of wild, rebellious militia teenage boys under the command of their general and Johnny (Christopher Minie), the 15-year-old who has been a rebel so long that he doesn’t remember his actual name. Johnny Mad Dog focuses on the gruesome acts of child soldiers as they act in their worst and vile natures, trying to bring down the existing government. The boys have too much freedom and power, exacting their dominance in their village by raping, killing, and committing many other crimes. As the movie progresses, Johnny meets Laokolé (Daisy Victoria Vandy), a 13-year-old girl, searching for help for her injured father, and their paths cross frequently but not in the best circumstances.
The Wedding Party (Nigeria–2016)
Nollywood is a force to be reckoned with when releasing comedic, refreshing, and exciting movies. The Wedding Party is no exception as it catapults the success of Nigerian films worldwide. The movie stars the talented singer-songwriter Banky W playing Dozie Onwuka, a young man about to marry Dunnie Coker, who Adesuwa Etomi plays. The two actors not only get married in this hilarious movie but are also married in real life. Wedding Party navigates the experience of the couples before their wedding, clashing with exes, family members, friends, and so many more. It features many skilled actors, such as Sola Shobowale, RMD, Zainab Balogun, and Ireti Doyle. The Wedding Party is sure to keep one in high spirits as it tells the story of togetherness, love, and family.
Hotel Rwanda (Rwanda–2004)
In this true-life story about the genocide of the Tutsi and Hutu tribes in Rwanda, Don Cheadle plays the role of the hero Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager of the four-star Hôtel Des Milles Collines. He was responsible for protecting the lives of 1200 people in his hotel. He uses his street-smart knowledge of the world, using crafty means like bribery, deception, and flattery to save the lives of the people with him. Hotel Rwanda is a war/drama genre set to put you at the edge of your seats as it highlights the 1994 genocide that the Rwandans witnessed. In the movie, Paul is from the Hutu tribe and is wedded to Tatiana (Sophie Okonedo), who is a Tutsi.
Blood Diamond (Sierra Leone–2006)
Titanic actor Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this riveting war/adventure as Danny Archer, an orphaned Rhodesian diamond smuggler who witnessed life in the viciousness of his country’s wars. Blood Diamond sees Danny initially working for the devils as a mercenary crossing the Sierra Leone border with smuggled diamonds with him. His mission is unsuccessful and lands him in jail till he hears a rumor about a rare pink diamond that has been found by Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou), a local fisherman and later unwilling miner. This action-packed movie depicts these two as they become partners to reach their respective goals–Solomon wishes to return home to his family, while Danny wants his share of the wealth so he can leave the country and his past behind.
Mr. Bones (South Africa–2001)
Mr. Bones is yet another incredibly done South African slapstick comedy movie that took the world by storm with the excellence of its South African actors. Mr. Bones sees Bones (Leon Schuster) as a white kid raised by the black Kuvuki tribe. Orphaned by an airplane crash, the people of the Kuvuki find baby Bones fending a lion with flatulence and decide to make him one of them due to his courage. He is discovered to have powers of divinity with bones as his tools hence the name ‘Bones.’ The king of the tribe, Tsonga, tasks Mr. Bones with finding the predestined heir which leads Bones to return with an American golfer and a band of unwanted guests.
Queen Of Katwe (Uganda–2016)
The Queen of Katwe is a true-story film that enters this list as a sports/drama genre which sees young chess champion Phiona Mutesi played by Madina Nalwanga, chasing her dreams and becoming an idol to young girls in Africa and worldwide. Lupita Nyong’o is Phiona’s mother, and David Oyelowo is her coach in this captivating movie that depicts Phiona’s journey as a poor ten-year-old girl who sells maize and cannot read. Directed by the incredible Mira Nair, the Queen of Katwe is an uplifting family drama that tells the tale of a young girl who comes from nothing and is recognized as one of the youngest, most talented chess players.
Osuofia In London (Nigeria–2003)
Nollywood retakes the spotlight as one of Africa’s leading movie industries with this comedy Osuofia in London. The movie sees Osuofia (Nkem Owoh) as an Eastern (Igbo) man who becomes the beneficiary of his late brother, Donatus’ inheritance. Osuofia is called to London, where he navigates life, though comically, in a strange country with different rules and lifestyles compared to his village back in Nigeria. Osuofia in London is highly praised for its rib-cracking humorous content as Nkem Owoh delivers effortlessly in what is now referred to as a legendary comedy Nigerian movie. Osuofia is forced to travel to Europe and claim his inheritance due to his enormous debts in Nigeria. He leaves his family back in the East, hoping to return with a chance at a better life for all of them.
Abouna (Chad–2002)
A stunning film about love, family, and loss: this calm, intelligent, and smooth-running movie navigates the lives of two brothers–Tahir and Amine. Tahir (Ahidjo Mahamat Moussa) is 15, while his brother, Amine (Hamza Moctar Aguid), is 8. The movie begins with a man seemingly wandering in a desert, with an unexplainable expression on his face. We later realize that the man is the father of the two brothers, who has run away from home due to being unemployed and overwhelmed with his responsibilities. The boys go on a quest to find their father but are sent to a Koranic school by their mother; they are left lonely with no love or family and have to navigate through life together. Abouna is a pleasant and empathic film that shows the innocence of childhood.
Coming To America (America–1988)
Although this movie isn’t entirely African like the rest above, it falls on our list of iconic African films because of its theme, black casts, and imitation of African culture. Coming to America is a comedy and romance genre that stars Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem, a spoiled crown prince of marriage age. He refuses to marry the bride his parents have chosen for him and goes to America in search of a woman who will truly love him for who he is rather than his title and royalty. His eyes fall upon the beautiful Lisa (Shari Headley), the daughter of a restaurateur. This classical movie boasts much laughter, witty dialogues, and endearing characters.