2021 was certainly a year for Nollywood movies. There was the good, the bad and the plotless. We curated this guide of Nigerian movies released in 2021 that you should check out.
January 2021
Sanitation Day
This thriller was quite anticipated in the early part of the year with its brilliant plot and casting. Directed by Seyi Babatope, it was received with hopes for a blockbuster which although it didn’t quite meet up to, still remains a good choice for a bucket list.
Tanwa Savage
A comedy based on a true-life story that was directed by Geshin Salvador. The movie stars a number of popular faces in the film industry and is based on the reality of a man under pressure to have a baby. You most definitely should include it in your list.
February
Fine wine
Fine wine has been described as the definition of a classic romance, wearing all the cliché drama, yet finding a way to remain impressionable on viewers. It was released a couple of days to Valentine’s day and can serve as the romantic touch you need to include in your plans.
Still Falling
Directed by Dimbo Atiya and Karachi Atiya, the movie starring Sharon Ooja and Daniel Etim Effiong builds a plot around love, betrayal and retribution. Although reviews are quite critical, it is worth a view before the year runs out.
March
Ponzi
Based on the chaos of MMM ponzi scheme, the movie gives a blend of humour and the harsh reality of a financial scam. Directed by Kayode Kasum, the casting of Ponzi is quite commendable and you should have it in your bucket list.
La Femme Anjola
With an intriguing plot, this thriller has viewers hooked from the first minute to the end. The dialogues and cinematography deserves all the accolades it has gotten since its release in March. You should definitely have it on your list.
April
Prophetess
It’s definitely as hilarious as it sounds, especially with Toyin Abraham as the main character portraying the suddenly famous prophetess after a viral video on the internet. You don’t want to miss out on the chaos that follows the story.
The Wait
The Wait is about child-bearing and everything that comes with the delay in some cases. It tilts towards a test of faith and family. The casting is brilliant and balances the plot in a manner that keeps you in tune with the whole movie from start to finish.
May
Mimi
A rich kid is presumed spoilt by her parents and gets sent off to learn her lesson. With a colourful cast and an interesting setting, Mimi is one of the feel-good movies you might enjoy this holiday.
One Lagos night
Stories about the Lagos experience never get old and this is one of them. Merging the funny dialogues with the full-on seriousness, the movie goes on to describe the reality of most Lagosians; money and love. Yet, this isn’t a love story.
June
Ayinla
The legendary Tunde Kelani delivered everything he promised with this portrayal of the life of Ayinla, the king of Apala music. Yet, it is more than the music; the acting is brilliant and if you missed this movie in June, you shouldn’t skip over the year without watching.
My village people
A young man goes to the village for his sister’s wedding and his life follows an interesting tumble from then on. This comedy shows the supernatural beliefs and how it affects the outlook to life in the African setting.
July
Devil in Agbada
There’s hope in the justice system and then there’s just plain naivety of a young woman seeking for justice for her assassinated parents. There are identifiable similarities with the typical hollywood storyline but the acting is delivered succinctly to keep you in tune.
Dwindle
This comedy follows the story of two hustling friends who find themselves caught up in the kidnapping case of the State Governor, meanwhile two female officers who were in charge of keeping the governor safe are being accused of the crime.
August
King of Boys 2: The Return of the King
The Blockbuster by Kemi Adetiba made a dramatic landing with the “Return of the King” which kept viewers talking for weeks and they are most definitely still talking about it. Every minute was worth the view, especially with the epic ending of the movie.
Juju stories
With its allure of occultism, Juju stories consist of three supernatural stories within contemporary Lagos. Folklore and tradition is a big part of the film industry of Africa and the movie does the delivery of just that.
September
Shadow Parties
Intercommunal marriages go beyond just love, sometimes you have to fight for your life. The plot follows the societal pitfalls and the innocent people that have to pay for insensible wars.
Smart Money Woman
This series is not new to the movie scene, however, in September it got featured on Netflix as 7 episodes, raking up more viewing time than precedented. It follows the financial journey and lives of young black women as initially written by Arese Ugwu.
October
Swallow was released in October and as with every Kunle Afolayan film, the story and cinematography are as good as it gets. The story follows the life of a young woman in 1980s Lagos who finds herself caught in office drama and even worse, a drug-smuggling business.
Progressive Tailors club
Asides from disappointing their customers, local tailors also have their own political drama and of course, it is studded with corruption like the stones they put up on lace for their clients. Progressive Tailor’s club is a funny movie about all the tea that comes with being a member of the prestigious club.
November
Soole
Literally translating into “Cheap ride”, Soole is about a bus ride to Enugu. There’s a robbery on their way and there’s also a hustle for money that belongs to neither of the travellers. The movie has met a lot of hype since its release and it looks like you would be missing out on the comedy if you haven’t included it in your movie list.
Dubara
It’s the Nollywood Jumanji and you would most definitely want to see what your favourite actors are up to with this movie. After a princess warrior concealed a treasure under a spell for centuries, these chosen few are tasked with finding the treasure of Dubara.
December
A Naija Christmas
This Kunle Afolayan’s film promises all the fun and familial expectations that come with Christmas and the holiday season.
Christmas in Miami
Another Christmas comedy, Christmas in Miami is the fourth instalment in AY’s AKPOS series. This movie follows the adventures of Akpos as he jets off with his family to Miami for the holidays.
After going through these movie picks specially curated for you, I’m sure you have a long list to check out. Supporting our film industry is now a necessity and you shouldn’t be caught slacking on it. Subscribe to streaming platforms and share news about movie releases with all your friends on social media.
