Nollywood is the Nigerian film industry that breaks out more than 200 films every month (average more than 6 films per day). The industry was ranked 3rd in the world only after USA Hollywood and Indian Bollywood. Amidst all these film releases, there are some Nigerian films that have left their mark on the sands of time. Gone are the days when Nollywood films were badly written and badly shot. Now Nigerian films have improved drastically to suitably rival the bigger guns like Hollywood and Bollywood.
Nollywood has always had both good and bad stories written, but this is not unique to Nigerian films as other film industries around the world have had their fair share of the not so good.
Thanks to the advancement of (High-Tech DigitalMedia Camera), recent Nigerian films with equally great stories have been brought to life in incredible ways. In this article, we’re going to focus on some of the incredible and hard-to-forget movies that were made in the early days of Nollywood, an era of low-budget movies shot with less technology. These films are a reminder of how and when Nollywood was founded and we will pay tribute to some of the finest that have long been recognized and at the heart of Africa’s largest film industry.
Here are the 10 best Nigerian films of all time:
10. Domitila; (1996) by Zeb Ejiro starring AnneNjemanze. Domitilla is a milestone in the Nigerian film industry. The development of the now established trend of films about “single girls” and their (mis)adventures in big cities began. Ann Njemanze became an instant star after playing the lead role. The main story was how young girls get caught up in the quest for survival. Sometimes they are driven by greed, sometimes by need and peer pressure, and they end up being morally derailed.
9. blood money; (a 1997 Nigerian film ) Chico Ejiro film which starred Zack Orji, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Agu and Sam Dede. Directed and written by Chico Ejiro. In the film, a man lost his job at the bank and was drawn into the world of rituals in which the only way for him was to take someone else’s life.
8. Glamor Girls; (a 1994 Nigerian film) produced by Kenneth Nnebue and starring Liz Benson, Eucharia Anunobi and Dolly Unachukwu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPutU_uio4Q
7. settle scores; (a 1998 Nollywood film) Produced by SunnyCollins and directed by Chico Ejiro. Along with Rich Azu, Liz Benson, Teco Benson, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Patrick Doyle starred in this film. In the film, Sade, rejected by her in-laws, takes to the streets with her two sons after the death of her husband. This was the beginning of a long journey marked by insecurity, death and poverty.
Also see: 10 Classic African Movies of All Time
6. Igodo; A film directed by Andy Amenechi and starring Pete Edochie, Norbert Young, Sam Dede, Charles Okafor, Obi Madubogwu, Chidi Mokeme, Prince James Uche, Ignis Ekwe, Joe Layode and produced by Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche.
5. Aki na Ukwa; (A 2003 Nollywood film) Directed by Amayo Uzo Phillips and starring Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Amaechi Muonagor and Oby Kechere.
4. Osuofia in London; (a 2003 Nigerian film)Kingsley Ogoro and stars of other acts including Nkem Owoh, Francis Odega and Cynthia Okereke. Osuofia in London is a Nigerian comedy film which is among the best selling Nollywood films.
3. Nneka the pretty snake; Years after its release in 1992, Nneka the Pretty Snake remains a point of reference for Nollywood in the past. Home video has helped launch careers such as Ndidi Obi, Eucharia Anunobi, Ngozi Ezeonu, and Rita Nzelu, among others. During the VHS era, the film was released and transitioned from foreign films to home video. Directed by Zeb Ejiro and produced by Okechukwu Ogunjiofor.
Bonus: South African films
2. Most wanted; (1996) Produced by Dozie Eriobu and directed by Tunji Bamishigbin. With Regina Askia, Ibinabo Fiberisima and Ayo Adesanya as well as Liz Benson, Antar Laniyan and Genevieve Nnaji. In the film, a group of unemployed women decided to dress up as men to rob them and the police had a hard time tracking them down as they were looking for male robbers. When one of the girls falls in love with the investigating police officer, the story has changed. The cop later finds out that his lover is a member of the Most Wanted criminal gang.
1. Life in bondage
This film is one of the oldest, but the popularity it gained after its release opened Nollywood to the world. In the film, Andy Okeke (Kenneth Okonkwo) killed his wife and used her in rituals to get rich. This certainly had repercussions that led to his insanity.
As you go through these films you realize what good films were like back then and you can appreciate the work that the cast and crew put into making such outstanding films. The stories behind these Nigerian movies, shot with low resolution and low budget digital cameras, made you overlook the matte picture quality and completely immerse yourself. For those born in the early 90s, it’s like going back in time to enjoy and observe the feelings formed growing up. On the other hand, if you are much younger, born at a much later date, far from when those great movies were made, you would definitely fall in love with her, because they are so reliable. Enjoy!