2025 was quite the year for Nigerian cinema, from the Achalugo fever thanks to Omoni Oboli’s ‘Love in Every Word’ to the fiery chemistry of Osas Ighodaro and Uzor Arukwe in ‘Colours of Fire’, Nollywood had a standout year. Even the shorts were not left behind. Dika Ofoma’s ‘Something Sweet’ frequented the lips of the audience and Uzoamaka Power’s directorial debut, ‘My Body, God’s Temple’ sparked conversations around vaginismus.
These films are a testament to Nollywood’s future: an industry not afraid to address issues, be it influencer culture as seen in ‘Reel Love’ or a critique of the police as with ‘Freedom Way’. In an industry regarded as one of the highest-producing film industries in the world, the audience is spoilt for choice but there are few films that were Cupid’s arrow capturing the hearts of many. The Nollywire staff was not left out; in this article we share some of their our films of 2025.
Laolu Solomon’s Top 5
‘Ori: Rebirth‘
Directed by Adekola Tijani, Muyiwa Ademola and Tope Adebayo Salami, ‘Ori: Rebirth’ follows Bisade, whose death has been perfected by a powerful cult queen and her cohorts. On the brink of sacrifice, he must lean on his faith and confront the mystery of his consciousness, while Temidun is destined to save him.
Laolu: It feels like watching old Nollywood again. It’s not the best cinema film when it comes to look and feel, but every other thing was great. The soundtrack was massive. The story was very spiritual, very superstitious. The first 30 minutes, you might not get it, but once you enter the remaining part of the story, it just carries you from that point to the end. My favourite character is Enyafe. The chemistry between him and his parents—it’s been a while since I saw that kind of relationship on screen in a Nollywood movie.”
‘Makemation‘
Michael Akinrogunde directs this animated drama about a courageous young girl who gains admission into the country’s most prestigious tech school, where she must prove her genius and overcome challenges to help her family. It’s a coming‑of‑age tale of resilience, tech aspiration, and personal growth.
Laolu: I enjoyed ‘Makemation’, especially given the fact that the person that produced it was a first-time producer and not really a Nollywood person. It’s about a young girl that is confused and trying to make decisions about what she wants to do with her life. She’s the first child, she has the responsibility of taking care of her family, and she’s struggling. She also has to deal with the fact that her father believes a girl should not be sent to school. It’s a very layered story, and it feels like something somebody between 18 and 30 would really get. The story just makes sense.
‘Reverse‘
Written and produced by Linda Ikeji, ‘Reverse’ tells the story of Rita, who intervenes to save a young boy from an assault, only to set off a chain of events that dramatically change her life. Directed by Bryan Dike, the film examines the consequences of a single compassionate act on an ordinary life, touching on themes of karma and societal pressures.
Laolu: This stands out as one of the strongest thrillers to hit cinemas this year, cleverly weaving everyday reality with the idea of karma. The screenplay shows promise, and Linda should definitely explore writing more screenplays.
‘Reel Love‘
Kayode Kasum’s romantic comedy focuses on a relationship influencer whose carefully curated life starts to blur the lines between social media persona and real emotion. Featuring performances from TJ Omusuku and others, the film blends romance with modern storytelling.
Laolu: I like ‘Reel Love’. It’s just simple and easy on the eyes. The TJ Omusuku made a very good first impression for me. It’s one of those films that just works for what it’s trying to do.
‘I Am Anis‘
When what was meant to be a joyous day turns into dark revelations, Anisola Williams is forced to confront her hidden past. The story navigates shame, redemption, and self-discovery, with standout performances from Shaffy Bello, Lina Idoko, Tina Mba, and Charles Inojie bringing depth to Anis’s emotional journey.
Laolu: This is typical Biodun Stephens, trying to drive home a point about second chances. But it was a very good watch for me. It came with a campaign that got people talking about how sometimes in life, people are on the wrong path and it just takes somebody nudging them or giving them chances to really come back to their senses. The way she told the story, plus the performances from Shaffy Bello and Lina Idoko – that was what did it for me
Olajide Oladele’s Top 5
‘Colours of Fire‘
Niyi Akinmolayan’s latest film centres on a warrior confronting a mysterious beast and uncovering deep ties that could unite or destroy worlds.
Olajide: ‘Colours Of Fire’ was very exciting for me, with no moral lesson at all, just pure entertainment. The dialogues were very witty. I totally enjoyed Osas; I haven’t seen her that good before. It’s the last film I saw this year and a great way to end the year.
‘I Am Anis‘
Olajide found this tale of redemption profoundly emotional, particularly the mother’s past, which serves as a moral reflection on individual journeys.
Olajide: ‘I Am Anis’ was very emotional for me. The mother, who was supposed to be this very great personality, always trying to get people on the right track, turned out to be a sex worker in a past life. That was like a moral straightener for me. Focus on your own journey. Everybody is on a different path. Don’t mess with other people’s lives. Your journey is yours.
‘The Herd‘
During a wedding day massacre, survivors face moral and physical peril. Daniel Etim Effiong’s ‘The Herd’ is both a thriller and social commentary, examining the responsibilities of citizens in the face of violence.
Olajide: ‘The Herd’ was intriguing. I love how it shows that we need to do better as Nigerians, regardless of tribe and religion. Everyone is the first line of defence. If we keep abetting crime, we will forever live in danger.
‘Something About the Briggs‘
A vibrant, chaotic family drama written and directed by Bukola ogunsola. Its colourful styling and lively interactions stood out.
Olajide: For ‘Something About the Briggs’, I just loved that it was very colourful. The colours and the dresses were cute. The story was just regular, a little chaotic, but I loved the styling. That was my favourite thing about the film
‘Fire and the Moth‘
Saba, a smuggler, must deliver a stolen artefact while evading deadly pursuers. Taiwo Egunjobi combines old-world aesthetics, suspense, and moral complexity, earning Olajide’s admiration for its setting and production design.
Olajide: ‘Fire and the Moth’ would be my fifth. I like the old setting. It was not the usual thing. I loved the budget the most, to be honest — the setting. It had an old vibe to it. The last time I saw a film that looked that way was ‘Breath of Life’. Because I liked ‘Breath of Life’, I think it is reflected in my love for ‘Fire and the Moth’. I think they really did well with the film.
Jire Peace’s Top 5
‘Freedom Way‘
This AMVCA film written by Blessing Uzzi and directed by Olalekan Afolabi follows Three young co-founders who struggle to keep their startup alive despite sabotage by a powerful competitor. A bike man finds himself making hard choices when his means of livelihood is lost and he still needs to provide for his family, a doctor struggles with his conscience on the job while trying to connect with the father of his beautiful wife and a police couple find themselves on different sides of the law with a choice that has to be made.
Jire: I watched this title in an almost empty cinema hall, wishing I had the powers to get every single Nigerian to see this, including Mr President. Having said that, why won’t it be on my top five films list?
‘Over The Bridge‘
‘Over The Bridge’ tells the story of Folarin Marinho, who goes missing while working on a major project in Lagos. It s heds light on mental health in corporate Lagos and one man’s response to what happens when life becomes unbearable.
Jire: Tolu Ajayi’s is the best thing I watched this year. The casting, cinematography, story and pacing were such a breath of fresh air. I love that people all over the world got introduced to Nigerian cinema through this title and I really hope I can see it again.
‘Reverse‘
Jire highlighted the thriller’s emotional depth, showcasing family, forgiveness, and the precariousness of Lagosian life.
Jire: Linda Ikeji’s ‘Reverse’ was an unexpected pleasant watch. Pleasant undermines the feelings that watching this film stirred up within me; it highlighted the anyhowness that often comes with living in Lagos as a Lagosian and how it can become fatal and the importance of family and forgiveness.
‘3 Cold Dishes‘
Three women, survivors of sex trafficking, traverse Africa seeking justice. A pan-African story of resilience and empowerment.
Jire: The sheer audacity of Asurf Oluseyi to take on such an intense project, filming across 3 different countries in Africa, including that stunt scene in the desert? Yes, this title deserves a worthy mention!
‘Osamede‘
Set in Benin, a female warrior rises against oppression. James Omokwe blends historical epic with female empowerment to tell this story
Jire: Lexan Peters stood head to head with Ivie Okujaiye and bodied his role; I enjoyed watching him. Also, what’s not to love about a female superhero lead? Where the woman actually wins? I appreciate the audacity of the filmmaker Lilian Olubi to make a non-Yoruba epic title and take it to cinema
Praise Vandeh’s Top 5
‘Freedom Way‘
Praise emphasised its critique of the Nigerian police, with Femi Jacobs delivering a chilling, realistic performance.
Praise: I am a huge fan of art that critiques and Afolabi’s ‘Freedom Way’ does this fairly well. It was especially important to me because earlier on this year my friend was harassed by the police. It does a good job highlighting the ills of the Nigerian society, especially the police. Femi Jacobs is phenomenal in this. At certain points during the film, I felt chills run down my spine because I have met policemen like him. He is quite the actor!
‘My Father’s Shadow‘
Akinola Davies Jr Cannes film is Set against the turbulence of Nigeria’s 1993 political moment, this heartfelt drama blends national memory with intimate family conflict, all held together by strong performances and thematic resonance.
Praise: This one made me cry; I think it’s a heartwarming film. I have some reservations but I really do think it’s a solid debut. The symbolism threaded throughout the film was a standout to me. I expected a much more terrible accent from Sope Dirisu but he held his own. The Egbo twins are my favourite thing about the film. Their sibling dynamic reminded me of my younger brother and me in our childhood years. I also found it amusing and heartbreaking that all the things they were complaining about in 1993 are still present in today’s Nigeria. May God truly help us.
‘Something Sweet‘
Ziora, a successful businesswoman in her 40s, finds herself smitten with Leke, a man half her age, stirring unexpected chaos in her otherwise quiet life. The film playfully asks whether love should bend to societal norms or if hearts must follow their own path. Michelle Dede and Ogranya bring charm and chemistry that makes every scene sparkle.
Praise: It is no news that I am impressed by Dika Ofoma as a filmmaker and romcom is the genre that owns my heart so this was an easy pick. Before this, Ofoma had only made the sad romance films so this was a very refreshing watch for me. I probably saw this ten times. Don’t fight me; it’s a cute short! Ogranya is Nollywood’s latest heartthrob; everybody should buy his stock now! That thing he does with his eyes? Wow. The chemistry between Ogranya and Michelle Dede is superb.
‘The Herd‘
Again appearing, the film’s social commentary and careful handling of sensitive themes stood out to Praise, particularly its authentic casting.
Praise: I must say Etim Effiong really surprised me with his debut. I went into this not knowing what to expect. I didn’t even watch the trailer and I’m happy I didn’t. It is another critique from this year I loved. As somebody from a region that has been plagued by the herdsmen turmoil, I deeply appreciated this advocacy. I’m also glad they used actual hausa speaking actors so accents weren’t butchered.
Etim Effiong could have easily snuck in a gratuitous rape scene (as seen in some nollywood films) and it could have been excused because of the setting but he didn’t and I give him my networth of $50 for this. I’m really looking forward to the other projects he directs.
‘A Lagos Love Story‘
Directed by Naz Onuzo and written by Ozzy Etomi, ‘A Lagos Love Story’ follows Promise, a festival organiser who falls for a rising Afrobeats star, navigating urban romance and comedic mishaps.
Praise: I’m probably going to get smoke for this but I’ve defended this film all year round; what’s one more time? Yes it’s a bad romcom but I think it’s supposed to be bad like early Kdrama/Bollywood romcom bad. There are bad romcoms littered across Netflix’s shelf that people enjoy. It’s a quick fix. Personally, I was and still am living for Mike Afolarin as King Kator. That man is made of leading man material, so Nollywood, cast him in another romcom for me, please.
Honourable Mention: ‘Grandpa Must Obey’. I really like this one because it is such a feel good christmassy family film. I hope people see it.
We enjoyed Nollywood’s run this year and are looking forward to 2026! If you haven’t seen these films yet, now is a good chance to catch up before the holiday ends!
