It’s been a restless, unpredictable, and wildly creative year for Nollywood. Between cinema runs that broke expectations, streaming premieres that turned into online sensations, and star-led projects that blurred the line between artistry and entertainment, 2025 has given film lovers more than enough to chew on.
But as the year winds down, there’s still time to catch up on the gems that defined the mood of Nigerian storytelling and the ones about to take over the conversation. Whether you’re a cinema regular or a YouTube loyalist, this list blends the movies that already made waves with the ones about to splash right through the holidays.
Here are ten unmissable Nollywood films to wrap up your year with.
The Herd
Released in October, The Herd is one of those films that grips you quietly and won’t let go. Directed by Daniel Etim-Effiong and featuring Mercy Aigbe, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kunle Remi, Linda Ejiofor and Genoveva Umeh, it starts with warmth before slipping into dread.
While privately dealing with his wife’s recurrent cancer scare, Gosi joins his friends to celebrate their wedding. Things take a drastic turn when, on their way back to the hotel, they are kidnapped by gunmen disguised as cattle herdsmen. What follows is tense, layered and painfully believable. It’s not just a survival thriller, but a mirror to modern Nigeria’s unease and the fragile lines between joy and tragedy.
Gingerrr
Few films this year brought as much swagger as Gingerrr. Released in September, this female-led heist thriller directed by Yemi Morafa and starring Wunmi Toriola, Kiekie, Bisola Aiyeola and Bolaji Ogunmola literally gives Nollywood’s women their turn in the driver’s seat. It’s daring, fast-paced and playful, proving that action and style can co-exist without losing heart. Between the betrayals, the wild twists, and the slick energy, Gingerrr is the kind of film that makes you root for the chaos even when you shouldn’t.
Love in Every Word (Parts 1 & 2)
Omoni Oboli knew exactly what she was doing with this one. The first part of Love in Every Wordquietly became a phenomenon, pulling in over 28 million views on YouTube which is a digital milestone that few Nollywood films can boast of. It’s tender, emotional, and sincere about real-life relationship struggles. Now, Part 2 has just premiered on YouTube and is already gathering massive attention. Omoni, alongside Uzor Arukwe and Bambam, brings back the same chemistry that made the first part addictive. It’s the perfect watch for anyone who believes in second chances, messy love stories, and the kind of endings that make you smile through tears.
The Fire and the Moth
Streaming on Prime Video, The Fire and the Moth is a dark beauty of a film. Directed by Taiwo Egunjobi and starring Tayo Faniran and Ini Dima-Okojie, it feels like an Afro-Western noir, brooding, dusty and poetic. The story revolves around a smuggled Ife bronze head and a desperate attempt to escape with it, turning a simple heist into a study of greed, guilt and power. It’s not your usual Friday-night comfort film, but it’s the kind of slow burn that lingers long after the credits roll.
Red Circle
When Red Circle hit cinemas in June, it quickly drew praise for its ambition. Directed by Akay Mason and starring Folu Storms, Bukky Wright, Timini Egbuson, Tobi Bakre and Lateef Adedimeji, the film dives into Lagos’s criminal underbelly with style and nerve. It follows an investigative journalist who stumbles into a powerful syndicate and faces deadly consequences. What stands out here is the cinematography, it’s very crisp, urban, and unapologetically bold. Red Circle proves that Nollywood thrillers are finally finding their visual rhythm without sacrificing local essence.
Labake Olododo
March brought a wave of cultural nostalgia with Labake Olododo. Directed by Biodun Stephen and produced by Iyabo Ojo, who also stars alongside Odunlade Adekola, Faithia Balogun and Mercy Aigbe, the film is a sweeping Yoruba drama with real heart. It tells the story of a woman who dares to stand against oppression in her community. It’s traditional yet timeless, proof that Yoruba cinema continues to deliver soul-rich stories with mass appeal.
Ori (The Rebirth)
Nollywood loves a good comeback, and Ori: The Rebirth hits that note perfectly. Released around May, it brings back the spiritual depth of the original Ori but with a modern cinematic glow. Starring Toyin Abraham and Lateef Adedimeji, the film revisits destiny, faith, and self-realisation, themes that never lose power in Nigerian storytelling. It’s nostalgic for older fans, yet fresh enough to draw a new audience curious about the mystical side of life.
Oversabi Aunty
Set to light up cinemas on December 19, Oversabi Aunty is already teasing laughs with its trailer. The comedy, featuring Toyin Abraham, Queen Nwokoye, Efe Irele, Lola Idije, Kidbaby, Ngozi Ezeonu, Emeka Okoye, Jemima Osunde and more, leans into a familiar but beloved trope of the well-meaning, overbearing aunty who can’t mind her business. Expect holiday-season energy, family drama, and enough quotable lines to dominate social media.
Behind the Scenes (BTS)
When Funke Akindele teases a new project, it rarely goes unnoticed and her upcoming film Behind the Scenes (BTS) has already taken over social feeds. Set to hit cinemas on December 12, the film comes from Funke Akindele Network and stars a packed ensemble including Uzor Arukwe, Iyabo Ojo, Scarlet Gomez, Dele Odule, Jide Kosoko, and Uche Montana.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the trailer offers more than just hype. It peels back the glamour to reveal the real heartbeat of filmmaking which is the chaos, exhaustion, and humanity that holds it all together. Viewers see everyone who makes movies possible: from carpenters and makeup artists to costumiers and cleaners, each proudly wearing shirts labeled “BTS Runway” with their job titles on the back.
There’s even a moment of on-set tension, where actors and crew clash before a director steps in to calm things down. More than a movie, BTS looks like a heartfelt commentary on the invisible heroes who keep Nollywood running. If Funke’s past projects (A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street) are anything to go by, this one will blend heart, humour, and hard truths in a way only she can.
Colours of Fire
Closing the year in style, Colours of Fire is set to premiere on December 24. Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and starring Uzor Arukwe, Osas Ighodaro, Mercy Aigbe, Gabriel Afolayan and Femi Branch, it looks lush and dramatic from the teasers. The story centres on a passionate romance between rivals that spirals into betrayal and corporate warfare. It’s Nollywood glamour at its most cinematic.
Conclusion
Nollywood has spent the year pushing boundaries by blending cultures, experimenting with genres, and proving that its audience can handle complexity and heart in equal measure. Whether you’re streaming from your phone or catching a Friday night showing at the mall, these ten titles remind us that Nigerian cinema isn’t just evolving. It’s thriving, reinventing itself one bold story at a time.
So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and end the year the Nollywood way — with drama, laughter, a few tears, and stories that stay long after the final scene.
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