Nollywood Films to Binge on Netflix This October

There's something special happening in Nollywood right now, and if you have a Netflix account, you have a front-row seat to the show. The industry is in a golden age, producing films with bigger ambitions, stunning visuals, and captivating stories that are taking the world by storm.

So, what should you be watching? We’ve sorted through the noise to bring you the list. These are the chosen few, each representing the pinnacle of Nollywood's artistic and commercial power. This is your guide to the Nollywood films you need to binge on Netflix this October.

Part I: The New Wave - 2025's Hottest Titles Now Streaming

This is your chance to catch up on the most talked-about hits of the year.

1. The Waiter (2024)

This is a high-concept action-comedy that is pure, adrenaline-pumping fun! Ayo Makun, starring as the cheerful but struggling waiter Akpos, only wants to earn enough for his mother's medical bills. But when charismatic, psychotic journalist Bucci Franklin (Tonye Bright) and his gunmen violently take over a high-profile event, Akpos must use his street-smart "Warri wiles" to outmanoeuvre the terrorists and save the day. It’s a Die Hard scenario with a sharp, Nigerian social commentary twist—you’ll be laughing and holding your breath at the same time.

2. To Kill a Monkey (2025)

From Kemi Adetiba, the brilliant director of King of Boys, comes this highly anticipated, intense crime thriller series. It plunges you into the morally murky world of Nigerian cybercrime ("Yahoo Yahoo"). Follow William Benson as Efemini, a desperate and brilliant programmer reluctantly drawn into the underworld by his ruthless old friend, cybercrime kingpin Bucci Franklin (Oboz). This is a top-tier Lagos scene, exploring how wealth corrupts a man's soul in the digital age. Enjoy this explosive story with an electrifying performance from Bucci Franklin!

3. The Party (2025)

Do you love a good whodunnit psycho thriller movie? Then this slick, perfectly bingeable three-part murder mystery is for you! When a successful, newly married young man named Bobo (played by Kunle Remi) suddenly dies during his own extravagant party, the police investigation reveals a web of secrets where everyone is a suspect. Was it his disapproving mother-in-law? His envious colleagues? You will be on the edge of your seat, trying to piece together the clues alongside the detectives as they unravel the lies, all anchored by a stellar cast including Kehinde Bankole.

Part II: Epics and Ancestors - Redefining the Nigerian Saga

Nollywood is proving that authentic, non-Western mythology can dominate globally. These grand epics are pure cinematic artistry.

4. Aníkúlápó (2022)

This is the landmark film that set the gold standard for the modern Yoruba epic! Directed by Kunle Afolayan, the story follows Kunle Remi as Saro, a weaver who commits the ultimate transgression: an illicit affair with the king's restless wife, Bimbo Ademoye (Arolake). Beaten to death, Saro is miraculously revived by a mystical Akala bird, gaining the power to raise the dead. But as he becomes "the one who has death in his pouch," his arrogance leads him down a tragic path. It is visually stunning, deeply rooted in Yoruba folklore, and won Best Overall Movie at the 2023 AMVCAs for a reason.

5. Jagun Jagun (The Warrior) (2023)

If Aníkúlápó was the mythological epic, Jagun Jagun is its ferocious, action-drenched counterpart. You need to see this for the scale and choreography alone! Set in a world of warring kingdoms, the film follows the young, determined Lateef Adedimeji (Gbotija) as he joins an elite warrior school run by the fearsome warlord Femi Adebayo (Ogundiji). When Gbotija's righteous spirit puts him on a collision course with the tyrannical Ogundiji, it leads to explosive, high-octane battle sequences that rival any global epic. It’s a thrilling masterpiece of the Yoruba action genre.

6. Nneka the Pretty Serpent (2020)

Experience a foundational Nollywood myth reborn! This stylish supernatural horror film is a high-budget remake of the 1994 classic. Watch as Idia Aisien (Nneka) unlocks terrifying supernatural powers and discovers she is the chosen vessel for a vengeful marine spirit—the serpent—destined to avenge her parents’ brutal murder. The film is visually polished, action-packed, and a must-watch for anyone interested in the evolution of Nollywood horror. Look out for the memorable cameo from Ndidi Obi, the star of the original film!

Part III: The Lagos Hustle - Grit, Crime, and Power

These crime thrillers dive headfirst into the raw energy of Lagos, exploring ambition, systemic corruption, and the fight for survival.

7. The Black Book (2023)

Prepare to be glued to your screen for the "Nigerian John Wick" phenomenon that shattered global streaming records! Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) delivers a masterful performance as Paul Edima, a quiet deacon whose life is shattered when his son is framed and murdered by a corrupt police unit. With nothing left to lose, RMD resurrects his past as a skilled operative, embarking on a relentless, one-man war against the powerful figures who orchestrated the crime, using a legendary ledger—the Black Book to expose them all.

8. Shanty Town (2023)

Raw, violent, and utterly captivating, this six-part series is essential viewing for one reason: the stellar performance of Chidi Mokeme as Scar, the terrifying and charismatic kingpin of a brutal criminal enterprise. The series explores the depths of the Lagos underworld, following a group of courtesans trapped in his empire, whose escape is set in motion by Ini Edo (Inem), a former member returning with a mysterious agenda.

9. King of Boys (2018)

This is where the modern crime thrillers started. Kemi Adetiba’s epic is a required watch, featuring one of the most iconic performances in Nigerian cinema history. Sola Sobowale embodies Alhaja Eniola Salami, the wealthy businesswoman, philanthropist, and ruthless ruler of Lagos’s criminal underworld. As she attempts to move into legitimate political power, a violent struggle erupts that threatens to destroy her empire. Sobowale’s intensity as the regal matriarch is legendary, a performance that rightfully ushered in a new world of Nollywood action thrillers.

10. Tòkunbò (2024)

If you need a fast-paced, stylish thriller, Tòkunbò is your next binge. Directed by Ramsey Nouah, the film stars Gideon Okeke in the titular role as an ex-car smuggler forced back into danger to pay for his child’s medical treatment. His mission: deliver a kidnap victim to the notorious gangster Chidi Mokeme (Gaza), or his own family pays the price. Okeke expertly portrays the desperation and internal conflict of a man running against time, while Mokeme is menacing as the antagonist, making this a self-assured and artfully executed genre flick.

Part IV: Laughter, Love, and Life - Stories that Warm

The true heart of Nollywood lies in its ability to tell universally relatable, heartfelt stories about family, relationships, and the unique Nigerian spirit.

11. Ada Omo Daddy (2023)

Get ready for high drama and plenty of laughs! This is a family comedy-drama that revolves around Omowumi Dada (Pero), a successful young woman whose perfect life is thrown into chaos just days before her dream wedding. The culprit? The sudden reappearance of Charles Okafor (Ifeanyi), a man who claims to be her long-lost biological father, unearthing a decade-old secret of paternity deception. With Sola Sobowale delivering a signature performance as the formidable matriarch, this film asks the deep, funny question: What truly defines a family?

12. A Lagos Love Story (2025)

For the romantic in you, Lagos Love Story delivers a classic enemies-to-lovers setup with a vibrant, Afrobeats soundtrack! Jemima Osunde stars as Promise Quest, the aspiring event planner who clashes constantly with the charismatic, successful Afrobeats superstar Mike Afolarin (King Kator). Forced to work together for a major music festival, their initial animosity slowly blossoms into an undeniable attraction. It’s a stylish, fun, and heartfelt romance that captures the dynamism of Nigeria's music scene.

13. Devil is a Liar (2025)

This tense and utterly gripping psychological drama, with Nse Ikpe-Etim delivering a powerful performance as Adaora, a successful real estate mogul haunted by the desire for a child before menopause. She marries James Gardiner (Jaiye), a younger man who seems perfect, but the decision leads her down a path of manipulation and devastating ruin. Ikpe-Etim’s depth and vulnerability are compelling as she fights for survival and retribution in a story that exposes the brutal price of betrayal.

Part V: The Trailblazers - Modern Classics You Must See

These are the foundational films that cemented Nollywood’s relationship with Netflix and paved the way for the current golden age. Check out these Netflix-Nollywood classics; they are absolutely a required watch!

14. Lionheart (2018)

This film made history! It was Netflix’s first-ever Nigerian Original film and the directorial debut of icon Genevieve Nnaji. Nnaji stars as Adaeze Obiagu, the competent daughter expected to succeed her ill father in running the family transport company. Instead, her eccentric but savvy uncle, Nkem Owoh (Godswill), is appointed to run it alongside her. The two must overcome family drama and fight off a hostile takeover. It’s a quiet, confident, and heartwarming drama that offers a subtle critique of corporate sexism, anchored by the easy chemistry of its leads.

15. Citation (2020)

A brilliant, issue-driven drama that commanded a massive global audience upon release. Directed by Kunle Afolayan, the film tackles the sensitive subject of sexual harassment in Nigerian universities. Temi Otedola had her stunning debut as Moremi, a brilliant postgraduate student whose life is threatened when a charismatic professor, Jimmy Jean-Louis (Professor Lucien N'Dyare), sexually assaults her. You will follow her courageous decision to take her case to the university senate and fight to be believed. Citation is a brilliantly crafted film that sparks vital social conversation.

Which will you be watching?

This list represents Nollywood at the peak of its powers—a world-class industry telling stories that are utterly captivating. Every film here is a testament to the incredible talent and creative energy defining Nigerian cinema today.

And your journey doesn't have to end here. For your next watch, dive into the critically acclaimed series Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre. It’s the perfect next step into the ever-evolving universe of Nigerian storytelling.