The 2020s have brought in a new era for the Nollywood epic. Backed by large production budgets and global streaming distribution, Nigerian filmmakers are creating and reimagining the historical and fantasy genres. This new wave of cinema delivers sweeping stories rooted in cultural mythologies, pre-colonialism history and legendary figures. The best of these epics are carried by authentic cultural and historical representation, ambitious production design, depth of storytelling and strong acting performances.
Whether exploring the real-world resistance of local heroes or the metaphysical consequences of cheating death, the Nollywood epic has reached unprecedented, ambitious heights. Below is a list of the 10 best Nollywood epics of the 2020s so far.
10. (2023)
Running time: 1h 49m
Director: Odunlade Adekola
This is about the devastating consequences of pride when a powerful and arrogant monarch, Oba Adefolarin (Odunlade Adekola), begins to view himself as a deity. His disrespect toward his people and a coven of witches results in a severe punishment: he鈥檚 cursed with debilitating insanity. As the king鈥檚 madness throws the palace into chaos, a marauder named Komokomo (Femi Adebayo) 鈥 with whom the king previously had a dark pact 鈥 seizes the opportunity to invade the weakened kingdom and challenge for the throne.
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9. (2024)
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 11
Director: Kunle Afolayan
This two-season sequel to the 2022 movie Anikulapo picks up the story with Saro (Kunle Remi) and Queen Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye) on the run. While Arolake enjoys newly acquired wealth through questionable means, Saro faces the grim task of returning to the afterlife to complete an almost impossible mission as a consequence of abusing his resurrection powers.
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8. (2021)
Running time: 1h 45m
Director: Izu Ojukwu
This is based on the true story of Amina (Lucy Ameh), the 16th-century Hausa Warrior queen of the Zazzau Empire. She鈥檚 a young, ambitious girl who grows up to become a legendary military leader who enters combat to protect her family鈥檚 legacy. Amina ascends to the throne and leads the military to expand her kingdom鈥檚 territory and secure crucial trade routes.
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7. (2024)
Running time: 1h 47m
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan
Set in the 18th-century, the people of Egba resist the oppressive Oyo tribute collectors. The plot centres on a farmer, Lisabi Agbongbo-Akala (Lateef Adedimeji), who鈥檚 driven to rebellion after his close friend Oshokenu (Jide Awoboba) is murdered and Oshokenu’s bride is assaulted by Sangodeyi (Ibrahim 鈥淚tele鈥 Yekini), the head of the tribute collectors. Using the Aaro communal farming society as a front, Lisabi secretly trains an army to overthrow the Oyo overlords.
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6. (2022)
Running time: 1h 48m
Directors: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani
Shortly after King Adegbite (Odunlade Adekola) ascends the throne, Agesinkole (Femi Adebayo), an invincible bandit and mystic, launches a series of terror attacks as revenge for past wrongs. The kingdom鈥檚 hunters, witches and spiritual leaders must pool their powers to defeat this powerful threat.
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5. (2022)
Running time: 1h 51m
Director: Kunle Afolayan
This movie follows the story of Saro (Kunle Remi), a travelling textile weaver who arrives in a village and begins an illicit affair with Queen Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye), the king鈥檚 youngest wife. When their plan to elope is discovered, the king (Taiwo Hassan) has Saro beaten to death. However, an encounter with the mythical Akala bird allows Arolake to steal a mystical gourd to bring Saro back to life.
This gives Saro the power to resurrect the dead and earns him the title 鈥淎nikulapo.鈥 But his newfound power leads to pride and excessive demands, costing him his abilities when he betrays Arolake鈥檚 trust.
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4. (2024)
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 130
Director: James Omokwe
This drama centres on the ill-fated romance between Adanna (Oluchi Amajuoyi) and Nnanna (Kingsley Nmachukwu), and a tense political conflict between the Mgberi and Ajaani kingdoms. Adanna is an acolyte with the gift of foresight, pursued by a powerful, jealous antagonist (Jsmile Uhuru) who uses memory manipulation and spiritual interference to tear the lovers apart. The two lovers fight to remember each other and preserve their love amidst warring communities and supernatural obstacles.
3. (2024)
Running time: 2h
Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters
This historical drama chronicles the rise and fall of Bashorun Ga鈥檃 (Femi Branch), a ruthless 18th-century Prime Minister of the Oyo Empire. Ga’a鈥檚 insatiable thirst for power drives him to eclipse and murder the very monarchs he swore to serve. He uses dark magic and military power to secure his totalitarian grip. His ambition, greed and eventual betrayal alienates everyone 鈥 including his family and powerful allies 鈥 and leads to an alliance between Alaafin Abiodun (Adeniyi Johnson) and other leaders who bring the tyrant鈥檚 reign to a bloody end.
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2. (2023)
Running time: 2h 13m
Directors: Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani
A young, aspiring warrior named Gbotija (Lateef Adedimeji) enrolls in a combat academy run by the maniacal warlord Ogundiji (Femi Adebayo). Due to Gbotija鈥檚 unique magical ability to control trees and wood, he quickly rises through the ranks, and this unintentionally sparks jealousy and insecurity in Ogundiji. To eliminate his new rival, the warlord sets seemingly impossible and deadly trials for Gbotija, which jeopardise both his life and his blossoming romance with Ogundiji鈥檚 adopted daughter, Kiitan (Bukunmi Oluwasina). These events lead to a clash between master and student.
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1. (2022)
Running time: 1h 36m
Director: Biyi Bandele
Based on Wole Soyinka鈥檚 renowned stage play Death and the King鈥檚 Horseman, this movie is set in the Oyo Empire during the 1940s. Following the death of the Alaafin (King), custom dictates that his chief horseman, Elesin Oba (Odunlade Adekola), must commit ritual suicide to accompany the ruler into the afterlife and maintain the spiritual balance of the world. However, Elesin鈥檚 sudden distraction by carnal desires delays his passing. This allows a British colonial officer, Simon Pilkings (Mark Elderkin), to intervene and arrest him, resulting in a tragic disruption of the community鈥檚 traditional order.
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