The Nigerian film industry is truly massive, as attested to by the number of films featured in October’s Nollywood calendar.
October 2026 has turned out to be a hectic month for Nollywood, as a variety of religious dramas, documentaries, romantic comedies, political dramas, and Yoruba epics will hit theaters.
The month also features movies that present Nigerian stories in very different ways, such as that of the political sphere in the film First Lady and the personal side of the story in Pushing 30.
We have compiled a list of the New Nollywood movies that are expected to hit theatres soon, with their latest announced release dates.
Agbara Nla: The Return (October 1)
Agbara Nla: The Return begins in October with a brand-new rendition of the popular Mount Zion Christian film, which was released in the 1990s.
Directed by Damilola Mike Bamiloye and Joshua Mike Bamiloye, it’s based on the original story penned by Mike Bamiloye, who also stars as Isawuru.
The story takes place in the village of Muwonleru, which is dominated by a strong herbalist. Follows the characters whose lives are called to go out into the community and meet the opposition.
The new movie presents the story to a contemporary audience more than 30 years after the original Agbara Nla was a big hit in Nigeria’s Christian film culture.
The movie will release in Nigeria’s theatres on October 1, 2026. Audiences should check their preferred cinema for the final schedule, as some listings at the moment are currently listing October 2 as the release date.
Black Market (October 2)
Black Market is set for cinema release in October after its much-discussed screening at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, in September.
The crime drama, which is directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay, stars Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok and Uzor Arukwe.
It tells of women engaged in a smuggling venture across the border in times of dearth of fuel. One of their daughters is kidnapped, turning their lives upside down.
The movie already garnered international attention following the 51,000 viewers who attended its screening at Tafawa Balewa Square on September 26. The turnout was recorded as the largest at any one time for a film screening by Guinness World Records.
Currently, Silverbird has Black Market with an October 2 release date.
MKO (October 2)
M K O is a documentary about the life and political legacy of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The documentary tells the story of Abiola’s political career, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, his detention, and events that led to his death in 1998.
The movie includes interviews and quotes from individuals who were involved with the June 12 story, such as members of Abiola’s family, former military officials, and journalists who reported on the political crisis.
The movie release date in Nigerian theaters is October 2, 2026, as per the current cinema schedule.
East West Love (October 9)
Tanzanian filmmaker Seko Shamte’s East West Love is a romantic comedy that connects Nigeria and Kenya.
The movie features Sunshine Rosman as Bolatito who is a Nigerian event planner whose holiday plans are thrown off by her boyfriend’s infidelity.
She decides not to cancel her trip to Mombasa, but instead to make it a vacation with her friend. There, she meets a hotel manager called Juma, who is also from Kenya (Brian Abajah).
Other cast members are: Efa Iwara, Elma Mbadiwe and Emmanuel Mugo.
Starring Abiola Sobo, the film is written by Sonia Nwosu and Folashayo Oke Sobo, and tells the story of love, cultural differences, second chances, and the prospect of discovering something you’d never find at home.
East West Love is set to release in theaters in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Canada in 2026 on October 9.
Pushing 30 (October 18)
Pushing 30 will be coming down the road in a different way to audiences, as it will air on TV Oct. 1.
Comedy drama directed by Orobosa Ikponmwen and written by Mannie Oiseomaye, a party centred on an ensemble of buddies who are coming together to celebrate their 30th birthday.
From a birthday party, it turns into a time for the pals to deal with issues involving relationships, work, cash, and also friendship, and the pressure to have something figured out by the time they are 30.
The cast of the film includes Deji Osikoya, Darasimi Ogbetah, Mayowa Mula, Kanaga Emmanuel Eme, Kanyin Eros, Uzor Daniel, Sharon Rotimi and Doris Okorie, among others.
Pushing 30 will air on Africa Magic Showcase on 18th October 2026, at 8 pm.
First Lady (October 16)
First Lady is a political drama that focuses on the character of Adunola, who is the First Lady of Lagos State (Fehintola Olulana).
Despite its facade of power and privilege, Adunola is struggling with a personal journey of motherhood and marriage, coupled with the desire to have a child.
The film, which was directed by Yinka Akanbi, also featured Abiola Segun Williams, Oluwakemi Iyanda, Jaiye Kuti, Ngozi Nwosu, among others, with Desmond Elliot taking on the lead role.
Olulana wrote and produced the film, which was earlier recognized across the globe at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival for the Best Screenplay award.
First Lady will open in theaters nationwide in West Africa on October 16, 2026.
Tele x Zikora (October 23)
In Tele x Zikora, Nollywood is brought into the world of the modern university.
The movie follows Tele, a technologically strong and brilliant student, and Zikora, a popular University influencer. When their lives collide at a fictional Lagos Metropolitan University, the two young people are forced to interact and deal with relationships, social pressure, and the differences between their public and private identities.
The main characters are Mike Afolarin and Genoveva Umeh.
The film is directed by Adenike Adebayo Esho and stars Tomi Ojo, Chimezie Imo, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Layi Wasabi, Mercy Aigbe, Daniel Etim Effiong, Kanaga Emmanuel Eme, Angel Unigwe, Olumide Oworu and Toluwani George.
The movie will be released in theaters all over the country on October 23, 2026.
This is a Land Apart (October 23)
A Land Apart is a drama in which playwright Richard Mofe-Damijo imagines a different Nigeria in which agriculture was the primary source of wealth, rather than oil.
The movie focuses on RMD’s Dekera Ahura, whose agricultural empire gets intertwined with a formula that has the potential to solve a worldwide problem of food.
The narrative is set against the background of an alternative Nigerian history, juxtaposing family, wealth, politics, and international interests.
The film is directed by Pever Bem and features Princess Mufeedah, Daniel Etim Effiong, Sam Dede, Onyeka Onwenu, Adam Garba, and Frank Donga, along with RMD.
A Land Apart will be released in Nigerian cinemas on October 23, 2026.
Onibọn Oje (October 23)
Onibọn Oje, an epic drama helmed by Odunlade Adekola, Fathia Balogun and Kolawole Ajeyemi, is another big release for Yoruba cinema.
The novel is set in an old Yoruba kingdom, where a powerful warlord threatens to invade and destroy the people’s peaceful life.
When fear fills the kingdom, an unsuspecting warrior arises in the midst of the populace and starts a battle for survival and revenge.
The movie was produced by Pacesetter Film Arena and Exceptional Pictures, with direction by Mustapha Jayeola and Olawale Samson Adebayo.
Onibọn Oje will be released in Nigerian cinemas on 23rd October 2026.
Phoenix Fury (October 30)
The month wraps up with Phoenix Fury, a play by and directed by Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo.
The movie is about two women who fall in love after being connected by trauma, loss, and a pursuit of justice.
It stars Onyinye Odokoro, Uzoamaka Power, Tina Mba, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joseph Momodu and Ama K Abebrese.
It has already been seen at film festivals and has won Best Film and Best Director at AFRIFF 2024. Now it is set to hit the Nigerian and Ghanaian screens on October 30th, 2026.
