With the weekend upon us and the October chill setting in, there’s no better time to dive into the vibrant world of Nollywood. From heart-wrenching romances to pulse-pounding thrillers rooted in Nigerian culture, this guide curates six must-see releases hitting screens and streaming services right now.
Whether you’re craving family drama in Lagos or supernatural chills from Edo folklore, these picks from Cinema, Netflix, YouTube, and Kava will keep you glued. Here’s why you should add them to your watchlist — starting today!
Love In Every Word 2 (YouTube)
Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions that hits close to home! Love In Every Word is a heartfelt Nigerian romance that unflinchingly tackles the messiness of modern relationships, reminding us that true love demands self-respect and cultural pride above all. The story centers on Chioma, a resilient woman emerging from a toxic two-year relationship with an indecisive partner, Davis. As she navigates new sparks and old wounds, the film weaves in sharp wit and Igbo proverbs to explore healing and second chances — proving that “Odogwu no be who you think.”
Directed by the talented Stanley Obi, this gem boasts a powerhouse cast led by Uzor Arukwe as the charming yet flawed love interest, alongside Amanda Iriekpen, Thelma Chukwunwem, Osereme Inegbenebor, Bambam, Omoni Oboli, and Saga. It’s the perfect feel-good (yet real-talk) starter for your weekend, blending laughs, tears, and those “aha” moments that make Nollywood so addictive. Stream it now on YouTube, the full movie is available for free, with the recent Part 2 buzz making it unmissable. For more romance recs, check our best Nollywood love stories.
Tare (Cinema)
When betrayal shatters a family, can hope stitch it back together? Tare delivers a gut-punch drama that’s as raw as it is redemptive, following a woman adrift in a sea of fleeting connections, desperately chasing stability amid heartbreak. Directed by the dynamic duo Okechukwu Oku and Stanley Obi, this October 24 premiere captures the quiet desperation of faded maternal bonds and the fierce will to rebuild — think The Wedding Party meets a sobering family therapy session.
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi shines as the titular Tare, grappling with loss and longing, supported by a stellar ensemble including Jide Kene Achufusi, Nosa Rex, Ibinabo Fiberesima, and Tersy Akpata. If you’re in the mood for a story that lingers long after the credits, this is your cinematic escape—nail-biting tension wrapped in unfiltered Nigerian resilience. Catch it in cinemas nationwide starting October 24.
Idia (Cinema)
Edo folklore meets modern madness in Idia, a psychological horror-thriller that’s set to haunt your dreams! This chilling tale follows Idia, a naive orphan taken in as a housekeeper by a mysterious family, only to discover their dark ritual demands she sacrifice her sanity to preserve their bloodline. Drawing from ancient myths and everyday Nigerian fears, it’s a fresh spin on horror that creeps under your skin with cultural authenticity.
Helmed by up-and-coming visionaries (with writing nods to Lizzie Pereowei), the film explodes with star power: Mercy Aigbe as the enigmatic matriarch, Linda Osifo, Gbubemi Ejeye in the lead role, Tope Tedela, and legend Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. Perfect for thriller fans wanting something beyond jump scares, Idia builds dread through family secrets and supernatural twists that feel all too real. Hitting cinemas October 24 — grab your tickets before the hype sells out.
Farmer’s Bride (Netflix)
Step back to 1980s Ibadan for a sultry tale of forbidden desire and village intrigue in Farmer’s Bride. This noir-tinged drama unfolds as wealthy, isolated farmer Odun weds young Funmi for companionship, but her rebellious spirit and wandering heart ignite a storm of jealousy, secrets, and societal clashes. It’s a lush, axe-wielding exploration of duty versus passion, evoking the slow-burn sensuality of classic Nollywood with a feminist edge.
Co-directed by Jackenneth Opukeme and Adebayo Tijani, the cast is a feast: Mercy Aigbe as the fiery Funmi, Tobi Bakre, Femi Branch, Gbubemi Ejeye, Efe Irele, Toke Makinwa, Kate Henshaw, Detola Jones, Eso Dike, and Bimbo Manuel. Why watch? It’s visually stunning, thematically bold, and a masterclass in tension — ideal for cozy Netflix nights with a side of jollof. Streaming on Netflix (and Kava) since October 17, binge it this weekend.
The Herd (Cinema)
A wedding bliss turns bloodbath in The Herd, Daniel Etim Effiong’s directorial debut that’s redefining Nollywood crime thrillers! As a police officer confronts his wife’s betrayal, he stumbles into a corrupt underbelly tied to explosive herdsmen-farmer conflicts—blending personal anguish with national tensions in a high-stakes survival saga. It’s fast-paced, unflinching, and packed with those “what happens next?” twists.
Effiong stars alongside Mercy Aigbe, Genoveva Umeh, Kunle Remi, Tina Mba, and Deyemi Okanlawon, delivering raw performances that hit like a gut punch. This one’s for action lovers seeking depth, think Lionheart with darker stakes and social commentary that sparks real conversations. In cinemas since October 17, but the buzz is peaking now, don’t miss the encore vibes October 24-26.
The Weekend (Kava)
Family skeletons rattle loudest in the village in The Weekend, a psychological thriller dropping just in time for your spooky stream sesh! Orphaned Nikiya, craving belonging, drags her fiancé Luc to meet his estranged clan—only to unearth the horrifying secrets that fractured them years ago. Set against Nigeria’s rural idiosyncrasies, it’s a descent into paranoia where every meal hides a menace.
Directed by the sharp Daniel Oriahi, this gem features Uzoamaka Aniunoh as the wide-eyed Nikiya, Bucci Franklin as Luc, plus Ekpenyong Bassey Inyang, Meg Otanwa, Gloria Anozie-Young, Damilola Ogunsi, James Gardiner, and Bryan Okoye. Gripping from the first awkward hello, it’s Nollywood horror at its most intimate and unsettling —perfect if Get Out meets village vibes sounds like your jam. Premiering on Kava October 23.
Which one’s topping your queue? Drop a comment below, and for endless vibes, hit up our best movies on Netflix or top Cinema releases. Happy watching!
