What are some of the best movies produced in Nollywood this year? The Nigerian movie industry produces hundreds of movies every year, and only a few of them ever attain the status of being a hit with both local and global audiences. If like us, you love watching Nigerian movies, but can’t always keep track of what the best ones are, this article on Best Nollywood Movies 2023 can help.
In 2023, there were many movies that pushed the film industry forward, proving once and for all that Nollywood is strong enough to compete with its global counterparts in terms of producing amazing films. Every single movie that graces our list where all hits, and got the most reactions from their audience as well.
While we are halfway through this year, it is undeniable that both the first and second half of 2023 delivered great titles for movie lovers. From hitting too close to issues we face in the country to taking the audience through a tirade of emotions, these are the best Nollywood movies 2023.
7 Best Nollywood Movies 2024
1. Black Book
2. Jagun Jagun
3. Gangs Of Lagos
4. A Sunday Affair
5. Love In A Pandemic
6. The Trade
7. 7. House Of Secrets
Drawing inspiration from similar reviews across the internet, these are the best Nollywood movies 2023, that came out this year. Our list contains a healthy mix of action, romance, comedy, and mythological movies. Keep reading to find out which titles you may have failed to add to your collection.
1. Black Book
The Black Book is the newest movie on this list. It was released on 22 September 2023 and quickly rose to the status of the best Nollywood movie of 2023. Black Book tells the story of a bereaved deacon whose son is framed for kidnapping and killed. The deacon (Richard Mofe Damijo) takes justice into his hands and fights the corrupt police gang responsible for his son’s death.
RMD plays Paul Edima, a retired gang member who was content serving God as a deacon until his son Damilola Edima (Olumide Oworu) is unjustly targeted and murdered. Paul reaches back into a world that he long left behind to unleash pain on his enemies.
Director: Editi Effiong.
Cast: Richard Mofe Damijo, Olumide Oworu, Sam Dede, Alex Usifo, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, Taiwo Ajayi, Denola Grey, etc.
2. Jagun Jagun
After a successful delivery of King of Thieves (2022), Femi Adebayo tried his hand at Jagun Jagun, his 2023 offering. This Yoruba epic action movie rooted in mythology recounts the tale of a young man who joins an elite army in his quest to become a powerful warrior and win the heart of a woman.
On his journey, he attracts the anger of a bloodthirsty warlord (Femi Adebayo) who feels threatened by the rookie (Adedimeji Lateef). Jagun Jagun struck a chord with the audience, because of its rich storytelling and gripping mythological roots. If you loved Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo, you’ll this movie too.
Director: Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami.
Cast: Femi Adebayo, Adedimeji Lateef, Fathia Balogun, Mr. Macaroni, Bimbo Ademoye, Bukunmi Oluwashina, Odunlade Adekola.
3. Gangs Of Lagos
Gangs Of Lagos earns a spot on this list of best Nollywood movies 2023, not just because of its storyline, but because of the controversy surrounding its release. This movie was released in the heat of the 2023 presidential and governorship election, which made its plot twice as powerful. It even got a sanction letter from the Lagos State Government.
The movie talks about a group of friends (Obaloba, Gift, and Panama) who grew up on the infamous and dangerous Isale Eko, drawn to a life of crime. They embark on a journey of vengeance to right the wrongs committed by the street gangs on the road after a loved one was murdered.
Director: Jade Osiberu, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Akin Omotosho.
Cast: Adesuwa Etomi-Wellington, Tobi Bakare, Chike, Chioma Chukwuka, Zlatan Ibile, etc.
4. A Sunday Affair
Dubbed the Valentine Day’s film of 2023, A Sunday Affair features two Nollywood legends, actresses Nse Ikpe-Etim and Dakore Akande. These two iconic women bring to life a love triangle that’ll leave you confused about which character to root for.
Nse and Dakore play best friends, Uche and Toyin, who fall in love with the same man. Their triangle takes a downward spiral that makes for captivating TV. Romance lovers will find the cheesy romance and dramatic chaos, of A Sunday Affair appealing.
Director: Walter Banger.
Cast: Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Akande, Oris Erhuero, Eku Edewor, Alexx Ekubo, Hilda Dokubo, Pamilerin Ayodeji.
5. Love In A Pandemic
Love In A Pandemic is another of the best Nollywood movies of 2023, it is set around the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, people may have been confined to their houses, but it certainly did not stop some of them from finding true love. One such person is Bolane Davis (Nancy Isime), who in a bid to apologise to her boyfriend, called the wrong number that belonged to Alex (Deyemi Okanlawon).
This wrong call to a stranger becomes a routine, and they both develop feelings, but the pandemic is an obstacle. If you are someone who believes that your boyfriend should not hinder you from finding your true love, watch Love In A Pandemic for more ideas.
Director: Akay Ilozobhie.
Cast: Nancy Isime, Deyemi Okanlawon, Eso Dike, Uche Nwaefuna, Ronke Odusanya, Uche Obunse.
6. The Trade
The Trade is inspired by a real-life event that occurred in 2017. It tells the story of Dike Maduka AKA ‘Eric’, a vile intelligent billionaire kidnapper, who has escaped arrest for two decades, and the high-stakes investigation into his crimes spearheaded by fast-rising police officer and head of the Intelligence Response Team, Superintendant Khalid Abubakar.
This movie delves into greed and terror set in Lagos. As the plot unfolds, you watch a high-stakes game between a dogged Khalid and the cunning Eric (Blossom Chukwujekwu) who terrorises the streets with his crimes. This movie is also directed by Jade Osiberu, so if you loved Gangs of Lagos, you’ll love The Trade.
Director: Jade Osiberu.
Cast: Blossom Chukwujekwu, Rita Dominic, Kelechi Udegebe, Gideon Okeke, Gregory Ojefua, Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu, Denola Grey, Stan Nze, Waje, Shawn Faqua, etc.
7. House Of Secrets
Last on our list of best Nollywood movies in 2023 is House Of Secrets. It follows efforts to retrieve the past memories of Sarah (Najite Dede) and how a secret she knows may prevent the country from electing a president with a checkered history. It was released after the Presidential elections, so one can clearly see how this relates to Nigeria’s current political situation.
When you begin the movie, you’ll understand that everybody wants something from Sarah, especially Dr Jide (Femi Jacobs) who demands that she remember the details of a specific memory she finds difficult to hold onto. Dede’s acting shines through in the first minutes of the movie and she perfectly embodies her character’s plight.
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan.
Cast: Najite Dede, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Shawn Faqua, Kate Henshaw, Femi Jacobs, Efe Irele, Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, etc.
Wrap Up
2023 is ending in two months, and from the beginning of the year till now, Nollywood has blessed our screen with The Black Book, Gangs of Lagos, House of Secrets, and other amazing movies. When you have the time, you can watch these best Nollywood movies 2023 on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
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