The Nigerian movie industry,

The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, is once again proving why it’s the second-largest film industry in the world. This week, cinema-goers across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are buzzing about three blockbuster films that just hit the screens. From romance dramas to high-stakes thrillers, Nollywood is serving premium entertainment that’s catching both local and international attention.

One of the biggest highlights is “My Father's Shadow”, a crime-drama thriller directed by Akinola Davies Jr. A critically acclaimed Nigerian film, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers as they navigate Lagos with their estranged father during Nigeria’s pivotal 1993 election season. The film premiered at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and received widespread praise for its storytelling and direction.

Another crowd favorite is “Broken Vows”, a romantic drama featuring Nancy Isime  and Timini Egbuson. It explores the struggles of young Nigerian couples navigating love, betrayal, and societal pressures. Early reviews on social media describe it as “tear-jerking yet empowering.”

For action lovers, “Kingdom of Ashes” is currently pulling record numbers in cinemas. Directed by Desmond Elliot, the epic film showcases a fictional West African kingdom at war, featuring large-scale battle scenes and deep cultural storytelling. With its high production quality, many critics believe it could rival international productions. Though details remain scarce, early chatter among movie lovers suggests the film could explore themes of power struggles, betrayal, and dynastic collapse set in a fictional African kingdom. If confirmed, Kingdom of Ashes may join the ranks of other large-scale Nollywood productions aiming to rival international blockbusters.

Nollywood’s Growing Global Appeal

Nollywood has always been known for its vibrant storytelling, but in recent years, it has stepped up in quality, budget, and global recognition. With streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video investing heavily in Nigerian films, Nollywood titles are reaching audiences in the U.S., UK, and across Africa.

The growing global appeal of Nollywood means that these films are not just local blockbusters—they are cultural exports representing Nigeria on the world stage. This week’s cinema releases prove that Nollywood is no longer playing small but competing with the best in terms of production, storytelling, and audience engagement.