June is a dream for film lovers and casual moviegoers alike. With a few public holidays sprinkled through the month, it’s the perfect time to catch up on buzzy blockbusters and gripping Nollywood dramas alike. Whether you’re into high-stakes thrillers or emotionally rich stories, June’s lineup offers plenty to escape into. Here’s what’s worth watching, both locally and internationally.

The Fire and the Moth (June 3)

Taiwo Egunjobi’s latest crime drama plunges viewers into the dark underbelly of a rugged southwestern Nigerian town, where chaos erupts after a smuggler vanishes with a priceless Ife bronze head. With a stellar cast including Tayo Faniran, Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Ini Dima-Okojie, the film melds cultural heritage and crime into a haunting tale of survival.

Red Circle (June 6)

Fikayo seems to have it all: wealth, prestige, and a future mapped out for her. But her desire to pursue journalism instead of legacy leads her into dangerous territory. As she digs into secrets her inner circle would rather keep buried, she’s pulled into a vortex of deception and ambition. Featuring Folu Storms, Tobi Bakre, Timini Egbuson, and Bukky Wright among others, Red Circle promises a high-stakes narrative about power and integrity.

Ballerina (June 6)

In Ballerina, Ana de Armas slips into a world carved from the same brutal ballet of bullets and blood that made John Wick a cultural juggernaut. She plays a cold-blooded killer raised by the Ruska Roma — the shadowy syndicate last seen in Chapter 3, led once again by Anjelica Huston — and her mission is clear: find and eliminate the people who shattered her family. This spin-off expands the Wick mythology with appearances from longtime players like Ian McShane’s ever-calm Winston, Lance Reddick’s dignified Charon in one of his final roles, and yes, Keanu Reeves steps in as the ghostly icon himself. While the revenge plot isn’t reinventing the wheel, early viewers say the action choreography more than earns its place.

Iyalode (June 6)

A powerful Yoruba-language epic, Iyalode marks Toyin Abraham’s return to the big screen in a film rooted in tradition, resilience, and leadership. Backed by FilmOne Entertainment, the story centres on a formidable woman destined to rise in a patriarchal world. Kehinde Bankole, Wale Ojo, and Muyiwa Ademola round out the cast in what looks to be a commanding cultural drama.

The Shadow of Greed  (June 20)

What begins as a dream role for Jerry Chen in Nigeria soon morphs into a dangerous power struggle with a cunning regional queenpin, Oba Adebukola Adele. With help from a youth leader known as Castro and the will of the people, a battle against corruption and ambition unfolds. Directed by Akay Mason, the film features Olumide Oworu, Gabriel Afolayan, Toke Makinwa, and Kent S. Leung.

Unclaimed (June 20)

 

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In Unclaimed, director Biodun Stephen explores the grit and vulnerability of survival. It’s a narrative about reclaiming power after trauma, anchored by a strong cast that includes Kunle Remi, Ellma Mbadiwe, Timini Egbuson, and Teniola Aladese. Expect emotion, defiance, and a clear reckoning with silence.

How to Train Your Dragon (June 13)

The beloved bond between boy and dragon gets a new coat of cinematic paint in this live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon. Initially met with side-eyes and remake fatigue—especially when word spread that it would closely shadow the animated original—early buzz has shifted the conversation. Social reactions from preview screenings have been glowing, hinting at a film that balances heartfelt storytelling with rich world-building. It didn’t top anticipation polls, but with Toothless back in the air and Hiccup’s journey retold through a live-action lens, this might just soar higher than expected.

F1: The Movie (June 27)

Brad Pitt hits the track in this high-octane Formula One drama, playing a veteran driver drawn out of retirement to mentor a prodigy. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, F1 promises a visceral experience: real racetracks, roaring engines, and the kind of tactile, in-your-seat filmmaking that racing films often promise but rarely deliver. The star power, and its third-place finish in fan rankings, suggests it’s already building momentum. 

Mending (June 27)

Directed by Robert Peters, Mending traces the invisible wounds we carry and the hard path to healing. This deeply emotional story explores themes of forgiveness and love through compelling performances by Shaffy Bello, Nancy Isime, Enyinna Nwigwe, and Omowunmi Dada.