With the second quarter of the year currently underway, the Nollywood industry continues to show viewers that there’s more to come. And this May promises a plethora of Nollywood films that will keep everyone glued to their seats.

With the recent conclusion of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) honouring the best movies from last year, you wonder what’s next for the film industry. But Nollywood has never run out of captivating stories and impressive production.

So this May, we curated a list of thrilling, dramatic, romance-comedy, and action-packed Nollywood films you don’t want to miss.

Efunroye: The Unicorn 

Produced by Faithia Balogun, the ace actress also plays the lead role in the historical epic as Efunroye Tinubu, the influential 19th-century Lagos merchant, slave trader, and political figure in Yoruba land.

Unlike a documentary, the story chronicles her rise in trade, her business influence in colonial Lagos, and the role she played in changing the economic and political power structures of her time. Also starring Muyiwa Ademola, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Ibrahim Chatta, Saheed Balogun, Mercy Aigbe, Eniola Ajao, Femi Branch, and Layi Wasabi.

Call of My Life

If you’re a sucker for rom-coms, then you don’t want to miss the Dammy Twitch-directed debut feature Call of My Life.

The romance-inspired film follows Soluchi (played by Uzoamaka Power), a hopeless romantic call centre agent who is trying to move on from a breakup, when a routine customer service call connects her with Eli (Andrew Yaw Bunting). As an intense connection blossoms between the two, Soluchi is forced to rethink her emotional decisions: vulnerability of a new fairytale romance or the materialistic security of her ex.

Produced by Blessing Uzzi and written by Uzoamaka Power, the film also stars Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwo and Justin ‘UG’ Ugonna, and special live performances from Johnny Drille and Cobhams Asuquo.

Strong

Strong is a murder-mystery-themed film that grabs your attention from the start, as it delves into the complexities of marriage, betrayal, and the harsh court of public opinion.

The Dimbo and Karachi Atiya-film follows Lami Sawa (Sophie Alakija), a respected and accomplished architect whose picture-perfect marriage with her husband, Sota Sawa (Chris Okagbue), crumbles when Sota is suddenly arrested and accused of infertility and heinous murder.

As damning evidence mounts and the public quickly condemns him, Lami finds herself torn between intense loyalty and creeping doubt. In a bid to prove her husband innocent, she encounters dark secrets that unravel along the way. Starring Sophie Alakija, Chris Okagbue, Ahide Adum, Edward Fom, Eva Ibiam, Fae Olumide, and Norah Igho.

The Boy Who Gave

Directed, written, produced and led by Allison Precious Emmanuel, The Boy Who Gave follows Idah, a teenager in Bonny Island forced into adulthood upon the death of his parents. The responsibility of caring for his younger siblings while enduring daily pressures and protecting what remains of his family becomes his new reality.

The film also stars Tina Mba, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Abbey Delight Dagogo, Hart Andrew, and Chuks Joseph.

The Fisherman 

The award-winning African-fantasy-comedy film follows Atta Oko (Ricky Adelayitor), a grumpy old, traditional fisherman from a coastal village in Ghana who has spent his entire life working the sea. His life takes an unexpected turn when he comes in contact with a talking fish in a bid to return to the sea in a world with modern technology and systems.

Atta teams up with the mouthy fish and a trio of quirky, young dreamers from his village, where they embark on a chaotic, hilarious road trip to the capital city of Accra, navigating the traditional and modern city life.

The film stars Ricky Adelayitar, William Lamptey, and Endurance Dzigbordi Dedzo, Dulo Harris (iamdulo), and is executively produced by Emmy-nominated Nigerian actress and comedian Yvonne Orji.

Segilola

Set in a pre-colonial Yoruba village called Aare, the Muhydeen S. Ayinde and Seun Olaiya film explores the tragedy of the power-drunk theme. The story follows Segilola (Funmilayo Omikunle), a heartless, cold-blooded, and immensely wealthy woman who began her life’s journey with blood on her hands.

Driven by a relentless hunger for absolute dominance and a petty personal grudge with Alesinloye (Ibrahim Chatta), a wealthy and powerful stranger in the village. Segilola unleashes a terrifying wave of destruction that threatens the King and plunges the entire kingdom into chaos.

The film cast includes Ibrahim Chatta, Odunlade Adekola, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Williams, Peter Fatomilola, Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow), Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka), Bimpe Akintunde, and singer 9ice (Abolore Akande).

Okanjuwa

Written by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and directed by Zulumoke Oyibo, Okanjuwa is the chaotic family-comedy-drama needed for this month’s Eid celebration.

The plot revolves around the hilarious, high-stakes drama, secrets, and absolute chaos that erupt inside a Nigerian household during a massive Ìlèya (Eid-el-Kabir) party celebration.

The cast includes Kunle Remi, Tomike Adeoye, Uzor Arukwe, Omowunmi Dada, Femi Adebayo Salami, Olaiya Igwe, Kamo State, Tobi Makinde, Ruby Okezie, Bianca Ugowanne, and Blessing Jessica Obasi-Nze.

Ajosepo 2: The Gathering

Kayode Kasum-directed 2024 breakout box-office hit Ajosepo, returns for a part two as the story continues with the family dynamics first introduced in the first film.

Expanding on the signature chaotic marriage and extended family drama, and humour, the film delves into old rivalries, deep love, and newly unraveling family secrets. The cast includes Timini Egbuson, Mike Afolarin, Bolaji Ogunmola, Bisola Aiyeola and Mercy Aigbe.

Iyaloja

“She came with charm. She stayed with secrets. The market will decide,” the tagline for the film warns. Iyaloja is a political thriller-drama focused on a high-stakes, ruthless power struggle for the sacred throne of the market leader (Iyaloja) in the historic Isale-Eko region of Lagos State.

The film opens the story of a young crafty woman who gets embroiled in a battle for the position of Iya Oloja following the death of her mother. While her actions seem sincere to the market women of Isale-Eko, they soon discover her past is not as it seems. The film features a star-studded cast including Kehinde Bankole, Iyabo Ojo, Wale Ojo, Lina Idoko, Jidekene Achufusi, and Faithia Balogun