October is filled with a variety of movie treats, from Nollywood hits to international premieres—there’s something for everyone. And as the saying goes, all work and no play. So, grab your calendars and mark down all the exciting new releases, perfect for a solo watch or a fun date night!
NOLLYWOOD MOVIES AND SERIES
Life and Dirt
Bovi Ugboma, Chidi Mokeme, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Idia Aisien, Kanayo Kanayo, Shaffy Bello and Uzor Arukwe star in Life and Dirt, from a screenplay written by Bovi. Directed by James ‘Abinibi’ Alabi, the film follows two men who plot a get-rich-quick scheme, but find obstacles on their way. Life and Dirt will be on Prime Video on October 3.
Style magnet
Joseph Benjamin returns as the host of Style Magnate, an exciting new fashion and design competition premiering on Showmax. Twenty emerging designers will compete for a grand prize of 100 million naira. Joining him on the show is fashion icon Mai Atafo, who steps in as the show’s Maestro, while acclaimed stylist Yolanda Okereke takes on the role of Fashion Principal.
A Smart Money Woman
The Smart Money Women are back. From writer, bestselling author and executive producer Arese Ugwu, The Smart Money Woman is a financial literacy comedy-drama following a group of stylish and ambitious best girlfriends in Lagos, Nigeria, the mecca of culture in Nigeria.
Directed by Wande Thomas and Bunmi Ajakaiye, the series will premiere on October 10 on YouTube.
It features Osas Ighodaro, Toni Tones, Ini Dima-Okojie, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Timini Egbuson, Eso Dike, Seun Ajayi, Tania Omotayo, Enyinna Nwigwe, Eku Edewor, Tobi Bakre, Bolanle Olukanni, Jesse Suntele, and Eby Eno.
A Night In 2005
The project, directed and written by Ted Makanjuola, sheds a powerful story about truth and justice. The members of the cast include Ini Dinma-Okojie, Efa Iwara, Bimbo Akintola, Ireti Doyle, Teniola Aladese, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Taye Arimoro and Demi Banwo.
The feature film will debut across cinemas on October 11, 2024.
3 Working Days
It follows a father’s (Deyemi Okanlawon) quest to provide for his family while dealing with Nigeria’s cash scarcity crisis. Bleeding Art Production produced the film in partnership with Kemepade Bedford, Okanlawon, and Gabusky Chika Nnajide.
Directed by Ossai and distributed by Filmone Entertainment, the film features Detola Jones, Linda Osifo, Tobi Makinde, Deyemi Okanlawon, Nancy Isime, Uzor Arukwe, Romeo WJ, Tobi Makinde, Mike Afolarin, Femi Adebayo, Victor Osuagwu, Bolaji Ogunmola, Seun Kentebe, Odunaro Emmanuel, Mike Ezeruonye, and Gbugbemi Ejeye.
3 Working Days will commence its cinematic viewing on October 18.
Wives On Strike: The Uprising
The third instalment of the Wives On Strike franchise by Nigerian filmmaker Omoni Oboli is here. The feature film is slated as Nile Entertainment’s first distribution release upon its launch earlier this year.
The story follows an honours graduate who is kidnapped after returning home, leading his mother to embark on a vengeful and brutal quest to rescue him, facing a violent and harrowing ordeal along the way. It stars Chioma Akpotha, Uche Jombo, Ufuoma McDermott, Hilda Dokubo, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, and Elvina Ibru.
On October 18, Wives On Strike will premiere across cinemas nationwide.
Inside Life
Nigerian music video director Clarence Peters has announced the debut of his Netflix project titled Inside Life. The series will commence streaming on October 11, 2024. The story highlights the journey into the heart of a Lagos prison. A man driven to desperation, a devoted sister, and an ambitious woman face their own struggles as their pasts collide, revealing the darker sides of Nigeria’s most populous city.
The series stars Gabriel Afolayan, Scarlett Gomez, Meg Otanwa, Jigan Babaoja, and Nollywood veterans Jide Kosoko and Zack Orji.
Hijack 93’
The movie follows the striking event of October 25, 1993, when a Nigerian Airways plane was hijacked as a medium of protest against the June 12 elections. On the said day, four Nigerian young men, Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal, commandeered a Nigerian Airways aeroplane en route to Abuja from Lagos and forced its pilots to land in the Niger Republic. Their audacious move was an attempt to force the government to hand over power to MKO Abiola.
Produced by Play Network studios the movie stars Jemima Osunde, Idia Aisien, Ego Nwosu, John Dumelo, Yakubu Muhammed, Efa Iwara, Nancy Isime, Sharon Ooja, Sani Muazu, Adam Garba, Allison Emmanuel, Oluwaseyi Akinola and Nnamdi Agbo.
Soft Love
This romantic drama is Holmes Awa’s Feature debut and features a stellar cast including Efa Iwara, Rosemary Zimu (Savage Beauty), Dorcas Shola Fapson, Genoveva Umeh, and Caroline King.
Soft Love will debut on Prime on October 25.
INTERNATIONAL MOVIES/TV SERIES
Happiness Is
Popular South African film, Happiness is a Four-Letter Word is heading to Netflix. Renate Stuurman’s best friend plans a huge birthday bash that ends in a surprising revelation, and conflicts that force her to reevaluate her seemingly perfect life. It stars Gail Mabalane, Richard Lukunku, Siv Ngesi, Rosemary Zimu and Nigerian actor O.C. Ukeje.
Happiness Is will commence streaming on Netflix on October 18.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as Arthur Fleck, now a patient at Arkham State Hospital. Joining him is mega-pop star Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel). Set two years after the events of the first film, the psychological thriller follows Arthur and Harleen as they descend into shared madness, experiencing life through the lens of a musical. Meanwhile, Arthur’s followers outside the asylum begin a movement to free him. Joker: Folie à Deux has begun to premiere in cinemas nationwide.
The Platform 2
Remember The Platform (2019)? Then get ready because it’s back with a sequel. Directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, The Platform 2 has commenced streaming on Netflix since October 4. Set in the dystopian world of the original The Platform, it once again takes viewers to the Vertical Self-Management Center, a prison where inmates live in a multi-floor structure, with each floor housing two prisoners.
The Lincon Lawyer: S3
The Lincoln Lawyer returns to Netflix on October 17 for a thrilling third season. Mickey Haller is now faced with his most personal case yet as he grapples with the shocking news of Gloria’s death. Her accused murderer reaches out to Mickey, pleading for him to prove his innocence. This season teases an intricate conspiracy surrounding her murder, hinting at someone setting Julian up for the crime, forcing Mickey to dive deep into dangerous territory to uncover the truth.
Brothers
The star-studded cast of Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, Brendan Fraser, Glenn Close, and Marisa Tomei comes together in this action-comedy film Brothers. The movie follows a reformed criminal whose plans to stay on the straight and narrow are thrown off course when he embarks on a road trip with his troublemaking twin brother for the heist of a lifetime. Brothers will be available to stream on Prime Video on October 17.
Smile 2
The psychological supernatural horror sequel to Smile (2022), returns to the cinemas on October 18. This time, the film centres on a pop singer who begins to encounter increasingly unsettling occurrences just as she prepares to go on tour. Starring Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage and Kyle Gallner.
Beauty In Black
Tyler Perry, Beauty in Black is a 16-episode drama premiering October 24 on Netflix. Set in Atlanta, the series intertwines the lives of a wealthy Black family at the helm of a hair-care empire with an exotic dancer entangled in the hidden world of Magic City’s strip club scene. It features Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, Amber Reign Smith, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, and Richard Lawson.
Venom
The third installment of Venom is here and will be available across cinemas nationwide on October 24. Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom go on the run when they are hunted by both of their worlds. It features Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple and Rhys Ifan, coming to the big screens.