Valentine: Nollywood Romance Films To Watch
Valentine: Nollywood Romance Films To Watch
In the spirit of love, we have curated a list timeless Nollywood romance films, across generations, for you to enjoy this season. It doesn't matter if you're alone.
It's the time of the year again when love and lovers take center stage. Nollywood is not left out of this parade and to usher viewers into this season of love, we have curated a list of romance films that you and your loved ones can enjoy this Valentine.
This list contains films spanning generations, timelines and Nollywood ideologies. They are available on streaming platforms for you to easily access.
Released in 2023 and bearing Biodun Stephen’s signature directorial touch, Big Love tells the story of Adil and Adina who meet at bank training camp and immediately hit it off. Adina is an independent lady who is focused on building her career as a banker while Adil is the son of wealthy parents and Adina’s fear of their social difference stands in the way of their love.
The film would indeed make both lovers battle fears and stick around instead of simply giving up. It’s hard to pick between the intensity between Adil and Adina or the dramatic nature of Adil’s Mum, Kareema (Jaiye Kuti) and her sister, Kafil (Shaffy Bello)
Big Love also features Kalu Ikeagwu and Teniola Aladese. It is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Before Jadesola Osiberu began making thrillers, she gave us a sweet romance classic, Isoken.
Dakore Egbuson-Akande shines in the titular role as the story tackles the very relatable theme of society telling a woman in her thirties to be less ambitious as her chances of finding love and getting married are already too slim.
The film also features Tina Mba, Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Damilola Adegbite and Lydia Forson. It is streaming on Netflix.
Produced by Ebonylife Studios, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel tells the story of Ope who comes home from the UK and intends to save her family’s hotel from being sold. When she meets Deji, whom she doesn’t know intends to buy the hotel, sparks fly. However, things get a little complicated and they are forced to make a decision.
The film features Jide Kosoko, the late Rachel Oniga, Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Ini-Dima Okojie, and Akah Nnani. It is streaming on Netflix.
Uche Montana and Uzor Arukwe make a sweet pairing in this film. Ronke (Uche Montana) and Mena (Munachisom Eke) are still reeling from the loss of their husband and father, the latter losing her ability to speak following the loss of her father. This goes on for two years until Kene (Uzor Arukwe) shows up and turns the tide of pain and grief bringing some brightness into their lives.
When Love Calls is a soothing watch for romantics at heart and can be streamed on YouTube.
The Wedding Party remains a Nigerian classic that ushered in a wave of party films in Nollywood. It has romance and everything in between.
Dunni (Adesua Etomi) and Dozie (Banky W) are getting married but in the typical Nigerian wedding way, different kinds of drama such as in-law rivalry, ruined dresses, party crashes, and crazy exes, ensue that almost threaten the success of the wedding.
The Wedding Party can be streamed on Amazon Prime.
Kunle Afolayan made his first swipe at directing a romantic drama and made us fall in love with Nse Ikpe-Etim. Her character, Mary, got her phone mistakenly swapped with another passenger’s, Akin Cole (Wale Ojo) aboard a plane.
Both have to embrace unexpected turns of events and make the most of the situations that have been dumped on their laps by playing vital roles in each other’s lives and maybe just finding love in the mix of chaos.
Phone Swap is streaming on Netflix.
Red TV’s first feature film, Unintentional tells a story of finding love in unlikely places; even on a road trip to your NYSC location. Sefi (Omowumi Dada) and Uzor (Efa Iwara) are thrown together in an unlikely situation but it’s not love at first sight. At least not for Sefi who has been unlucky in love and is nursing a recent heartbreak.
Spending a night getting to know Uzor makes her let her guard down but then again, things get complicated through miscommunication.
You can figure out the rest by watching it on Red TV’s YouTube channel.
Before Bimbo Ademoye and Timini Egbuson stole our hearts again in Big Love, they had done it before in Breaded Life as Todewede and Summy under the same signature directorial touch of Biodun Stephen.
The story follows the journey of an arrogant and spoiled Summy learning life’s lesson the hard way but also finding love in the process. Beyond romance, you will get good laughs when you watch this film.
Breaded Life is streaming on Netflix.
Selina is a ghetto cook who has to work as a live-in cook for Ruben (Daniel EtimEffiong) to make ends meet. Ruben is in a complicated relationship and it’s not hard to recognize the familiar trope of a man falling for his help.
Selina however makes for a cheesy and funny story, one that motivates viewers to root for Selina and Ruben’s relationship.
Written and produced by Uduak Isong, Selina can be watched on her YouTube channel.
This film arguably leads the pack of old Nollywood films where a prince goes undercover to find love.
It was Ini Edo’s breakout role as she brought the character Uli, who is loved by a prince (Kenneth Okonkwo), to life in an unforgettable way.
If you are longing for the old retro Nollywood feel-good love story, Worlds Apart is your go-to.
You can find it on YouTube.