It’s the season of love, as it’s popularly known, and it’s only best that the day is wrapped up in good spirits. Now, what other time would be best to binge watch thematic Nollywood films? Well, now sounds great!
Here are 5 romantic Nollywood movies you can’t go wrong with. It’s okay if you’ve seen them before. What harm has rewatching ever done? Right. Get into it.
Isoken.
Isoken is the titular drama whose lead role is played by the evergreen Dakore. Everyone in the Osayande family worries about Isoken. Although she has what appears to be a perfect life–beautiful, successful and surrounded by great family and friends–Isoken is still unmarried at 34 which, in a culture obsessed with marriage, is serious cause for concern. Things come to a head at her youngest sister’s wedding when her overbearing mother thrusts her into an orchestrated matchmaking with the ultimate Edo man, Osaze. Osaze is handsome, successful and from a good family, making him perfect Nigerian husband material. But in an unexpected turn of events, Isoken meets Kevin who she finds herself falling in love with and he just might be what she truly wants in a partner. The only problem is, not only is he not an Edo man, he is Oyinbo (white). Isoken is a romantic comedy that explores cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and the bonds that unite families in touching, dramatic and comedic ways.
Here are some of the casts and the roles they play, Dakore Akande as Isoken, Joseph Benjamin as Osaze, Marc Rhys as Kevin, Funke Akindele as Agnes, Lydia Forson as Kukua, Damilola Adegbite as Joke, Tina Mba as mama Isoken, Patrick Doyle as Papa Isoken, Nedu Wazobia as Chuks, Bolanle Olukanni as Rume, Rita Edwards as Aunty with Efa Iwara and Jemima Osunde.
Fine Wine.
What’s a Nolly romance without a man who ages like fine wine and has the other qualities to show for it? That’s exactly what Fine Wine is, except with a twist.
Fine Wine is a 2021 Nigerian romantic comedy film that follows the story of a lonely but rich older man who genuinely falls in love with a younger woman and finds himself in the crossfire of society and in competition with a younger man for her heart.
Fine Wine was directed by Seyi Babatope and written by Temitope Akinbode and Diche Enunwa, starring A-listers like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ego Nwosu, Zainab Balogun, Nse Ikpe-Etim in the lead roles.
Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards.
“Kambili Maduka, is an irresponsible, spoiled, spendthrift 28-year-old woman who is turning 29 in a few days. The only thing on her mind is to get married before she turns 30. However, after getting suspended from work due to her incessant lateness, she goes on a date with her boyfriend and he breaks up with her, dashing her hopes of getting married before 30. She decides that what she needs to do is prove to her boyfriend that she can be everything he wants her to be which is; responsible, driven, focused and wife material.”—FilmOne Entertainment
The film is Written by Ozioma Ogbaji, starring Nancy Isime as Kambili, Toyin Abraham, Jide Kene Achufusi, Mawuli Gavor, Sharon Ooja, Venita Akpofure, Koye Kekere-Ekun, Uzor Arukwe, Elvina Ibru.
The film runs for 120 minutes.
The Wedding Party.
The euphoric feeling of festivities in Nollywood is a real one. Here’s Wedding Party to take you on a nostalgic journey of good music, great action, proper drama and bling owambe lifestyle. Indulge in the nostalgia and watch The Wedding Party.
“An insecure virgin bride. A reformed playboy groom. Two overbearing mothers who can’t stand each other. One philandering husband. A high-strung wedding planner. An invasion of unruly village gatecrashers. A best man with a flashdrive full of secrets. A thief on the loose. A sexy ex with vengeance on her mind. Two loyal bridesmaids ready to go to war. A brother seeking his father’s approval. Put them all together and the result is a hilarious melting-pot of potential disaster. Will it all be too much? Or will true love stand even the most chaotic of wedding celebrations as offered in The Wedding Party?”
On the cast list are Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Iretiola Doyle, Alibaba Akporobome, Zainab Balogun, Beverly Naya, Somkele Iyamah, Jumoke George, Enyinna Nwigwe, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Daniella Down, Stephen Damien.
Dear Affy.
Dear Affy is a thrilling watch that tells the story of an engaged couple who hit a number of speed bumps on the road to matrimony including major career complications and questions of fidelity.
The film was available for watch on the 14th of February, 2020. Directed by Samuel Olatunji, with stars like Toyin Abraham, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kehinde Bankole, Odunlade Adekola, Dear Affy is a suggested watch.
You can watch these movies on Netflix.