Once upon a time, Nollywood movies had low budgets and included dramatic sound effects, not-so-great special effects (did someone say dodgy CGI?) and stories that usually focused on someone’s village problems. 

Today, however, the story is different. Now, Nollywood is very popular worldwide and has a big impact on Netflix and other platforms. So, how did we arrive at this point? Let’s unpack the story together. 

The Simple Start of Nollywood 

The Nigerian movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, began to grow in the 1990s by making films that were sold directly on video. Unlike Hollywood, which focused on making expensive blockbusters, Nollywood succeeded by making a lot, and I mean a lot of films. 

At one time, the industry made more than 2,500 movies each year, making it the second biggest film industry in the world by volume (UNESCO, 2009.)  

Most movies were made with little money, and actors often had to do their scenes in one take because film was expensive. These movies connected with viewers because they shared real African stories such as family disagreements, love, betrayal, and sometimes a spiritual fight with a talking tortoise. Yes, I went there. 

The Classic Nollywood Era: Cringe-Worthy Yet Iconic

Many early Nollywood movies had stories that now look very funny and exaggerated. Who can forget “End of the Wicked” (1999). It scared and entertained people with its silly and exaggerated scenes of witchcraft and over-the-top battles between good and evil. 

Or “Karishika” (1996), which scared many people with its spooky theme song and questionable CGI effects. Then there was “Blood Money” (1997), which made ritual sacrifices a cinematic spectacle. 

These movies, even with their flaws, are important parts of our collective Nigerian culture. Nollywood became important because of its impact. 

The industry created an indelible age of storytelling that was sometimes exaggerated but reflected real social concerns and beliefs.  This era helped shape Nigerian cinema’s unique character.

The Transition to Better Quality and Worldwide Appeal 

Over the years, Nollywood began to focus more on making better films instead of just making a large number of films. The quality of productions got better, and the storytelling approach also improved. 

This transformation paved the way for films that changed the game. One movie that heralded this new era was “The Figurine” (2009) by Kunle Afolayan. This psychological thriller combined a gripping story with high production quality, proving that Nollywood could produce world-class films.

Then came “Lionheart” (2018), directed by Genevieve Nnaji. This movie wasn’t just a hit, it became the first Nigerian film acquired by Netflix. 

This change got the notice of people worldwide and soon, Nigerian movies began appearing on global streaming services. Movies such as Lionheart and King of Boys (2018), directed by Kemi Adetiba, quickly became very popular.  

Then Netflix Naija arrived in grand style in 2020 on the entertainment scene, allowing high quality produced Nollywood movies to be watched by people all over the world. They showed that Nigerian stories indeed have a global appeal. 

The Impact of Netflix on Nollywood 

Now that Nollywood movies are on Netflix, everything has improved significantly. 

Increase In Production Budgets

With more funding, productions have better written scripts, cinematography, and special effects (no more fake gunshots that sound like fireworks.)

International Reach 

Nigerian movies are now viewed in more than 190 countries. The Wedding Party (2016) was a big hit, earning more than $1.6 million worldwide (BBC, 2017).  

Impactful Collaborations 

Nollywood stars such as Genevieve Nnaji and Osas Ighodaro are appearing in international projects, seamlessly connecting African and Western movies. 

What Does The Future Hold for Nollywood?  

The future looks promising! More streaming services, such as Amazon Prime and Showmax, are putting more money into Nigerian movies and series. Also, local streaming services such as IrokoTV are sharing African stories with the rest of the world.  

However, Nollywood is not just about movies anymore; it’s also influencing and helping to shape culture positively.  Nigerian actors, music, and fashion are now getting attention from a global audience. 

Nollywood household names, such as Funke Akindele and Kunle Afolayan are breaking new ground, proving that Nollywood still has incredible stories to share with the world.

Finally, Nollywood has come a long way, from its humble beginnings of starting low-budget films that had dramatically long pauses to now making high-quality Netflix productions. 

If you haven’t seen a Nigerian movie yet, what are you waiting for?  Get some popcorn and a chilled bottle of your favorite drink. I recommend you start with “King of Boys.”  Just be prepared for some surprising twists that will make you shout at the screen because trust me, your village people go gather for inside the plot twist! 

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