Although 2022 began with the lacklustre Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke from EbonyLife Films, this is not a portent of things to come! There are other anticipated movies slated for release in the latter part of the year. If you are collating a list of top 22 movies to watch in 2022, we’ve got 12 titles you don’t want to miss below. The list includes movies from Nnamdi Kananga, Toka McBaror, Niyi Akinmolayan, Editi Effiong and Blessing Uzzi. Most of them do not have release dates yet, but they have all been confirmed for a 2022 release.
Without further ado, here are 12 movies to look out for this year:
Juju Stories | 21 January 2022
If you love your movies with a dash of juju and magic, Juju Stories is one movie you don’t want to miss. It is a three-part anthology featuring “Love Potion,” “Yam,” and “Suffer the Witch,” three stories with a mix of folklore and magical realism. Juju Stories has screened at numerous locations across the world and won multiple awards including the Boccalino d’Oro Award for Best Film at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. It is directed by Michael Omonua, Abba T. Makama and CJ “Fiery” Obasi.
Akwụna
Written and produced by Nnamdi Kanaga and directed by Oluyinka Davids, Akwụna spotlights the experiences of immigrants using Ebere’s (played by Stella Damasus) story as a backdrop. The short film was shot in the US and also stars Tim Meadows, Nnamdi Kanaga, Sara Rashelle and Kelechi Eke. No specific date has been given for Akwụna’s release yet, but it is one film to look out for in 2022.
The Black Book
Touted as the most expensive Nollywood project till date, The Black Book is a political thriller featuring Femi Branch, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sam Dede, Shaffy Bello and Ade Laoye. Production for the Editi Effiong first feature-length film wrapped up in April 2021 and release details will be out soon.
The Man For The Job
This is a crime thriller from Niyi Akinmolayan of Anthill Studios. No cast or release details have been shared for The Man For The Job, but Akinmolayan has hinted that it will be in cinemas soon.
Miss PJ
Not much is known about Miss PJ except that it has a rich cast lineup and is slated for an early 2022 release. The James Abinibi-directed movie features Sola Sobowale, Ibrahim Chatta, Melvin Oduah, Bimbo Ademoye and Rachael Okonkwo.
The One For Sarah
Featuring Beverly Naya, Adunni Ade, Bimbo Ademoye, Broda Shaggi, Daniel Etim-Effiong, Uzor Arukwe, Bolaji Ogunmola and Bucci Franklin, The One For Sarah is the fourth feature film from Trino Motion Pictures. The romance drama is directed by Lyndsey Efejuku, produced by Uche Okocha and written by Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy. The movie should be in cinemas in the first half of 2022.
Death And The King’s Horseman
Forty-six years after its publication, a reproduction of Wole Soyinka’s Death And The King’s Horseman is being done by EbonyLife Studios. The play is based on a real incident that took place in Nigeria during the colonial era. It happened that the horseman of a Yoruba King was prevented from committing ritual suicide by the colonial authorities. Production for the Netflix Origina kicked off October 2021 and should wrap up soon. Death And The King’s Horseman is directed by Biyi Bandele and is produced by Heidi Uys, Judith Audu, Quinty Pillay, James Amuta and Adeola Osunkujo.
Blood Sisters
Another EbonyLife Studios and Netflix collaboration, Blood Sisters tells the story of two friends, Sarah and Kemi. Sarah is engaged to her dream man, Kola. However, their seemingly idyllic union has a dark side which Sarah is ready to turn a blind eye to despite warnings. Blood Sisters is directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Ini Dima-Okojie and Nancy Isime as lead actors. Also appearing in the movie are Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Nouah, Wale Ojo, Gabriel Afolayan, Uche Jombo, Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, Segun Arinze, Genoveva Umeh, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kehinde Bankole, Daniel Etim Effiong, Maurice Sam, Ibrahim Suleiman, and Toke Makinwa.
No Man’s Land
Social cause is the focus of this directorial debut by Blessing Uzzi. The action thriller features Seun Kuti, Omowunmi Dada and Sola Sobowale. No release details have been shared yet but we know production for No Man’s Land wrapped up in October 2021.
Shanty Town
Dimeji Ajibola (director of Ratnik) makes a return with this action/fantasy/crime thriller titled Shanty Town. The seven-part series is a ghetto underworld story that stars Chidi Mokeme, Zubby Michael, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nancy Isime, Uche Jombo, Nse Ikpe -Etim, Shaffy Bello, Toyin Abraham, Mercy Eke, Lilian Afe, Mr. P, Regina Daniel and Ali Nuhu. No specific release date yet for this Chinenye Chichi Nworah-produced movie, but talks are ongoing with streaming platforms.
Dark October
Most of Nigeria was thrown into shock over the gruesome lynching of the Aluu Four, a gruesome necklace lynching of four University of Port Harcourt students, on 5 October 2012. Nine years after the incident, Toka McBaror and Linda Ikeji are retelling the story to both honour the dead students and spotlight the dangers of jungle justice. Filming for the movie ended in October 2021 and the movie will be out in cinemas soon. Dark October marks Linda Ikeji’s film production debut.
Hijack
Four teenagers hijacked a Nigerian Airways plane in 1993 in a bid to reclaim the political mandate stolen from the late MKO Abiola. Over twenty-eight years later, Play Network Studios is retelling the story in the political thriller titled Hijack. Production and release details are still largely under wraps but Rogers Ofime and Agozie Ugwu have been tapped to produce the thriller.
There you have it, eleven Nigerian titles to watch out for this year. Which are your favourites?
