Most Popular Nollywood Films Released 2016: Nollywood has gained a lot of big media attention in recent years. With its endless evolution and consistency. In 2016, Nollywood showed class and quality – from screening at Toronto international film festival to releasing classic like The Wedding Party. We present to you the best Nollywood movies of 2016 from the African film industry giant.
We also recommend our guide to the 15 Best Nollywood Movies of 2017
The Wedding Party (2016)
Chaos prevails when a family prepares for a lavish wedding. Starring star artiste, Banky W, and fast rising actress, Adesua Etomi, playing the lead roles, Elfike Collective’s box office hit, The Wedding Party grossed N36 million in its opening weekend in cinemas across Nigeria. The Wedding party follows the shenanigans that go on during the planning of a wedding in Nigeria.
Dunni, a 24 year old art gallery owner and only daughter of her parents, Engineer Bamidele and Mrs Tinuade Coker, is about to marry the love of her life, IT entrepreneur Dozie, the handsome son of Chief Felix and Lady Obianuju Onwuka. What happens when you throw in an insecure virgin bride, a reformed playboy groom, two over bearing mothers who can’t stand each other? It is a HILARIOUS melting pot of potential disaster. Will it be all too much to bear? Or will true love stand even the most chaotic of wedding celebrations as offered in The Wedding Party. One of the most commercial successful and best Nollywood movies in recent years.
A Trip to Jamaica (2016)
A Trip to Jamaica starring Funke Akindele, Chris Attoh, Patoranking, Olamide and many others, breaking the earlier record set by 30 Days in Atlanta. It had its worldwide premiere on September 25, 2016 in Lagos State. The film tells a story about the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relatives’ residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens. This is another Nollywood blockbuster and one of the most watched Nigerian movies of the year.
’76 (2016)
’76, formerly Lions of ’76, is a 2016 Nigerian historical fiction drama film directed by Izu Ojukwu. It stars Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic and Ibinabo Fiberesima. Inspired by the cataclysmic Nigerian events of 40 years ago, (1976 military coup and assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, the Head-of-State of Nigeria). This epic political thriller portrays the point of views of a respected army captain and his expectant wife when his coerced participation in a botched coup attempt makes national headlines. The historical account in ’76 went through a seven-month approval period at the Nigerian Military before filming started. The film was shot in Ibadan, Nigeria and is set in the 70s. The movie was selected to premiere at the Toronto International film Festival in September, 2016 and at the BFI London Film Festival. It was released on 25th November 2016 and became one of the best Nollywood Movies of 2016
Wives on Strike (2016)
Wives on Strike grossed N67 million from cinema viewings. It sold N15m in three days in its first weekend at the cinema. Wives on Strike, is a hilarious comedy about a group of market women who decided to take matters into their own hands against their husbands in a bid to stir them into standing up for a young girl whom they wanted to protect from the wishes of her own father. It is one of the most popular Nigerian Movies in 2016.
The CEO (2016)
The CEO is a 2016 Nigerian film directed by Kunle Afolayan. It stars Kemi Lala Akindoju, Hilda Dokubo, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Angélique Kidjo. Five top level staff of a company are selected for a retreat where the new CEO of a global company will be chosen. What starts off as cordial soon goes sour as they attempt to outdo one another to be named The CEO. This is a story of intrigue, power and all the political/financial struggles of modern day Africa. The film was also screened at Toronto International Film Festival. The London premiere held in October 2016 at Leicester Square Vue Cinema. It was one of the most amazing Nigerian movies in 2016.
It’s Her Day (2016)
It’s Her Day is a 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film, produced by Bovi Ugboma and directed by ‘Aniedi Anwah’ that premiered on 9 September 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. She wants a fairytale wedding; he promises to give it to her. It’s Her Day is a comedy which tells the story of a couple who are about to get married and the class struggle to get an high end wedding by the bride and her family. Bovi Ugboma plays victor, the newly engaged bachelor who takes it upon himself to give his materialistic fiancée, Nicole (Ini Dima-Okojie) a fairy tale wedding. Victor feels the wedding should be simple but Nicole on the other hand wants a blog worthy wedding with top artist present. It was one of the most popular Nigerian movies of the year.
93 Days (2016)
What happens when the deadliest infectious disease known to man arrives in a megacity with over 21 million people? Nollywood tells the story of 93 Days centres on the sacrifices made by men and women who risked their lives to make sure the Ebola virus was contained, before it becomes an epidemic, when it was imported into Nigeria by a Liberian American diplomat. 93 Days is also dedicated to Ameyo Adadevoh, a Nigerian physician who played a key role in the containment of Ebola in Nigeria. This movie was considered one of the best Nigerian movies in 2016.
Ghana Must Go (2016)
Directed by multiple award winning filmmaker, Frank Rajah, Ghana Must Go is a 2016 Nigerian-Ghana romantic comedy film, directed by Frank Rajah Arase. It stars Yvonne Okoro, Ik Ogbonna, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Helen Paul, Ada Ameh and Nkem Owoh popularly known as Osuofia. The film tells a story of two lovers of different countries on origin, and the challenges they faced especially from parents after disclosing their intention of getting married. This was one of the best Nigerian Movies in 2016.
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