Africa is famous for its rich heritage, culture and traditions. It is the home and bedrock of folklores, dynasties and legends who have greatly impacted the world. The best way to visually tour the continent is to enjoy TV shows and movies that truly portray Africa in the true light and tell compelling stories. African movies on Netflix keep growing, to aid your visual tour, browse our list of best African movies and TV shows to watch. The best African films and TV shows to transport you around Africa!
Beast of No Nation (2015)
Beasts of No Nation is a 2015 American-Ghanaian war drama film written, co-produced and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, about a young boy who becomes a child soldier as his country goes through a horrific war. Shot in Ghana and starring Idris Elba, the film is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala the book itself being named after a Fela Kuti album.
October 1 (2014)
October 1 is a Nigerian psychological thriller film written by Tunde Babalola, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. The film, set in Colonial Nigeria, narrates the story of Danladi Waziri (Sadiq Daba), a police officer from Northern Nigeria who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria‘s Independence Day.
The River (2018)
The River is a South African television series created by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon. The drama series is set in Pretoria against the backdrop of South Africa’s mining sector. The thrill-a-minute telenovela sees worlds collide in spectacular fashion. One side of the river is home to those who will go to any lengths to keep their wealth; the other by those who have little to show for their hard work.
Up North (2018)
Up North explores love, friendship, and family politics, all of which collide, when a young rebellious heir from a wealthy family is sent away to National Service in Northern Nigeria. Things don’t quite go according to plan as the spoiled heir begins to find himself, creating memories to last a lifetime.
In My Country (2018)
A Nigerian movie that tells the story of a woman desperate to raise money for an expensive surgery on her eight-year-old daughter turns to a man linked to her past for help. Unleashing a series of events that kick-start an unfortunate chain of plots, and unearthing a shocking secret that changes things for the worse.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
Starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Madina Nalwanga, Queen of Katwe is a biographical drama feature film written by William Wheeler and depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a girl living in Katwe of Kampala, the Ugandan capital. She learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads.
Queen Sono (2020)
Queen Sono is Netflix’s first original African series and an action-packed spy thriller produced by Johannesburg-based Diprente. Pearl Thusi stars in the title role as an unconventional spy working for an undercover South African agency devoted to protecting the people of Africa.
Ajoche (2018)
Ajoche is set in 1918, when the Idoma emerged from the middle belt of Nigeria at a time when culture and tradition were celebrated. It’s a tale of war and duty, revenge and honour, love and lust as the people of Ocholuje embrace their destiny, uncovering some bitter truths and harsh realities as they fight for survival.
Blood Diamond (2006)
Blood Diamond is a political war thriller film co-produced and directed by Edward Zwick and starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Solomon) who was abducted and forced to work in mines, where he finds a priceless diamond and hides it. When Danny learns of it, he promises to help him find his family in exchange for the diamond.
Half of a Yellow Sun (2013)
Half of a Yellow Sun is an Anglo-Nigerian drama film directed by Biyi Bandele and based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The film is historical fiction that follows two sisters from a wealthy Nigerian family and take wildly different paths in life, but both become swept up in the struggle to establish Biafra as an independent republic.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a drama film written, directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor in his feature directorial debut. It tells the story of a 13-year-old boy in Malawi, who was thrown out of the school he loves when his family can no longer afford the fees. He sneaks into the library and learns how to build a windmill to save his village from a famine.
King of Boys (2018)
King of Boys is a 2018 Nigerian political thriller film written, co-produced and directed by Kemi Adetiba. It follows the story of Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman and philanthropist with a checkered past is drawn into a power struggle that threatens everything she holds dear.
We also recommend our guide to the top 10 Nigerian movies to watch on Netflix.
