Movies are one of the best ways to escape reality, drawing you into worlds as far apart as the slums of Makoko to the prehistoric Oyo kingdom. But perhaps the most potent kind are those that retell actual events, keeping real stories alive for generations.
Nollywood has been a gift that keeps giving, and its recent focus on true-life stories proves how much the industry continues to evolve.
Here are the best Nollywood movies inspired by true events:
1. Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti (2024)
Running time: 1h 31m
Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Genre: Drama
In this biopic, Kehinde Bankole stars as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. It tells the story of the pioneering educator, women’s rights activist, and political leader who challenged colonial rule and patriarchal norms in mid-20th-century Nigeria. The film traces her journey from Abeokuta Grammar School to becoming a fearless advocate for justice, laying the foundation for modern feminist activism in Nigeria.
This film is particularly significant because it brings to life a name we often hear in history books but rarely see in full colour, arriving at a moment when Nigerian audiences are craving stories that reflect their history.
Watch Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti on Prime Video.
2. 93 Days (2016)
Running time: 2h 5m
Director: Steve Gukas
Genre: Drama
93 Days is a gripping retelling of Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak. The film follows the heroic actions of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, played by Bimbo Akintola, and her colleagues, who contained the virus before it could spread throughout Lagos.
With stunning performances from Danny Glover, Somkele Iyamah, Keppy Ekpenyong, and Gideon Okeke, the film captures the courage, sacrifice, and quick thinking that saved millions of Nigerians. It is both a tense medical thriller and a heartfelt tribute to the health workers who put their lives on the line.
3. 1929: Women War (2019)
Running time: 1h 30m
Director: Moses Eskor
Genre: Drama
In 1929: Women War, the women of Ikot Abasi made history when they rose against colonial taxation, challenging both British authority and the local warrant chiefs enforcing it. Sola Sobowale and Ireti Doyle play Mama Miroba and Adiaha Edem, respectively, the main characters. The film raptly captures the grit that fueled the popularly acclaimed women’s war in 1929.
Through gripping performances and in-depth detail, the movie turns a forgotten uprising into a moving reminder of the power of collective resistance. 1929: Women War is a very important story that shines a light on a crucial but often overlooked chapter in Nigerian history.
Watch 1929: Women War on Prime Video.
4. Idahosa Trails (2017)
Running time: 1h 50m
Director: Stanlee Ohikhuare
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Idahosa Trails tells the inspiring true story of Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a pioneering Nigerian Pentecostal leader known for his healing ministry and charismatic influence. The film follows a young American journalist who embarks on a journey to interview the preacher, believing the outcome would turn his journalism career around. Played by Charles Okafor, Idahosa’s character exudes warmth and the camaraderie that his followers have grown to admire him for.
The film explores themes of faith, healing, and the clash between doubt and belief. It captures the impact of Idahosa’s ministry not only on an individual level but also on the Christian community in Nigeria, writ large.
Watch Idahosa Trails on Prime Video.
5. Invasion 1897 (2014)
Running time: 1h 53m
Director: Izu Ojukwu
Genre: Historical drama
Set during the 1897 British expedition that destroyed the Benin Kingdom, Invasion 1897 centres on Oba Ovonramwen (Olu Jacobs), whose kingdom faces annihilation by foreign forces hungry for power and treasure. The film vividly portrays the political tensions, betrayal, and resistance around the invasion. Charles Inojie and Segun Arinze bring depth to characters caught between loyalty and survival.
This film goes beyond just warfare and tells the story of the shattering of a rich culture, the theft of sacred artefacts, and the resilience of a people fighting to preserve their identity. Invasion 1897 refuses to let this dark episode fade into history, challenging viewers to confront colonialism’s brutal legacy in Nigeria.
Watch Invasion 1897 on Netflix.
6. Amina (2021)
Running time: 1h 40m
Director: Izu Ojukwu
Genre: Historical Drama
Bringing one of Nigeria’s most celebrated legends to screen, Amina tells the story of the 16th-century warrior queen of Zazzau, whose courage and skill reshaped the future of her kingdom.
Lucy Ameh commands the role with confidence, portraying Amina’s transformation from a determined princess to a fearless military leader. She’s joined by Ali Nuhu as the loyal yet conflicted Danjuma, and Clarion Chukwura as the formidable palace elder who guards Zazzau’s traditions.
The film captures the essence of a leader who defied societal norms and fought for her people. Beautifully choreographed battle scenes and quality costumes bring to life a chapter of Nigerian history often left untold, making Amina a reminder of Nigerian women’s enduring place in leadership.
7. Dark October (2023)
Running time: 1h 31m
Director: Toka Mcbaror
Genre: Drama
Dark October is a Nigerian film centred on the tragic lynching of four University of Port Harcourt students popularly known as the Aluu Four. The boys were falsely accused of theft and brutally killed by a mob in Aluu, Port Harcourt.
The film documents the event leading up to their deaths and the aftermath, highlighting the nationwide crisis sparked by this horrific incident. It tells the story of how a false alarm by a debtor led to the tragic end of these innocent students.
Through the performances of Chuks Joseph, Munachi Okpara, and Kelechukwu James, the film becomes a moving tribute to the victims and a harsh indictment of extrajudicial violence.
Watch Dark October on Netflix.
8. House of Ga’a (2024)
Running time: 2h
Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Genre: Drama
At the height of the Oyo Empire, Bashorun Ga’a (Femi Branch), a fierce military hero, leverages his influence to become more powerful than even the kings he once served. This power ultimately becomes his downfall. His son Oyemekun (Mike Afolarin) serves as our moral compass. Through Oyemekun’s eyes, we witness Ga’a’s ruthless manipulation: engineering kings’ deaths, defying royal authority, and even invoking dark rituals to maintain his dominance.
House of Ga’a stands out for the phenomenal performances by the actors and its realistic transportation of viewers to the 18th-century Oyo empire. It finely explores ambition and the corrupting cost of unchecked authority.
Watch House of Ga’a on Netflix.
9. The Herbert Macaulay Affair(2019)
Running time: 1h 31m
Director: Imoh Umoren
Genre: Drama
Set in early 1920s Lagos during the Bubonic plague, the film follows Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist, as he rallies Nigerians to confront their colonial oppressors. The story begins with Macaulay’s return from studying in Plymouth in 1893, when he takes up a surveying job with the colonial administration, which eventually leads him to a life of rebellion.
The story captures Macaulay’s personal battles, political activism, and sacrifices, showing how his leadership helped lay the groundwork for Nigeria’s independence movement. With sharp dialogue and period-accurate settings, the film paints a vivid picture of early 20th-century Nigeria and the struggles faced by those who dared to challenge colonial power.
Watch Herbert Macaulay Affair on Apple TV.
10. Last Flight to Abuja (2012)
Running time: 1h 57m
Director: Obi Emelonye
Genre: Drama
Last Flight to Abuja follows the harrowing final moments aboard a Lagos-to-Abuja flight. The film is inspired by a series of tragic plane crashes that stunned Nigeria in 2006. Interestingly, a week before the premiere, the fatal Dana Air Plane crash happened, killing over 153 people on board.
The story takes on the format of every typical airflight disaster film, using a series of flashbacks to reveal the backstories of the different passengers and what led them to be on that fateful flight.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its cast, which features some of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde plays the role of Suzie, and Jim Iyke plays David. Though part of a larger ensemble on board, their performance sets the pace for the unfolding drama as we glimpse into their lives through flashbacks.
Watch Last Flight to Abuja on Netflix.