LONG-AWAITED NOLLYWOOD MOVIES 2026

Four weeks ago, we brought you the most anticipated Hollywood movies for 2026 and promised to return with the most anticipated Nollywood movies for 2026. However, our research shows that most of the anticipated Nollywood movies for 2026 are not guaranteed to be released this year. Many have premiered or were screened at international film festivals years ago, but are yet to be viewed and enjoyed by the general public. Quite sad, really.

So we have decided to dub this article Long-Awaited Nollywood Movies 2026. Hopefully, the last shoe for each of these movies will drop this year. Unlike Hollywood, which has a structured calendar we can follow chronologically, the movies mentioned below do not follow any particular order. They are, nevertheless, the most-awaited movies for the year. So let’s proceed.

1. Finding Messiah

This is the much-awaited large-scale Nollywood political musical drama written, directed, and produced by Ghanaian Nigerian music executive, Oscar Heman-Ackah, marking his debut as a feature filmmaker after a career in the music industry. The Nollywood industry doesn’t do many musicals. Frankly, the incorporation of music (soundtrack, theme songs etc) in film is an area still underdeveloped as we have discussed in a previous article. Finding Messiah breaks the mould so to speak.

 The film is set in a fictional nation called Zambay, which is searching for a transformative leader—a “messiah”—in a society burdened by political oppression, elite control, and public unrest. Sounds familiar? Finding Messiah is an allegory reflecting African political realities, youth activism, and the public’s longing for accountable leadership.

This high-budget, ambitious production stands out as Oscar builds his own world. He creates an entirely fictional culture for Zambay, including a new language called Ngazala, reportedly developed with over 4,000 words. To bring the setting to life, the team built a mini community of houses, streets, offices, and executive residences rather than relying on existing locations. The film also features a strong ensemble of veteran actors, including Pete Edochie, Ngozi Ezeonu, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Alex Usifo, Ejike Asiegbu, and musician Daddy Showkey. Its extensive set construction, original language development, and large cast is impressive. Despite strong anticipation following its trailer release, the film has yet to receive a widely confirmed commercial release date.

2. I Do Not Come to You by Chance

A Nigerian drama directed by Ishaya Bako and executive-produced by Genevieve Nnaji, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. The film follows Kingsley, an intelligent but unemployed Nigerian graduate whose hopes of a respectable career collapse after a family crisis forces him to support his relatives. Desperate for income, he turns to his charismatic uncle, a wealthy figure called “Cash Daddy,” who introduces him to the world of internet fraud (a.k.a. “419”). As Kingsley becomes increasingly successful in the scheme, he struggles with the moral consequences of his choices and the tension between survival, family obligation, and personal integrity. The film premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and later screened at AFRIFF in Nigeria; however, a wide commercial cinema release date has not been firmly confirmed.

3. 77: The Festac Conspiracy

This film is a Nigerian historical political thriller directed by Izu Ojukwu and produced by Adonis Production. The sequel to the 2016 film 76, it continues the exploration of Nigeria’s turbulent political history in the 1970s. The story is set around the famous FESTAC ’77 held in Lagos. It follows a disgruntled former soldier who becomes involved in a covert political movement attempting to disrupt the political order on the continent just days before the festival begins.

The cast includes Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Daniel K. Daniel, and Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, who appears as his father, the legendary Fela Kuti. The movie had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festivalon May 19, 2025, marking a major moment for Nollywood on the global stage. However, while distributors such as FilmOne Entertainment are handling its release, a general commercial cinema release date has not yet been officially confirmed.

4. King of Boys: The Beginning of the End

The third installment in Kemi Adetiba’s King of Boys franchise, continuing the story of Alhaja Eniola Salami (Sola Sobowale), a powerful businesswoman and political figure navigating high-stakes alliances, personal betrayals, and the complexities of power, ambition, and survival. Building on the original 2018 film, which introduced her rise to influence, and the 2021 Netflix series King of Boys: The Return of the King, which explored her consolidation of power, this chapter expands the narrative with returning and new characters who challenge her dominance. The film was initially scheduled to premiere on December 25, 2025, but as of now, no official new release date has been announced.

5. Prophetess 2

The upcoming sequel to the popular 2021 Nollywood Yoruba comedy‑drama Prophetess, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and starring Toyin Abraham. The first film follows Ajoke, a local prophetess whose accurate football prediction triggers chaotic and humorous events. The sequel is set to continue her adventures with more prophecies, miracles, and mischief, reuniting much of the original cast and creative team. While no official release date or full storyline has been confirmed, the film is expected to arrive in 2026. It maintains the light-hearted, spiritually comedic tone that made the original a box-office hit in Nigerian cinemas.

6. Issakaba: The Return

The sequel to the 2001 Nollywood action classic Issakaba, directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, continuing the story of Ebube (Sam Dede) and the Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group tasked with fighting crime in southeastern Nigeria. The film follows the team as they confront a new wave of criminals using both physical prowess and mystical tactics. It features returning cast members alongside new additions such as Chidi Mokeme, Unusual Phyna, Iyabo Ojo, Regina Daniels, and Francis Onwochei. The movie updates the original story to reflect contemporary social realities while retaining the original themes. Production wrapped in mid‑2024, but no official premiere or commercial release date has been announced. The exact timing of its rollout is still uncertain.

7. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives

An upcoming Nollywood film adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed 2010 novel. The film is produced by EbonyLife Films in partnership with Genesis Group, Nile Media Entertainment, and Silverbird Group and directed by Daniel Oriahi and adapted for the screen by Adze Ugah, Lola Shoneyin, and Heidi Uys. The story follows Baba Segi, a wealthy patriarch with multiple wives. His household is thrown into chaos when he marries the educated Bolanle, exposing rivalries, secrets, and power struggles among his wives. The film explores survival in a polygamous household. Featuring an ensemble cast including Odunlade Adekola, Iyabo Ojo, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Ademoye, Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Bisola Aiyeola, and Daniel Etim Effiong. It is scheduled for a global cinema release in December 2026, with screenings planned across Nigeria and international markets. Exact date not confirmed, but they give us a release month, at least.

8. Phoenix Fury

This is a critically acclaimed Nigerian drama directed, written, and produced by Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo that has begun making waves on the festival circuit and at awards shows. The story follows Ifeatu, whose life of tragedy and misfortune — beginning from her birth and unfolding through a series of devastating events — pushes her on a path of revenge against a man named Yali, with the narrative structured in four chapters that shift between past and present struggles.

The film features a strong ensemble cast including Ama K. Abebrese, Ijeoma Grace Agu, Adjetey Anang, Onyinye Odokoro, Richard Mofe‑Damijo (RMD), and Uzoamaka Aniunoh, whose performances contribute deeply to the film’s emotional depth. Phoenix Fury has already earned significant recognition: it won Best Film (and Best Director for Chukwuogo) at the 13th African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November 2024. While the film’s wide commercial release date hasn’t been officially announced yet, its festival premieres and awards signal strong momentum and growing international interest.

9. The Smart Money Woman

Our beloved financial‑empowerment story, based on the 2016 bestselling novel by Arese Ugwu, and originally adapted into a popular TV series that premiered on Africa Magic and later Netflix, follows stylish, ambitious young women in Lagos as they navigate careers, money, love, and friendships. According to industry announcements, the story is now being developed into a feature‑film adaptation — part of FilmOne Entertainment’s 2026 slate — which will follow Lara (played by Toni Tones) as she deals with love, financial choices, self‑worth, and modern Lagos life. It brings the book’s lessons to the big screen. While a trailer has recently been released and there’s significant buzz, no official cinema premiere date has yet been confirmed for the feature version.

10. Evi

The only movie on our list with a publicized premiere date. Written and directed by Uyoyou Adia, produced by Judith Audu, it is a 2026 Afrobeats musical drama. Done in collaboration with Switch Visuals Productions, Signet Rings Productions, and NOI Productions. The film follows Evi‑Oghene Donalds, a fiercely talented but initially arrogant rising star in the music industry. Her world collapses when her record label suddenly goes bankrupt. This forces her to lose her fame and start again from humble beginnings. Struggling to rebuild her career, she forms a complicated partnership with Kola Adeloye, a once‑respected talent manager battling his own addictions. Together they embark on a journey of mutual redemption, testing loyalty, resilience, and the true meaning of success.

Title reminds us of Evita, the 1996 American biographical musical drama film played by Madonna. We wish it similar success.

The movie features Osas Okonyon in her feature debut as Evi. Also features Uzor Arukwe, Omowunmi Dada, Ibrahim Suleiman, Waje Iruobe, Tomiwa Tegbe, and Femi Branch. Movie blends powerful performances with original music central to the story’s emotional arc. Evi is scheduled to premiere in Nigerian cinemas on March 27, 2026. Its narrative highlights ambition, humility, second chances, and the personal cost of chasing dreams in the competitive world of Afrobeats.

So there it is, folks, the 10 most-awaited movies of 2026. Let’s hope they all come out this year as planned!

The ReelDeal signing out for now!