You鈥檝e probably come across a Nollywood movie that feels a lot like something you鈥檝e seen in Hollywood. That is because some stories cross borders, so if you enjoyed a particular Hollywood film, there鈥檚 a Nollywood version you might like just as much. Here are five Nollywood movies with storylines that closely match their Hollywood counterparts.
Falling (2015)
If you loved the Hollywood movie, 鈥淭he Notebook鈥 (2004), directed by Nick Cassavetes, then you鈥檇 love this movie. The Hollywood movie tells the story of two lovers, Noah and Allie, whose love is tested because of their differences in social status and Allie鈥檚 health. While Noah is of a lower class status, Allie is from a wealthy home, but they chose to remain in love despite the social gap.
In the Nigerian movie 鈥淔alling鈥, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, a similarly heartbreaking love story is captured. Two lovers, Muna and Imoh, are deeply in love and newly married when Imoh is hit by a car and slips into a coma. As life spirals due to the incident, Muna is faced with impossible decisions to make, including whether to move on. This movie comes with several twists and heart-wrenching moments to undo a heart鈥檚 resolve. but
Both movies tell a story about hope, loss, and the emotional weight of loving someone through their silence.
King of Boys (2018)
If you loved the Hollywood movie, 鈥淭he Godfather,鈥 directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which tells the story of Michael Corleone, who steps into his father鈥檚 shoes as head of the crime family, and becomes involved in the inevitable cycle of violence and betrayal. Then this Nigerian movie, 鈥淜ing of Boys,鈥 is the one for you.
Directed by Kemi Adetiba, 鈥淜ing of Boys鈥 follows the life of Eniola Salami, a powerful businesswoman with political ambitions who has her hands soiled in street politics. She鈥檚 constantly under threat as she tries to navigate betrayal, rival gangs, and the death of her daughter.
The films portray violence, betrayal, and abandonment of moral values as a means to an end.
鈦營soken (2017)
If you enjoyed the movie 鈥淢aterialists,鈥 directed by Celine Song, then Isoken should be on your watchlist. 鈥淢aterialists鈥 is a rom-com that portrays the life of a New York City matchmaker, Lucy, who is obsessed with the idea of getting married to a rich man. She is approached by a wealthy man, Harry, and unexpectedly reunited with her ex-boyfriend, John, who is a cater-waiter and struggling actor. She is in a dilemma as she has to either sacrifice love for money or vice versa.
While 鈥淚soken鈥, directed by Jade Osiberu, brings to play Isoken, who is successful, 34, and single. At her younger sister鈥檚 wedding, she鈥檚 paired with Osaze, a rich Edo man who seems like a woman鈥檚 dream. But then she meets Kevin, a white man who is kind and thoughtful. And in an unexpected turn of events, they fall in love.
Both movies portray a woman at a crossroads while trying to decide which man is best for her, putting several factors into consideration.
Hire a Man (2017)
This Nollywood movie, directed by Desmond Elliot, is one you鈥檇 love to see if you have seen the Hollywood movie, 鈥淗ow to Lose a Guy in 10 Days鈥, directed by Donald Petrie. In this Hollywood romcom, a magazine writer, Kate Hudson, tries to drive a man away in ten days as part of a story, while the man, Matthew McConaughey, bets he can make her fall in love with him. Despite their shenanigans, they end up falling in love with each other.
In the Nollywood movie, 鈥淗ire a Man鈥, Tolu, a successful career woman in her early 30s is tired of being the only unmarried sibling, feeling pressured to impress her family when her younger sister announces she鈥檚 getting married. So, she decides to 鈥渉ire鈥 a charming man, Jeff, to pretend to be her fianc茅 during the wedding festivities. What starts as a fake relationship slowly turns into something real.
Both love scenarios are a fake-it-till-you-make-it romance situation gone wrong.
Brotherhood (2022)
If you have seen and love the Hollywood movie, 鈥淚nside Man鈥, then you would absolutely love the Nollywood movie, 鈥淏rotherhood鈥. 鈥淚nside Man鈥 is a crime thriller, directed by Spike Lee, which follows a bank robbery where the gang responsible for the robbery gets trapped, alongside customers, in the bank by the police.
While the movie, Brotherhood, one of Nollywood鈥檚 outstanding crime thrillers, brings similar tension and thrill as it follows twin brothers who end up on opposite sides of the law, one, a police officer, and the other, a member of a robbery gang. Their bond is tested when the police officer, Wale, joins a task force that hunts down his brother, Akin, and his gang.
These movies take you on an emotional rollercoaster and a thrilling ride following a robbery.