By Augusta Okon
Nollywood epic movies are known for their unique traditional setting, historic battles, costumes, use of mythical powers, folklores, legends, deities, customs, and rituals. This epic genre has been around prior to when Nollywood as a movie industry emerged in 1992 as evidenced in, for instance, Yoruba movies dubbed in VHS cassettes for commercial purposes or aired as drama presentations on local TV stations.
Over time, epic genre besides drama, became the go to genre for Nollywood filmmakers, their colleagues in Kannywood and those ploughing the filmic trade in certain ethnic regions. It indeed competed with drama and comedy for many years, even having its own platform on Africa Magic Epic and a vast number of productions on YouTube.
However, when it pertained to theatrical and streaming platforms, it lurked in the shadows, right up till when Femi Adebayo’s “King of Thieves: (Agẹṣinkólé)” hit the success gong with N320.8 million and made it a formidable contender.
I’ve put together a comprehensive list of epic movies, a blend of revered classics and visionary films powering on the genre across defined generations.
ANÍKÚLÁPÓ
Aníkúlápó was produced by Kunle Afolayan and was shot by Jonathan Kovel at the 40 acres KAP resort, Oyo state.
Set in ancient Ọyọ-Ile, it tells the story of Saro, a traditional textile weaver who falls for the beauty of Queen Arolake, the apple of the King’s eye, one which the other wives despised and bullied at the slightest opportunity. The illicit affair begins but the cat is let out of the bag and the royal declaration of his death is sealed. Fearing for their lives, they elope and after a strange encounter with the Akala, a mythical bird, Arolake steals the gourd from it which possesses the power to raise the dead. She hands it over to Saro and he would later on be dubbed Aníkúlápó (the one that holds death in his purse).
After settling down in Ilu Ojumo and raising the dead, his fame soon spreads. Pride and lust takes over Saro and he breaks Arolake’s heart. It is said that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Saro has an overdose of this while trying to raise the dead prince. It then dawns on him that he has lost the power over death and pays for it with his life.
The movie stars Baba Wande (Kareem Adepoju), Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo), Dele Odule, Ṣọla Sobowale, Adeoye Adéwálé – ‘Elesho’, Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Eyiyemi Afolayan, and Mr Macaroni amongst others.
Anikulapo was released on Netflix and clinched the number 1 spot in under 2 weeks and recorded a stunning 8,730,000 views in under 2 weeks. It shone at the AMVCA 2023 clinching best writer, best movie in Africa, and best sound track.
ANÍKÚLÁPÓ: RISE OF THE SPECTRE
Following the success of Aníkúlápó, a six-part episodic series on Netflix was released. Directed by Kunle Afolayan, it stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale Taiwo Hassan, Owobo Ogunde, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji among others.
The movie picks up from where Aníkúlápó ends. Saro finds himself at the gates of the afterlife but is denied entry by the keeper. He has to pay the debt owed by returning to earth and reversing the resurrection of 20 souls or else he would be condemned to wander around for all eternity.
He returns and starts the reversal process, however, a meeting with a blind old woman, a product of his resurrective power, presents him with the opportunity to become human again which he jumps at. He settles at Ilu Aje, meets Kekere who helps him find a job but three die hard souls stick to him like a leech waiting for him to lead them to the afterlife.
Saro loves life and so he pleadingly strikes a bargain with them to enjoy 3 years of being human before guiding them to the afterlife. They consent and even help him venture into the Palm wine business. The sweet palmy moves to the number one spot in the area, thus displacing the land’s undisputed best palm wine tapper, Karounwi.
On the flip side, Oyo is battling with the consequences of Akala’s curse. Fasogun and Bashorun, come up with a plan to bring Queen Arolake back, as the sacrifice to solve the problem. The king faces a dilemma; his love for Arolake on one hand and his duty to his people on the other hand. He even faces opposition from Bashorun. The mission to locate the Queen and Saro continues and sets us up for some twists.
JAGUN JAGUN (The Warrior)
You can’t help but love this 2 hours 14 minutes movie produced by lawyer turned actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo Salami and Euphoria360 Media which was released onAugust 10th 2023.
Directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo Salami, it tells the journey of the woodsmith, Gbotija, who through supernatural means commands trees. He joins the ranks of the fearless warrior, Ogundiji, gets involved in a forbidden romance with a twist and is forced to under-go a series of trials from which he emerges victorious.
However, Ogundiji sends his assassin, whose tragic end and revelation immediately sparks resentment in Gbotija against Ogundiji, thus setting the stage for a ferocious clash.
The movie stars Femi Adebayo, Adedimeji Lateef, Bimbo Ademoye, Odunlade Adekola, Faithia Balogun, Mr Macaroni, Bukunmi Oluwasina, Ibrahim Yekini, Aisha Lawal and Muyiwa Ademola.
Jagun Jagun trended in the UK and 17 countries within 48 hours of its release, earned 2.1 Million views within three days, and 3.7 Million views by August 20th 2023, making it one of the top 10 most-watched non-English films world- wide during that period.
It also won the Best Indigenous Language Movie (West Africa), and the Best Costume Design award category at the AMVCA 2024, and six awards at the 2024 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.
KING OF THIEVES (Agẹṣinkólé)
Prior to releasing Jagun Jagun, Femi Adebayo produced and released King of Thieves (Agẹṣinkólé) in cinemas across Nigeria with a stunning cast of Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abraham, Ibrahim Chatta, Broda Shaggi, Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni, Lateef Adedimeji, Ibrahim Yekini and Aisha Lawal.
Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani, the 1hr 42 minutes’ story unveils a host of an art gallery who sees a visitor looking intently at the painting of two horsemen. Having confirmed the naivety statusabout the story behind the painting, he begins to narrate the tale about what happened in Ajeromi after the coronation of Oba Adegbite, the son of Tadenikaro.
The kingdom of Ajeromi, enjoys peace and prosperity, up till the arrival of a fearless powerful bandit named Agesinkole. Desperate to ensure that the thriving status quo in the land remains unchanged, the indigenes consisting of hunters, witches and priests, join hands to confront Agesinkole. Of course, as the host of the art gallery wraps up the narration at the end of the flick, the twist is revealed. King of Thieves grossed a whooping N320.8 million in cinemas.
ORISA
Orisa tells the story of Oba Adefolarin, who is spiritually summoned to the witches’ coven and accused of being disrespectful and proud. Earlier on, he rejected their invite to attend an important event, and instead proclaimed himself as an Orisa, a deity. A move that ridiculed their authority.
Oba Adefolarin in their midst still remains unremorseful and the witches shoot the arrow of insanity at him, which manifests in real life. The kingdom is thrown into a state of confusion and panic as news about his mental illness spreads like wild fire and reaches the ears of his rival, Komokomo.
Opportunity they say comes but once, so Komokomo grabs it, infiltrates the kingdom and kidnaps villagers. Driven by the lust for power, he sets his eyes on the throne. Meanwhile, the royal council is desperately searching for a cure to the King’s madness unaware that his predicament stems from one of the royal family members. However, when the culprit is brought to book, the King is healed of the mental illness but it comes at a price. He then faces Komokomo in an epic last man standing clash.
Produced and directed by Odunlade Adekola, it stars Muyiwa Ademola, Femi Adebayo, Shaffy Bello, Eniola Ajao, Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule. Released in July 2023, it grossed N127.89 million naira.
BEAST OF TWO WORLDS (AJAKAJU)
Think Hollywood’s Beauty and the Beast but switch the gender roles and the story’s context, which is 360 degrees apart from what we know of the former. Produced by Eniola Ajao in collaboration with Anthill studios and directed by Adebayo Tijani and Odunlade Adekola, the 2024 movie stars Odunlade Adekola, Eniola Ajao, Sola Sobowale, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Akintola, Fathia Balogun, and Ibrahim Chatta.
In the 70 minutes movie, King Towobola’s 3 wives are unable to bear him a son, only daughters. This threatens his Kingship, legacy, and out of desperation, he marries a strange woman, Adaralewa, who has no family origin. However, unlike his other wives, she has no form of reverence whatsoever for the King.
She bears him a son on two occasions but ends up throwing the first in the fire and the second into water. In anger the King reveals her secret, she’s a beast! However, he is shocked as dark truths about the palace comes to the fore, forcing him to face his fears and fight for the future of his kingdom.
OLOKIKI: THE MIDNIGHT SENSATION
In the Old Oyo Empire, sellers without being present to attend to customers, left stones on their wares right in the open to indicate the cost of the items. These were never stolen except of course by slave marauders but that changed when two warriors, Akala and Ayero started wreaking havoc around 1889.
Oyo Empire has fallen and is now part of the British protectorate. Akala a ruthless warrior and armed robber runs the show, but hey there’s a new robber in town named Ayero who is brought back to life by witches. They change his name to Olokiki Oru (the Midnight Sensation) as certain people believe witches roam in majesty at midnight. He constantly beats Akala and his men in various theft operations, making Akala furious.
The tipping point comes when Olokiki Oru takes Akala’s bride, princess Iyunnade to his house, on the eve of their wedding. She was initially betrothed to him by the King when she was a teenager, had a soft spot for her and had sworn to protect the town with his life and not rob it.
He had earlier killed Olalere whom she initially wanted to elope with, having desired to be with someone of her age. Akala is bent on eliminating Olokiki Oru, but he has been made immortal by the witches. Notwithstanding the supernatural immunity, he vows not to rest until olokiki oru has been eliminated.
Movie stars Lateef Adedimeji, Idowu Adenekan, Fatai Adetayo, Murphy Afolabi, Toyin Afolayan, Eniola Ajao, and Tobi Ojediran
AIYEFELE
Aiyefele was inspired by the love to recreate the rich cultural folktale story-telling about past events. It’s a fairy tale romance about a prince who falls in love with a village girl. It was further Inspired by the legendary works of Pa Ogunde, where stories were told through singing, dancing, and poetry.
It was released on May 3rd, 2024 and shown exclusively at Blue Pictures Cinemas Lagos. It stars Odunlade Adekola, Mercy Aigbe, Femi Branch, Bimbo Oshin, Biola Adebayo, Rotimi Salami, Akinola Akano, and Lara Victorious.
BATTLE OF MUSANGA
Battle of Musanga is a 1996 movie directed by Bolaji Dawodu, produced by Gabosky Films, Chezkay Films and distributed by Giant Merchant Ltd. It stars Chinwetalu Agu, Francis Agu, Eucharia Anunobi, Obi Madubogwu, Bimbo Manuel, Saint Obi, Charles Okafor, and Alex Usifo Omiagbo.
It unveils the arrival of the white man in an African society, specifically the hinterland area east of what is now known as the Niger delta, in 1863, called The Musanga Kingdom. It was headed by the tyrannical King Mudame Konolinga, the Egbenamasiogiri X of Musanga. It reveals the pre and post effects of this arrival on the named land.
The people put up a resistance and confront the Colonial British exploitative schemes with the King tagging them as pests who is on all fours for resistance and elimination. It is said in some quarters that the abduction of an Irish priest and murder for ritual purposes, triggered the battle between the colonial British army and that of the indigenes.
IGODO: THE LAND OF THE LIVING DEAD
It’s an adventure movie produced by Don Pedro Obaseki and directed by Andy Amenechi. In the movie, the village is deeply plagued by evil spirits and sorcery. Seeking a solution to stop the menace, the Dibia calls for the summoning of a man who knows the origin of the curse.
Igodo answers the summons and recounts through flash back what happened 50 years ago to Ihekwumere, a child born and dedicated to amadioha and destined to become the Igwe. Some jealous folks in order to prevent him from fulfilling his destiny, as usual, decide to kill him and his entire family. He alone survives the elimination and manages to escape into the evil forest.
A hunter finds him days later and adopts him. He grows to be the cynosure of all eyes especially with the maidens, one which doesn’t sit well with the town’s elders. They conspire to kill him and in the course of being buried alive, he issues a curse against the village with his dying breath. A huge magical tree grows at the spot of his death and becomes the source of the village’s problems.
The Dibia gathers 7 men to embark on a journey to the evil forest to retrieve the magical sword that can fell the tree. Igodo is the only survivor who returns to the village with the magical sword. Movie returns to present day where the old Igodo tells them to fell the tree if they want their problems to end. Please (coughs) don’t ask me why the tree wasn’t cut down years ago when he returned with the magic sword.
Anyway, the movie ends with the villagers uniting to fell the tree. It stars Sam Dede, Pete Edochie, Norbert Young, Charles Okafor, Prince James Uche, Ignis Ekwe, Obi Madubogwu, Chidi Mokeme, and Joe Layode.
IJELE
Ijele, an epic Nollywood classic was directed by Fred Amata and produced by Sunny Collins Nwatu. It tells the story of the strongest man in the village, the son of the gods called Ijele, who has chosen a maiden to marry but the princess of the land swears that won’t happen on her watch because he must marry her talk of wahala Pro max!
The movie stars Olu Jacobs, Genevieve Nnaji, Sam Dede, Eucharia Anunobi, Larry Cold sweat, Gentle jack, Nonso Diobi, Tchidi Chikere, Ebele Ayogu, Stan. k. Amandi, and A.I. Abara.
