It’s been a topsy-turvy year for filmmakers around the world due to the crippling effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For Nigeria’s film industry, the year has proven to be one of the most challenging since the return of cinema, leaving only the bravest to battle for centre stage.
This list takes a look at some of the biggest contenders of the year. In no particular order, Pulse highlights the top trending films of 2020.
1. The Milkmaid
Weeks ago, the movie was unveiled as Nigeria’s 2021 submission for the Academy’s Best International feature film category. The movie also emerged the highest winner of this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) with five awards out of eight nominations.
‘The Milkmaid’ follows the touching story of two Fulani sisters who get kidnapped by insurgents. It stars Anthonieta Kalunta, Maryam Booth among others.
2. Fate of Alakada
The Toyin Abraham produced comedy is so far the king of Nigerian box office with a reported gross earning of over a N100 million.
Directed by Kayode Kasum, the star-studded comedy continues the hilarious story of Yetunde’s shenanigans but this time with Instagram skit maker, Broda Shaggi as an accomplice.
‘Fate of Alakada’ is indisputably the most successful Nollywood cinema release of 2020. .
3. Òlòtūré
EbonyLife’s collaboration with Netflix, ‘Òlòtūré’ had quite an outstanding year. The film was selected by Netflix alongside an applaudable list of films and series to be spearheaded by the production company.
Interestingly, the Kenneth Gyang film not only made headlines for its impressive Netflix outing, it also had a major scandal hot on its heels. As the movie fought to get the coveted Oscars’ Best International Feature Film spot, news that the story of an investigative journalist made the basis for the film nearly broke the internet. The journalist had called out Mo Abudu, the film’s executive producer, accusing her of copyright infringement.
4. Citation
Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Citation’ was thankfully released to way less drama. The highlights were of course, the Netflix original deal and the movie’s leading lady, Temi Otedola.
Otedola's debut acting performance had Twitter savvy Nigerians either crushing or critiquing.
5. Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story
Play Network Studios also got a good share of the movie buzz in 2020. For one, it was one of the most anticipated films of the year based on the success of the production company’s debut film, ‘Living In Bondage Breaking Free’.
The anticipated reboot of Amaka Igwe’s 1994 classic, ‘Rattlesnake’ was released in November to quite the fanfare and commercial success.