7 Culturally Rich African Movies You Should Watch

Explore African culture, history, and landscapes with a selection of culturally rich African movies! Get an immersive look at stories of vibrant cultures and diverse nations, and experience the beauty of Africa through engaging cinematic tales.

African movies have garnered a great deal of attention and admiration, propelling the global film industry to the forefront of motion picture production. We have unquestionably made significant progress in terms of filmmaking, casting African actors, writing scripts, and distribution in general. However, there are a few timeless films that will always be regarded as the greatest African movies ever made and distributed in Africa.

To help you better understand how African film scenes have met the standards set by Hollywood and other major film industries, we have carefully selected ten great African films that we believe you should watch.

Out of Africa (1985)

The First Grader is a critically acclaimed dramatic film that offers insight into Kenya’s education system. Set in 2003, the film follows Maruge (Oliver Litondo), an elderly Mau Mau war veteran who insists on his right to receive a proper education after he learns that education is now free for everyone in Kenya. Maruge rallies support from other villagers and enrols in a first-grade classroom alongside six-year-old children. Ultimately, this powerful movie captures the struggles of everyday Kenyans as they strive for equality and basic rights.

The Wedding Party (2016)

The Wedding Party, the most popular Nollywood film of all time, succeeds in emphasizing the stress of weddings in a uniquely Nigerian way. The film, which had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and has since made money, is a comedy that succeeds in its main goal of entertaining the audience. A genuine crowd-pleaser that will make you want to attend a Nigerian wedding right away.

Half of A Yellow Sun (2013)

A motivational film about a small Ethiopian village that has produced an unusually large number of Olympian-caliber athletes. However, if you go into the film expecting a secret formula, you may be disappointed. The visible sweat, blood, and tears demonstrate the genuine value of old-fashioned hard work. This is one of the notable culturally rich African movies.

Tsotsi (2005)

This biographical account of a young chess champion from the Ugandan village of Katwe, adapted from an ESPN magazine piece and subsequent book, does an excellent job of illuminating the potential that is often overlooked in Africa. The film succeeds because it avoids clichés and instead tells a compelling story about triumph over adversity.