You know that feeling when a Nollywood movie ends, and you’re sitting there like, “Sorry, but where’s the rest?” Yeah, too many good plots, not enough runtime!
Some Nollywood movies give the main character energy, serve us layered storylines, and introduce side characters with wild potential, and then, boom, it’s over in one hour and thirty minutes. The nerve! These movies deserved more. They deserved episodes. They deserved cliffhangers. They deserved “serious treatment”.
Let’s talk about those movies that left us wanting more, not because they were incomplete, but because they were too good to be over that quickly.
Sugar Rush (2019)
Director: Kayode Kasum
Cast: The film stars Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Bimbo Ademoye, Bisola Aiyeola, Tobi Bakre, Omoni Oboli, Banky W, and Nkem Owoh
Plot Summary: Three sisters stumble on $800,000 in a dead man’s house and decide to take the money. But their “blessing” quickly becomes a hot mess when the EFCC, gangsters, and spiritual forces all come chasing them. What starts as comedy quickly turns into chaos – fast, flashy, and wild.
Why It Needed More Episodes: Although Sugar Rush is a major throwback, the sweet taste of the movie still lingers! The plot was too juicy to be rushed into 2 hours. Each character, especially the sisters, had backstories, chemistry, and chaotic energy that deserved more screen time. The mix of crime, comedy, action, and supernatural vibes felt like Money Heist meets Supernatural in Lagos. A 4-5 episode mini-series could’ve deepened the plot, introduced more twists, and explored the underground world teased in the film. Plus, let’s be honest, we weren’t done laughing.
Isoken (2017)
Producer: Jade Osiberu
Cast: Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Joseph Benjamin, Marc Rhys, Funke Akindele and Tina Mba.
Plot summary: Isoken is a successful, 34-year-old single woman from a close-knit Edo family, constantly reminded that she’s unmarried. Things get complicated when she meets two very different men, one, the perfect Nigerian husband material; the other, a white photographer who understands her soul.
Why It Needed More Episodes: This had all the right ingredients for a rom-com dramedy series: strong cultural themes, love triangle tension, family drama, and societal pressure. Each episode could’ve dived deeper into Isoken’s personal growth, her friendships, family expectations, and dating experiences in Lagos. Think Insecure meets Skinny Girl in Transit, but with a richer cultural texture.
The Set-Up (2019)
Director: Niyi Akinmolayan
Cast: Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Kehinde Bankole, Jim Iyke, Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Tina Mba
Plot Summary: Chike, a con artist, gets involved in a high-stakes game of deception, only to realise she’s being used in a much bigger and more dangerous plot involving political blackmail, betrayal, and revenge.
Why It Needed More Episodes: This was Nollywood’s answer to Scandal or How to Get Away With Murder. The pace, the twists, the high-stakes manipulation – it deserved a slow burn. A series would’ve allowed viewers to digest the layers of betrayal and watch the mind games unfold more satisfyingly.
Christmas in Lagos (2024)
Director: Jadesola Osiberu
Cast: Teniola Aladese, Shaffy Bello, Shalom C. Obiago, Wale Ojo, and RMD brought depth to their roles as Fiyin, Gbemi, Elo, Toye, and Chief Dozie, respectively, each leaving a distinct mark across their scenes. The film also featured a vibrant ensemble cast, including Rayxia Ojo, Angel Anosike, Ayra Starr, and Ladipoe, adding extra flavour and youthful energy to the mix.
Plot Summary: Christmas in Lagos dives into the vibrant chaos of the city during the festive season, weaving together the lives of Fiyin, her cousin Ivie, and their friends. Fiyin’s heartache from a past relationship fuels her plan to sabotage her best friend Elo’s engagement, but things get complicated when she meets Elo’s loving fiancée, Yagazie. Meanwhile, Ivie finds unexpected love, and Fiyin’s mother, Gbemisola, juggles a dramatic love triangle. The film beautifully blends heartbreak, romance, and family dynamics, capturing the energy and emotion of Lagos at Christmas while delivering surprises and heartfelt moments that keep you hooked till the end.
Why It Needed More Episodes: Christmas in Lagos had series potential written all over it. While it delivered a fun, cosy rom-com vibe in just over two hours, it juggled so many juicy subplots that deserved more breathing room.
Gbemi and Chief Dozie’s mature romance needed space to develop; more flashbacks, closure, and RMD’s slow-burn charm. Fiyin’s journey from heartbreak to new love was the heart of the film and perfect for a multi-episode arc to fully explore her growth and glow-up. Plus, the underdog musician and rich girl romance between Ivie and her beau could’ve been its own spin-off.
Thin Line (2024)
Producer: Mercy Aigbe
Cast: Includes Uzor Arukwe (Pastor Raymond), Uche Montana (Annie), Mercy Aigbe (Pastor Dammy), plus a big ensemble: Iyabo Ojo, Yvonne Jegede, Cute Abiola and others.
Plot Summary: Raymond, a well-respected pastor, finds his world spiralling after a one-night encounter with Annie, a sex worker. When Annie turns up dead shortly after, all fingers point to him. As the investigation heats up, Raymond is forced to navigate a web of suspicion, moral collapse, and public disgrace, all while trying to clear his name. The film explores the thin, blurry lines between faith, desire, and the consequences of hidden choices.
Why It Needed More Episodes: Thin Line packs a strong emotional punch with themes of betrayal, grief, family tension, and self-discovery, but the story feels rushed, especially with Uche Montana’s character dying too soon. Her early exit cuts short a storyline that deserved more time to build emotional depth and let audiences fully connect with her journey. Meanwhile, Omoye’s character hints at a bigger arc, teasing a sequel that could have unfolded naturally if the story had been stretched into a series.
Overall, these movies had vibes, no cap, with characters and stories that had us hooked. But imagine if it had a whole series to flex? We’re talking more tea, deeper feels, and way more of that juicy drama we crave. Honestly, these stories deserved their own glow-up and a longer runway to slay.
