Kunle Afolayan

The Yoruba segment of Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry, has seen significant growth in the past decade. Yoruba films have become internationally recognised, offering captivating stories that reflect the culture, traditions, and vibrancy of the Yoruba people. Thanks to platforms like Netflix, these films are now accessible to global audiences, allowing viewers around the world to enjoy the richness of Yoruba cinema. Netflix has played a pivotal role in introducing Yoruba films to international audiences, offering a wider platform for Nigerian filmmakers to showcase their talents. The genre has become a significant part of Nollywood, with its captivating drama, humour, and vibrant storytelling. For film lovers around the world, Netflix has become a key source for accessing the best of Yoruba cinema. Why Yoruba Films Are Making Waves Globally Yoruba cinema is known for its engaging episodes, dynamic characters, and deeply rooted traditions. With global streaming platforms like Netflix, filmmakers are finding new ways to tell stories that resonate with both local and international audiences. The world is gradually recognizing the beauty of these films, with many Yoruba productions gaining attention for their high production value and strong storytelling. The allure of Yoruba films goes beyond entertainment. These films often explore themes of family, community, love, and personal struggle, which are universal in nature. The unique blend of humor, drama, and cultural elements in Yoruba cinema has earned a dedicated following, and Netflix has been instrumental in bringing these films to a wider audience. For lovers of Yoruba movies, here are our top 8 picks of Yoruba movies on Netflix in the year 2024. 1. Lisabi: The Uprising (2024) https://youtu.be/YkfIYDwWeUA?si3rYrbj9EUtdrmzj7 A fresh entry in 2024, Lisabi: The Uprising engulfs the audience in more detail about the culture of the Egba people in the western part of Nigeria. It tells the crackdown by Lisabi, a prominent warrior of the 18th century, on the domination of the Oyo Empire. This Yoruba historical drama by a winner of a prestigious award for directors is aimed at depicting the struggle for independence to a large extent and the courage of the Yoruba people. In addition, the spectacular scenery that was filmed together with Yoruba warriors, combined with the passion, fear, and drama of the show, will plunge viewers into the epoch of the war. Strong language throughout the whole film is Yoruba which adds to the reality of the film, and a good cast was used by the director. I recommend it for history lovers and anybody interested in Yoruba tradition or culture. 2. Jagun Jagun (2023) https://youtu.be/uua2y42QJ0E?siP8QMCSStwkF3HQZB The tape Jagun Jagun, which came out at the end of 2023, shows the audience a story of mystery and violence, supernatural events. This film describes the biography of a Yoruba warlord who from being an ordinary man seizes the opportunity to become a legendary soldier. Albeit with the magical realism, meaning that the film includes gods and spirits from the Yoruba belief system into the mix by superintending over the actions of people. This movie engages with outstanding staking scenes that combine the modern with the inter-alia appeal of a mythical fight. Ideally suited for viewers interested in history, mythology, and of course drama. Consequently, Yoruba cinema is seen to be as creatively developed as other world cinemas through strong characterisation and a richly featured setting. 3. Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre (2024) https://youtu.be/CBnIpwSOWEg?si3ZIJqt1SfKesCRrG As a follow-up to the widely successful Anikulapo (2022), Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre begins from where the first part ends. This is the sequel to the definitive 2020 release that tells us more about the life of Saro, the man who cheated death, and how he copes with it. The movie also brings more complex aspects of Yoruba religion into the perspectives of the main characters, particularly the power of raising the dead to Saro and how such a power shapes him and the other characters’ interactions with the living and the gods. Being visually appealing and with a strong actor cast, full of dynamics and an intense plot, Rise of the Spectre follows the precedent of love, treason, and a second chance from the prequel. If you enjoyed the first story of Anikulapo, this is a must-read sequel. 4. Kesari (2023) https://youtu.be/Pnmjr2ByWHc?si327_MG6K1JB_8vP9 Kesari is a movie that has a Yoruba cultured setting, but it has something to do with the current generation. The film core is a young man named Kesari, the plot of the film reveals that he becomes the owner of a troublesome family legacy. The movie narrates destiny, generational issues as well as struggles to overcome the past. Due to the current time and Yoruba traditions and superstitions, Kesari is quite an interesting movie to watch. It is commendable to see the main actors giving portrayals of the horrifying impact of family secret-keeping and the pressure of tradition. The work of a movie’s soundtracks that incorporated the Yoruba chants and contemporary music also forms part of the reception. 5. Ijogbon (2023) https://youtu.be/ocOjEtqq_Nw?sips3L2wIkR9m-gmK4 Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, Ijogbon is a coming-of-age drama that was released in 2023. It is a plot of a movie which is based on four teenagers from a rural village who find themselves in possession of a bag of diamonds, with their knowledge that these are the possession of bad boys. The film’s theme encompasses youthful adventures and intense action, making the movie a genre that can cut across the globe while still emphasising Yoruba imagery. Teenagers’ navigation of the moral compass, friendship, and the pursuit of life is not half bad to watch. These credits go to Afolayan for direction and the perfect casting of the movie Ijogbon which is not only a crime thriller but also a touching drama of the lives of youths facing life, ambition, and justice between the blacks and the whites. 6. Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman (2022) https://youtu.be/U4OkJLmYEUs?si3Dqyk7Mh91Bqqjd- Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman, based on Wole Soyinka’s renowned play Death and the King’s Horseman is a successful cultural and historical discourse. Elesin, the king’s horseman, is duty-bound to commit suicide after the king dies and leads the king into the spirit world. The film was produced in the year 2022 based on the above-critical Yoruba traditional funeral rites. Some of the most important subjects include duty, honour, and colonialism interference in the performance as the British masters endeavour to stop it. The story of Elesin Oba is a rather intriguing enactment that brings to life Yoruba culture, spirit, and struggle in Yoruba culture and the conflict between tradition and colonialism. If there is one thing that you should watch, especially for those who love deep history and cultural pieces, then this is it. 7. Anikulapo (2022) https://youtu.be/rXIKrHPaB-o?siVeuQ30RFWVJOk35K The 2022 release Anikulapo was the first movie that gave a shooting star feel before the second part of the movie was released in 2024. The original movie relates the story of Saro, a man who is given the gift of life and death after committing adultery with a queen. A rich, brooding fable that adapts an episode of Yoruba folklore, this sharp-welded gothic piece is a meditation on passion, infidelity, and the price of eternal life. Anikulapo takes audiences on a high-quality production that captures the brilliance and richness of ancient Yoruba plight shoulder with a mystical related story. This set the tone for the 2024 sequel, which is why this movie is a must-watch for fans who want to be brought to the era when it all began. 8. House of Ga’a (2024) https://youtu.be/I6uNj0Zlak8?silpEzwpP5QVLxKrBA A new Yoruba cinematic entry, House of Ga’a, is a 2024 psychological thriller that ups the ante with the genre. This movie starts in a typical-looking family home, although not portrayed as a family home but actually a family compound. When distant relatives start investigating an unpleasant family history, everyone has to remember or reconsider the uncomfortable events, and it gets worse. The movie is truly tense, and the cast members did a good job, especially in bringing the Yoruba traditional beliefs on the spirit of the dead and how they operate on the living into the frame. House of Ga’a is a strong film filled with emotions which combines motifs of the Yoruba culture with suspense, which makes it a potential contender for the best movies of 2024. Conclusion The array of Yoruba movies available on Netflix in 2024 provides viewers with a rich selection of genres and themes, from historical epics to modern-day dramas. Whether you're new to Yoruba cinema or a seasoned fan, these eight films capture the heart of Yoruba storytelling, mythology, and culture. From the historical heroism of Lisabi to the mystical power struggles in Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, there is something for every film lover. So, grab your popcorn and immerse yourself in these cinematic gems that highlight the best of Yoruba filmmaking on Netflix.

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