Forget the cliche holiday cheer. December 2025 is set to be one of the most creatively daring and commercially significant months in Nollywood history. Nigeria’s top producers and directors are delivering a powerful mix of deep social commentary, historical fantasy epics, and high-stakes political thrillers right to the cinema and your streaming devices.
Here is your detailed guide to the 10 must-watch Nigerian movies and documentaries releasing this festive season.
This Is Love (Documentary) Dec 1, 2025
Key Producer/Director: Victor Ugoo Njoku (Co-Director)
This is not your typical holiday romance. This powerful and essential documentary shines a light on the intimate lives of three LGBTQ+ Nigerian couples living and loving under the shadow of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA). Through warm, deeply personal interviews, the film explores their challenges, resilience, and the sheer normalcy of their romantic connections, making a subtle yet profound assertion of their existence within Nigerian society. It’s a crucial, tender piece of social-issue filmmaking.
Colour Me True (Dec 4, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Toluwani Obayan Osibe (Writer/Director)
Part of the esteemed First Features Slate Initiative, this drama stars Shalewa Ashafa as Sylvia Philips, a celebrated reality star whose meticulously constructed life collapses when her true, complicated identity is revealed. Forced to return to the childhood orphanage she tried to forget, the film explores the high cost of deceit, the journey of self-rediscovery, and what remains when the truth finally catches up.
This Is Not a Nollywood Movie (Dec 5, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Wale Ojo (Director/Writer)
Making his directorial debut, veteran actor Wale Ojo delivers a wildly self-aware satire. The story follows Okechukwu Nwadibe (played by Ojo), a washed-up director from Nnewi who, inspired by a dream of winning an Oscar, attempts a chaotic comeback in Lagos. When he takes a shady loan from a powerful gangster, the film spirals into a dangerous, hilarious mess. Expect meta-humour and a candid, if exaggerated, look at the craziness of the industry.
Masaka Kids: A Rhythm Within (Documentary) Dec 9, 2025
This inspiring documentary focuses on the incredible Masaka Kids Africana, a group of talented children from Uganda who found global fame through their vibrant and energetic music and dance videos. It’s an uplifting, family-friendly film that captures the joy, resilience, and power of music in community. The documentary made this list because of its wide anticipation amongst Nollywood viewers.
Behind The Scenes (Dec 12, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Funke Akindele (Producer/Co-Director)
From the undisputed “Box Office Queen,” Funke Akindele’s latest cinematic offering is a comedy-drama that peels back the curtain on the chaotic, high-pressure world of a Nollywood film set. The film captures the raw struggles, hidden experiences, and often untold stories of the crew members and actors (including an ensemble cast featuring Tobi Bakre, Iyabo Ojo, and Ini Dima-Okojie) as they navigate production mishaps, personal egos, and the fight to keep their project and their sanity intact.
A Very Dirty Christmas (Dec 16, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Akay Mason (Director)
This film delivers on the classic holiday premise: a chaotic family gathering. When a large family comes together for the festive season, old issues resurface, long held secrets are explosively exposed, and the ‘peaceful’ celebration turns into a loud, messy, and hilarious wahala. The stellar cast includes veterans like Eucharia Anunobi and Femi Branch.
Oversabi Aunty (Dec 19, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Toyin Abraham (Director/Producer)
Directed by and starring Toyin Abraham, this comic drama centres on Toun, a self-righteous church usher obsessed with “fixing” other people’s lives using her strong faith. Her overzealous, meddlesome advice spirals into disastrous consequences, peaking at a family wedding introduction. Toun is ultimately forced to confront the chaos her misplaced devotion has caused in a story that blends witty social commentary with relatable family dynamics.
Colours of Fire (Dec 24, 2025)
Key Producer/Director: Niyi Akinmolayan (Director)
Niyi Akinmolayan, known for his visual ambition (The Set Up, Elevator Baby), returns with a grand Fantasy/Epic Drama for Christmas Eve. The film follows a lone warrior sent on a mission to hunt down a dangerous beast unleashed by a rival clan. However, his journey reveals a much bigger hidden truth and a forbidden connection that forces him to question his loyalty and honour. Expect breathtaking cinematography and a thrilling narrative.
King of Boys 3: The Beginning of the End
(Dec 25, 2025 – Christmas Day)
Key Producer/Director: Kemi Adetiba (Director)
This is arguably the most anticipated film of the year. Kemi Adetiba gifts fans of her explosive political thriller saga the next chapter on Christmas Day. Picking up the story of Eniola Salami, this installment promises to deliver the high-stakes political intrigue, gripping action, and powerful socio-political commentary that the franchise is famous for. Expect monumental performances and a truly cinematic event.
Wizkid: Long Live Lagos (Documentary) Dec 26, 2025
Key Producer/Director: Karam Gill (Director)
While it’s an HBO original set for release Dec 11, African fans will get the intimate experience on Showmax from Boxing Day. Directed by Karam Gill, this feature-length documentary follows Nigerian superstar Ayodeji “Wizkid” Balogun as he prepares for his historic performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The film explores his rise from the Surulere streets of Lagos to global icon status, challenging Western media’s stereotypes and tracing the massive global shift in the perception of African music. It is a candid look at the process and persistence behind his stardom.
This diverse slate proves that Nollywood is operating at the peak of its creative and commercial power. Whether you’re seeking a fantasy escape, a deep look into social issues, or the simple joy of a star-studded comedy, December 2025 has cemented its place as a legendary month for Nigerian cinematic storytelling. Happy viewing!