For new nollywood release observers, January is rarely the loudest month but 2026 opened with some good films. Instead of chasing spectacle, Nigerian cinema leaned into range; romance, genre experimentation, cultural drama, and commercial heavyweights that refused to fade with the new year.
While streaming platforms stayed relatively quiet, cinemas carried the momentum. These are the five films that defined Nollywood’s cinema conversation in January 2026.
Everything Is New Again
Inkblot Productions and FilmOne Studios began the year with a romantic drama rooted in emotional familiarity rather than novelty. Everything Is New Again explores love through maturity, reflection, and timing; themes that resonate deeply with Nollywood’s core audience.
Storyline summary: The film follows two people forced to confront unfinished emotional business when their paths cross again. As past choices resurface, they must decide whether love deserves another chance and whether starting over is ever truly possible.
Released at the end of January, the film positioned itself as a steady, audience-friendly opener for the year, reinforcing Inkblot’s reputation for clean storytelling and commercial instincts.
Alive Till Dawn
Few January releases generated as much curiosity as Alive Till Dawn. A zombie thriller led by Uzor Arukwe, the film marked another step in Nollywood’s gradual but deliberate embrace of genre filmmaking.
Storyline summary: Set over one terrifying night, the story follows a small group fighting to survive as a sudden outbreak throws their world into chaos. With danger closing in from every direction, survival becomes a test of instinct, trust, and endurance until daybreak.
Rather than playing it safe, the film leaned into tension and suspense, offering audiences something distinctly different from Nollywood’s traditional drama-heavy slate.
Behind The Scenes
Though released in December 2025, Behind The Scenes remained a dominant presence well into January 2026. Its extended cinema run and sustained audience interest made it one of the most visible Nollywood titles of the month.
Storyline summary: The film pulls back the curtain on ambition, power, and personal compromise within a high-pressure environment. As relationships fracture and hidden agendas emerge, the characters must confront the emotional cost of success.
Its continued relevance highlighted a larger trend: Nollywood hits no longer expire with the calendar year, but now carry cultural momentum across months.
Colours Of Fire
Colours Of Fire leaned fully into Nollywood’s strength in epic, emotionally charged storytelling. Built around themes of forbidden love, tradition, and conflict, the film delivered scale without sacrificing intimacy.
Storyline summary: Against a backdrop of tradition and rivalry, two people fall in love where they are not supposed to. Their relationship ignites tension between families and communities, forcing difficult choices between duty, identity, and desire.
Released in late January, the film found its audience among viewers drawn to dramatic tension and culturally grounded narratives.
Gingerrr
Rounding out the list is Gingerrr, a stylish action-comedy heist film powered by an all-female ensemble cast. Fast-paced and playful, the film added levity to January’s cinema lineup.
Storyline summary: The story follows a bold, unconventional crew planning a risky operation. As the plan unfolds, personalities clash, loyalties are tested, and nothing goes exactly as expected, blending action with sharp humor.
Its inclusion reflects Nollywood’s growing interest in balance; films that entertain without heavy emotional weight, and stories that broaden the scope of mainstream Nigerian cinema.
