For many Nigerians, public holidays arrive like oases in a desert, brief moments when Lagos traffic, Abuja boardrooms, and Port Harcourt markets can wait. This Eid-ul-Mawlid, the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) birth, lands on a Friday — the perfect excuse for families, friends, and even solo souls to turn a sacred day into a soulful weekend.
Traditionally, Eid-ul-Mawlid is marked with prayer, reflection, and community gatherings. But once the mosque visits are done, the greetings exchanged, and the food shared, there’s an often-overlooked question: What do we do with the rest of the day?
The answer, for a growing number of Nigerians, is cinema from home. And Nollywood, with its kaleidoscope of faith, drama, comedy, and raw storytelling, has just the right medicine for the holiday mood.
Here are five Nigerian movies you should absolutely watch this Friday.
1. The Wedding Party (2016) – For Family and Laughter
Eid is about family, and no Nollywood film captures the chaos and beauty of family gatherings quite like The Wedding Party. It’s loud, dramatic, over the top, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect for a holiday watch.
From Sola Sobowale’s unforgettable “mother of the bride” energy to the hilarious culture clash between Yoruba and Igbo traditions, this movie is the laughter you need after a long day of Eid cooking and celebration.
This Eid, this movie reminds us that while family may be messy, they are also our greatest joy.
2. Citation (2020) – For Reflection and Meaning
Starring Temi Otedola in her breakout role and directed by Kunle Afolayan, Citation tackles sexual harassment in Nigerian universities. It’s not light viewing, but it’s powerful — and Eid is also a time of reflection.
The holiday is about justice, morality, and protecting the vulnerable — values deeply tied to Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) teachings. Watching Citation sparks important conversations around fairness, dignity, and change in our society.
It connects spiritual reflection with social responsibility.
3. King of Boys (2018) – For Power and Consequence
If you want adrenaline with your suya this Friday night, King of Boys is your ticket. Kemi Adetiba’s political-crime drama, led by the powerhouse Sola Sobowale as Eniola Salami, is an unflinching look at ambition, betrayal, and the price of power.
On a day like Eid-ul-Mawlid, the movie forces us to ask: what kind of leaders do we follow? What kind of power do we respect? And at what cost to our souls?
It provokes thought about justice, corruption, and the moral compass of society.
4. Aníkúlápó (2022) – For Culture and Legacy
Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó is essentially a Yoruba epic wrapped in mystery, betrayal, and the supernatural. Think of it as Nollywood’s answer to Game of Thrones — only with calabashes, drums, and Yoruba proverbs instead of dragons.
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It’s the kind of film best enjoyed when you have hours to spare, which makes the long Eid weekend perfect. It celebrates African storytelling, heritage, and the eternal truth that choices have consequences.
It echoes the importance of legacy and accountability, themes central to Islamic teachings.
5. Sugar Rush (2019) – For Fun and Escape
Sometimes, a holiday just calls for fun. Sugar Rush is a comedy-thriller that combines ridiculous humor, fast-paced action, and the kind of Nollywood absurdity you can’t help but enjoy.
If your Eid-ul-Mawlid ends with cousins sprawled across the living room, jollof rice bowls half-finished, and everyone in the mood for something lighthearted, this is the film to queue up.
This movie fits this holiday because joy and laughter are also acts of worship when shared with loved ones.
More Than Just a Movie Night
Watching Nollywood films on Eid isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about weaving modern culture into timeless tradition. It’s about families bonding over popcorn after prayers, about couples finding shared laughter, about friends reflecting on deeper issues through powerful storytelling.
In a world where holidays are sometimes reduced to hashtags and traffic-free selfies, films can help us slow down, connect, and reflect.
So, this Eid-ul-Mawlid Friday, once the prayer mats are folded and the last plate of fried meat has been served, gather your people, dim the lights, and let Nollywood tell you stories. Because faith, like film, is best when it brings us closer together.
