Top Best African Films You Need To Watch In 2025
As African cinema continues to grow in global prominence, 2025 is poised to be a landmark year for filmmakers across the continent. From riveting historical dramas and deeply emotional narratives to genre-defying stories that challenge traditional structures, African storytellers are stepping into the global spotlight like never before. With streaming platforms investing in African content, film festivals opening more slots to African voices, and audiences hungry for stories rooted in authenticity, there’s never been a better time to explore African films.
Whether you're a cinephile or just discovering the world of African cinema, here are some of the top best African films you absolutely need to watch in 2025.
1. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl (Zambia)
Director: Rungano Nyoni
Genre: Drama, Black Comedy
Festival Recognition: Premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Award-winning Zambian-Welsh filmmaker Rungano Nyoni returns with a deeply resonant and artistically bold feature titled On Becoming a Guinea Fowl. Known for her 2017 hit I Am Not a Witch, Nyoni continues her exploration of African womanhood, societal taboos, and silence in the face of injustice. This film tackles the sensitive theme of abuse and the complicity of communities that protect abusers under the guise of tradition and family respect.
The story follows Shula, a young woman who attends her uncle’s funeral only to discover dark secrets about his past. Presented through surreal, symbolic sequences and imbued with magical realism, the narrative unpacks the silence of victims and the moral paralysis of a society unwilling to confront its truths. Nyoni uses the titular guinea fowl—a loud, alert bird—as a metaphor for awareness, questioning why society often chooses silence instead of sound.
With biting humor, haunting visuals, and a powerful central performance, this film is a must-watch not just for its artistry but also for its relevance.
2. Dahomey (Senegal)
Director: Mati Diop
Genre: Historical Drama / Documentary Hybrid
Accolades: Golden Bear Winner at Berlin Film Festival 2024
Senegalese-French filmmaker Mati Diop’s Dahomey offers an evocative blend of documentary and fiction to address the historical theft and return of African artifacts from European museums. The film is centered on the real-life repatriation of 26 stolen royal artifacts from France back to Benin (formerly known as Dahomey), interwoven with imagined narratives from the perspective of one of the objects.
This conceptual storytelling device allows Diop to challenge the viewer’s sense of history, identity, and cultural memory. How does an object carry trauma? What does it mean to return it to its origin? These are some of the questions Dahomey poses through poetic visuals and a profound narrative lens.
More than just a film, Dahomey is an artistic act of reclamation. It stands as one of the most intellectually stimulating African films of 2025.
3. Banel & Adama (Senegal)
Director: Ramata-Toulaye Sy
Genre: Romantic Drama
Notable Mentions: Senegal's entry for the 2024 Academy Awards
Making her feature debut, Ramata-Toulaye Sy introduces audiences to a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of love and tradition. Set in a remote village in Senegal, Banel & Adama follows a young couple who dream of living a life defined by love rather than duty. However, their decision to break away from communal expectations leads to social tension and ultimately, tragedy.
Shot with dreamlike cinematography and infused with the stillness of the desert, the film evokes the romanticism of doomed love while tackling deeply rooted patriarchal values and the burdens of generational expectation. It’s a slow-burn drama that speaks volumes about the role of women, love, and the tragic cost of freedom.
This film isn’t just a romantic tale—it’s a poetic rebellion, and a visual treat for lovers of arthouse cinema.
4. Mai Martaba (Nigeria)
Director: Prince Daniel Aboki
Genre: Historical Political Drama
Region: Kannywood (Northern Nigerian Cinema)
Set in colonial-era northern Nigeria, Mai Martaba brings to life the political intrigue and cultural complexities of succession in Hausa royal systems. When a young princess is named heir to the throne after her father’s mysterious death, the kingdom is thrown into turmoil, as elders and politicians debate the legitimacy of a female ruler.
Rooted in real historical tensions and inspired by archival accounts, the film is a masterclass in period storytelling. With rich sets, elaborate costumes, and commanding performances, Mai Martaba is more than a drama—it’s a powerful commentary on gender, tradition, and power dynamics in pre- and post-colonial Africa.
This is one of the most ambitious Nigerian historical dramas in recent memory, and it positions Kannywood as a rising force within Nollywood’s diverse ecosystem.
5. Phoenix Fury (Nigeria/Ghana)
Director: Ifeoma Chukwuogo
Genre: Action Drama / Psychological Thriller
Accolades: Best Film at the AFRIFF Globe Awards 2024
A co-production between Nigeria and Ghana, Phoenix Fury tells the story of two estranged women brought together by a shared trauma from their past. Set in the gritty underworlds of Lagos and Accra, the film blends high-stakes action with emotional storytelling, as the protagonists go on a mission of revenge, only to discover deeper conspiracies that threaten their survival.
Directed by rising star Ifeoma Chukwuogo, this film breaks away from the melodramatic tropes often associated with Nollywood and instead embraces slick cinematography, fast-paced editing, and layered storytelling. Think Widows meets John Wick, with a distinctly African flavor.
Phoenix Fury proves that African cinema can deliver genre films with global appeal without compromising cultural authenticity. Expect thrilling action, emotional complexity, and powerhouse performances.
Honorable Mentions
Lobola, a Bride’s True Worth (South Africa): A compelling documentary examining the cultural practice of lobola (bride price) and its evolving role in modern African society.
The Square Root of a Wish (Kenya): A whimsical fantasy film about a boy who believes he can alter the future through his dreams. It blends folklore with contemporary themes of hope, loss, and destiny.
Night Riders of N’Djamena (Chad): A thriller set in Chad’s bustling capital about underground motorbike gangs and corruption. Gritty and gripping.
Final Thoughts
African cinema in 2025 is not just thriving—it’s redefining itself. From poetic meditations on love and trauma to action-packed thrillers and culturally rooted dramas, African filmmakers are showing the world the power of authentic storytelling.
What’s even more promising is the growing infrastructure supporting these films: better funding, international co-productions, and increased visibility through global streaming services. Audiences both within Africa and beyond now have unprecedented access to a new generation of storytellers who are not afraid to challenge, reflect, and celebrate their truths.
So whether you're watching on the big screen, catching a film at a festival, or streaming from your couch, make it a priority to support and experience the depth and diversity of African cinema in 2025. These films are more than entertainment—they're cultural conversations worth having.
Which African film are you most excited to watch this year? Share your thoughts below!
