The African entertainment industry is one of the oldest industries in the history of Africa. It could be traced back to the days of moonlight folklore, traditional drumming, singing, and chants. But beyond that, it encompasses the African heritage – culture, tradition, wisdom, and the way of life. The industry, like every other aspect of the African culture, has undergone tremendous growth, in terms of music, drumming, dance, and most of all, dramas. This growth gave birth to the various movie industries in Africa, acting and producing movies with not just great production and acting, but also insightful and thought-evoking messages. This article will bring you the top 20 underrated African movies you need to watch.
The purpose of movies extends beyond mere entertainment, they contain hidden messages that are meant to educate and inspire their audience. Matter of fact, every great movie contains hidden messages which are meant to evoke emotions and reflections from their audience. However, despite the efforts and creativity put into making these great movies, a lot of them don’t get the recognition they deserve, both locally and globally. Hence, we’ll be bringing to you top 20 underrated African movies whose recognition has been below what they deserve.
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Top 20 Underrated African Movies You Need to Watch
The movies featured on this list of the top 20 underrated African movies have been carefully researched and selected for their creativity, interesting storylines, and meaningful messages they contain. You really should watch them!
Olufunmilayo(Nigeria, 2024)
At a time of oppressive patriarchy in colonized Nigeria, a strong woman will champion the formation of the Abeokuta Women’s Club, a resistance group that will lead a revolt against the oppressive rules and the unjust taxation of the market women by the king, championing the fight for their freedom. Olufunmilayo tells the story of Chief Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, the mother of the legendary Afro-pop star and activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, reflecting on her valiant role in delivering the Egba people from their oppressive ruler.
The Nollywood blockbuster dates back to the 1940s when the traditional ruler of Abeokuta placed unfair taxes on the market women and sent enforcers to ensure the taxes were paid. Described as the “Lioness of Lisabi” in the media, Funmilayo championed the resistance against the king and fought for the freedom of the market women.
The Nightingale’s Prayer (Egypt, 1959)
When on a quest for revenge, the last you expect is definitely falling in love with your prey. Well, that exactly is what happened in this Egyptian blockbuster. Shot in Egypt in the late 1950s, The Nightingale’s Prayer tells the story of Amenah who will do everything in her power to avenge her dead sister, even if she has to become a servant at the house of the man responsible for her death. Even after her mother told her that her sister’s death was just as she had dishonoured their family, Amenah became a servant at the engineer’s house so she’d be able to poison him. Unbeknownst to her, she would not only fail at killing him but would also fall in love with the engineer.
This story of family, love, betrayal, and revenge has withstood the test of time and stands as one of the top 20 underrated African movies of all time. In 2020, Peter Bradshaw, the chief film critic at The Guardian, referred to the movie as the 19th-greatest African film of all time, naming it “an extravagant revenge melodrama.
Saladin the Victorious (Egypt, 1963)
This movie takes us back to the events of the Third Crusade and Saladin’s fight to reclaim Jerusalem and eliminate religious killings in the region. The Egyptian cinematic masterpiece follows how Saladin reclaimed Jerusalem in a short and almost impossible campaign after hearing the news of some Muslims being slaughtered by the Christians in the holy lands. However, this didn’t sit well with the Europe powers and this prompted the Third Crusade. Meanwhile, Saladin fought valiantly to prevent the reclamation of Jerusalem and in the end made a treaty with Richard and handed over the holy lands to the Muslims.
Over the years, Saladin has become one of the most important Arabic movies of all time, entering the 3rd Moscow International Film Festival held in 1963.
Ezra (Nigeria, 2007)
War is tragic, but the aftermath of the war can be much worse. Ezra follows the psychological impact of the aftermath of war on a teen boy who was part of the child soldiers fighting in the Sierra Leone civil war. After the war had ended, Ezra was struggling with returning to a normal life, shuffling his day between the physiological rehabilitation centre and the national reconciliation tribunal. The movie relived the 16-year-old’s experience during the war, his sister’s accusation of him killing their parents, his trial for the crimes committed, and his journey to finding peace after the 10-year-long horror of war.
Finye (Mali, 1982)
When two lovers’ relationship contradicts their families’ interests, would they succumb to their families’ pressure or stick together? Finye, or The Wind ,could be called the Africa’s version of Romeo and Juliet, tackling the generational gap in post-colonial West Africa. In this Malian epic movie, the daughter of a provincial military governor falls in love with a fellow university student, who not only happens to be the son of one of Mali’s chiefs of an earlier age but is also involved in the ongoing student protests against the military government. Thus, it is not surprising that this relationship didn’t sit well with both their parents, whose ideologies and political beliefs contradict each other. This movie depicts a mixture of politics, romance and social commentary, casting a critical eye on both the ancient and modern values.
The Siege of Jadotville (South Africa, 2016)
After Congo’s independence from the Belgian colonial rule in June of 1960, the Security Council established the United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo).This operation was formed to ensure the withdrawal of the Belgian forces and assist the government in maintaining the territorial integrity and political independence of the Congo. The operation’s ultimate goal was to establish peace by preventing civil war and ensuring the removal of all foreign military forces not under the UN command. This operation led to Ireland sending troops to Congo to help ensure the realization of this agenda, and the force servingin Congo for four years.
The Siege of Jadotville is a movie that relivesthe September 1961 faceoff between the Irish troop and French-Belgian-led machinery. In this movie, an Irish commander,leading a troop of 150 soldiers who are “battle-virgins”, would withstand a siege by an army of 3,000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining corporations.
The Battle of Algiers (Algeria, 1966)
The Battle of Algiers also follows the events surrounding the Algerian independence. This movie follows the Algerian revolt against British colonial rule between 1954 and 1962, highlighting majorly the events between 1956 and 1957. In this epic movie, Ali La Pointe joins the FLN, a guerrilla group, escalating the ongoing conflict and resulting in more violence, which led to the disbandment of the FLN by French Colonel Mathieu. This act resulted in the death of La Pointe and the arrest of FLN leaders. This event will later set the stage for the Algerian independence in 1962.
This movie on our list of top 20 underrated African movies is praised for its documentary style, realistic depiction of warfare,and overly realistic scenes,which thanks to Pontecorvo’s direction, made some audiences think it included real footage of the events, though it didn’t. Overall, this movie has becomean important study material for military and revolutionary groups worldwide.
Letter from My Village (Senegal, 1976)
When a persistent drought hurting the village’s millet and groundnut farm couldn’t allow Ngor to afford his beloved’s dowry, he would seek opportunities in Dakar and keep his hope of marrying Coumba alive.This Senegalese docufiction film tells the sweet but shy love story between Ngor and Coumba, all while showcasing the tough reality of rural life. Filmmaker Safi Faye presents the film as a personal letter about her hometown, featuring local villagers as actors and highlighting everyday village activities. The storyline flows gently, critiquing agricultural policy that favours monoculture, but ultimately leads to more poverty.
Yeelen (Mali, 1987)
Nianankoro’s father, Soma, is a power-hungry sorcerer who wants to kill him after having a vision that Nianankoro will lead to his death. With help from his mother, Nianankoro nabs some of his father’s magical artefacts and goes on a quest to find his uncle. Soma is hot on his trail, using a magical pylon to track him down. On his journey, Nianankoro meets a hyena who insists he’s destined for greatness. Unfortunately, he gets captured by the Fulas, but he impresses their king, Rouma, by freezing the guards and ultimately helps the Fulas fend off a rival tribe with some powerful spells. After a mishap with the king’s wife that leads to a brief fling, Nianankoro and Attou are ordered to marry and leave. With Soma still hunting for him, Nianankoro seeks out his uncle Djigui, who gives him a powerful artefact, warning of future hardships. In the climax, Nianankoro and Soma face-off, each transforming into powerful animals, but they both perish in the battle, leaving behind their legacy as Attou and her son find two eggs at the battle site.
Saworoide (Nigeria, 1999)
The previous kings of the Jogbo kingdom were not as rich and powerful as other kingdoms, thus Lapite decides to change this narrative as soon as he becomes king. This prompted the new king to team up with his friend, Balogun in this quest, but they were soon faced with a risky ritual. The desperation for power turns the king into a tyrant without regard for his subjects. Hence, the citizens will find ways to save themselves, even if they have to steal the ancestral crown from the palace. But things didn’t go as planned as militants used insider information to hijack the crown. After a series of events and plotting, King Lapite eventually died from a migraine and Aresejabata became the new king.
Saworoide is a story of a power-hungry monarch who will risk everything for his selfish ambition and neglect his primary duty as a king – protecting his people. It showcases human’s selfish nature and obsession with wealth and power.
The Season of Men (Tunisia, 2000)
Aicha married Said at eighteen and found herself living with her in-laws while he worked in Tunis, only coming home for a month each year. Tired of the wait and constant conflict with her mother-in-law, she decided to join him, but he insisted she first give him a son. After having a son who turned out to be autistic, Aicha faced disappointment instead of the resolution she hoped for. Feeling lost, she returned to her hometown in Djerba with her two daughters, looking to carve out their own lives and live beyond society’s traditional expectations.
The Season of Men is a movie about love, family, traditional beliefs, and social expectations. It’s a movie about how society places more value on male children over female children, and the heartbreak and disappointment of a woman whose only objective was to please her husband and his family. This Tunisian masterpiece which is a reminder that every child is valuable, regardless of their gender or disability is undoubtedly one of the most underrated African movies of all time.
Sometimes in April (Rwanda, 2005)
In 1994, Rwanda experienced a horrific genocide that saw nearly 800,000 people killed in just 100 days, primarily targeting Tutsis and Hutu allies by Hutu nationalists. While films like Hotel Rwanda and Shooting Dogs have depicted these events, Sometimes in April stands out as a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the tragedy. The film follows Augustin, a Rwandan soldier, whose life spirals into chaos as the massacre unfolds, highlighting the global community’s indifference during this crisis. It offers a deeper look at Rwanda’s past, the failures of the United Nations, and the personal losses through Augustin’s relationship with his brother Honore, a journalist whose actions contributed to the violence.
Shot in Rwanda, this movie is praised for its authenticity and valuable educational extras like director commentary and behind-the-scenes features. These elements make the film not just a story about the genocide, but also a resource that sparks discussions about history and moral responsibility.
Queen of Katwe (2016)
Phiona Mutesi is a 10-year-old girl living in Katwe, a tough slum in Kampala, Uganda. However, her story would change after meeting Robert Katende, who teaches kids chess, a game she quickly fell in love with. Under his coaching, Phiona becomes a standout player. Despite some initial challenges, she competes in a national tournament and impresses everyone by coming in first. Throughout her journey, she faces the struggles of life in Katwe but hopes chess can help her family escape poverty. Eventually, she represented Uganda at the Chess Olympiad in Russia but faced tough competition and lost. Feeling down, she doubts herself, but with encouragement from Coach Katende and her community, she picks up chess again and works hard enough to buy a home for her family.
Queen of Katwe outlines Phiona’s journey from Katwe slum to chess Olympian. But even more, it’s a movie about resilience, hard work, and determination;a story of disappointment, self-doubt, and communal support.
The Wedding Party (Nigeria, 2016)
When two people from different backgrounds and tribes fall in love and decide to tie the knot, they are faced with different problems and obstacles. From dealing with both their families’ drama and baseless competitions to fighting off exes, there’s a real test of trust.
The bride’s family are typical Yoruba party mongers, the groom’s family are reserved Igbo and “well-mannered”. A dangerous prank leaves a woman’s pants in the groom’s suit pocket, and a silly friend plays a clip from the bachelor’s party. When the bride could no longer take it, she decided to storm off the party but bumped into the groom’s ex whose lie convinced her that the groom was a cheat. While searching for the runaway bride, the groom, his brother, and the two families had to deal with a thief at gunpoint, leading to heartfelt confessions and a change of hearts among the parents. When the thief is dealt with, the groom finds his bride, reassures her of his devotion to her, and returns to finish the party.This humorous Nollywood masterpiece tells the story of cross-cultural relationships in modern Nigeria. It’s a story about family, love, betrayal, friendship, and trust.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (South Africa, 2013)
Long Walk to Freedom tells the tale of the first South African President, Nelson Mandela, casting a light on his early life and his fight against South African apathy. Ushered in with the scenes of Mandela undergoing his tribal tradition of transitioning to manhood, it tracks the life of the first South African president henceforth until he became president in 1994. The movie peaked with his fight against the corrupt system and his subsequent arrest and arraignment, a scene that was both emotional and nerve-wracking, even for those who’d read his autobiography. Another interesting aspect of the movie is how it tracks Mandela’s growth over the years, summarizing his experiences while imprisoned on Robben Island.
Abouna (Chad, 2002)
Translating in English as “Our father”, Abouna tells the story of two boys who wake up one morning to discover that they’ve been abandoned by their father.While their mother tells them their father left because he was irresponsible, the two boys begin their forlorn attempt to find their father. While at a cinema one evening, they were convinced that they saw their father in the film and they had to steal the film to examine it and find the exact frame where they saw their father. Distraught by their action, their mother decides to send them to a strict Koranic school. Feeling ostracised and lonely, the boys struggled with the hard reality of being without both their parents in this new environment. That’s until the older brother falls in love with a quiet girl, ushering in a late romance and causing a fateful rift between the two brothers. However, it also leads to an affectionate and uplifting family reconciliation.
Yaaba (Burkina Faso, 1989)
Yaaba is set in the beautiful rural landscapes of Burkina Faso, back in a time when life was untouched by colonial influence. It tells the touching story of a friendship between a boy named Bila, a girl named Nopoko, and an old woman, often called a witch by others. Bila boldly refers to her as “Yaaba,” which means grandmother, and through their interactions, he learns important lessons about acceptance and self-worth. The filmmaker, Ouédraogo, shot the film in his hometown and drew inspiration from childhood stories and traditional bedtime tales. With its stunning visuals and emotional depth, Yaaba echoes the magic of earlier works like Cissé’sYeelen, solidifying Ouédraogo’s reputation in African cinema.
I Am Not a Witch (Zimbabwe, 2017)
A young girl arrives at a village and everyone decides she’s a witch. When she won’t confirm or deny it, she’s taken to a witch doctor, who sacrifices a chicken to figure it out. With the villagers convinced she’s a witch, the girl, Shula,is sent to the witches’ camp where she’s forced to work like the other witches. A theft incident called on the girl to identify the thief, which she did despite the warning of the older witches from her camp.As the news spread, the villagers started exploiting her and asked her to make a lot of things happen, including performing a special rain dance, which left her exhausted. As she battles her fate, Shula wishes she could become a goat instead of a witch, but what followed was her disappearance.
Samba Traoré (Burkina Faso, 1992)
Samba pulls off a gas station heist that goes horribly wrong when his partner gets killed. With a suitcase full of cash, he heads back to his village, trying to start fresh by opening a bar and marrying his old crush, Saratou. But he can’t shake off the guilt and fear of being caught, leaving him wondering if he can really leave his past behind. The story carries a mix of magical storytelling with a modern twist, exploring how tricky it can be to let go of a dark history.
Cairo Station (1958)
In this wild and twisted romance, a romantic crush turns into obsession when a lame newspaper vendor, Qinawi, takes an interest in a stunning cold-drink vendor, Hannuma, who is currently engaged to another man. Despite being rejected several times, Qinawi’s obsession only spiralled into madness and he would rather kill her than watch her get married to another man. A police incident presents him with the perfect opportunity to execute his plan when Hannuma asks him to secure his drink bucket for him. However, another person was sent to pick up the bucket and became the victim of the murder attempt. While attempting to rid the body by shipping it off with a train bound for Hannuma’s wedding, the lady wakes up and points to the perpetrator amidst the chaos. Cairo Station is a story of how obsessive infatuation could spiral into madness and prompt unimaginable actions.
Final Thoughts on Top 20 Underrated African Movies You Need to Watch
The African entertainment industry has a record for making interesting movies of different genres that it would be impossible to accurately list all the underrated African movies that deserve more screen time. Nevertheless, this list of the top 20 underrated African movies of all time was carefully curated using recommendations and insights from different sources. More importantly, this list is in no particular order or hierarchy. If you feel there are movies that deserve to be on this list, kindly share them in the comment section or tell us which of these movies is your favourite.