9 Must Watch African Movies On Netflix With Female Directors

sugar rush movie

Ava DuVernay became the first black woman to win the directing award in the U.S. at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for the film Middle of Nowhere. Subsequently, she received many nominations for different awards for her outstanding directing skills. In 2019, she directed and produced one of the top African movies on Netflix, When They See Us, which earned her more respect in the film industry.

Women directors such as DuVernay aren’t given the recognition they deserve in this somewhat male-dominated industry. Several African movies have been directed by women and have performed extremely well.

Hence, the streaming giant Netflix has recognized the efforts of these women. Therefore, we have seen several movies being acquired by Netflix that women have directed. Here are some of these movies.

ALSO READ: 10 African TV Series And Movies To Binge-Watch On Netflix

#1 – King of Boys – 2018 (Watch It Here)

king of boys movie
Image credits: MAMAZEUS
  • Director: Kemi Adetiba
  • Starring: Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Remilekun Safaru

King of Boys Movie Trailer

King of Boys Movie Synopsis

This movie follows the story of a businesswoman and philanthropist, Alhaja Eniola Salami, with strong political aspirations. She faces many setbacks as she struggles to claim her position at the top. The struggle for power threatens her wealth.

Consequently, she plans on reclaiming her position, regardless of what it takes. More than ever, she clings to help from her circle but is unsure of whom to trust. This is one of the multiple award-winning African movies on Netflix.

#2 – Like Cotton Twines – 2017 (Watch It Here)

like cotton twines movie
Image credits: ghonetv.com
  • Director: Leila Djansi
  • Starring: Jay Ellis, Ophelia Klenam Dzidzornu, Miranda Bailey

Like Cotton Twines Movie Trailer

Like Cotton Twines Movie Synopsis

Elis is installed as a new English teacher in a local school in Ghana, where he meets a young and bright girl on the verge of slavery. Elis, who feels that these traditions are distasteful, puts in efforts to prevent Tuigi from becoming a victim of these practices. Eventually, Elis realizes that acts such as child slavery are common in Ghana and plans to eradicate them.

ALSO READ: 10 Must Watch Black Horror Movies On Netflix

#3 – Gone Too Far – 2013

gone too far african movie on netflix
Image credits: Barbican.org
  • Director: Destiny Ekaragha
  • Starring: Malachi Kirby, Tosin Cole, Adelayo Adedayo

Gone Too Far Movie Trailer

Gone Too Far Movie Synopsis

Yemi’s older brother Ikudayisi relocates to London to live with him and his parents. Over time, Yemi quickly realizes that Ikudayisi’s Yoruba accent, terrible fashion sense, and overconfidence in charisma robbed him of his street cred.

The film is filled with humor. In the following events, the duo tries to bond and accept each other. This is one of the African movies on Netflix that shows how far society pushes us into becoming someone else.

#4 – New Money – 2018

women directors
Image source: Binged
  • Director: Tope Oshin
  • Starring: Jemima Osunde, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal

New Money Movie Trailer

New Money Movie Synopsis

The story of a young Nigerian lady by the name Toun who rises from a sales job to CEO of her father’s multibillion-dollar business. To Toun’s surprise, her mother was legally married to her father Ifeanyi, whom she never liked. Her new inheritance fulfills her dream of becoming a fashionista.

ALSO READ: 10 Must-Watch African Movies On Netflix (Nov 2020)

#5 – Lion Heart – 2018 (Watch It Here)

african movies on netflix
Image credits: The African Exponent
  • Director: Genevieve Nnaji
  • Starring: Genevieve Nnaji, Nkem Owoh, Pete Edochie

Lion Heart Movie Trailer

Lion Heart Movie Synopsis

Adaeze is challenged to run her father’s business after he falls sick. This abrupt decision forces her to adapt quickly. Afterward, his father asks his brother to replace him as he is much suited to her daughter.

Adaeze is forced to work with his uncle to keep the company afloat, but they realize they are in huge debt. They now have to clear this debt and reclaim their position in the industry against a fierce rival that wants to monopolize the transport industry.

#6 – Your Excellency – 2019

African movies on Netflix
Image credits: KEEPS Magazine
  • Director: Funke Akindele
  • Starring: Akin Lewis, Funke Akindele, Kemi Lala Akindoju

Your Excellency Movie Trailer

Your Excellency Movie Synopsis

Thanks to social media, a political candidate who in the face of political critiques has no chance, rises to fame and leads in the polls. Chief Olalekan is portrayed as a huge Donald Trump fanatic, and he emulates Donald’s antics. This African movie on Netflix has a political satire comedy plot but also showcases the power of social media.

ALSO READ: 5 Motion Pictures On Netflix That Shed Light On Race And Prejudice In America

#7 – Love is War – 2019

african movies on netflix
Image source: The Times of Africa
  • Director: Omoni Oboli
  • Starring: Omoni Oboli, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Jide Kosoko

Love is War Movie Trailer

Love is War Movie Synopsis

Love is put to the test when a couple runs for gubernatorial positions against each other. The once blissful union turns out sour as they indulge in the game of politics. Consequently, their once sacred marital secret comes to the fore during an election debate.

Will their love survive this expected turn of events? You have to watch it to find out. This is one of the African movies on Netflix that will leave you guessing on what comes next.

#8 – Chewing Gum – 2015 – 2017 (Watch It Here)

african movies on netflix
Image credits: Netflix
  • Director: Michaela Coel
  • Starring: Michaela Coel, John Macmillan, Robert Lonsdale

Chewing Gum Movie Trailer

Chewing Gum Movie Synopsis

A 24-year-old lady known as Tracey finds herself in circles in her quest to learn more about the world that she is living in. From a religious background, Tracey realizes there is much from the ‘real world’ that she has been missing. One such thing is sex, and she sets on a path to losing her virginity. The series finale was released in 2019.

ALSO READ: Mama K’s Team 4 Becomes Netflix’s First African Animation Series

#9 – Sugar Rush – 2019

sugar rush movie
Image credits: Netflix
  • Director: Jadesola Osiberu
  • Starring: Adesua Etomi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bimbo Ademoye

Sugar Rush Movie Trailer

Sugar Rush Movie Synopsis

The ‘Sugar Sisters’ discover a sum of $800,000 and decides to squander the money until the proclaimed rightful owners show up. The money allegedly belongs to a corrupt man by the name of Chief Douglas.

During the sisters’ spending melee, they encounter mafias who claim a stake in the money. Subsequently, ugly events accompanied by loss of lives force the sisters to travel out of the country with their mother for refuge.

What are you watching?

According to Reelgood, there were 3781 movies on Netflix as of June 2020. This huge number can overwhelm you with a choice of what movies to watch. Reading through the synopsis gives you a glimpse of what to expect and helps you to order your movie list. This time, we chose African movies on Netflix with women directors.

These movies have storylines that can teach us a thing or two about African culture and customs while still entertaining us. We curate lists like these. Therefore, subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know when we do.

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