Nollywood is often seen through a familiar lens: romantic drama, family conflict, village settings, a sprinkle of comedy, and a moral at the end. It’s a formula that works, but it’s also one that’s been done to death. Lately, though, a small group of filmmakers have been shaking things up, choosing strange storylines, odd visual styles, and bold genre experiments that leave viewers either confused or deeply impressed.

These are the films that didn’t feel like “typical Nollywood.” Some were slammed by critics, misunderstood by audiences, or quietly swept under the rug. But on closer look, these oddball movies carry real weight. They may be flawed, but they also show the ambition and creativity Nollywood is starting to embrace.

Here are seven of the weirdest—and weirdly rewarding—films to come out of Nollywood in recent years.

Kofa (2022)

A psychological thriller in a box. Eight strangers wake up in a locked room with no memory of how they got there. Kofa sets up an intense, cerebral mystery—and it works, for a while. The performances are solid, and the tension builds steadily. But halfway through, it takes a hard left into confusing territory. The twist is jarring, the pacing falls apart, and what started as a strong premise begins to unravel. For some audiences, the minimalist setting and psychological angle felt too Western. The narrative structure wasn’t familiar: no clear protagonist, just eerie confusion. Its plot twist didn’t offer payoff—just more questions.

Still, there’s something fascinating about its ambition; attempting something Nollywood rarely tries: cerebral, character-driven suspense with a tight ensemble cast. The film might not land perfectly, but it takes a risk most Nollywood films would never even try.

Kasala! (2018)

Four boys, one car, and a ticking clock. Kasala! is a fast-paced comedy that captures the energy of Lagos street life in a way few films ever have. The visuals are raw—fish-eye lenses, handheld shots, frantic cuts—but they match the chaotic tone of the story. It’s a coming-of-age tale that’s both hilarious and grounded, showing teenage life without gloss or glamour. It focuses on ordinary teenage boys, no big stars, no emotional manipulation. The visual style enhances the comedy. The characters feel real. It’s funny, fast, and honest. It’s not Nollywood as we know it, but it’s what Nollywood could be, breaking the status-quo.

Mami Wata (2023)

Very few Nigerian films dare to go black-and-white, especially not for a mythical folktale. Shot entirely in black and white, spoken mostly in pidgin, and dripping with symbolism, Mami Wata is less a movie and more an experience. Nigerian audiences walked in expecting a horror spectacle about marine spirits, instead, they got a hypnotic dream. It tells the story of a small village caught between tradition and rebellion, led by a mysterious priestess figure. Many Nigerian viewers didn’t know what to make of it—“boring,” “slow,” and “too deep” were common reactions. It didn’t help that the story refuses to tell the story in a direct way. You have to interpret it. Pidgin as the main language felt familiar, but in an art-house context, if felt out of touch for some.

The film’s mood, sound, and cinematography are stunning, the atmosphere thick, and the mythic tone bold; but it asks for patience. It’s not easy to watch but it’s unforgettable if you let it sink in.

Day of Destiny (2021

Time travel. In Nollywood? Nollywood doesn’t really “do” sci-fi. So even the premise threw some people off. Two brothers get transported 20 years into the past to change the outcome of their family’s future. Day of Destiny is ambitious, blending fantasy, family drama, and moral lessons into one story. Unfortunately, the CGI looked low-budget, which broke immersion for viewers expecting realism.
But despite all that, it tried something different. It wasn’t afraid to take genre risks. For some, it felt silly. For others, it was a rare glimpse into what a Nigerian sci-fi film might look like. There’s a playful, youthful spirit to it, and for many viewers, that counts.

Suspicion (2025)

Who would have imagined a juju fiction with juju used as superpowers? That’s what Suspicion dared to do differently. And that in itself breaks the norm. A family steeped in juju, bullets freezing midair, revenge unfolding like ritual choreography. The film mixes crime and mysticism with a stylish coolness that’s unusual and fresh in Nigerian cinema. It doesn’t shout. It simmers. And that subtle approach to power, revenge, and the supernatural made it one of the most unconventional thrillers Nollywood has ever released.

So, Are They Really That Weird?

We’re used to films that tell us how to feel. That wrap everything in lessons. That give us comfort. These ones didn’t. They broke rules. They frustrated viewers. They confused and alienated people. But they also carved out space for something different. Something riskier.

They reflect a Nollywood that’s growing, stretching, and trying to figure out what else it can be. Not every risk works. But sometimes, the boldest ideas start off as the most misunderstood.

So now it’s your turn:
Have you seen any of these films?
Did you love them, hate them, or just not get them at all? Which ones confused you?
Which ones surprised you?
And which other “odd” Nollywood films do you think people are sleeping on?