Here Are 4 Yoruba Movies We Consider Modern Classics

You know how we said it must really suck to not be Nigerian? Yeah, one of the reasons is Yoruba people. An inherently animated bunch, Yoruba people make everything better and funnier, and it is no wonder that Yoruba movies are so hilarious (just see Sola Sobowale’s performance in The Wedding Party).

Some of the best talent in Nollywood today are Yoruba actors such as Toyin Abraham, Odunlade Adekola, Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo. The mere mention of their names is enough to make you laugh. Food for thought, however: Is Yoruba cinema only taken seriously as comic relief?

There’s a plethora of great yoruba movies but the most memorable ones are the ones that make us laugh until we have stomach stitches. We’re not complaining though, keep them coming!

From the unnecessary sarcasm to overdramatic reactions, these are some yoruba films we consider modern classics!

Mr & Mrs Jejeloye

This movie, although hilarious, touches on the consequences of being in an abusive relationship. Toyin Abraham and Femi Adebayo absolutely kill their roles, and if you’re looking to learn how to insult people in Yoruba, just watch this film!

Jenifa (The whole franchise)

It seems as though we can’t get enough of Jenifa, as it has been nearly a decade and we are still watching. The franchise comes in form of three movies and a 10-season series, which has not dropped in quality over time.

Jenifa (Funke Akindele) is a village girl who moves to the big city to become a ‘bigs girl’ and faces several obstacles along the way.

Alakada 1-3

This hilarious movie follows Yetunde, a student who has an inferiority complex. She comes from a poor home and fully subscribes to the ‘fake it until you make it’ mentality.

She wants to roll with the big shots on campus and she feels the only way to keep up with them is to fake her personality. Toyin Abraham captures this role perfectly and makes the movies really funny!

Taxi Driver (Oko Asewo)

Odunlade has the midas touch in Nollywood and anything he touches turns to comedy gold. It was hard to pick which of his films was the best, but the overall quality of Taxi Driver wins it for us. It also captures the essence of Lagos quite beautifully!