While the horror genre in Nigeria might not be the most popular, there are several movies with dark and captivating themes that will leave you gripping your seat.

Here are five must-watch Nollywood horror films that promise to deliver jump scares, suspense, and a lingering sense of dread:

The Origin: Madam Koi Koi
This two-part movie, despite receiving backlash, gave viewers chills.

Adapted from the infamous Nigerian boarding school tale, the town of Malomo is haunted by a malevolent force after a young lady is assaulted by a group of men.

20 years later, this evil returns, taking lives again.

Set in the ominous St. Augustine’s Catholic School, the story follows a mother superior determined to protect her leadership, even if it means concealing dark secrets.

Directed by Jay Franklin, The Origin: Madam Koi Koi features Nollywood stars like Ireti Doyle, Martha Ehinomw, Chioma Akpotha, and more.

The film is available on Netflix.

A Song from the Dark
This thriller merges traditional Nigerian folklore with eerie suspense.

Directed by Ogodinife Okpue, the movie follows a widow who hires a reluctant spirit hunter to rid her family of an evil spirit after the mysterious death of her husband.

However, the family harbors a dark secret they are desperate to keep hidden.

Featuring Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo, and Vanessa Vanderpuye, this Nigerian-British film will have you questioning what lies in the shadows.

A Song from the Dark is available on Prime Video.

This neo-Nollywood horror
In this psychological thriller, a recently-engaged orphan is excited to meet her fiancé’s estranged family.

As she moves into her new home, sinister events unravel, explaining why her fiancé had stayed away from his family for so long.

The film stars Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Bucci Franklin, and Meg Otanwa and was released in cinemas on August 30, 2024.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free
This 2019 supernatural thriller, directed by Ramsey Nouah, is a remake of the 1992 classic.

It tells the story of an ambitious young man who becomes entangled with an occult through a mysterious tycoon.

Living in Bondage: Breaking Free won multiple awards at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and features a star-studded cast, including Kenneth Okonkwo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Ramsey Nouah.

The film is available on Netflix.

These Nollywood horror films will leave you haunted long after the credits roll.

If you’re a fan of suspense and supernatural thrillers, these movies will be perfect for your weekend binge.