Nollywood Films That Gave Us Sleepless Nights

In the 90s and early 2000s, Nollywood boasted a substantial roster of films that left us terrified and often sleepless for nights on end.

Scenes from these films had us either screaming, crying, or profoundly scarred due to the intensity of their horror. If your experiences parallel the one described above, chances are you’ve toughened up over the years.

Nevertheless, taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane is always a good idea, wouldn’t you agree? Here are five Nollywood films that probably kept you up at night during your childhood.

1. KARISHIKA

A quintessential Nollywood movie centered on witchcraft and juju. The 1996 film revolved around Satan and his followers, including Karishika, dispatched to the world to ensnare men with temptations of money, sex, and their deepest desires. If you can’t chant along with the haunting soundtrack, “Karishika Karishika, Queen of demons…,” then perhaps you shouldn’t be reading this article! The movie gave countless children countless sleepless nights.

2. NNEKA THE PRETTY SERPENT

Zeb Ejiro’s 1992 masterpiece, “Nneka The Pretty Serpent,” is widely acknowledged as the first horror movie to explore the narrative of female demons sent to Earth to seduce men of faith. It centered around Nneka, a mermaid in human guise, whose earthly mission was to pursue married men. It’s doubtful that any child could rest peacefully after witnessing this chilling tale.

3. THE ORACLE

Who in their right mind would steal a mask from a sacred shrine and put it up for sale? The protagonists in this story did just that, and the gods took great pleasure in tormenting them, which extended to us—the innocent kids whose only sin was watching the film.

4. KOTO AIYE

For many Nigerian kids of the 90s, this Yoruba film was the genesis of their nightmares. The vivid imagery continues to reside in the minds of those unfortunate enough to have seen it, even to this day. Elements like Abija, a formidable sorcerer, and the haunting soundtrack are among the things etched into our memories.

5. AFTER SCHOOL HOURS

Is there a schoolchild who didn’t have second thoughts about indulging in puff puff after watching this movie? It vividly portrayed the hazards of children sharing food at school. Almost every parent, including mine, who viewed this film issued stern warnings to their children regarding accepting food from strangers.