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| Image:Zikoko |
For years, romance has been one of Nollywood’s most bankable genres, captivating audiences with tales of forbidden love, heartbreak, and happily-ever-afters.
But in recent times, a growing number of viewers are asking is romance in Nollywood dead, or is it simply taking on a new form?
The golden era of early 2000s Nollywood gave us unforgettable classics like Keeping Faith, Games Women Play, and Letters to a Stranger.
These films didn’t just tell love stories they defined how a generation saw relationships, with dramatic declarations, love triangles, and traditional values woven into every frame. But today, that formula seems to be losing its spark. The rise of social realism, genre experimentation, and more nuanced storytelling has shifted the focus.
Rather than romance being the main plot, it is now often a subplot or an emotional backdrop to larger themes mental health, migration, class tension, and identity.
For example, Isoken explored love within cultural expectations, while Before Valentine's leaned into modern-day Lagos dating struggles. Aníkúlápó and Gangs of Lagos may not be tagged as romance films, yet romance is subtly threaded into the character arcs, adding emotional layers without becoming the central narrative.
Streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video have also influenced Nollywood’s romantic storytelling.
There is now more pressure for originality, global appeal, and genre-blending. Films such as The Perfect Arrangement or A Sunday Affair try to balance love stories with social commentary, though sometimes they sacrifice emotional depth for cinematic aesthetics.
Still, romance isn’t dead it’s evolving. Audiences today crave authenticity over fairy tales. They want stories that reflect real-life dilemmas: ghosting, long-distance love, love in older age, and even polyamory.
Nollywood is catching on, albeit slowly, and actors like Deyemi Okanlawon, Bimbo Ademoye, and Daniel Etim Effiong are leading the charge in delivering layered romantic performances.
Critics argue that the genre needs better writing and less reliance on cliché tropes. But there’s hope. With young filmmakers pushing boundaries and viewers demanding more relatable content, Nollywood romance is in a state of transformation not extinction.
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