10 Nollywood Classics that Deserve to be Remade

These are the 10 best Nollywood classics we think deserve to be remade - like our brother in the Lord, Ramsey Nouah did with “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free”.

All we are saying...Give us remakes of some classic Nollywood movies!

Imagine Sam Dede in big 2021 leading his “Issakaba” boys to clashes in G-Class AMG G 63, a far-cry from the jalopy vehicles they used back then.

Or “Glamour Girls”, Liz Benson and Ngozi Ezeonu rocking Melodia dresses just the way they should be now.

This is just a tip of the iceberg. There’s more to re-imagine, which is why we’re ranking, in no particular order, the 10 best Nollywood classics we think deserve to be remade - like our brother in the Lord, Ramsey Nouah did with “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free”.

1. Issakaba (2002)

In 2002, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen made what could pass as the greatest crime-fighting movie in Nollywood history. Inspired by real-life events, “Issakaba” was an action-packed thriller that chronicled the activities of a community vigilante group called Bakassi Boys fighting against armed robbery and murder crime, and the dreaded Eddy Nawgu, a sorcerer that terrorized the people of Nawgu community in Anambra State.

IF REMADE: If “Issakaba” ever gets remade, we hope to see “Ebube”, played by Sam Dede wearing better combat gear and we’re also certain the producers would have no difficulty finding able-bodied men to play Bakassi Boys when we literally have ESN boys on standby. Ohh and by the way, we don’t want any part 1-10 again. Just make it into one movie and wrap it up.

2. Diamond Ring (1998)

There are ghosts and there’s the Liz Benson Ghost of “Diamond Ring”, a two-part Tade Ogidan movie that told the story of how Liz Benson’s ghost tormented and haunted “Chidi”, a spoilt-brat played by Teju “Babyface” Gbade-Oyelakin after the latter and his cultist friends robbed her diamond ring from her grave.

IF REMADE: If “Diamond Ring” gets remade, first things first, the ghost needs to be played by Liz again, because there’s no better ghost than her. Only thing to change would, of course, be her CRK-teacher-looking wig and Tony Montana powdered face. It’s 2021, we can surely get some CGI going in that department.

3. Igodo (1999)

“Igodo” is the G.O.A.T of “evil forest” movies in Nigeria. Tagged as the best epic movie of the home video era, Igodo is the story of seven brave warriors who were sent on a dangerous journey to an evil forest to save their village from a deadly curse.

IF REMADE: Igodo had a very interesting story and with legends like Sam Dede and Pete Edochie in it, the acting was superb, however, two things to change would be getting more modern costumes for the forest monsters and “speaking” about forests, shooting the new movie at Sambisa forest won’t be bad at all, right?

4. Aki na Ukwa (Aki and Pawpaw - 2002)

There were several “Aki and Pawpaw” movies but this one definitely ranks number one majorly because it not only launched the acting careers of the duo, but also introduced Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze and their now-popular characters, PawPaw and Aki respectively.

IF REMADE: Well, it’s very simple. Aki and Pawpaw just need to do what they do best: run around, cause mischief, punish their parents, terrorise the village, crack my ribs with laughter and give us new golden memes, enough to last for another generation.

5. Osuofia in London (2003)

“Osuofia in London” (writing about it is cracking my ribs already) is a comedy classic directed by Kingsley Ogoro and starring Nkem Owoh. 

Osuofia (Nkem Owoh), a bamboozled villager living in Nigeria, receives word on the demise of his brother, Donatus in London, England. However, in his will, Donatus has left Osuofia his huge estate as sole beneficiary. Osuofia makes his way to London and the rest was a circus show.

IF REMADE: I’m actively rooting for this particular movie to be remade because I can’t wait to see good old Osuofia taking on London, tearfully exchanging Buhari’s inflated Naira for the British pounds and hopefully, we can get a cameo from Senior man Kelechi Iheanacho as well.

6. State of Emergency (2004)

Directed by Teco Benson and starring Nollywood commandos like Saint Obi, J.T Tom West, Bimbo Manuel, Gentle Jack, Bruno Iwuoha, Ejike Asiegbu, among others, “State of Emergency” told the story of how ministers of state in Nigeria were taken hostage by armed robbers who wanted ransom payment from the state.

“State of Emergency” was Nigeria’s early response to America’s “Olympus Has Fallen” and “White House Down”. 

Action? E dey. 

Crime? E dey.

Fine boys? E dey.

IF REMADE: If remade, this movie would definitely be a banger because not only can they now use modern Rambo-type weapons and combat tactics, but they can easily recruit terrorists from Boko Haram and bandits to play these roles. Easy peasy, right?

7. Karishika (1996)

It's the end-time and Lucifer sends the lust demon known as “Karishika” a.k.a Queen of Darkness to steal the souls of men with sex. 

The storyline might have been borderline predictable, but the special effects made Karishika one of the scariest Nollywood movies of all time.

IF REMADE: Karishika opened the hornet’s nest for Lucifer-based movies in Nigeria and with the famous “Karishika karishika! Queen of Darkness, Lucifer Lucifer King of Demons” soundtrack, it’s only natural that for the remake, we adopt Falz’s “Karishika” song as the official soundtrack.  

8. Glamour Girls (1994)

Starring Nollywood First Ladies, Liz Benson, Ngozi Ezeonu, Eucharia Anunobi and a few others, “Glamour Girls” touched on the themes of lifestyle, sex and money and told the story of independent single women embarking on their own paths within Nigeria's traditionally patriarchal society.

The two-part film was produced by Kenneth Nnebue, directed by Chika Onukwufor and it made the careers of Eucharia Anunobi and Zack Orji.

IF REMADE: Considering today’s realities, I would imagine a new “Glamour Girls” flick would have Liz Benson and Ngozi Ezeonu rocking Melodia dresses and flaunting the yet-to-be-released iPhone 13. Mr Macaroni will definitely play the premium sugar daddy role.

9. Blood Money (1997)

In this riveting tale directed by Chico Ejiro, a man loses his bank job. Desperate to get back on his feet, he enters the world of rituals and blood money.

The movie featured Zack Orji, Francis Agu, Sam Dede and - of course, you didn’t think the G.O.A.T himself would miss this one - Kanayo O. Kanayo.

IF REMADE: Seeing that this was one of the G.O.A.Ts of all money ritual movies in Nigeria, it’s only fair that a remake makes modern sense. Gone are the days the oracle would stash ritual money in bathrooms and sacred rooms, this time, I expect the oracle to simply transfer the ritual money to each member’s crypto wallet. I mean, Bitcoin is blazing now.

10. Missing Angel (2004)

“Missing Angel” is a 2004 Nigerian classic directed by Charles Novia and starring Stella Damasus Aboderin and Desmond Elliot. 

It told the story of Dolly (Stella), a troubled young woman who finds love from the most uncommon person, Desmond Elliot, a dark angel sent to manipulate her, but ends up catching feelings and gives his life for hers.

IF REMADE: In today’s world, Desmond Elliot is no longer a lover-boy nor an ordinary “angel” in Satan’s sanctuary, but a full-blown arch-angel. If this movie gets remade, I expect Desmond to play his rightful role as Satan, seeing his recent activities in politics.

Cuuuuuutttttt!!!!!

This is where we wrap up the shoot. 

So, yes, I know that remakes rarely ever do as well as the originals, but there’s nothing wrong with a little upgrade.

Considering how “Living in Bondage” and “Rattle Snake” remakes have turned out impressively, It would be nice to see these Nollywood classics get a much-needed modern face-lift.

Is there a Nollywood classic movie you’d like to see remade that didn’t make the list? Or do you have other interesting ideas for these remakes? Leave your comments below, a movie producer or director might be on the TL.