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When The Wedding Party was released in 2016, it was a critical and commercial hit. It was one of the top Nollywood movies of 2016, if not the Nollywood movie of 2016, and one of the highest grossing movies of the year. It was also Kemi Adetiba’s first ever feature length film. Nearly ten years later, she has established herself as one of the top filmmakers in Nigeria, consistently delivering successful projects.
That said, even for filmmakers whose work is largely celebrated, not every project is regarded the same way. Kemi Adetiba has released four films and TV projects, and here is where each one ranks on our list.
4. King of Boys: The Return of the King
This follow-up to King of Boys continues the story of Eniola Salami as she grapples with grief and guilt. Now back from exile, she faces both internal and external conflict as she fights to regain the power she once held.
The costume design is as striking as ever, and the story remains just as intriguing. This time, Eniola is more vulnerable. She is determined to become a legitimate political figure, setting her sights on the governor’s seat, yet the journey is far from easy.
While The Return of the King is a decent follow-up, it might have worked better as a film, much like the first. The original felt like a focused, powerful character study, but the sequel, perhaps because of its expanded series format, feels overstuffed with subplots and new characters that take attention away from Eniola’s core struggle and slow down the pacing.
3. The Wedding Party
The Wedding Party marks the true beginning of Kemi Adetiba’s filmmaking journey. After years of directing music videos, she made the leap to feature films, and the result was this chaotic, joyful romcom. The story follows the wedding day of Dunni and Dozie, played by Adesua Etomi-Wellington and Banky Wellington, as their families and friends come together to celebrate. Tensions run high, mishaps abound, but in classic romcom fashion, everything comes together in the end and the couple ties the knot.
While it is the weakest entry in Adetiba’s filmography, The Wedding Party is still an enjoyable and solid movie, perfect for a rewatch when you want a feel-good romcom. Compared to her later works, it may not be as ambitious, but few filmmakers can claim a debut feature that was a commercial smash hit.
2. To Kill a Monkey
Not only is To Kill a Monkey Kemi Adetiba’s most recent project, it is also one of her best. Like King of Boys, it tells a story rooted in crime, but this time the focus is on two men whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. After a chance encounter at a restaurant where one of them works, Obozuhiomwen “Oboz” Ogbemudia and Efemini “Efe” Edewo form a lucrative criminal partnership that ultimately leads to their downfall.
The buildup is superb, and the soundtrack, cinematography, acting, and storytelling are all exceptional. Watching the bond between Oboz and Efe grow and then fracture feels like witnessing a slow, inevitable tragedy unfold, one you wish you could stop but can’t. It is a show that makes you feel deeply, something not many filmmakers can achieve.
1. King of Boys
2018 was a big year for Kemi Adetiba with the release of King of Boys, which introduced audiences to Alhaja Eniola Salami, a businesswoman, kingmaker, loving mother, and crime boss all in one. The film was warmly received by critics and audiences alike, and it is easy to see why.
The story follows a powerful woman operating in a world usually dominated by men. Eniola is fierce, loyal, and ruthless, yet deeply respectful of the traditions she was raised on. Her journey unfolds against a backdrop of politics, betrayal, and ambition, creating a film filled with power struggles, double crosses, and calculated moves across a political chessboard.
Eniola herself is one of the film’s greatest strengths. She is a commanding and unforgettable presence whose complexity drives the story forward. King of Boys stands as Kemi’s second-best work and an impressive achievement for a sophomore project. At nearly three hours long, it never drags and keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
