Some of the best Ghanaian movies are also among the most-watched ones in West Africa. Over the years, great films have been produced by very talented Ghanaian movie producers, catching the interest of millions of fans and starring some of the most gifted African actors and actresses. Apparently, the creative industry is one of the most thriving industries in Ghana and, since it gained its independence, the Ghanaian film industry has seen incredible improvement.
Thousands of movies and series have been produced by different Ghanaian moviemakers over the years. However, some of these movies stand out with their undeniable entertainment, incredible storyline, and the huge success they enjoyed following their release. These movies cut across different years and were produced and directed by great Ghanaian talents.
Thrilling List Of The Best Ghanaian Movies You Should Watch
We have compiled a thrilling list of some of the best Ghanaian movies every Ghallywood fan should aspire to watch. The movies, which are conveniently spread across different eras, have caught attention with their thoroughness.
1. I Told You So
- Year Of Release: 1970
- Director: Egbert Adjesu
- Writer: Egbert Adjesu
- Production Company: Bam Nemsia, Ltd.
- Cast Members: Major players include Bobe Cole, Margret Quainoo, and Kweku Crankso.
Review
I Told You So is a classic Ghanaian movie that mirrored the way of life and culture of the Ghanaian people in a rather satirical manner. Released in 1970, the movie tells the interesting story of a young lady who fell in love with a young man with whom she wanted to settle down. However, her father disliked the young man and prohibited her from marrying him. However, the young lady’s mother and uncles encouraged her to marry her lover because of wealth and power. They decided to marry the lady off to her lover without her father’s consent.
In the end, she found out that this same man she had wanted to get married to was actually an armed robber, a revelation that vindicated her father’s dislike for the man. At the wedding ceremony, police stormed the event to arrest the groom. Since its release, the story, which has been told severally, brings to light the dire conflict between families in post-colonial Ghana as they struggle to choose between love and money. The also has a comedic touch that manages to keep things even more interesting.
The movie is highly celebrated in Ghana and is recollected by viewers with very nostalgic feelings and outbursts. It has also been re-enacted in stage plays enjoyed by fans of the ageless drama.
2. A Sting In A Tale
- Year Of Release: 2009
- Director: Shirley Frimpong Manso
- Writer: Shirley Frimpong Manso
- Production Company: Sparrow production
- Cast Members: The main players include Majid Michel, Adjetey Anang, Lydia Forson, and Joselyn Dumas
Review
A Sting In A Tale is a very successful Ghanaian movie that caught lots of attention at its release and won different awards. Boasting an impressive cast, the movie tells the story of two young undergraduates who had spent more than a year hunting for jobs without success. In their frustration, they embark on a journey to make it by all means, but their quest leads them to a world where you need more than what you have to get what you want.
The movie mirrors the terrible situation of job seekers in Ghana and across the African continent, where people have to spend a long time looking for jobs after graduating from school. The movie received different awards after its release. A Sting In A Tale won five awards at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2010, including Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Writing — Adapted or Original Screen Play, and Best Original Song.
3. Kukurantumi – Road To Accra
- Year Of Release: 1983
- Director: King Ampaw.
- Writer: King Ampaw and Ralf Franz
- Producers: Peter Wohlgemuth-Reinery, Harry F. Banks
- Cast Members: The main players include Amy Appiah, Evans Oma, Ernest Youngman, David Dontoh, and George Wilson
Review
Kukurantumi – Road to Accra is a classic Ghanaian movie that found immense success upon its release and is even reported to be one of the first Ghanaian films to be aired on many European countries’ television. The movie tells the story of a cab driver who usually makes his runs between the rural Ghanaian town of Kukurantumi and Accra’s nation’s capital city. The problem began when he lost his job as a cab driver and had to replace his truck. Faced with financial troubles, he decides to give off his daughter’s hand in an arranged marriage to a wealthy merchant.
However, this does not turn out well as his daughter, who does not love the merchant, rebels against his decision and runs off with her own lover. The movie mirrors many girls’ sad fate who have to endure arranged marriages to people they hate because of their father’s desire to find some financial respite.
4. No Tears For Ananse
- Year Of Release: 1968
- Director: Sam Aryeetey
- Writer: Ato Kwamina Yanney
- Production Company: State Film Industry Corporation
- Cast Members: The main players include David London, Kofi Middleton Mends, and Lily Nketia
Review
This is another classic film released in 1968, only about eleven years after Ghana’s independence. The movie tells the story of a man who tried to outwit his family members but was caught in the end. The man, fed up with having to provide his family members daily, decided to fake his death. Pretending he was dying, he asks to be buried in a hut near his farm.
When he “died,” his family took him to the hut. However, every night, he would come out of his hiding place and eat the food staff on the farm. he was eventually caught when his family decided to set a trap. The story is a common tale in Akan mythology.
5. Devil In The Detail
- Year Of Release: 2014
- Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Producer: Ken Attoh and Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Production Company: Sparrow Production
- Cast Members: The main players include Nse Ikpe Etim, Adjetey Anang, Ecow Smith-Asante, and Ama Ampofo
Review
Devil In The Detail is a 2014 movie that tells the story of a happily married couple who eventually had their pleased union completely torn apart by infidelity. The story revolves around Helen Ofori, played by Nse Ikpe Etim, and her husband, Ben Ofori, played by Adjetey Anang, who initially enjoyed a blissful marriage and were deemed a perfect couple. They had everything other people wished for; money, money, the likes. However, their inordinate desire for sex with other people ruined the happy home they had set out to build.
The movie mirrors many couples’ lives in modern-day African cities were tales of infidelity have led to a wave of DNA tests being carried out to ascertain if the kids in marriage actually belong to the husband or another man. It paints a perfect picture of many homes on the verge of destruction based on cheating.
6. Love Brewed In The African Pot
- Year Of Release: 1980
- Director: Kwaw Ansah
- Writer: Kwaw Ansah
- Cast Members: The main players include Anima Misa, Reginald Tsiboe, Emmanuel Agebenowu, George Browne, Emmanuel Dadson, and Jumoke Debayo
Review
Loved Brewed In The African Pot is a classic Ghanaian movie released in 1980. The Romantic Drama is highly rated, gained immense popularity upon its release, and is reported to be the very first privately financed Ghanaian feature film. The movie tells the story of the love between Aba Appiah and Joe Quansah, two people from different social classes during the colonial period in Ghana.
Appiah comes from a well-to-do family of privileged settlers, while Quansah comes from a poor home and is the son of a fisherman. Their love is met with strong resistance because Appiah’s father wants her to marry someone more successful and wealthier than Quansah. Their romance leads to a family conflict that eventually leads to very complicated consequences and unforeseen dangers.
The movie mirrors the great divide created by social status in colonial Ghana and what this did to young people across social stratification who fall in love with each other.
7. I Sing Of A Well
- Year Of Release: 2009
- Director: Leila Djansi
- Writer: Jot Agyeman
- Production Company: Calabash Images
- Cast Members: The main players include Jimmy Jean-Louis, Jot Agyeman, and Prince David Osei.
Review
I Sing Of A Well is a 2009 Ghanaian movie that tells the story of two lovers, Soraya and Dume. The tale is actually set in ancient Ghana during the days of Mansa Musa. The movie tells of Soraya, a beautiful young woman in love with Dume, a hunter. However, their love is threatened by the arrogant Prince Wenambe, who is seeking a wife to ascend his throne. As a prince, he can do whatever he likes, so he chooses to marry Soraya even though she sie already in love with someone else. Apparently, this brutally tears Soraya apart from her lover, Dume.
Prince Wenambe goes into an alliance with Mansa Musa to protect his kingdom while he finds a wife. But is Mansa Musa really his friend or a slave raider himself in disguise? The movie, which is filled with intrigues, instantly caught attention upon its release, as expected.
8. Ties That Bind
- Year Of Release: 2011
- Director: Leila Djansi
- Producers: Theodore Baidoo and Winrick KolbeJulia Djansi
- Writer: Leila Djansi
- Production Company: Turning Point Media Productions
- Cast Members: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Kimberly Elise, Ama K. Abebrese, John Dumelo, and Ebbe Bassey
Review
Ties That Bind is a very successful Ghanaian movie that raked in lots of favorable reviews when it was released. The story is known for evoking emotional outbursts among viewers because of its melancholic tone. The movie tells the story of three women Adobea, Buki, and Theresa, all from different walks of life, who have lost a child. So they were bound together by the similar pain they all share. After meeting in a small village in Kroboland, the three women decided to embark on a journey together towards redemption, life, and love as they worked tirelessly to renovate a dilapidated clinic for the villagers.
Ties That Bind won lots of accolades and found immense popularity among movie lovers. Boasting an incredibly talented cast, the movie was hailed for the message it had to pass across. The movie was nominated in 21 categories at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards and won 9 awards. It also scored as many as 7 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards and won the award for the category Achievement in Screenplay.
9. A Northern Affair
- Year Of Release: 2014
- Director: Leila Djansi
- Producer: Mabel Germain
- Writer: Leila Djansi
- Cast Members: The main players include John Dumelo, Joselyn Dumas, Jon Germain, Beverly Afaglo, and Kofi Adjorlolo
Review
A Northern Affair is a Ghanaian romantic drama film also considered one of the highly successful films by Ghanaian filmmakers. The movie tells the story of a medical doctor considered to be an arrogant and bitter professional. The drama began when he fell in love with one of his colleagues with whom he works in a tiny, impoverished village. However, things fell apart for them when their past actions came to disrupt their present reality.
Boasting a really great cast of talented and respected thespians, A Northern Affair was released to favorable reviews from critics and won accolades. Critics especially praised the movie for its apt directing and its smooth production, its relatable storyline, and its originality. The movie emerged as the winner of the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Production Design at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. Also, the film movie won 8 awards at the 2013 Ghana Movie Awards even before its cinema release in Ghana.
10. No Time To Die
- Year Of Release: 2006
- Director: King Ampaw
- Producers: King Ampaw and Wolfgang Panzer
- Writer: King Ampaw and Klaus Badekerl
- Cast Members: Fritz Baffour, Kofi Bucknor, Agnes Dapaa, David Dontoh, Emmanuel France, Evans Oma Hunter
Review
No Time To Die is a Ghanaian comic and romantic movie that made some buzz at release. The adventurous film embarked on a curious journey to tell a rather unusual story. The movie tells the tale of Asante, a hearse driver in Ghana, and his struggle to find a wife. Even though he is really looking to find a wife for himself, his profession as a hearse driver chases most women from him, which leaves him completely heartbroken.
Eventually, he falls in love with one of his clients whose mother had just died. This may have looked inappropriate, but it also seemed like his only chance. Asante tries to find a way to make her marry her even though her father would not hear of it. In the end, he becomes the first hearse driver in Accra to get married.
The movie was hailed for trying to explain the African culture and huge change in African funeral traditions because of the social impact of colonialism in Africa. In December 2016, it was selected at the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) in New York.
11. Heritage Africa
- Year Of Release: 1989
- Director: Kwaw Ansah
- Producer: Kwaw Ansah
- Writer: Kwaw Ansah
- Production Company: Film Africa Production
- Cast Members: Charles Kofi Bucknor, Ian Collier, Peter Whitbread, Anima Misa, and Tommy Ebow
Review
Heritage Africa is a Ghanaian movie that is set in the colonial era. It is hailed for bringing to light some of the dire issues that plagued Africans in the early days of colonialism. The film tells the story of Kwasi Atta Bosomefi, a young man who worked as a public servant and managed to rise through the ranks of power mainly because of the relationship he struck with the colonial masters.
Kwasi Atta Bosomefi was obsessed with attaining the power ranks that he abandoned his culture and heritage and even changed his name to Quincy Arthur Bosomfield to please his colonial masters. He even sided with the colonial masters against his own people when a protest emerged to make him look good for bigger promotions. However, in the end, he humbly rediscovered his African heritage after things turned around against him.
The movie addressed the rampant cases of treachery on the part of locals who turned against their own people during colonial Ghana and sided with colonial masters for their own gain. The film was awarded the Golden Stallion at FESPACO.
12. Silver Rain
- Year Of Release: 2015
- Director: Juliet Asante
- Producer: Adizah Yemohley Yemoh
- Writer: Juliet Asante
- Cast Members: The main players include Belinda Baidoo, Michael Bassey, Kofi Bucknor, Joselyn Dumas, Uru Eke, Offie Kudjo
Review
Set in a Ghanaian slum, Silver Rain is a Ghanaian political drama film that has won accolades for its incredible story and premise. It is hailed for bringing to fore the serious issue of social inequality and how it impedes love between people from different divides of social strata. The movie tells the story of Ajoa, a poor market girl who finds and falls in love with Bruce, the wealthy heir of a prosperous business empire. Their love affair is a big problem for Bruce’s family, who do not intend to sit back and watch him settle for a ‘lowlife girl.’
Ajoa and Bruce realize that even though they love each other, there are forces at play to make sure they don’t end up together. Ajoa, who is wildly in love, tries to cross the class divide in her quest to be with her man, but bridging the social gap is more overpowering than both she and Bruce ever anticipated.
The movie addresses cases of people from different social classes finding love in each other’s arms and the kind of mess that the whole development usually brings. The movie scored favorable reviews and also landed different AMVCA nominations in 2016, including award nominations for Best Movie Overall (Africa), Best Movie – West Africa (Drama/Comedy), and Best Costume Designer (Movie/TV Series).
13. Sinking Sands
- Year Of Release: 2010
- Director: Leila Djansi
- Producer: Leila Djansi and Theodore Baidoo
- Writer: Leila Djansi
- Cast Members: The main players include Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ama Abebrese, and Yemi Blaq.
Review
Sinking Sands is a Ghanaian drama film that boasts a great cast and has won accolades for its smooth production. It brings to fore how easily a marital union can go wrong if couples allow themselves to be carried away. The movie tells the story of a happy couple, Jimah and Pabi, whose marriage turned very violent and nightmarish. Jimah and Pabi were initially very happy and were looking forward to creating a happy home together. However, things turned around drastically when the husband, Jimah, suffered a domestic accident and got disfigured in the process. After this, Jimah, realizing he is scarred, turns into a violent monster, and their marriage was never the same again.
The movie was hugely successful and scored many positive reviews by many African movie critics who praised the acting and makeup. The movie eventually film received nine nominations at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards. It later won 3 awards, including the awards for Best Screenplay & Best Makeup.
14. Perfect Picture
- Year Of Release: 2009
- Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Producer: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Writer: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Production Company: Sparrow Production
- Cast Members: The main players include Jackie Appiah, Lydia Forson, Naa Ashorkor Doku-Mensah, Adjetey Anang
Review
Perfect Picture is a Ghanaian movie that tells the story of three women on a quest to change their lives. The women, who were already pushing 30 years, decided to make some bold moves to turn their lives around and find love. However, their quest to make things sparked the chaos and turned things upside down. But the women must stick to each other as friends and find a way through everything.
The movie found wide acceptance after its release. It was hailed for exploring different issues, including erectile dysfunction and compatibility in relationships. The movie was so successful that a sequel was made some 10 years later in 2019.
15. Rain
- Year Of Release: 2011
- Producer: Nabil Meizongo
- Director: Willie Agenje
- Production Company: Silver Line Films
- Cast Members: The main players include Nadia Buari, Adjetey Anang, Juliet Ibrahim, David Dontoh, Nana Akua Addo, and J.O.T. Agyemang
Review
Rain is a Ghanaian movie that caused some buzz upon its release, especially because of its vibrant cast. Some of the most important figures in the Ghanaian movie industry starred in it. The movie tells the story of a woman born into a rich family who finds and falls in love with a man who is not well-to-do and falls below her standards financially. This caused a lot of setbacks as she eventually falls out with her family over the matter. In the heat of the matter, she tries to handle the fallout from her family and find space for the man in her life.
The movie began to make quite some buzz when it was announced even before it was released, especially because fans looked forward to how its star-studded cast would work together to produce an astonishing work of art. Although its storyline was not new, the movie was hailed for the smooth execution of its plot.
16. Elmina
- Year Of Release: 2010
- Director: Redeemer Mensah
- Production Company: Revele Films
- Cast Members: The main players include Doug Fishbone, Kofi Bucknor, Akofa Edjeani, Asiedu, Ama K. Abebrese, and John Apea
Review
The Ghanaian movie Elmina is a successful film set in the colonial days in Ghana when oil was first discovered in the West African country. The story centers on the people of Elmina in Ghana in the early days of crude oil discovery and the way they had to rise to battle against the corrupt multinational corporations taking over their zone.
The movie tackled issues of colonialism as well as greed, hatred, betrayal, and love. Elmina found success upon release. The movie was nominated for an African Movie Academy Award in Nigeria in 2011. It was also voted number 35 on the Artinfo list of the 100 most iconic art artworks from 2007–2012.
17. Rebecca
- Year Of Release: 2016
- Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Producers: Shirley Frimpong Manso and Ken Attoh
- Production Company: Sparrow Production
- Cast Members: The main players include Yvonne Okoro and Joseph Benjamin
Review
Rebecca is a rave-making Ghanaian film that also got favorable reviews upon its release. The movie tells the story of Clifford, a wealthy young man from the city who was forced, by his father’s dying wish, to get married to Rebecca, a local village girl whom he doesn’t love. It would later be revealed that Clifford had been betrothed to Rebecca since their childhood days.
At first, Rebecca seemed like an ordinary girl. However, when one day she and Clifford got lost forest after their vehicle required a repair, a chain of events was set in motion to prove that Rebecca was not an ordinary girl at all.
The movie is filled with suspense and lots of intrigues that keep viewers glued to their TV sets. The movie, released first in London before being released in Ghana, won the Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Actor.
18. The Cursed Ones
- Year Of Release: 2015
- Director: Nana Obiri Yeboah
- Producer: Nicholas K. Lory
- Writer: Maximilian Claussen
- Production Company: Zissou Pictures Ltd.
- Cast Members: The main players include Oris Erhuero, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ama K. Abebrese, Fred Amugi, and David Dontoh
Review
The Cursed Ones is a Ghanaian movie that received a lot of praise upon release, especially for its cinematography and directing. It was hailed for going after a unique story that needed telling at a special time. The movie tells the thrilling tale of a disillusioned reporter and a young pastor who is very idealistic. The duo engages in a heated battle to set a girl free who had been accused of witchcraft.
The film addresses the corrupt system and superstition in the heart of West Africa and how the system has wrought severe havoc to innocent people who are left helpless in the face of immense danger. The Cursed Ones won many awards, including the Screen Nation Film and Television Award for Favourite UK African Film, Canada International Film Festival Award of Excellence for a Foreign Film, 12th Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Golden Movie Award for Golden Supporting Actress, and others.
19. Grey Dawn
- Year Of Release: 2015
- Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Writer: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Producers: Ken Attoh and Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Production Company: Sparrow Productions
- Cast Members: The main players include Bimbo Manuel, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Sika Osei, and Marlon Mave
Review
Grey Dawn is a Ghanaian-Nigerian drama film full of intrigues. The movie, which boasts an impressive, multi-national cast from Ghana, Nigeria, and Gabon, focuses on the story of a government minister who is caught in a fix about the right choice to make in dire circumstances. The minister is caught between choosing to use his position to help his father-in-law stay out of jail for tax evasion or refusing to do this and allowing the law to take its course. It is a tough decision to make, and what he eventually does sets in motion a chain of events that begin to haunt him.
The movie, which mirrors the hassle people in positions of authority have to endure over demands from family, was released to favorable reviews from critics who hailed its premise and directing.
20. 6 Hours To Christmas
- Year Of Release: 2010
- Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Writer: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
- Produced: Ken Attoh
- Cast Members: The main players include Chris Attoh, Damilola Adegbite, Benny Ashun, Asamani Boateng, and Charles Cuammy
Reviews
6 Hours to Christmas is a Ghanaian romantic comedy film renowned for its good dose of witty scenes and funny scenarios and its very suspenseful theme. The movie tells the story of Reggie, a creative director who has been offered a special treat a few hours to Christmas by his girlfriend, who promises him a memorable dinner and fireworks before midnight.
However, things take a rather bizarre and unexpected turn when he gets another gets Christmas present from another girl he has been crushing on for a long time and who also happens to be his office colleague. He finds this present very hard to refuse, and this sets an avalanche of events in motion which drives Reggie completely crazy at the end of the day.
6 Hours to Christmas was met with many favorable reviews when it was released, and fans went into hysteria. Critics praised the story and the directing. The movie was eventually nominated for the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Production Design.
Summary Of The 20 Best Ghanaian Movies Every Ghallywood Fan Should Watch
- I Told You So
- A Sting In A Tale
- Kukurantumi – Road To Accra
- No Tears For Ananse
- Devil In The Detail
- Love Brewed In The African Pot
- I Sing Of A Well
- Ties That Bind
- A Northern Affair
- No Time To Die
- Heritage Africa
- Silver Rain
- Sinking Sands
- Perfect Picture
- Rain
- Elmina
- Rebecca
- The Cursed Ones
- Grey Dawn
- 6 Hours To Christmas
