By Ayo Onikoyi

In 2024, Nollywood witnessed an extraordinary year filled with record-breaking films, standout performances, and major milestones for some of its brightest stars.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, several actors and actresses showcased their talents, making 2024 an unforgettable year for the Nigerian film scene.

These exceptional individuals are now primed to make an even bigger impact in 2025, with fans eagerly anticipating their upcoming projects. Here are 10 Nollywood movie stars who are set to shine even brighter in 2025:

Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele’s evolution from a promising actress to a formidable powerhouse in the movie industry was further solidified in 2024. It’s safe to say she is the queen of Nollywood’s box office. Funke Akindele’s latest movie Everybody Loves Jenifa has become the fastest Nollywood film to gross ₦1 billion, achieving this milestone in just 19 days. So far, the movie has grossed ₦1.03 billion as reported by FilmOne Entertainment. The film surpassed the billion naira mark faster than A Tribe Called Judah, her previous record-breaking film, which hit the billion threshold 21 days after release. She is definitely a talent to watch out for in 2025.

Femi Adebayo

Femi Adebayo has continued to make waves in the industry. His latest project, Seven Doors, a Netflix release, earned widespread acclaim for its compelling storytelling, impressive cinematography, and meticulous attention to detail. The series’ success is a testament to Femi Adebayo’s commitment to elevating Nigerian cinema, showcasing the nation’s talent to a broader audience. His fans are expectant for him to do even more in 2025.

Lateef Adedimeji

Lateef Adedimeji had an incredibly busy and impactful 2024. That year, he made his mark by producing and starring in Lisabi, a Netflix release that became one of the most searched movies of the year, according to Google. He also featured in films like House of Ga’a, Queen Lateefah, and Lakatabu. Fans will undoubtedly remember his memorable role in the much-discussed Everybody Loves Jenifa. With his versatility and dedication to his craft, Lateef is poised to deliver even more remarkable performances in 2025. His journey as one of Nollywood’s top actors continues to unfold.

Deyemi Okanlawon

In 2024, Deyemi Okanlawon made his cinema debut with All is Fair in Love, a film he also produced. The movie grossed over ₦130 million at the West African box office and became the second most-watched Nollywood title on Prime Video that year. That same year, Okanlawon celebrated a significant personal milestone with the birth of his third child, Adekitan. He also starred in notable films like Unknown Soja and 3 Working Days, among others. With these achievements, Okanlawon is poised to do even better in 2025, building on his successful year by taking on more challenging roles, expanding his production portfolio, and continuing to make a significant impact in Nollywood.

Kehinde Bankole

In 2024, Kehinde Bankole emerged Best Lead Actress at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). Her unforgettable portrayal of Asari in the acclaimed film Adire captured the hearts of both audiences and critics, vividly bringing the character’s rich and intricate personality to life. Many won’t forget her profound role interpretation in Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, one of 2024’s highest-grossing films. That same year, she was also part of the cast for the stage adaptation of Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke and Lauren Tobia, which was staged in nine cities in the UK. 2025 looks promising for her.

Wumi Toriola

Fans of Wumi Toriola saw a different side of her in 2024 as she plunged into the world of cinema with the release of her movie Queen Lateefah. The film, starring Wumi Toriola in the titular role, became one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of 2024, with a box office collection of ₦350 million. Her YouTube movie Aseju garnered 2.1 million views in 2024. She is definitely a movie star to watch out for in 2025.

Shaffy Bello

Shaffy Bello’s journey through Nollywood has been nothing short of captivating. In 2024, she graced the screens in films like Christmas in Lagos, Life and Dirt, The Waiter,Suspicion and others.Each performance showcasing her range and depth as an actress.

Beyond the silver screen, Shaffy also made an impression in Adekunle Gold’s Rodo music video, proving her versatility across different mediums. As 2025 unfolds, Shaffy’s career continues to shine, with the promise of even more powerful performances. Her resilience, talent, and timeless appeal make her one to watch closely

Timini Egbuson

Timini may call himself the biggest actor in Africa, and while that may be an ambitious claim, his work in 2024 has certainly proven he should never be underestimated. That year, he made a notable appearance in the highly anticipated reality TV show Ebuka Turns Up Africa, hosted by media personality Ebuka. He also starred in one of the highest-grossing films of 2024, Ajosepo, and featured in The Last Straw with Bimbo Ademoye, which amassed 10 million views. Additionally, his performance in Homecoming has gained 4.8 million views as of this report. With such demand, he remains one of Nollywood’s most sought-after stars, and it’s clear he’ll continue to make an impact in 2025.

Bimbo Ademoye

In 2024, Bimbo Ademoye continued to rise as one of YouTube’s brightest stars, rapidly gaining popularity and amassing 870,000 subscribers. Her channel showcases an impressive array of engaging content, including the widely celebrated Unexpected Places, which garnered an astounding 12 million views, Ruse with 6 million views, and Last Straw, which attracted 10 million views. Bimbo’s magnetic personality, combined with her engaging storytelling style, has allowed her to create a lasting connection with her audience, solidifying her place as a leading content creator and actress in the Nigerian entertainment space. She should do even more in 2025.

Uzor Arukwe

Uzor Arukwe, who often refers to himself as the “dark horse,” has proven to be one of the most versatile and exciting actors of 2024. With his impressive range, he starred in films like Thin line, Suspicion, and Fame and Fury, which garnered 6.4 million views on YouTube. His role in Family Gbese also made a significant impact, and Brotherly Love, another of his notable films, has achieved 1.4 million views on the platform. Uzor’s rising popularity and consistent performances in a variety of roles have firmly established him as one of the biggest stars of 2024 and one to watch out for in 2025.