From crime thrillers and romantic dramas to surrealist comedies and dystopian sci-fi, here are the most anticipated African films and TV shows hitting screens across East, West, North, and Southern Africa this April 2026.
OkayAfrica StaffOkayAfricaStaff
‘Evi,’ by Uyoyou Adia, provides a frank and searing critique of the entertainment industry and its ability to create unrelenting opportunists.Photo by Chuks Osakwe
As April officially kicks off the second quarter of the year, the continent's vibrant filmmaking scene is ushering in a fresh and dynamic slate of must-watch TV shows and films. Dive into our carefully curated regional guide to the most exciting new African cinema and television releasing this month:
East Africa - By Paula Adhis
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‘The Green Tanzanite’ (Tanzania)
Ignas Mkindi’s 2023 crime thriller follows suspended detective Mabula as he closes in on Cobra, the kingpin behind a brutal organ and drug trafficking ring. But as the investigation tightens, his daughter’s involvement with a mysterious man threatens to upend everything. It’s great to see Mkindi’s rollercoaster film finally make it to streaming platforms and showcase Tanzanian filmmaking.
Kenyan filmmaker Jennifer Gatero returns with Back to Us, a new romantic drama set against the Kenyan coastal town of Watamu. The film follows former lovers Amana (Kate Snow) and Kwame (Quincy Rapando), whose reunion on a holiday with friends forces them to confront old wounds and the tough truths that drove them apart. It’s exciting to see Gatero, of Nairobby and An Instant Dad fame, back in the saddle for a project that she wrote, directed, and shot herself.
Where to watch: Premiering April 11 at Nairobi Cinema, before heading to the Avant Cinema streaming platform.
West Africa | By Nelson C.J.
‘Eternel Retour’ (Côte d’Ivoire)
In this heart-racing thriller, a young woman, Corinne, finds herself in the middle of a twisted and powerful corporation behind the disappearance of her sister, Olivette. After Olivette, a respected lawyer, goes missing, her sister Corinne sets out on a one-man investigation, encountering secrets, conspiracies, and matted danger that threatens to lead her into discovering something bigger and more complex than a petty crime. Reluctantly teaming up with an eccentric prosecutor, Corinne embarks on a journey to find her sister while battling corrupt and compromised systems. Eternel Retour is a story of dedication, loyalty, faith and how far one will go to save the people they love. The film is directed by Jean Franck Brou and stars Evodie Yedidia, Brice Delon, Taleb Kant and others.
Where to watch: Pathè Cinema, Abidjan
‘EVI’ (Nigeria)
‘Evi,’ by Uyoyou Adia, provides a frank and searing critique of the entertainment industry and its ability to create unrelenting opportunists.Photo by Chuks Osakwe
This musical drama follows the life of a vibrant, but self-obsessed star who is faced with the challenges of a volatile industry. After losing everything, Evi (played by Osas Okonyon) is faced with the choice of rebuilding her life while refining her sense of identity. The film provides a frank and searing critique of the entertainment industry and its ability to create unrelenting opportunists. The story is gripping and grounded in contemporary elements that make for a delightful, memorable watch. Written and directed by Uyoyou Adia (Hey You, L.I.F.E), the film also features stars like Uzor Arukwe, Omowunmi Dada, Annetta Adebusuyi, and others.
Where to watch: Cinemas in Nigeria
North Africa | By Amuna Wagner
‘Egy Best’ (Egypt)
Inspired by real events, Egy Best chronicles the rise of the platform that became the Arab World’s hub for pirated films and shook the foundations of copyright. Starring Ahmed Malik, Salma Abu Deif and Marwan Pablo, the story begins in an alley in Cairo’s El Marg district. Two friends decide to turn their passion for the big screen into a digital rebellion, defying industry norms to build a piracy empire from scratch that exceeds all expectations. Written by Ahmed Hosny and directed by Marwan Abdelmoniem, this comedy explores the underworld of digital piracy and challenges of the internet era.
Where to watch: North African cinemas
‘Mauvais Temps’ (Morocco)
Moroccan director Madane El Ghazouani’s first feature film Mauvais Temps (Bad Weather) tells the story of ten-year-old Ayoub whose family lives in the modest home of his late grandfather. When Ayoub’s uncle demands his share of the inheritance, they have to divide the apartment and Ayoub’s family ends up with the section that has no toilet. This situation profoundly affects their way of life and interactions.
Where to watch: Selected screenings around Morocco
‘Donya’ (Tunisia)
Saeed (Mohamed Mahran) is a successful Egyptian businessman in his thirties who has built a new life in Tunisia. A seemingly confident and charismatic man, he is used to controlling all aspects of his life. But his relationship with his introspective wife Donya (Najla Ben Abdallah) is quietly falling apart. Escaping to the mountains, the couple tries to reconnect, but the stillness and silence expose darker truths. What begins as a romantic retreat becomes a psychological battleground. Directed by Mohamed Khalil Bahri.
Where to watch: Tunisian cinemas
Southern Africa | By Tsěliso Monaheng
‘iThonga’ (South Africa)
To understand the world of iThonga, one has to appreciate the role of African mythology in shaping who we become. Twin brothers Banele and Sanele — both portrayed by Bonko Khoza — share an unbreakable bond, forged despite the vastly different paths their lives have taken. Mysticism, ever-present danger, and a deep, unyielding sense of brotherhood define their reality. As their journeys unfold, the question lingers: will their differences draw them closer together, or ultimately tear them apart?
Where to watch: Mzansi Magic
'The Fix' (South Africa)
Set in a dystopian future where toxic air threatens to erase life as we know it, The Fix follows Ella, a model played by Grace Van Dien (Stranger Things). After taking a designer drug at a party, her body begins to mutate, and these transformations may hold the key to humanity’s survival. As powerful forces close in, each driven by competing agendas, Ella is thrust into a fight that is about control and survival. At its core, the film wrestles with an urgent question: will profit-driven interests dictate the future, or can a different path emerge?
Where to watch: Showmax
'Ubani Lore' (South Africa)
'Ubani Lore' follows three eccentric friends in search of a book that doesn’t exist.Photo by Nqanawe Shangase.
Written and directed by filmmaker Nqanawe Shangase, Ubani Lore is a South African surrealist comedy short that follows three eccentric friends in search of a book that doesn’t exist — a pointed, playful metaphor for local storytelling. The film is currently on a community screening tour across Johannesburg, a model that has already proven successful and yielded results.
