Six Feel-Good African Films to Watch This Christmas

The great thing about Christmas is the chance it gives us to lie back and take stock of the year we’ve had. On the continent, the season is marked with high-energy festivities; concerts, parties, and house gatherings that last deep into the night. On the other side of that, also, is the simple tradition of rewatching some of your favorite movies on Christmas Day. These movies are often not about Christmas, but usually express themes that echo the Christmas spirit.

Our list is not filled with only Christmas-themed films; it is made up primarily of feel-good films. From comedy to romcoms, to adventure and sitcoms, these films embody the spirit of Christmas in their core themes. More importantly, they offer a look into the stories that move us and remind us of the joys of being human, just as the Christmas period aims to. These films are filled with hope, play, lighthearted adventures, and unforgettable moments of joy.

Enjoy.

The Christmas Run - Tanzania

In The Christmas Run, loss is tackled with the same seriousness as love, giving the story a rounded, truly human feel. The story follows Alex and Nuru, two grieving people who recently lost their partners, and are feeling adrift in the process. After getting paired up for the annual Christmas marathon, they begin to find solace in each other and stop running from the sting of their past. The Christmas Run takes the cheesy stereotypes of Christmas films into new territory, giving it a contemporary African perspective but also allowing it to be subversive yet hopeful.

A Scam Called Love - South Africa

What does it mean to look in love? In this rib-cracking comedy, A Scam Called Love, a South African chef cooks up a plot to marry her easygoing coworker to maintain her visa status in the States while pursuing her culinary dreams. The story takes a hilarious yet deeply revealing twist when they return to Cape Town to gather proof of their relationship. While there, they have to prove the authenticity of their relationship, which opens the doors to unexpected and hilarious encounters.

Sabbatical - South Africa

In Sabbatical, a woman returns home to an overbearing mother and an old neighborhood where she finds unlikely solace. The story follows a top investment banker, Lesego, who arrives at her mother’s home on the brink of a breakdown, with a heavy secret on her chest. While her mother is excited to flaunt her to her friends, Lesego is coming to terms with the fact that she was actually suspended for defrauding a miner’s pension. Still, Lesego manages to find solace with her childhood friend, with whom she rediscovers the joy of her childhood, old friends, old loves, and a major, life-altering twist. This is a tender tale of renewal, hope, and self-actualization.

The Fisherman - Ghana

The Fisherman is a tender story of hope and community. It follows a fisherman, who is obsessed with being the chief fisherman and has pursued it as his sole identity until that dream is shattered and he is forced to reimagine who he is and who he wants to be. Soon, life takes him on an adventure complete with a talking fish and three young people who are also feeling lost. Together, they form an unlikely family, becoming each other’s guide and helping each other find a path to their dreams. Wickedly funny and hearty, The Fisherman uses Ghanaian humor to interrogate human restlessness and what it means to allow yourself to start again.

A Naija Christmas - Nigeria

In this feel-good comedy, a mother gives her three sons one task: find a wife and bring her home before Christmas. Along with this task, there is also a prize: inheriting their childhood home. And so the three sons set out to find themselves a wife, opening up a hilarious and reflective experience. The story takes these men in unexpected directions, including heartbreak, loss, and coming to terms with their own desirability. While this pursuit is the anchor of the story, A Naija Christmas is also filled with lots of Christmas cheer, offering a unique look into the distinct and vibrant ways that Nigerians celebrate Christmas.

Lionheart - Nigeria

On the surface, Lionheart is a simple story. Adaeze tries to save her family’s dying transportation company within a very short time and is met with numerous obstacles on the way. While there are no major Christmas themes here, this is a truly feel-good story in the best sense of the word. The story opens with Adaeze coming to terms with the possibility of her family losing their decades-old transportation company while her father is struggling with a sudden illness. The task ahead for Adaeze is daunting, but it provides her with an opportunity to prove herself. Funny, warm, and full of hope, Lionheart is a striking story of passion, dreams, and what it will take to fight for what you love.