For the longest time during the festive season, African screens have been filled with Hollywood Christmas movies that sell us a version of Christmas far removed from our own experiences, whether it’s a secret royalty romance or a big city cynic or workaholic finding love in a charming small town.

But over the last few years, African filmmakers have been building a growing catalogue of Christmas films that are not only more relatable to us than their ‘snowy’ Western counterparts, while also capturing the true spirit and traditions of an African Christmas.

Sinema Focus has compiled a list of 20 African Christmas movies (including two TV shows) to watch this festive season.

Showmax

A Familiar Christmas | Kenya (2022)

Kenya’s first ever Christmas feature A Familiar Christmas follows the Moran family as they reunite to spend a Christmas holiday together for the first time in three years. Their plans for a loving holiday are disrupted when secrets and a meddling mother wreak havoc in the household.

Written by Natasha Likimani, A Familiar Christmas is directed and produced by Reuben Odanga. It stars Pascal Tokodi, Maureen Kunga, Keith Chuaga, Alice Mbeyu and Dennis Musyoka.

A Zulu Christmas | South Africa (2020)

In A Zulu Christmas, a young boy accustomed to city life, being spoiled by his mother and always getting his way has to spend Christmas with his grandmother on her farm in KwaZulu-Natal.

Directed by Thabo Ntsako Mashaila, it stars Deli Malinga, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Sphumuzo Sidzumo, Ayanda Banda and Nomsa Buthelezi.

Christmas Clothes | South Africa (2024)

This coming-of-age comedy, set on Christmas Eve, follows a teenage boy on a mission to retrieve his Christmas clothes stolen by a neighbourhood bully. Along the way, he learns to face his fears and unlock his full potential.

School Run | Nigeria (2023)

What begins as a simple school pick-up for extra activities during the holiday turns into a nerve-racking emotional journey for a couple who must bury selfish interests to find their missing son.

When Bolu, left in the care of his nanny, disappears into the trenches of Lagos, far from his sheltered life in a gated highbrow neighborhood, his career-obsessed parents must work together to find him.

Gog’Shezi’s Christmas | South Africa (2022)

The holidays are here, but Gog’Shezi’s children want nothing to do with her. Determined to fulfil her late husband’s wish of celebrating 20 years of the family business, she sets out to reunite her fractured family for Christmas.

Directed by Thapelo Motloung, the film starsDieketseng Mnisi, Melusi Mbebe, Zinhle Mabena and Hungani Ndlovu.

Home Affairs: A Christmas Tale (2020)

A mother and father host their children and their partners for a Christmas celebration by the sea but the getaway proves to be filled with heartache, as confessions and secrets rise to the surface, threatening to ruin Christmas for everyone.

Directed by Lizé Vosloo, Home Affairs: A Christmas Tale stars Hilton Pelser, Christia Visser, Celeste Loots, David Viviers and Deon Lotz.

A Christmas Chorus | South Africa (2020)

A group of out of work theatre friends comes together to save Christmas during the COVID-19 lockdown. But egos are running hot and personal agendas could wreck their good intentions. Can they overcome their differences and bring some hope during a bleak season?

Twisted Christmas | South Africa (2020)

Starring Kate Liquorish and Euodia Samson, Twisted Christmas follows a wealthy family forced out of their suburban comfort zone after losing everything. They end up spending Christmas with their Muslim landscaper and his family, where they must find a way to overcome their cultural differences and experience the true meaning of Christmas. 

A Merry X-Mess | Kenya (2023)

In A Merry X-Mess, the Nyati family must survive the seven days of Christmas without tearing each other apart. As modern beliefs clash with tradition and a high-stakes choir competition brings out both the best and worst in them, can the spirit of Christmas bring joy to this family?

Written by Damaris Irungu and directed by Gilbert Lukalia, the film stars Melissa Kiplagat, Bruce Makau, Sheila Munyiva, Regina Re, Mufasa Kibet and Raymond Karago.

A White Christmas 2 | South Africa

This festive stand-up comedy special features South African comedians Mojak Lehoko, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Glen Biderman-Pam and Robby Collins joking about everything Christmas.

Herb & Moon | South Africa (2020)

Nothing like a charming grandfather-and-granddaughter duo to bring some holiday cheer. When a rebellious grandfather finds out he won’t spend Christmas with his granddaughter, he breaks out of his old age home to see her.

A Boere-Krismis | South Africa (2020)

Claire, a struggling actress and filmmaker, decides to document her fiance and his family’s chaotic Christmas Day celebrations in the hope of launching her failed career, with unexpected outcomes.

A Royal Christmas Surprise | South Africa (2023)

Following A Royal Surprise, Thapelo Mokoena and Jennifer Freeman return as Mandla and Riley in A Royal Christmas Surprise. In this festive sequel, the couple has to navigate tension between two feuding matriarchs from each side of the family, planning their engagement party, and confronting yet another “royal” surprise that could jeopardize their future.

Boxing Day

After their grandmother dies, two siblings kidnap a minister for ransom money to give her a proper send-off, leading to unexpected outcomes.

Netflix

A Naija Christmas | Nigeria | 2021

Determined to carry out their mother’s one wish, three brothers scramble to find wives they can bring home by Christmas to win their mother’s inheritance.

Directed by Kunle Afolayan, A Naija Christmas stars Kunle Remi, Efa Iwara, Abayomi Alvin and Rachel Oniga.

How to Ruin Christmas S1-3 | South Africa

Can the Sello and Twala families ever experience a peaceful Christmas? Highly unlikely. Whether it’s a wedding, a baby shower or a funeral – chaos inevitably follows when the two families gather for the holidays.

How to Ruin Christmas stars Thando Thabete, Busi Lurayi, Sandile Mahlangu, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi, Nandi Nyembe, Saint Seseli and Dippy Padi.

Yoh! Christmas | South Africa (2023)

Adapted from the Norwegian series Home for Christmas, this six-episode comedy follows Thando, a 30-year-old single woman who, under pressure from her family, lies about having a boyfriend. With Christmas fast approaching, she has just 24 days to find a man to bring home.

Christmas Love | Kenya (2021)

In this Kenyan short film, a father struggles to balance his demanding career with family life, and must choose between being present for his daughter’s most important moments or prioritising work.

Directed by Peter Kawa, the film stars Abel Mutua, Grace Ekirapa, Neema Kawa and Robert Burale. Christmas Love leaves Netflix on 20 December.

Amazon Prime Video

Christmas in Lagos | Nigeria (2024)

It’s Detty December in Lagos and romance is the air Jade Osiberu’s Christmas in Lagos where four friends navigate love, heartbreak and cultural expectations amidst the bustle of holiday festivities.

Fiyin is convinced her best friend Elo is the love of her life, but is shocked when he returns home for the holidays with a secret fiancée. Gbemi is torn between her boyfriend and an old flame, while London-raised Ivie seeks a wild holiday but doesn’t count on falling for Ajani.

A Danfo Christmas | Nigeria (2024)

Finally going back home for Christmas after many years in the city, a family embarks on a turbulent journey from Lagos to Idanre in an old, rickety Danfo bus. Their trip turns into chaos as the journey tests their strengths and tensions rise.

Bonus Christmas movies

Cards on the Table | Kenya (2025)

Set in Nairobi in 1992, this romantic comedy-drama follows an ex-couple who teams up to rob the gate collections at a Christmas event but their layers of unresolved issues land them in police custody. Directed by Victor Gatonye, Cards on the Table is produced by Shirleen Wangari who also stars alongside Nyakundi Isaboke, Mufasa Kibet and Duncan Murunyu.

While the platform is yet to be confirmed, the film is set to release online in the coming days before Christmas.

The Christmas Run | Tanzania/Kenya (2024)

Directed by Kenya’s Enos Olik, The Christmas Run follows two strangers brought together by circumstances only the holiday could deliver. The film is written by Black Unicorn’s Angela Ruhinda, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Alinda, and Okada Media’s Serge Noukoué and Nadira Shakur.

The Christmas Run is set to release in cinemas in Francophone Africa from 19 December (countries to be confirmed.)

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