New on Netflix Naija this week: East of Eden leads 10 to stream

Florence Pugh’s East of Eden is the big new arrival on Netflix Naija this week, landing on Thursday, 1 October 2026. It heads the GistMatrix Streaming Countdown: 10 picks across Netflix and Prime Video for the week of 28 September to 4 October.

Nigerian titles are holding their own. Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow was Netflix’s No 2 movie in Nigeria and Moses Inwang’s Ordinary People its No 2 show on Tuesday, 29 September, according to FlixPatrol, which tracks the platforms’ daily top 10 lists.

This is an editorial ranking, not an official chart. Titles are ranked on freshness, news value, availability in Nigeria and what Nigerians are already watching. Showmax is missing for a reason, explained below.

What are the best new shows and movies to stream in Nigeria this week?

East of Eden leads the list, followed by two Nigerian favourites, My Father’s Shadow and Ordinary People. Here is the full countdown.

1. East of Eden (Netflix, drama series)
Florence Pugh takes on Steinbeck’s Cathy Ames in a seven-part family saga.
Zoe Kazan’s adaptation follows the Trask and Hamilton families across generations in California’s Salinas Valley, with Mike Faist, Christopher Abbott and Ciarán Hinds.
Why it ranks: it is the week’s highest-profile new Netflix original, and Netflix originals stream in Nigeria on the same day as everywhere else.
Where to watch: Netflix, from Thursday, 1 October.

2. My Father’s Shadow (Netflix, Nollywood drama)
The Cannes-honoured Lagos drama is now a click away.
Two young brothers follow their estranged father, played by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, across Lagos during the June 12, 1993 election crisis. Akinola Davies Jr. directed it and wrote it with his brother Wale.
Why it ranks: it won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut and AMVCA Best Overall Movie, according to BellaNaija, and it was Netflix Nigeria’s No 2 movie on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix, streaming since Monday, 21 September.

3. Ordinary People (Netflix, Nollywood series)
Ramsey Nouah, Sharon Ooja and Jackie Appiah share one very dangerous estate.
Moses Inwang’s eight-part action thriller follows neighbours in Mirage Estate, an upscale community where old secrets catch up with everyone. Chidi Mokeme, Adunni Ade and Uche Montana are also in the cast.
Why it ranks: almost four weeks after its 4 September premiere, it was still Netflix Nigeria’s No 2 show on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix.

4. Unabomber (Netflix, thriller)
Jacob Tremblay and Russell Crowe go back to where Ted Kaczynski’s story began.
Janus Metz’s film runs on two timelines: the teenage maths prodigy caught up in Professor Henry Murray’s psychological experiments at Harvard, and the FBI hunt for the bomber in the 1990s. Shailene Woodley plays an FBI agent. It is rated R.
Why it ranks: it was Netflix Nigeria’s No 1 movie on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix, streaming since Friday, 25 September.

5. A Different World (Netflix, comedy series)
Whitley and Dwayne’s daughter starts at Hillman, and RMD drops in.
Deborah Wayne, daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, begins her first year at Hillman College in the sequel to the classic sitcom. Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe-Damijo makes a cameo.
Why it ranks: it was Netflix Nigeria’s No 1 show on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix, streaming since Thursday, 24 September.

6. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle (Netflix, anime movie)
The highest-grossing anime film ever is finally on Netflix.
Tanjiro and the Hashira fight their way through Muzan’s castle in the first part of the franchise’s final trilogy.
Why it ranks: it grossed more than $800 million worldwide, according to What’s on Netflix, and it was already Netflix Nigeria’s No 3 movie on 29 September, a day after it arrived.
Where to watch: Netflix, streaming since Monday, 28 September.

7. Doing Life (Netflix, drama)
Tyler Perry’s new film is a love story told through prison letters.
A single mother and an incarcerated man build an unlikely bond by writing to each other. Naomi Baker, Jay Reeves and Karen Obilom star.
Why it ranks: Perry’s films travel well in Nigeria. His 2010 film Why Did I Get Married Again? was in Netflix Nigeria’s top five movies on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix, from Friday, 2 October.

8. Neagley (Prime Video, crime series)
Reacher’s toughest ally gets her own case, and Reacher shows up.
Maria Sten plays private investigator Frances Neagley, who digs into a friend’s suspicious death in Chicago. Alan Ritchson appears as Jack Reacher.
Why it ranks: it was the No 1 show on Prime Video in Nigeria on 29 September, and all eight episodes are out.
Where to watch: Prime Video, streaming since Wednesday, 16 September.

9. The Love Hypothesis (Prime Video, romcom)
A PhD student kisses her grumpy professor, then has to keep pretending.
Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman star in Claire Scanlon’s adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel.
Why it ranks: it was the No 1 movie on Prime Video in Nigeria on 29 September.
Where to watch: Prime Video, streaming since Wednesday, 23 September.

10. Baby Do Die Do (Netflix, Bollywood thriller)
Huma Qureshi plays a silent contract killer hunting her sister’s murderer.
Nachiket Samant’s Hindi action thriller follows a deaf, nonverbal woman who lives a double life. Qureshi plays twin sisters. English subtitles are available.
Why it ranks: it was Netflix Nigeria’s No 8 movie on 29 September.
Where to watch: Netflix.

What happened to Showmax?

Showmax shut down on 30 April 2026, so it no longer has new releases to rank. Canal+, which now owns MultiChoice, closed the streamer and moved Showmax Originals to a Showmax section inside DStv Stream for DStv Compact and Premium subscribers, News24 reported in March.

Canal+ has said it will launch its own streaming service across sub-Saharan Africa, according to the same report. Until it does, Netflix and Prime Video are the main places to find new Nollywood series and films online.

What happens next

East of Eden arrives on Netflix on Thursday, 1 October, and Doing Life follows on Friday, 2 October. Netflix publishes its next global Top 10 on Tuesday, 6 October, which will show whether A Different World and Unabomber hold on. The next GistMatrix Streaming Countdown is on Wednesday, 7 October.

FAQ

What is new on Netflix Naija this week?
Florence Pugh’s East of Eden arrives on Thursday, 1 October 2026, and Tyler Perry’s Doing Life on Friday, 2 October. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle arrived on Monday, 28 September.

Is My Father’s Shadow on Netflix in Nigeria?
Yes. Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow has been streaming on Netflix since Monday, 21 September 2026.

Is Showmax still available in Nigeria?
No. Showmax closed on 30 April 2026, and its original shows moved to DStv Stream for DStv Compact and Premium subscribers, according to News24.

Which of these are you watching first? Tell us in the comments.

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