Following the death of veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru, many fans are revisiting the movies that made him one of the familiar faces of Nigerian cinema. Duru's acting career spanned more than three decades, beginning with Missing Mark in 1989 and eventually growing into a filmography that included classic Nollywood productions, contemporary Nigerian films and award-winning performances.
If you want to remember the late actor through his work, here are seven Francis Duru movies worth watching.
1. Rattlesnake (1995)
If you're only going to watch one Francis Duru movie, make it Rattlesnake. The 1995 classic, directed and written by the late Amaka Igwe, became Duru's breakthrough role. He played Ahanna, a young man whose life takes a dark turn after the death of his father and a family struggle over his father's property. The film is regarded as one of the important productions from Nollywood's early era and remains one of the performances most strongly associated with Duru.
Why you should watch it: It captures Duru during the performance that established him as a major Nollywood talent.
2. Blood Money (1997)
Two years after Rattlesnake, Duru appeared in another memorable Nollywood production, Blood Money. He played Jude in the 1997 film, which became part of the classic home-video era that helped shape Nigerian cinema in the 1990s. Duru also appeared in Blood Money 2 the following year.
Why you should watch it: If you're exploring old-school Nollywood, this is one of the films that takes you straight back to that era.
3. Stigma (2013)
Moving away from the classic 1990s era, Stigma shows Duru in a later stage of his career. He played a counsellor in the 2013 film, demonstrating the versatility that allowed him to remain active in Nollywood long after the industry's early home-video period.
Why you should watch it: It's a good choice if you want to see Duru's more mature acting style rather than only his early-career performances.
4. Home in Exile (2010)
Home in Exile is another notable title from Duru's extensive filmography. The movie is among the productions officially listed by the Nigerian Copyright Commission as part of his notable body of work.
Why you should watch it: It gives viewers a chance to explore Duru beyond the two films most commonly associated with his early career.
5. Mboputa (2020)
For fans who want to see one of Duru's award-winning performances, Mboputa should be high on the list. Duru won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Igbo at the 2020 Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in the movie.
Why you should watch it: This is arguably one of the most important films to watch when looking at Duru's later career because his performance earned him major recognition.
6. Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018)
Duru also showed his ability to fit into a more modern, commercially successful Nollywood production with Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons. He played Inspector Jack in the 2018 comedy film, appearing alongside a cast that included some of the industry's biggest contemporary names. The movie remains among his recognised film credits.
Why you should watch it: If you want something lighter and more contemporary, this is an easy pick.
7. Blood Vessel (2023)
For viewers who want one of Duru's more recent appearances, Blood Vessel is worth adding to the list. The 2023 Netflix film featured Duru as Pere and forms part of the later chapter of his career.
Why you should watch it: It allows fans to see the veteran actor in a newer generation of Nigerian filmmaking.
Which Francis Duru Movie Should You Watch First?
It depends on what you're looking for.
If you want classic Nollywood, start with Rattlesnake and Blood Money.
If you want to see his award-winning later work, go for Mboputa.
If you prefer modern Nollywood, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons and Blood Vessel are good places to start.
And if you're simply trying to understand why Francis Duru was such a respected name in Nigerian cinema, Rattlesnake is the obvious first choice.
A Career Worth Revisiting
Francis Duru's filmography tells the story of an actor who successfully remained relevant through different eras of Nollywood.
From Ahanna in Rattlesnake to his later roles in films such as Mboputa, Merry Men and Blood Vessel, Duru continued to appear on screen across generations of Nigerian cinema.
His death may have brought his career back into the spotlight, but his movies remain a lasting way for fans—old and new—to appreciate the talent he brought to Nollywood.
If you're looking for the best place to start, put Rattlesnake at the top of your watchlist.
