Showbiz
Catch the Best of Award-Winning and Box Office Hits Streaming on Showmax
Showmax is bringing an exciting lineup of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films this award season, featuring Oscar-nominated performances, Emmy-winning productions, and box-office smashes. Here are five must-watch titles you won’t want to miss.
1. Night Swim | Streaming from 6 February
From horror masterminds James Wan (The Conjuring) and Jason Blum (Get Out), Night Swim is a supernatural thriller that debuted at #1 at the US box office.
Ray Waller, a former baseball player forced into early retirement by illness, moves his family into a new home with a backyard pool—unaware of the sinister force lurking beneath the water’s surface.
Starring Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) and Oscar nominee Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Night Swim is packed with suspense. The Los Angeles Times calls it “deliciously sadistic.”
2. Despicable Me 4 | Streaming from 20 February
One of 2024’s biggest box-office hits, Despicable Me 4 sees Gru, Lucy, and their daughters welcome a new family member—Gru Jr.—while facing off against their latest nemesis, Maxime Le Mal.
With an all-star voice cast, including Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, and Sofia Vergara, this animated comedy is perfect for the whole family. The screenplay is co-written by The White Lotus creator Mike White.
3. Alex Edelman: Just For Us | Streaming from 19 February
Winner of the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special, this HBO comedy special is based on Edelman’s Tony-nominated Broadway show.
Edelman hilariously recounts his experience infiltrating a white nationalist meeting, blending sharp wit with social commentary. The Washington Post calls it “perfection.”
4. She Came to Me | Streaming from 17 February
This romantic comedy stars Peter Dinklage, Anne Hathaway, and Marisa Tomei in a story about a composer, a psychiatrist, and a tugboat captain whose lives unexpectedly collide.
Written and directed by Sundance winner Rebecca Miller, the film also features Bruce Springsteen’s Addicted to Romance, nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
5. Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple | Streaming from 26 February
This HBO documentary, a Grammy nominee for Best Music Film, chronicles the life of rock legend Stevie Van Zandt—from performing with Bruce Springsteen to starring in The Sopranos.
With interviews from Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Bono, the film has a 90% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Guardian calls it “a sprawling biography of one of rock’s most likable veterans.”
Bonus: Award winning and Blockbuster Hits
The Color Purple
More than a film, The Color Purple is a powerful, music-filled experience. This latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows Celie, a Black woman overcoming hardship through sisterhood.
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), the film embraces its Broadway roots, blending stunning visuals with soul-stirring music. Fantasia Barrino shines in her film debut as Celie, earning BAFTA and Golden Globe nods. Danielle Brooks (OITNB) delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Sofia, alongside Taraji P. Henson (Empire) as Shug Avery.
With an 81% Rotten Tomatoes rating and nine Black Reel Awards, including Outstanding Ensemble, The Color Purple is a must-watch. Streaming on Showmax this February.
Joker
Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, is a gripping psychological thriller that gives a new twist to the superhero genre. The film takes place in a troubled, crime-filled Gotham City and follows Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian who slowly loses his grip on reality and transforms into the notorious Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers an unforgettable performance as Arthur Fleck, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The movie also received 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. With its eerie score and stunning visuals, Joker is a must-watch for those who love deep character stories and psychological drama.
With everything from new blockbusters to all-time classics, Showmax is packed with must-watch entertainment this February. What are you streaming first? Head to www.showmax.com/ng or download the Showmax app to sign up and start streaming.
Some kids want superheroes. Some want animals. Others will happily sit through a funny story about a girl trying to figure out boarding school after being raised by goats.
That last one is Goat Girl, one of the new shows joining the kids’ lineup on GOtv this August. The series follows 13-year-old Gigi as she leaves the mountain life she knows behind and starts boarding school, where making friends and understanding human behaviour turn out to be a whole new adventure.
And Gigi is not the only new character young viewers will be meeting this month. August brings imaginative adventures, rescue missions, comedy, LEGO chaos and stories about friendship and family, giving different kinds of kids plenty to find themselves in.
For Kids Who Love a Rescue Mission: RoboGobo Season 2
Some children will always choose the show where somebody needs saving, and that is where RoboGobo comes in. Dax and the rescue team are back with upgraded Robo-Suits that can transform into Robo-Vehicles as they continue helping animals in trouble.
Season 2 airs Saturdays and Sundays at 12:25 pm on Disney Junior GOtv Ch 82.
For the Ones Who Want Something Funny: Goat Girl
Gigi’s story is probably not what you would call a normal school experience. Raised by mountain goats, the 13-year-old has to adjust to boarding school and figure out how to fit into a world that is very different from the one she knows. Her attempts to navigate friendships, school and human behaviour make Goat Girl an unusual and funny addition to the lineup.
It airs Monday to Friday at 5:20 pm on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.
For the LEGO Fans: LEGO City: No Limits MAX
If your child can turn almost anything into an adventure, LEGO City: No Limits MAX should keep them busy. Jason and his friends find themselves dealing with zombies, cowboys, strange creatures and one particularly mysterious banana. Basically, you never quite know what is coming next.
The new series airs Monday to Friday at 4:20 pm from August 17 on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.
For the Ones Who Love Family Stories: Wylde Pak
Lily and Jack are half-siblings who suddenly have to spend the summer together, while also helping out with their family’s pet grooming business. Naturally, things do not go smoothly.
Wylde Pak follows the pair as they navigate sibling rivalry, a new family dynamic and the everyday chaos that comes with working together. It is a story about family, friendship and figuring out how to get along when you have no choice but to spend time together.
Catch it Monday to Friday at 5:15 pm on NickToons GOtv Ch 86.
Something for Every Kind of Kid
The best thing about this month’s lineup is that there is no single type of child it is trying to entertain.
The little ones can follow Maisy’s imagination. The animal lovers have RoboGobo. Kids who enjoy unusual comedy can meet Gigi in Goat Girl. LEGO fans have another adventure to get into, while Wylde Pak brings family and sibling drama into the mix.
So when the inevitable “Mummy, what can I watch?” comes up during the holidays, you already have a few answers.
And with new stories arriving across CBeebies, Disney Junior, Cartoon Network and NickToons, they might not run out of things to watch anytime soon.
To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
The Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates facing possible eviction this week are Tram, Barry, Goddessa, Yusuf, Temi Nkem, Sultex, Abi, Araga, Flora, Nomy, Ricky, Kamsy, Sheba, Oyin, Keivo, Gerad and Bells.
The 17 housemates emerged from this week’s nomination process, which saw the housemates vote to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction.
Conspiracy Hour
Ahead of the nomination process, Biggie announced Conspiracy Hour, giving the housemates the opportunity to rally together, discuss their thoughts and share who they would like to save ahead of the nominations.
This was followed by the nomination process, where the housemates were asked to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction. Chimsom Chuka, the Most Influential Player of the Week, Neche, the Head of House, and Nomy, the Benchwarmer, were exempt from the process.
Cassi, Bluethopia and Gerad were initially saved by their fellow housemates. However, as Head of House, Neche had the power to remove one housemate from the list and chose to remove Gerad.
Neche Wins Head of House Challenge
Neche emerged as this week’s Head of House after going head-to-head with Chimsom Chuka in the final round of the Head of House challenge.
The final stage was an endurance test, with Neche outlasting Chimsom Chuka to claim the Head of House position and its accompanying privileges, including immunity from this week’s nominations.
Biggie Introduces BB Bucks
Biggie also introduced the housemates to BB Bucks, the official currency of the Big Brother house.
The BB Bucks have no value outside the house but can be earned through tasks, challenges and other activities. While the housemates can earn BB Bucks, they can also lose them depending on how they choose to use them.
The BB Marketplace will also open in the house, giving the housemates the opportunity to spend their BB Bucks on items and privileges available to them during their stay.
Voting Is Now Open
With the nomination process completed, voting is now open, giving viewers the opportunity to decide which of the nominated housemates will remain in the competition.
Fans can cast their votes through the MyDStv app, MyGOtv app or the official Africa Magic website before voting closes at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Catch all the drama live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija Season 11 is also available to watch on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
For updates and exclusive news, visit the official Africa Magic Big Brother Naija page or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BBNaija.
The Big Brother Naija Season 11 House has recorded its first evictions on Sunday night, with Martins and Mercedes leaving the competition after polling the fewest votes from viewers.
Speaking with host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu after his eviction, Martins remained positive about what comes next, saying he plans to surprise the world with his next steps outside the House.
For Mercedes, the eviction was not something she considered a loss. She said she gave the experience everything she had and was proud of how she spent her time in the House. On what comes next, she revealed plans to perform globally while continuing to build her massage and concierge businesses. She also shared that one of her priorities is paying for her father’s surgery.
Chimsom Chuka Takes the First Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) Title
While two housemates said goodbye to Biggie’s House, the evening also brought a new advantage for Chimsom Chuka, who emerged as the first Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW). The title earned him the betPawa Elite Award and immunity from next week’s eviction.
This adds another layer to the competition as the remaining housemates settle into the reality of the game, with strategies, alliances, and individual influence already beginning to take shape.
Nomy Receives Strike and Final Warning
Moments before the live eviction show, Big Brother summoned the housemates for a meeting following repeated violations of his instructions by Nomy. After addressing the importance of following the House rules, Big Brother issued Nomy a strike and final warning, making it clear that housemates cannot choose which of his instructions to follow.
With two housemates already out of the competition and Chimsom Chuka holding immunity for the coming week, the race for the N160 million grand prize is fast heating up.
Keep up with all the drama, suspense and gameplay in Big Brother Naija Season 11 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49, or watch it live on DStv Stream. Download the DStv Stream app and sign up – no dish, no decoder needed.
