We often feel intimidated to learn about topics like the stock market and finances. Movies can be an entertaining way to get some insights into this complex and fast-paced industry. Over the years, a good number of blockbuster, award-winning films have been produced to give viewers a good look into the financial system of the United States!
From The Big Short to Dumb Money, here is a must-watch list of the best movies and TV shows that explore themes related to money, wealth, and the pursuit of financial success.
The Big Short (2015)
Interested in learning about how our financial system works and different types of financial instruments? Watch this star-studded financial comedy-drama.
Based on the story of the financial crisis in 2007-2008, the movie provides great insight into the complex world of finance. You will like its cleverly presented explanations of sophisticated financial terms like synthetic CDOs and mortgage-backed bonds. There is also some pretty good advice on how one can identify opportunities from market inefficiencies, even in dire circumstances.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
“The Wolf of Wall Street,” directed by Martin Scorsese and released in 2013, is a film based on the memoir of Jordan Belfort, a real-life stockbroker who rose to prominence and wealth through corruption, fraud, and money laundering during the 1980s and 1990s.
While the movie offers lessons about money, ambition, and growth, it also sparks important conversations about pursuing success at any cost.
Margin Call (2011)
Directed by J.C. Chandor, Margin Call is a tense Wall Street thriller that provides a fictionalized account of the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.
Set over a tense 24-hour period at a fictional investment bank, the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the individuals responsible for the impending collapse of the financial system.
Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room is a brilliantly produced crime drama that provides a glimpse into the high-stakes world of finance and the ethical dilemmas faced by those who operate on the fringes of Wall Street.
The film follows Seth Davis, played by Giovanni Ribisi, a young and ambitious college dropout who becomes entangled in the world of illicit stock trading. While there are some entertaining sales pitches, the overall story offers insights into the culture of Wall Street and the ethical challenges faced by those who work within it.
Moneyball (2011)
Based on Michael Lewis’s book of the same name, Moneyball is a captivating sports drama that offers a fresh perspective on the game of baseball and the unconventional methods used to assemble a winning team.
The movie has used baseball simply as the medium to explore the themes of leadership, businesses and start-ups, hiring processes, and even investments.
Trading Places (1983)
Although it’s a movie from the 80s, Trading Places is still an entraining movie with lots of interesting takes on social issues. The movie prompts audiences to reflect on issues of inequality, privilege, and the true meaning of wealth and success.
The Social Network (2010)
Not many movies have raised questions about how social media affects its users. Perhaps the very first movie to do so, The Social Network follows a captivating story about the rise of Facebook and the personal and legal battles that accompanied its creation.
Through compelling character developments and storytelling, the film raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of entrepreneurship, the pursuit of wealth and power, and the human connections that lie at the heart of social networking.
Wall Street (1987)
Nearly four decades after its release, Wall Street is still considered one of the best movies ever made about finance. The fictional drama shows the excesses and moral bankruptcy of the financial industry during the era of corporate greed in the 1980s.
It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing profit over principles and the enduring allure of the American Dream, even in the face of moral compromise.
Dumb Money (2023)
Dumb Money tells the fun, captivating story of the GameStop short squeeze in early 2021.
Director Craig Gillespie has brilliantly deconstructed the GameStop short squeeze into terms that even non-experts in the stock market would easily understand.