Finance might not seem like an exciting movie genre, but the high-stakes world of money-how it’s made, lost, and manipulated-has inspired some captivating films. However, there’s more to these stories than balance sheets and stock tickers. They are moral tales about ambition, greed, and human nature.
Whether they depict a true-life scandal or a fictional account of Wall Street hubris, these films show how power and money intertwine. While some are inspiring, many reveal the dark side of unchecked ambition, reminding us that financial choices have consequences.
Listed below are 15 of the best finance movies, along with the timeless lessons they impart, and why they remain relevant today.
1. Wall Street (1987)
Lesson Learned: The pursuit of wealth can lead to moral compromises and the eventual fallout of unchecked ambition.
Oliver Stone’s classic defined a generation with the iconic character Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider whose famous line, “Greed is good, for lack of a better word,” has become a cultural staple. Throughout the film, we follow Bud Fox, a young and ambitious stockbroker who becomes enamored with Gekko.
Despite glamorizing 1980s Wall Street, the movie serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the moral compromises and the eventual consequences of unchecked ambition and illicit shortcuts.
2. The Big Short (2015)
Lesson Learned: Question the system and remain skeptical, even when others do not.
As a film based on Michael Lewis’s nonfiction book, this movie makes the 2008 financial crisis both understandable and entertaining. The movie follows a handful of eccentric outsiders who foresaw the housing market collapse and bet against the banks. As a result, they ultimately profited from their foresight.
By using creative and often hilarious fourth-wall breaks, such as Margot Robbie explaining mortgage-backed securities in a bubble bath, director Adam McKay demystifies complex financial concepts.
3. Boiler Room (2000)
Lesson Learned: Quick cash can be seductive, but fast money is rarely free money.
This compelling drama exposes the “pump-and-dump” schemes of a shady brokerage firm. The film follows college dropout Seth Davis, who is lured into a glamorous lifestyle by the promise of easy wealth.
As a whole, the film is a cautionary tale about the seductive power of quick cash and an unethical sales pitch. In addition to exposing the darkness of a high-pressure, cutthroat sales environment, it forces viewers to consider how far they would go to succeed.
4. Becoming Warren Buffett (2017)
Lesson Learned: One of the world’s most successful investors achieved success by adhering to his principles of value investing and living a disciplined life.
In this documentary, directed by Peter Kunhardt, Warren Buffett, one of the world’s wealthiest investors, is explored in depth. As it details his life from a boy in Omaha to his current success as a business titan, the documentary provides accurate insights into his personal life, investment philosophy, and how he achieved his success.
The documentary also features extensive interviews with Buffett himself, as well as family members and colleagues.
5. Margin Call (2011)
Lesson Learned: In a crisis, survival often takes precedence over morality.
In a gripping, intimate look at the beginning of the 2008 meltdown, ‘Margin Call’ is set over a tense 24 hours at a fictional investment bank on the brink of collapse. This film, featuring a phenomenal ensemble cast, explores the difficult, often amoral, choices financial leaders make when the entire system is on the verge of collapse.
This is a chilling reminder that self-preservation can override any sense of public responsibility.
6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Lesson Learned: Power and wealth can corrupt easily, leading to extreme excess and moral decay.
Martin Scorsese’s wild, dizzying ride through the life of stockbroker Jordan Belfort is a visceral look at extreme excess. This movie shows how greed and hedonism can spiral out of control when fuelled by drugs, sex, and obscene amounts of money.
Although the film is a dark comedy, it serves as a stark reminder of how easily power and wealth can corrupt. The moral decay of this film is made all the more disturbing by the fact that it is based on a true story.
7. Too Big to Fail (2011)
Lesson Learned: The global financial system is fragile, and when it breaks, everyone pays the price.
In this HBO docudrama, bankers and government officials who were on the front lines provide a detailed and dramatic account of the 2008 financial crisis. Featuring William Hurt as Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, the film offers a fly-on-the-wall glimpse of the financial panic, high-stakes negotiations, and backroom deals as officials worked to avoid an economic meltdown.
In the end, it’s an insightful look at how interconnected—and fragile—the global financial system is.
8. Rogue Trader (1999)
Lesson Learned: Overconfidence and a lack of oversight can allow a single person’s recklessness to sink a giant institution.
Based on a true story, this film tells the story of how derivatives trader Nick Leeson single-handedly brought down the historic financial institution Barings Bank. Leeson’s story illustrates the devastating effects of unchecked risk-taking and hidden losses, caused by overconfidence and lack of oversight.
In addition to teaching us the value of robust internal controls, it’s also an important lesson about accountability.
9. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
Lesson Learned: Transparency is always better than illusion, and blind faith in “innovation” without proper oversight is dangerous.
This riveting documentary, based on the best-selling 2003 book of the same name, explores the rise and catastrophic fall of Enron. Using interviews with insiders, leaked phone calls, and shocking revelations, the film exposes how a company can appear successful while its inner workings rot away.
In his review of the film in the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert commented, “This is not a political documentary. It is a crime story. No matter what your politics, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room will make you mad.”
10. Dumb Money (2023)
Lesson Learned: Collective small investors and social media have the power to disrupt traditional finance.
‘Dumb Money’ is based on a true story about the 2021 GameStop short squeeze that shocked the financial world. Using social media and internet communities to disrupt traditional finance, the movie shows how collective small investors can compete against large hedge funds.
This is a modern example of the changing landscape of investment and the influence of new technology.
11. Glengarry Glen Ross (1922)
Lesson Learned: Extreme financial pressure can reveal a person’s true character.
In this acclaimed big-screen adaptation of a David Mamet play, downtrodden real estate salesmen have been utterly eroded by years of working for an unscrupulous company.
This raw, intense film explores what people will do when faced with extreme financial pressure, with unforgettable performances from Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin. Its tense atmosphere and sharp dialogue prompt us to consider greed and fear as powerful motivators.
12. Inside Job (2010)
Lesson Learned: Follow the incentives, and you will understand the reasons for crisis and conflicted systems.
In his Oscar-winning documentary, Charles Ferguson meticulously explains the 2008 financial crisis. Through a clear, logical structure, it exposes a conflicted system that involves Wall Street executives, compromised regulators, and academics.
By providing hard-hitting, factual insight, this film makes a compelling case for systemic reform and accountability.
13. American Psycho (2000)
Lesson Learned: The pursuit of status and success without a purpose can lead to emptiness.
Although this movie is a psychological thriller, it also serves as a dark and satirical commentary on Wall Street culture during the 1980s. The character of Patrick Bateman, a murderous investment banker, exemplifies the desire for status without purpose and the emptiness of consumerism.
As the film brilliantly illustrates, success is measured by designer suits and reservations at exclusive restaurants, and the absence of human connection leaves a hollow core behind.
14. Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
Lesson Learned: When egos and greed are unchecked, they can blind individuals to the potential consequences of a deal.
In this witty TV movie, we follow the true story of the 1988 deal that made RJR Nabisco one of the most infamous and high-profile companies of the 1980s. In this drama/satire, we see how outsized egos, personal rivalries, and unbridled greed shaped one of the largest takeovers in history.
Ultimately, it shows how pursuing a deal can blind people to the potential ramifications.
15. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
Lesson Learned: Investing in the crypto industry requires due diligence, since transparency and centralized control can be dangerous.
‘Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King’ chronicles the mysterious death of Gerald Cotten, who left investors without access to their funds. As a result of this documentary, we gain a better understanding of how centralized control can cause unnecessary problems in a world where everything is decentralized.
Why Do Finance Movies Resonate?
Finance movies aren’t just about numbers; they show us how we struggle with power, morality, and identity as human beings. As a result, they illuminate the motivation behind wealth pursuit and remind us that every financial decision involves trade-offs. In all of them, we get a glimpse of the systems that shape our lives and our economy. All of them offer a glimpse into our economic and societal systems, some cautionary and others inspiring.
Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just enjoy good stories, these films will enrich your understanding of the world. So the next time you’re planning a movie night, consider a finance flick instead of a rom-com or superhero flick. Besides being entertained, you’ll learn something new.
FAQs
Why are so many finance movies about Wall Street and the 2008 crisis?
As a defining global event that profoundly impacted countless lives, the 2008 financial crisis provided a compelling dramatization. Hubris, intrigue, and devastating consequences characterize this modern-day Greek tragedy. Generally, Wall Street offers an ideal setting for high-stakes drama, characterized by immense wealth, power struggles, and moral ambiguity.
Are these movies based on true stories? How accurate are they?
Many of the films on this list, such as The Big Short, The Wolf of Wall Street, Rogue Trader, and Barbarians at the Gate, are based on real-life events, books, or people. While some dramatize events for cinematic effect, they typically capture the spirit and key facts of the events they depict. Documentaries like “Inside Job” and “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” are renowned for their factual accuracy.
Can these movies help me understand finance better?
Yes, they can.
Although they do not replace formal education, films like The Big Short and Inside Job are good starting points for understanding complex financial concepts. By contextualizing concepts like mortgage-backed securities and leveraged buyouts, they make abstract ideas more concrete and understandable.
What’s a good movie on this list for a beginner who knows nothing about finance?
The Big Short is an excellent choice. Although it deals with complex subjects, the film is designed for the general audience. By explaining financial instruments and concepts clearly and humorously, it’s both educational and entertaining.
Image Credit: Photo by Pixabay; Pexels
