You’re likely no stranger to the allure of wealth and power, and what better way to explore these themes than through the lens of cinema? In 2024, you can immerse yourself in the world of high finance with eight movies that expertly weave tales of corporate greed, personal ambition, and the American Dream.
From the reckless excess of Jordan Belfort in Wolf of Wall Street, to Margin Call’s tension that’s so palpable you could cut it with a knife, these films will keep you on the edge of your seat. But what sets these movies apart, and which ones will resonate with you the most?
Key highlights:
“The Big Short” and “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” provide a deep dive into financial collapses.
“The Wolf of Wall Street” and “Wall Street” deliver powerful cautionary tales about the dangers of unchecked ambition and excess in the finance world.
“Moneyball” and “The Company Men” explore broader financial themes, including innovative data-driven decision-making in sports and the emotional impact of corporate downsizing on individuals.
“The Social Network” offers a gripping narrative that explores the moral complexities of finance and technology.
“Margin Call” is a fast-paced thriller set over 24 hours that captures the intense atmosphere of an investment bank on the brink of collapse, desperate to mitigate the damages and survive.
1. The Big Short (2015)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Drama, Comedy 2015 88% 7.8
You can’t talk about money movies without mentioning The Big Short, a 2015 financial drama that pulls back the curtain on the 2008 housing market collapse. Of all best finance movies on Netflix, this one is probably the most popular, and it’s not without reason.
Director Adam McKay masterfully weaves a compelling narrative around the events leading up to the crisis, creating one of the best stock market movies of all time. It features an ensemble cast that includes Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt, a truly impressive set of names. These actors bring to life real-life investors and hedge fund managers who predicted the crisis, making the film a gripping watch.
What sets The Big Short apart is its ability to explain complex financial concepts in an accessible way. Using humor and metaphors, the film makes it easy for audiences to understand the intricacies of banking practices.
With an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, it’s clear that The Big Short is a worthwhile standout in the world of financial dramas.
The film’s critique of systemic failures within financial institutions and regulatory bodies is thought-provoking and timely. It highlights the consequences of greed and lack of accountability, and in doing so, The Big Short serves as a cautionary tale that’s just as relevant today as it was when the film was released.
2. The Company Men (2010)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Drama 2010 55% 6.7
Shifting the focus from financial catastrophes to personal struggles, The Company Men takes a deep dive into the emotional and economic turmoil faced by three men forced to reevaluate their lives after corporate downsizing leaves them jobless. Unlike The Big Short, this film is definitely more relatable to the “average man” of today’s corporate world.
While personally not a big fan of Ben Affleck or Kevin Costner, these two along with their co-star Tommy Lee Jones impress with their poignant portrayal as they navigate the harsh realities of corporate life. The movie tackles themes of ambition, family, and the quest for meaning.
Directed by John Wells, this 110-minute drama sheds light on the human side of corporate greed, emphasizing personal sacrifice and resilience in the face of economic challenges.
As you watch, you’ll be struck by the nuanced exploration of the American Dream and the sometimes-brutal consequences of pursuing it. With an IMDb rating of 6.7 and 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Company Men has received mixed reviews, but its main impact lies in its thought-provoking commentary on contemporary society.
You’ll be prompted to reflect on your own relationship with wealth and the true cost of success. This film is a must-watch for anyone looking for a character-driven story that showcases the human struggle for financial stability.
3. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Documentary 2005 87% 7.6
Behind the stunning collapse of Enron, one of America’s biggest corporate scandals, lies a complex web of deceit, greed, and corruption that’s expertly unraveled in the riveting 2005 documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.
As you watch, you’ll get an inside look at how Enron’s toxic corporate culture allowed the company to prioritize profits over ethics and accountability, something that few Wall Street movies manage to capture with such precision. The film is based on the best-selling book by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, and it provides a comprehensive account of the scandal’s complex financial dealings.
You’ll hear directly from former Enron executives and employees, whose candid interviews offer a fascinating glimpse into the company’s reckless pursuit of wealth. The Enron CEO during the collapse, Jeffrey Keith Skilling, was convicted to 24 years in prison for what he did.
With good reviews and numerous accolades, including the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Enron is a must-see for anyone interested in the world of finance.
The documentary’s incisive exploration of greed and corruption in corporate America is thought-provoking and infuriating at the same time.
4. Wall Street (1987)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Drama, Crime 1987 81% 7.3
No list of best movies about money can be complete without the 1987 film Wall Street. Directed by Oliver Stone, it plunges viewers into the cutthroat world of 1980s finance, where ruthless ambition and greed reign supreme, through the story of Bud Fox, a young stockbroker who becomes embroiled in a world of insider trading and corporate raiding.
You’ll see the meteoric rise of Charlie Sheen’s Bud, fueled by his partnership with the cunning corporate raider Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas. As you watch, you won’t be able to miss the film’s scathing critique of 1980s excess and the ’Greed is Good’ ethos that defined the era.
With its thought-provoking commentary and gripping narrative, it’s no wonder Wall Street earned widespread critical acclaim and a loyal audience, which is only fair for one of the best finance movies of all time. The film boasts impressive ratings and reviews. It has status as a seminal work that continues to shape our perceptions of the financial industry.
Wall Street provides a cinematic experience that’s both entertaining and enlightening. You get a fascinating glimpse into the world of, well, Wall Street, world of high finance and the moral complexities that come with it.
5. Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Dark Comedy, Crime, Drama 2013 83% 8.2
As you leave the excessive world of 1980s finance portrayed in Wall Street, you’ll find yourself in the midst of an equally reckless era with Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street (just don’t get the two films confused). This film explores the extraordinary true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort and the corrupt financial landscape of the 1990s and early 2000s.
You’ll witness Belfort’s rise to the top, fueled by his insatiable appetite for wealth and power, as well as his subsequent downfall, marked by unbridled greed and corruption. Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of Belfort is fun, haunting, and occasionally hilarious, a lovely combination that brings to life the dark underbelly of Wall Street’s excesses.
With its unique blend of dark comedy and drama, The Wolf of Wall Street offers a thought-provoking commentary on the American Dream and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The film’s five Academy Award nominations are a testament to its impact and recognition within the film industry.
As you watch, you’ll be drawn into a world of moral vacuity and hedonism, and you’ll be face to face with the darker aspects of human nature and the true cost of financial misconduct.
This movie is a wild ride - you should definitely see it.
6. Moneyball (2011)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Drama, Sport 2011 86% 7.6
In a refreshing departure from the greed and excess of Wall Street, Moneyball tells the true story of how Oakland Athletics’ General Manager Billy Beane changed how baseball is approached by using data-driven decision-making to assemble a winning team on a shoestring budget.
You’ll be drawn into the world of professional baseball as Beane, played by Brad Pitt (interestingly, his second appearance on our list), partners with Peter Brand, a Yale economics graduate played by Jonah Hill, to challenge traditional scouting practices.
As you watch, you’ll see the team’s management use sabermetrics to identify undervalued players. This is meant to disrupt the conventional wisdom of the baseball establishment.
With a keen eye for detail, the film showcases the conflict between old-school baseball thinking and data-driven decision-making. Even if you don’t care about baseball, you can’t help but be on the edge of your seat as Beane and Brand work tirelessly to assemble a competitive team, despite significant financial constraints.
Moneyball is a gripping film that emphasizes the themes of perseverance and adaptability.
With six Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Pitt, it’s a great film for anyone interested in the intersection of money and sports.
7. The Social Network (2010)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Drama, Docudrama, Biography 2010 87% 7.8
This is about a world of cutthroat entrepreneurship and high-stakes ambition as Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s brilliant, intense and controversial co-founder tackles the treacherous waters of friendship, loyalty, and success in The Social Network.
The film’s unflinching portrayal of the complex relationships and legal battles that emerged among Facebook’s co-founders is astonishing. Director David Fincher masterfully captures the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the nature of friendship. It highlights the personal and professional struggles faced by Mark Zuckerberg and his peers.
Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-winning screenplay brings the story to life with its sharp dialogue and strong narrative. With a great rating and multiple awards, including three Oscars, The Social Network is a riveting watch for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, business, and human relationships.
The movie forces you to confront the broader implications of social media on society and the ethics of success in the digital age. Will Mark Zuckerberg’s relentless drive for success ultimately lead to his downfall, or will he emerge victorious?
There’s one way to find out.
8. Margin Call (2011)
Genre Release Date Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating IMDB Rating Thriller, Drama 2011 74% 7.1
Following the entrepreneurial drama of The Social Network, the high-stakes world of finance takes center stage in Margin Call. This is a gripping thriller that puts you in the midst of a crisis at an investment bank on the brink of collapse. What sets Margin Call apart is that the whole movie happens within a tense 24-hour window.
As you watch, you’re drawn into the cutthroat banking world where executives are scrambling to mitigate their impending losses and avoid financial disaster.
The film’s strong ensemble cast, including Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany and Jeremy Irons, brings to life the intense pressure and urgency of the situation, showcasing the personal and professional ramifications of the characters’ financial decisions. As the story unfolds, your eyes will be glued to the screen with a captivating look at the events just before and leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.
With its sharp script and direction, Margin Call received positive reviews for its thought-provoking commentary on the lack of oversight and accountability in Wall Street practices.
It’s probably the closest that a finance movie can come to some fast-paced action. It sheds light on the dysfunction within financial institutions and the human cost of corporate greed.
The bottom line
Of all the best money movies of 2024, it’s hard to pick just one. All of them make you wiser about the cutthroat world of finance.
Do you prefer movies about everyday people, something anyone can relate to? The Company Men is your best candidate. Want to learn about the financial world collapse and laugh about it? Go with The Big Short. All movies on the list tackle finance and money in one way or another, and all are entertaining.
But they aren’t just entertaining though - they’re also cautionary tales about the dangers of unchecked greed. If you want to watch some thrilling movies focused on the drama and fast paced word of digital assets, make sure to check out our list of the best crypto movies.
