The world of finance and investment has a dramatic potential as well. For that reason, it has been a rich source of material for filmmakers. Here are eight must-watch movies that will give you insightful perspectives on finance and investment.
8. Boiler Room – IMDb: 7.0
‘Boiler Room‘ explores the world of pump-and-dump schemes, where firms inflate stock prices with misleading statements before cashing out, leaving investors with worthless shares. This film offers a warning to new investors: the importance of due diligence and the risks of too-good-to-be-true offers.
7. Margin Call – IMDb: 7.1
Set over a 24-hour period, ‘Margin Call‘ portrays a Wall Street firm on the verge of collapse while narrating the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. The film critically examines the reckless risks associated with complex derivative trading. It also sheds light on the financial ignorance that contributed to the crisis.
6. Wall Street – IMDb: 7.3
Oliver Stone’s ‘Wall Street‘ remains a classic film in finance cinema. With its focus on excess and hedonism in the financial world, the film is both a critique of insider trading and a window into the ambitions driving finance professionals. The movie’s famous line, ‘Greed is good,’ has become iconic in discussions about financial ethics.
5. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room – IMDb: 7.6
Based on the book of the same name, this documentary explores the infamous Enron scandal. Through interviews, footage, and congressional hearings, it reveals how Enron’s manipulation contributed to the California energy crisis, showing the catastrophic consequences of corporate malfeasance.
4. Glengarry Glen Ross – IMDb: 7.7
Adapted from David Mamet’s play, ‘Glengarry Glen Ross‘ focuses on a group of real estate salesmen dealing with ethical dilemmas in a high-pressure sales environment. It brings forward the challenges faced by sales professionals in financial product sales while touching upon the moral compromises often encountered in such careers.
3. The Big Short – IMDb: 7.8
Based on Michael Lewis’s book, ‘The Big Short‘ chronicles the foresight of traders who predicted the 2007-2008 housing bubble collapse. Known for its innovative approach to explaining complex financial instruments, the film makes sophisticated concepts accessible to a general audience.
2. Inside Job – IMDb: 8.2
This Oscar-winning documentary dissects the 2008 financial crisis, detailing the factors that led to the meltdown. ‘Inside Job‘ offers an in-depth look at the workings of investment banks and financial institutions while presenting a comprehensive view of the crisis’s causes and consequences.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street – IMDb: 8.2
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this biopic portrays the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stock scammer. ‘The Wolf of Wall Street‘ is based on real events, focusing on the notorious Stratton Oakmont firm and its involvement in pump-and-dump schemes. The film provides a look at the stock market’s chaotic side during the 1980s and 1990s.
