Films about the economy offer a narrative that centers on financial systems, market dynamics, economic theories, or real-life financial crises. They may delve into topics such as corporate finance, economic policies, recessions, bubbles, and the effects of economic decisions on society. These films often aim to illustrate complex financial concepts through compelling storytelling, making them accessible to wider audiences. They can range from documentaries that explain economic principles to dramas based on historical economic events.
“The Big Short”, 2015
Director: Adam McKay
Directed by Adam McKay, this biographical drama is based on the book of the same name by Michael Lewis, depicting how various financial experts predicted and exploited the build-up and subsequent collapse of the housing market and the global economy in 2007-2008.
Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo, Hamish Linklater, John Magaro, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, Marisa Tomei;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Big Short” on the website imdb.com
“Wall Street”, 1987
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this classic drama explores the excess and greed of the 1980s financial scene, focusing on a young and ambitious stockbroker who becomes involved with a ruthless corporate raider.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen, Hal Holbrook, Terence Stamp, Saul Rubinek, William G. Knight, James Spader, Tamara Tunie;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Wall Street” on the website imdb.com
“Margin Call”, 2011
Director: J.C. Chandor
J.C. Chandor's directorial debut is a thriller that takes place over a 24-hour period at an investment bank at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. It examines the actions of a group of employees during the initial stages of the meltdown.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci, Aasif Mandvi;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Margin Call” on the website imdb.com
“Inside Job”, 2021
Director: Vitaliy Strokous, David Ochs, Mike Bertino, Mollie Helms
This documentary, directed by Charles Ferguson, investigates the causes of the 2008 financial crisis, featuring interviews with financial insiders, politicians, and journalists.
Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Christian Slater, Clark Duke, Tisha Campbell, Andy Daly, Chris Diamantopoulos, John Di Maggio, Bobby Lee, Brett Gelman, Shion Takeuchi;
Production year: 2021;
Genre: animation, science fiction, fantasy, comedy, adventure;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Inside Job” on the website imdb.com
“Too Big to Fail”, 2011
Director: Curtis Hanson
Directed by Curtis Hanson, this HBO film adapts Andrew Ross Sorkin's book of the same name, depicting the events and decisions leading up to the financial crisis and the implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
Starring: William Hurt, Edward Asner, Billy Crudup, Paul Giamatti, Topher Grace, Cynthia Nixon, Bill Pullman, Tony Shalhoub, James Woods, John Heard;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“Trading Places”, 1983
Director: John Landis
John Landis directed this comedy, which provides a satirical take on the class divide and the commodities market, following the story of an upper-class commodities broker and a homeless street hustler whose lives cross paths due to a bet made by two callous millionaires.
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Jamie Lee Curtis, Denholm Elliott, Maurice Woods, Richard D. Fisher Jr., Jim Gallagher, Anthony DiSabatino;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Trading Places” on the website imdb.com
“Moneyball”, 2011
Director: Bennett Miller
In this sports drama directed by Bennett Miller and based on Michael Lewis's book, Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who uses economic theories and statistical analysis to assemble a competitive baseball team on a limited budget.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, Robin Wright, Stephen Bishop, Reed Diamond, Brent Jennings, Ken Medlock, Tammy Blanchard;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, sport, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Moneyball” on the website imdb.com
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”, 2005
Director: Alex Gibney
This documentary film directed by Alex Gibney examines the fall of the Enron Corporation, revealing the shady business practices and accounting scams that led to one of the biggest bankruptcies in American history.
Starring: John Beard, Tim Belden, Barbara Boxer, James Chanos, Dick Cheney, Carol Coale, Peter Coyote, Gray Davis, Reggie Dees II, Joseph Dunn;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: documentary, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” on the website imdb.com
“American Psycho”, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Directed by Mary Harron, this satirical psychological thriller, based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel, depicts the life of a wealthy New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer, revealing the dark side of the excessive materialism of the 1980s.
Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Matt Ross;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, crime, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “American Psycho” on the website imdb.com
“Rogue Trader”, 1999
Director: James Dearden
This drama directed by James Dearden tells the true story of Nick Leeson, a trader whose fraudulent, unauthorized speculative trading caused the spectacular collapse of Barings Bank, the United Kingdom's oldest investment bank, in 1995.
Starring: Cristian Solimeno, Ewan McGregor, Lorna Pegler, David Fahm, Tim McInnerny, Cecil Chang, Michelle Wen Lee, Anna Friel, Michael Garner, Sharon Duce;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Rogue Trader” on the website imdb.com
These films have contributed to public discourse on economic issues, providing entertainment while also illuminating the often complex mechanisms of the financial world.
In conclusion, films about the economy masterfully illuminate the complex interplay between finance and the human experience, showcasing the profound effect that monetary systems and financial crises have on individuals and societies. By blending educational substance with engaging storytelling, these films—be it the nerve-wracking machinations of Wall Street in “The Big Short,” the personal toll depicted in “Inside Job,” or the resilient humor within “Trading Places”—offer audiences not only a deeper understanding of economic principles and events but also an emotional connection to those impacted by them. As they entertain and inform, these films encourage viewers to question and critique the structures that govern our economic world, making a strong case for the pivotal role cinema plays in shaping our perceptions of, and responses to, the ever-evolving economic landscapes around us.
