Films about Finance
Films about finance delve into the intricate and often dramatic world of money, markets, and the individuals who navigate them. These films can range from biographical dramas to thrilling tales of corporate intrigue, showcasing the high stakes and ethical dilemmas inherent in the financial industry. They often explore themes such as greed, corruption, ambition, and the human consequences of financial decisions.
“Wall Street”, 1987
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this film follows a young stockbroker who becomes involved with a ruthless corporate raider. It highlights the greed and excess of the 1980s financial world.
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
“The Wolf of Wall Street”, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in widespread securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990s.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, P.J. Byrne, Jon Bernthal, Cristin Milioti, Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, crime, biography, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 180 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
“The Big Short”, 2015
Director: Adam McKay
Directed by Adam McKay, this film tells the story of a group of investors who predicted and profited from the 2008 financial crisis by betting against the housing market.
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
“Margin Call”, 2011
Director: J.C. Chandor
Directed by J.C. Chandor, this film is set in a large investment bank and takes place over a 24-hour period during the initial stages of the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting the moral and financial dilemmas faced by the firm's employees.
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
“Boiler Room”, 2000
Director: Ben Younger
Directed by Ben Younger, this film follows a college dropout who gets involved in a fraudulent brokerage firm, depicting the high-pressure world of stockbroking and the ethical compromises made for financial gain.
Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Ben Affleck, Nicky Katt, Scott Caan, Tom Everett Scott, Ron Rifkin, Jamie Kennedy, Taylor Nichols;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Boiler Room” on the website imdb.com
“Too Big to Fail”, 2011
Director: Curtis Hanson
Directed by Curtis Hanson, this HBO film dramatizes the events of the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on the efforts of government officials and financial leaders to prevent a global economic collapse.
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;
“Inside Job”, 2021
Director: Vitaliy Strokous, David Ochs, Mike Bertino, Mollie Helms
Directed by Charles Ferguson, this documentary provides a detailed examination of the causes of the 2008 financial crisis, featuring interviews with financial insiders, politicians, and academics.
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
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”, 2005
Director: Alex Gibney
Directed by Alex Gibney, this documentary explores the rise and fall of Enron, one of the largest corporate scandals in American history, highlighting the corruption and fraud that led to its collapse.
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
“Moneyball”, 2011
Director: Bennett Miller
Directed by Bennett Miller, this film, based on a true story, follows the Oakland Athletics' general manager Billy Beane's innovative approach to assembling a competitive baseball team using statistical analysis, illustrating the intersection of finance and sports.
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
“Rogue Trader”, 1999
Director: James Dearden
Directed by James Dearden, this film tells the true story of Nick Leeson, a trader who caused the collapse of Barings Bank due to unauthorized and risky trading activities.
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
In conclusion, films about finance provide a captivating lens through which we can explore the intricate tapestries of ambition, power, and ethics that underlie the financial world. These narratives, ranging from the raw greed depicted in “The Wolf of Wall Street” to the sobering realities portrayed in “The Big Short”, serve to entertain and educate, unraveling complex economic concepts through human drama and personal stories. As much as they offer thrilling escapades and cautionary tales, these films also reflect our society's relationship with money, success, and the moral compromises often made in the pursuit of wealth. They challenge us to question our own values and the systems we navigate, leaving a lasting impact that resonates well beyond the closing credits. Whether you're a finance aficionado or merely a curious spectator, the genre's ability to shed light on the often opaque financial sector makes it an essential fixture of modern cinema.
