Table of Contents
Introduction
Cinema will always offer a different type of money. It depicts motivations born of ambition and greed, as well as moral dilemmas of high stakes situations. This kind of video blends financial realities, catastrophes, and entertainment all at once. This list of ten must-watch movies about money unveils what money makes people forget while throwing light on the motivations and outcome behind such monetary decisions.
1. “WALL STREET” (1987)
IMDb RATING – 7.3/10
“Wall Street” Movie Analysis
• Introduces corporate greed, stock trading, and ethical dilemmas.
• Main characters: Gordon Gekko and Bud Fox.
• “Greed is good” line captures moral dilemmas of ambition and success.
• Gekko’s character portrays questionable ethics and compromises in pursuit of wealth and fame.
2. “The Big Short” (2015)
IMDb RATING – 7.8/10
“The Big Short” (2015) Drama Comedy Adaptation
• Based on Michael Lewis‘ novel, exposing the subprime mortgage crisis and housing bubble.
• Casts characters who become enlightened about the situation.
• Exhibits the absurdity and recklessness of the financial system.
• Humanizes the situation by showing the impact on individuals and families.
• Reflects structural defects that could have caused the economic downturn.
• Combines instructional components with an engaging story.
3. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
IMDb RATING – 8.2/10
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) Film Summary
• Directed by Martin Scorsese in 2013.
• Based on true incident involving Jordan Belfort.
• Stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, a modern artist.
• Explores excess, richness, and corruption in high-end ventures.
• Depicts Belfort’s life at Stratton Oakmont.
• Serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked greed and hedonistic pleasure.
• Explains Belfort’s actions and moral dilemmas from corrupt business practices.
4. “Moneyball” (2011)
IMDb RATING – 7.6/10
“Moneyball” Film Analysis
• Based on the story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane.
• Beane uses Sabermetrics to identify undervalued players and make data-driven decisions.
• Questions traditional Scouting methods and presents personal and professional challenges.
• The film challenges traditional thinking and encourages new thinking in successful industries.
• Speaks to creativity, calculated risk-taking, and challenging dominance doctrine.
5. “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
IMDb RATING – 8/10
“The Pursuit of Happyness” Movie Summary
• Follows Chris Gardner’s journey from homelessness to prosperity as a stockbroker.
• Highlights themes of tenacity, willpower, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
• Gardner struggles with homelessness and unstable finances.
• His relentless commitment to his ambitions drives him forward.
• Showcases resilience, hard work, and hope in the stockbroking market.
• Emphasizes the importance of pursuing happiness despite adversities.
6. “The “Boiler Room” (2000)
IMDb RATING – 7/10
“Boiler Room” (2000): A Film Review
• Focuses on scandalous activities of broker houses, particularly pump-and-dump schemes.
• Revolving around fictitious character Seth Davis, who becomes involved in a fraudulent broker’s firm manipulating stock prices.
• Highlights moral dilemmas in the competitive financial industry.
• Seth Davis learns his pursuit of wealth is based on lies and his ability to continue depends on others’ hurt.
• Serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of quick wealth and the long-term effects of unscrupulous activities.
• Raises questions about financial transactions and the human cost of money over morality.
7. “The “Inside Job” (2010)
IMDb RATING – 8.2/10
“Inside Job” Documentary Overview
• Captures complexities in public-private relationships during the 2008 financial crisis.
• Uses firsthand narratives from interviews with influential figures.
• Traces roles of financial organizations, rating agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Highlights malpractice, oversight failures, and conflict of interest cases.
• Advocates for independent research in economic policy.
• Subjects academia-Wall Street interaction to scrutiny.
• Makes individuals and organizations accountable for the crisis.
• Aims for a more transparent and responsible financial system.
8. “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008)
IMDb RATING – 8/10
“Slumdog Millionaire” (2008): A Narrative of Social Class and Wealth
• Stars Jamal Malik, a Mumbai slum dweller, as a participant in “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
• Highlights the contrast between the thrifty world of game shows and the poor slums.
• Follows Jamal’s journey from destitute days to fame and fortune, highlighting the impact of wealth on social standing.
• Questions the legitimacy of these social changes and the underlying inequalities.
9. “Margin Call” (2011)
IMDb RATING – 7.1/10
“Margin Call” (2011): A Financial thriller
• Represents the personalities of a fictional investment bank during the 2008 financial crisis.
• Demonstrates moral and ethical dilemmas faced by risk analysts, traders, and executives.
• Explores conflict between personal interests and knowledge of the crisis.
• Investigates the conflict between private profit and potential harm to the financial system.
• Focuses on the personal misery of victims of a financial system prioritizing short-term gains over long-term stability.
• Offers a comprehensive view of the crisis and ethical obligations in the financial world.
10. “Rogue Trader” (1999)
IMDb RATING – 6.4/10
“Rogue Trader”: A Biographical Drama
• Based on Nick Leeson, who bankrupted Barings Bank.
• Discusses risk, responsibility, and consequences of sloppy banking management.
• Highlights Leeson’s speculative and unauthorised trades that threatened the bank’s financial future.
• Raises questions on the validity of banking system checks and balances and accountability.
• Predicts how unregulated and reckless actions can lead to systemic issues.
• Provokes viewers to consider moral and structural repercussions of such events.