TOP 12 FINANCE, INVESTING & STOCK MARKET RELATED MOVIES
TOP 12 FINANCE, INVESTING & STOCK MARKET RELATED MOVIES:
Cinema is a type of media that connects with many individuals. Movies can be a great source of joy, knowledge, and motivation. As a stock trader, motivation is a key asset for success. Let’s take a look at some finance, investing, and stock market movies which will help you to de-stress, learn, and ultimately inspire you on your investment journey.
1) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) <Rotten Tomatoes: 79%>
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau
Let's start with one of the most popular and successful finance-related movies of all time. Based on the memoir by former stockbroker Jordan Belfort, the film recounts Belfort's hedonistic life and career. With the amazing direction of Scorsese and outstanding performances by a star-studded cast, the film has received critical acclaim and does not disappoint.
2) The Big Short (2015) <Rotten Tomatoes: 88%>
Director: Adam McKay
Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei
This movie has received countless accolades including wins at the Oscars, BAFTA Film Awards, and the Critics’ Choice Awards. The biographical film follows Wall Street guru Michael Burry’s realization of the 2008 U.S. housing bubble. Directed by Adam Mckay, it features stunning performances by many famous stars. Filled with suspense and humor, this film is worth a watch!
3) Becoming Warren Buffet (2017) <Rotten Tomatoes: 84%>
Director: Peter Kunhardt
Cast: Warren Buffet, Susan Buffet, Bill Gates
A documentary covering the partnership between American investors Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger, this 2017 film garnered many positive reviews and gained critical acclaim. It gives a snapshot into Warren Buffets’ life, philosophy, and investing prowess. Nicknamed the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffet is a highly respected businessman who all prospective investors should learn about.
4) Wall Street (1987) <Rotten Tomatoes: 78%>
Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Shia LaBeouf, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen
This drama tells the story of Bud Fox, a young stockbroker who becomes involved with wealthy, unscrupulous corporate trader Gordon Gekko. The film has been highly praised with Douglas even receiving an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gekko. Since its release, the film and its characters have inspired many individuals to invest in Wall Street.
5) Inside Job (2010) <Rotten Tomatoes : 98%>
Director: Charles Ferguson
Cast: Matt Damon (Narrator)
Narrated by Matt Damon, this documentary portrays the Financial Crisis of 2008. It received great acclaim for its pacing, research, and portrayal of a complex story. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2010 and was screened at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. The film has received various awards and nominations from many acclaimed sources.
6) Betting on Zero (2016) <Rotten Tomatoes :100%>
Director: Ted Braun
Cast: Bill Ackman, Michael O. Johnson, Julie Contreras
This 2016 documentary film investigates nutrition company Herbalife, and Bill Ackman’s billion dollar bet on its collapse. The film explores Ackman’s accusation that Herbalife is a pyramid scheme, against Herbalife’s claim of legitimacy. This is a universally acclaimed documentary with overwhelming positive reviews and award nominations.
7) Margin Call (2011) <Rotten Tomatoes: 87%>
Director: J.C. Chandor
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto
This film portrays the tale of a Wall Street investment bank during the 2007 and 2008 Financial Crisis. The talented cast brings this gripping, thought provoking drama to life while also educating viewers on the financial meltdown.
8) Barbarians at the Gate (1993) <Rotten Tomatoes: 71%>
Director: Glenn Jordan
Cast: James Garner, Jonathan Pryce, Rita Wilson, Joanna Cassidy, Leilani Sarelle, Peter Riegert
Based upon the 1989 book by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, this 1993 television movie follows the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. The film won many awards including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie and the Golden Globe for Best Television Movie. Lead actor James Garner also won the Golden Globe for the best actor in a miniseries or movie.
9) Enron : The Smartest Guy in the Room (2005) <Rotten Tomatoes: 97%>
Director: Alex Gibney
Cast: Andrews Fastow, Jeffery Skilling, Kenneth Lay, Gray Davis, Peter Coyote (Narrator)
Based on the best-selling book by reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, this film covers the infamous collapse of the Enron Corporation. The Enron scandal resulted in criminal charges for several of the company’s top executives. It also follows Enron trader’s role in the California energy crisis. The film won several awards, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
10) Too Big to Fail (2011) <Rotten Tomatoes: 74%>
Director: Curtis Hanson
Cast: Willian Hurt, Billy Crudup, Paul Giamatti
This biographical film is based on a book by Andrew Ross Sorkin released in 2009. It portrays how U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke handled the 2008 Financial Meltdown. It earned a total of 11 nominations at the Emmys and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
11) Trading Places (1983) <Rotten Tomatoes: 87%>
Director: John Landis
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Kristin Holby, Denholm Elliott
This comedy tells us the story of a commodity broker and a homeless street hustler caught up in an elaborate bet. The movie is considered to be a modern take on Mark Twain’s classic 19th Century Novel “The Prince and the Pauper.” This was the fourth highest earning film of the year and both Elliot and Curtis won awards at the 37th BAFTA Film Awards. It is a lighthearted must-see!
12) Boiler Room (2000) <Rotten Tomatoes: 66%>
Director: Ben Younger
Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nicky Katt, Ben Affleck
This film was inspired by Director Ben Younger’s experience interviewing for a job at the brokerage firm Sterling Foster when he was young. It follows Seth Davis, the son of a lawyer and manager of an unlicensed casino. Davis is recruited to a brokerage firm under the promise of great wealth. The film is gripping and well-acted by a talented cast.
These movies are sure to get you in the spirit of investing and trading on the stock market! Who knows? Maybe a future finance tycoon or successful stock market trader lies dormant in you, which these films will help energize. Just like these movies depict, the realm of stock trading and investing is a fascinating place filled with both incredible risk and opportunities. It can be a volatile place that destroys a trader, or it can be the ladder that takes you to the top of the game. Best of luck on your investing journey!