Welcome to the world of stock market movies! Stock market movies provide an entertaining and insightful look into the world of finance and investing. From the early silent films of the 1920s to the recent critically acclaimed feature films of today, these movies explore the highs and lows of the stock market, as well as examine the motivations of those who participate in it. Through these stories, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the stock market works, and the people that it affects.
10 Best Stock Market Movies
Are you a fan of stock market movies? If you enjoy thrillers that involve the ups and downs of the stock market, then there are plenty of great films out there that touch on this subject. From comedies to dramas, here are some of the best stock market movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film is based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort and chronicles his rise and fall on Wall Street, his hard-partying lifestyle, and his tumultuous personal life.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, with Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, and Rob Reiner in supporting roles.
It stars Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, is directed by Martin Scorsese, and was a commercial success, earning five Academy Award nominations.
Available On: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube Movies
2. Wall Street (1987)
Wall Street (1987) is a classic drama film starring Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, a powerful Wall Street banker, and corporate raider. The movie follows the story of young stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) as he becomes embroiled in corporate corruption and greed.
Through a series of events, Bud must decide between loyalty to his mentor, Gordon Gekko, and his own conscience as he takes on an investment banking role.
With iconic lines such as “Greed is good,” Wall Street (1987) is a classic examination of power and corruption in 1980s society.
Available On: Amazon Prime Video and YouTube Movies
3. Trading Places (1983)
Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The plot focuses on two wealthy businessmen who make a bet that they can change the life of a street hustler and a commodities broker by swapping their social positions.
The two men soon realize the downside of the other’s life and must come up with creative ways to reverse their fortunes. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about life, class, and even themselves.
Available On: Amazon Prime Video
4. Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room is a 2000 drama directed by Ben Younger and starring a young cast of Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, and Ben Affleck. The film follows protagonist Seth Davis, a college dropout who joins a fraudulent brokerage firm as he discovers the world of stock market manipulation.
Through his journey, Seth learns more and more about corrupt businesses while trying to balance his personal life. Ultimately, Seth has to decide whether to be part of the boiler room “family” or do what’s right for himself and others.
Available On: Amazon Prime Video
5. Margin Call (2011)
Margin Call (2011) is a gripping thriller that explores the financial collapse of an investment bank. It follows a group of high-level employees who must decide how to handle a potentially catastrophic situation as their firm teeters on the brink of disaster.
As the investment bank’s top brass scramble to save their own jobs, the moral and ethical repercussions of their decisions become increasingly apparent.
With a stellar cast and taut script, Margin Call is a thrilling look into a world of Wall Street excess and the high-stakes decisions that drive it.
Available On: YouTube Movies and Prime Video
6. The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short is a 2015 American black comedy-drama film based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Michael Lewis. The film tells the story of four outsiders who predicted the 2007-2008 financial crisis and took advantage of it by betting against the banks.
The story is narrated by a mix of celebrity commentators, including celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Christian Bale. The film was critically acclaimed, earning several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and Best Editing.
Available On: YouTube Movies and Prime Video
7. Money Monster (2016)
Money Monster is a 2016 American financial thriller directed by Jodie Foster and starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Caitriona Balfe, and Dominic West.
The story follows a financial TV host, Lee Gates (Clooney), who is held hostage on his show by an angry investor, Kyle Budwell (O’Connell), after Budwell loses all his money in a bad trade. As the tension mounts, the FBI and the show’s producer, Patty Fenn (Roberts), try to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.
Through the siege, Gates is forced to confront his own reckless behavior, and develop a greater understanding of the injustices of the world of high finance.
Available On: Netflix, YouTube Movies, and Prime Video
8. Inside Job (2010)
Inside Job (2010) is a documentary that explores the 2008 global financial crisis, delving into the corruption and greed that caused it. Interviews with top financial power players, as well as analysis by leading economists, show how the crisis was rooted in the way the banking system is structured and regulated, and how the politicians and regulators ignored warning signs.
The film reveals the unethical practices that drove the crisis, painting a picture of a global industry fueled by greed and hypocrisy.
Available On: Netflix, YouTube Movies, and Prime Video
9. Too Big to Fail (2011)
Too Big to Fail is a 2011 HBO TV movie based on the book of the same name by Andrew Ross Sorkin. The film chronicles the 2008 financial crisis and the actions taken by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other key players to contain the damage caused by the banking system’s collapse.
It stars William Hurt, Paul Giamatti, Billy Crudup, Topher Grace, Cynthia Nixon, and James Woods.
Available On: HBO, and Prime Video
10. Rogue Trader (1999)
Rogue Trader (1999) is a British financial drama based on the true story of Nick Leeson, a reckless futures trader whose rogue trading at Barings Bank leads to its bankruptcy and his arrest.
Directed by James Dearden, the film follows Nick’s journey as he clambers up the ranks of the banking industry and eventually begins engaging in illegal and unauthorized trades which ultimately result in his downfall and the largest financial scandal in British history.
Available On: YouTube
End Words for Best Movies on Stock Market
These are just some of the great stock market movies out there. They each tackle the world of high finance with an interesting perspective and provide a good starting point for conversations about the stock market. So, if you’re looking for an entertaining way to explore this topic, there’s no better way than by sitting down to watch one of these amazing films.
