25 Best Stock Market Movies to Watch in 2025

Stock Market Movies capture the excitement, chaos, and high-stakes drama of the financial world where money, power, and ambition collide. Stock Market Movies also reveal the psychology behind trading, greed, fear, ego, and survival, showing what really drives the markets beyond numbers on a screen. You should watch these movies because they not only entertain but also teach timeless lessons in risk, discipline, ethics, and human behavior that every trader or investor can learn from.

Here are the Top 25 Stock Market Movies that will inspire, educate, and thrill anyone fascinated by the world of finance.

List of Top 25 Stock Stock Market Movies

No.	Movie Title (Year)	Category	Theme
1	The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)	Biographical, Crime, Drama	Greed, excess, and corruption on Wall Street
2	Inside Job (2010)	Documentary, Finance	2008 Global Financial Crisis
3	Margin Call (2011)	Drama, Thriller	24 hours before 2008 crash
4	The Big Short (2015)	Biography, Comedy, Drama	Subprime mortgage bubble
5	Too Big to Fail (2011)	Drama, Historical	U.S. financial bailout politics
6	The Hummingbird Project (2019)	Drama, Tech, Finance	Speed trading & high-frequency wars
7	Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)	Documentary, Corporate Crime	Enron corporate fraud
8	Gafla (2006)	Drama, Indian Finance	Harshad Mehta–style scam
9	Equity (2016)	Drama, Thriller	Female leadership on Wall Street
10	Wall Street (1987)	Drama, Classic	Insider trading & moral corruption
11	Arbitrage (2012)	Thriller, Crime, Finance	Wealth, deception, morality
12	Rogue Trader (1999)	Biography, Crime	Barings Bank collapse
13	The Big Bull (2021)	Drama, Biopic	Indian stock scam
14	Money (2016)	Thriller, Crime	Greed and deception
15	The Wizard of Lies (2017)	Biography, Drama	Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme
16	Boiler Room (2000)	Drama, Crime	Fraudulent brokerage firms
17	Baazaar (2018)	Drama, Indian Finance	Ambition & manipulation
18	Dumb Money (2023)	Comedy, Drama	GameStop short squeeze
19	Trading Places (1983)	Comedy	Market manipulation experiment
20	Money Monster (2016)	Thriller, Drama	Media, markets & revenge
21	Barbarians at the Gate (1993)	Biography, Comedy	RJR Nabisco takeover battle
22	Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)	Drama	Sales, desperation & ethics
23	Other People’s Money (1991)	Drama, Romance	Corporate takeovers
24	The Company Men (2010)	Drama	Layoffs & corporate crisis
25	Quicksilver (1986)	Drama, Sports, Finance	Trader turned bike messenger

1.The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street is a movie based on a true story of  John Belfor, a young stock broker who started with nothing and became a multi-millionaire before he turned 30. With aggressive cold calling, sales manipulation, and pure greed he founded Stratton Oakmont, one of the most infamous brokerage firms in America that generated over $1 Billion+.

Released on December 25, 2013, the film runs for 180 minutes. With a budget of $100 million and a box office collection exceeding $407 million worldwide, this movie is about money, greed, manipulation, and repercussions in the stock market business.

Category: Biographical Black Comedy, Financial Crime Drama

Synopsis of The Wolf of Wall Street

Ambition Ignited: Young Jordan Belfort begins working as a humble Wall Street broker and quickly learns the manipulative ways of selling dreams and stocks.

The Birth of Stratton Oakmont: Belfort makes his empire by using pump-and-dump schemes, reaping immense profits and stardom.

Excess and Corruption: His life becomes a spiral of drugs, luxuries, and moral decay.

Law Closes In: The FBI commences an investigation into his fraudulent dealings and lavish lifestyle.

The Fall of the Wolf: The betrayals, greed, and arrogance bring about Belfort’s eventual downfall and imprisonment.

What’s great about The Wolf of Wall Street

• Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance captures the charm and madness of Belfort.
• The fast-paced direction by Scorsese and the dark humor within make the 3-hour runtime gripping.
• An unflinching gaze at greed and moral collapse in the financial world.

Some caveats about The Wolf of Wall Street

•  Graphic scenes of drug abuse and explicit content may not suit all audiences.
•  Critics argue it glorifies excess rather than condemning it. 
•  The length of the movie and the fast-paced nature of the dialogue would be overwhelming to a casual viewer.

Review & Ratings of The Wolf of Wall Street

Source	Score
IMDb	8.2 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	80%
Metacritic	75 / 100
Google Audience	90%+ liked

Cast of The Wolf of Wall Street

Cast	Character’s Role
Leonardo DiCaprio	Jordan Belfort — Ambitious broker turned fraudulent millionaire.
Jonah Hill	Donnie Azoff — Belfort’s eccentric business partner.
Margot Robbie	Naomi Lapaglia — Belfort’s glamorous wife.
Matthew McConaughey	Mark Hanna — Belfort’s early mentor in Wall Street excess.
Kyle Chandler	Agent Patrick Denham — The determined FBI investigator.

Watch Trailer: The Wolf of Wall Street Official Trailer

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Is The Wolf of Wall Street worth watching? Yes, if you enjoy intense, stylish storytelling with brilliant performances and a sharp critique of greed. It’s entertaining and disturbing in equal measure, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in the psychology of money and power.

2.Inside Job (2010)

Inside Job is a very brash documentary that reveals the true causes of the global financial crisis of 2008. The film narrated by Matt Damon shows how the greed of Wall Street, uncontrolled leverages, toxic mortgage backed securities and corrupt rating agencies set off the greatest economic crises after the-Great Depression era. 

This movie does not only indicate what went wrong but it goes back to the origins of the crisis starting in Iceland to the United States, blaming it to the bankers, regulators, and policy makers who realized that the danger was on the way but rather than acting, they did nothing.
Category: Documentary, Finance, Investigative, Real-Life Scandal

Synopsis of Inside Job

The Rise of Deregulation (1970s–2000s): The film begins by showing how the U.S. financial sector gradually dismantled regulatory safeguards, leading to excessive risk-taking, conflicts of interest, and a culture of greed.

The Bubble Inflates: Banks, rating agencies, and policymakers fuel the housing boom through subprime mortgages and complex derivatives. Financial products like CDOs and credit default swaps expand uncontrollably, hiding systemic risk.

The Global Financial Meltdown (2008): When housing prices collapse, financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers fail, while others like AIG and major banks require massive government bailouts. The contagion spreads worldwide.

Accountability Avoided: The documentary exposes how Wall Street executives, regulators, and even academic economists escape responsibility, receiving bonuses and promotions instead of facing punishment.

Aftermath and Unchanged System: Despite devastating consequences for millions, the film ends by highlighting how little reform followed, suggesting that the same financial structures and incentives remain in place, setting the stage for future crises.

What’s great about Inside Job

• Unique storytelling with fourth-wall breaks, cameos (like Margot Robbie explaining CDOs), and dark humor.
• Manages to explain complicated financial products with clarity and creativity.
• Balances entertainment and outrage brilliantly.

 Some caveats about Inside Job

• The non-linear narrative can feel chaotic to some viewers.
• Focuses heavily on American markets, leaving out global consequences.
• Its humor may undercut the tragic impact for certain audiences.

Review & Ratings of Inside Job

Source	Score
IMDb	8.2 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	98%
Metacritic	88 / 100
Google Audience	90%+ liked

Cast of Inside Job

Cast	Character’s Role
Matt Damon	Narrator — Guides viewers through the 2008 global financial crisis with clear and compelling narration.
Gylfi Zoega	Professor of Economics, University of Iceland — Explains how Iceland’s banking collapse mirrors the global financial meltdown.
Andri Snær Magnason	Writer & Filmmaker — Offers a cultural and social perspective on the aftermath of financial corruption.
Sigríður Benediktsdóttir	Member, Icelandic Parliament’s Special Investigative Committee — Shares findings from Iceland’s inquiry into banking misconduct.
Paul Volcker	Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman — Provides the regulatory and historical context of financial policies leading to the crisis.

Watch Trailer: Inside Job | Official Trailer HD (2010)

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Is Inside Job worth watching? Yes, especially if you have any interest in finance, economics, global markets, or want to understand the roots of the 2008 crisis in a digestible yet detailed way.

If you’re looking for light entertainment, however, be aware: it’s a documentary with serious subject-matter, not a “fun” movie.

3.Margin Call (2011)

Margin Call is a tense financial thriller which captures the panic in the first 24 hours in a Wall Street investment bank  before the market crash in 2008. Directed by J.C. Chandor and released on October 21, 2011, the film runs for 107 minutes, With a modest $3.5 million budget and $19.5 million box office return. The film explores the depth of wrong and right and it is one of the most true to life portrayals of the moment-before-destruction decisions at Wall Street.

Category: Financial Thriller, Drama, Wall Street Crisis

Synopsis of Margin Call

Discovery of Disaster: A risk analyst finds that the firm’s assets are grossly over-leveraged.

Chain Reaction: The news quickly escalates up the hierarchy, causing overnight crisis meetings.

The Dilemma: Executives debate whether to sell toxic assets or collapse the market.

Moral Conflict: Some employees wrestle with the ethics of self-preservation versus responsibility.

The Aftermath: The company decides to dump its assets, saving itself but causing widespread devastation.

What’s great about Margin Call

• Razor-sharp dialogue and tense atmosphere build genuine suspense.
• Brilliant ensemble cast featuring Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, and Jeremy Irons.
• Provides one of the most realistic accounts of corporate decision-making in crises.

Some caveats about Margin Call

• Could feel sluggish for viewers used to fast-paced drama. 
• Requires some knowledge of financial terminology. 
• It is much more about dialogue and moral tension than action.

Review & Ratings of Margin Call

Source	Score
IMDb	7.1 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	87%
Metacritic	76 / 100
Google Audience	85%+ liked

Cast of Margin Call

Cast	Character’s Role
Kevin Spacey	Sam Rogers — Senior executive facing moral conflict.
Paul Bettany	Will Emerson — Pragmatic manager balancing loyalty and profit.
Jeremy Irons	John Tuld — Ruthless CEO prioritizing survival over ethics.
Zachary Quinto	Peter Sullivan — Analyst who uncovers the firm’s exposure.
Stanley Tucci	Eric Dale — Risk manager fired before revealing the crisis.

Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Kadi-hSfA
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Is Margin Call worth watching? Yes, it’s one of the most authentic films about financial crisis management, filled with moral tension and realism rather than glamor. Perfect for viewers who prefer intelligent, dialogue-driven narratives over dramatized chaos.

4.The Big Short

The Big Short is a brilliant, darkly comedic yet brutally honest movie that reveals how few outsiders predicted the housing market bubble in the U.S. before anyone else, and who made billions betting against it. Directed by Adam McKay, this movie is 130 minutes long and released on December 23, 2015. The film simplifies complicated financial terms by incorporating humor and real life cases, therefore, exposing corruption in Wall Street in a way many ordinary people can readily relate.

Category: Financial Drama, True Story, Black Comedy, Market Crash

Synopsis of The Big Short

Spotting the Bubble: Michael Burry realizes that instability exists in mortgage-backed securities.

The Contrarians: Other fund managers join in shorting the market.

Wall Street’s Denial: Big banks and regulators dismiss the warnings.

Collapse Begins: Housing market crashes, validating the predictions of the shorts.

Ethical Consideration: Even while gaining from it, the traders cannot escape their guilt at such destruction.

What’s great about The Big Short

• Through clever narration and celebrity cameos, brilliant storytelling makes complex finance simple. 
• Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt all give outstanding performances. 
• Turns finance into an engrossing film by striking a balance between humor and moral depth.

Some caveats about The Big Short

• Those who are not familiar with finance may become confused by fast-paced editing.
• Sometimes jargon is used excessively.
• For comedic effect, some characters seem a little caricatured.

Review & Ratings of The Big Short

Source	Score
IMDb	7.8 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	89%
Metacritic	81 / 100
Google Audience	92% liked

Cast of the The Big Short

Cast	Character’s Role
Christian Bale	Michael Burry — Hedge fund manager who first spots the bubble.
Steve Carell	Mark Baum — Cynical trader questioning Wall Street’s ethics.
Ryan Gosling	Jared Vennett — Slick Deutsche Bank trader narrating the events.
Brad Pitt	Ben Rickert — Retired banker aiding two young investors.
John Magaro	Charlie Geller — Young investor betting against the system.

Watch Trailer: The Big Short Trailer (2015) ‐ Paramount Pictures

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Is The Big Short worth watching? Absolutely. It’s smart, funny, and deeply insightful,  a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand how greed and ignorance crashed the global economy.

5.Too Big to Fail (2011)

Too Big to Fail is a glimpse into the inner workings of the U.S. government and top Wall Street leaders who were trying to prevent the  economic breakdown in the 2008 financial crisis. Unlike other films,this one is told from the perspective of government regulators and the banking CEOs like Hank Paulson, Ben Bernanke and the heads of major Wall Street entities. 

This movie is directed by Curtis Hanson and it is 99 min long and made with the budget of $12 million. It demonstrates the extent to which political power, greed, and fear influenced one of the most debatable bailout choices in financial history, saving the banks, not the people.

Category: Financial Drama, Political Thriller, Real-Life Crisis

Synopsis of Too Big to Fail (2011)

Crisis Ignites: Panic spreads throughout the system as Lehman Brothers faces impending bankruptcy.

Government Rush: Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson scramble to keep markets stable.

Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations: The film shows heated discussions between Washington officials and Wall Street CEOs.

Bailout and Backlash: The contentious $700 billion TARP bailout begins.

Legacy of Fear: Thoughts on moral hazard and lessons not learned are included in the film’s conclusion.

What’s great about Too Big to Fail

• A realistic portrayal of crucial government decision-making.
• Paul Giamatti and William Hurt both gave outstanding performances.
• provides an unambiguous inside look at the 2008 bailout procedure.

Some caveats about Too Big to Fail

• Focuses primarily on U.S. officials, ignoring wider global impact
• emphasizes politics and conversation more than emotional drama.
• It might be too detailed for viewers who are not familiar with crisis details.

Review & Ratings of Too Big to Fail

Source	Score
IMDb	7.3 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	77%
Metacritic	68 / 100
Google Audience	85% liked

Cast of Too Big to Fail

Cast	Character’s Role
William Hurt	Henry Paulson — Treasury Secretary managing the crisis.
Paul Giamatti	Ben Bernanke — Federal Reserve Chairman.
Billy Crudup	Timothy Geithner — New York Fed President.
James Woods	Dick Fuld — CEO of Lehman Brothers.
Topher Grace	Jim Wilkinson — Paulson’s Communications Chief.

Watch Trailer: 2011 Too Big To Fail Official Trailer 1 HD HBO Films
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Is Too Big to Fail worth watching? Yes,  it’s an essential companion to The Big Short, offering the government’s perspective during the crisis. A thoughtful dramatization of real-world decision-making under pressure.

6.The Hummingbird Project (2019)

The Hummingbird Project dives into the world of high-frequency trading (HFT) where milliseconds matter when it comes to millions. The film is a story of two cousins, Vincent and Anton, whose dream was to make money in the stock market by outwitting other millionaires in the stock market by being quicker in the tradeoff.

Released on March 15, 2019, and directed by Kim Nguyen, the film runs for 111 minutes. This movie was made with a budget of $8 million and collected  $1.2 million at box office.  However, as the project progresses, greed, health problems, and ethical frontiers make the difference between innovation and obsession unclear.

Category: Drama, Tech-Finance Thriller, Stock Market Innovation

Synopsis of The Hummingbird Project

The Vision: Vincent and Anton Zaleski left their positions at a trading company to follow their dream of a direct fiber-optic line that could earn them millions of dollars.

The Race Begins: Eva Torres, their former boss, will put up a fierce fight against them.

Engineering Barriers: Their advancement is slowed by significant legal, technical, and environmental barriers.

Moral and Health Costs: As obsession takes precedence over reason, Vincent’s health declines.

The Reckoning: In spite of obstacles, the project uncovers more profound realities about ambition, greed, and human limitations.

What’s great about The Hummingbird Project

• Strong performances, particularly from Jesse Eisenberg and Alexander Skarsgård
• A distinctive fusion of technology-driven storytelling and finance
• Brings up philosophical issues regarding modern trading’s speed, greed, and purpose.

Some caveats about The Hummingbird Project

• Viewers anticipating fast-paced action may find it slow
• General audiences may become confused by the technical finance aspect.
• Characters are given more attention than real trading drama.

Review & Ratings of The Hummingbird Project

Source	Score
IMDb	6.2 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	58%
Metacritic	55 / 100
Google Audience	80% liked

Cast of The Hummingbird Project

Cast	Character’s Role
Jesse Eisenberg	Vincent Zaleski — Ambitious trader obsessed with beating Wall Street.
Alexander Skarsgård	Anton Zaleski — Brilliant coder and Vincent’s cousin.
Salma Hayek	Eva Torres — Ruthless ex-boss determined to stop them.
Michael Mando	Mark Vega — Contractor helping the cousins with the fiber project.
Johan Heldenbergh	Amish Landowner — A symbolic obstacle to their ambition.

Watch Trailer: The Hummingbird Project Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Trailers

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Is The Hummingbird Project worth watching? Yes, it’s a fascinating modern take on speed, data, and greed in finance. A slower but intellectually engaging movie for those who appreciate the psychology behind ambition.

7.Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

It is an excellent documentary, which narrates the true story of Enron, once the 7th largest company in America, and how it became the largest corporate fraud in history. The movie reveals how Enron officials were playing with the energy prices, the accounting books, and fooled investors while projecting themselves as financial geniuses. 

Directed by Alex Gibney, it was released on April 22, 2005, and runs for 110 minutes. Made with a budget of $2 million and earned $4.8 million. It demonstrates uncontrollable avarice, accounting fraud (mark-to-market manipulation), and blind faith of Wall Street, which later resulted in bankruptcy of Enron and loss of all life savings of thousands of workers.

Category: Documentary, Corporate Fraud, Financial Scandal, Real-Life Exposé

Synopsis of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

The Rise of Enron: Enron was once praised as the most inventive company in America, but its success was based on deception.

The Culture of Greed: CEOs foster a haughty corporate culture that encourages taking risks that don’t pay off.

Accounting Fraud: The movie shows how profits were manipulated through covert alliances and mark-to-market accounting.

Collapse and Exposure: The truth comes out: Enron declares bankruptcy, wiping out billions of dollars in shareholder value.

Accountability and Aftermath: The scandal changes corporate governance in America, and executives are put on trial.

What’s great about Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

• A well-researched and incisively narrated film is both educational and cinematic. 
• Uses real footage and interviews for maximum authenticity
• It emphasizes how unbridled greed and ego can bring down giants.

Some caveats about Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

• Strong emphasis on US corporate law; viewers from other countries may find the context to be lacking.
• Partially dense financial explanations.
• There are no first-person accounts of victims other than executives.

Review & Ratings of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Source	Score
IMDb	7.6 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	97%
Metacritic	84 / 100
Google Audience	88% liked

Cast of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Cast	Character’s Role
Peter Coyote	Narrator — Guides the audience through Enron’s rise and collapse.
Bethany McLean	Journalist — Co-author of the original exposé book.
Jeffrey Skilling	Former Enron CEO — Central figure behind the fraud.
Kenneth Lay	Enron Founder — Represents arrogance and denial.
Sherron Watkins	Whistleblower — Exposes the company’s internal deception.

Watch Trailer: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) Official Trailer #1 – Documentary HD

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Is Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room worth watching? Yes, it’s one of the most insightful financial documentaries ever made. A must-watch for anyone studying corporate governance, financial ethics, or market psychology.

8.Gafla (2006)

Gafla is a fictional work based on a true story of a stock market scam in 1992 by a man called Harshad Mehta. This is a story of a small middle-class man Subodh with great dreams enters the world of the stock market hoping to transform into a wealthy man within a short period of time.

Released on October 6, 2006, and directed by Sameer Hanchate, it runs for 132 minutes. It captures the emotional, psychological, and moral turmoil of someone who enters the financial world unprepared for its darker side.

Category: Financial Crime Drama, Stock Market Scam, Indian Market

Synopsis of Gafla

The Dreamer: Subodh, a novice investor, hopes to become a major player on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The Rise: He gains notoriety and enormous profits through his audacious trading and market manipulation.

The Negative Aspect of the System: Subodh gets caught up in political and financial corruption.

The Decline: When exposed and subject to legal scrutiny, his empire falls apart.

The Reflection: The movie ends regretfully, raising ethical and ambitious questions.

What’s great about Gafla

• Accurately depicts the Indian stock market landscape of the 1990s.
• Vinod Sharawat gave a strong lead performance.
• A realistic, grounded Indian alternative to financial dramas in the West.

Some caveats about Gafla

• Slow-paced and heavy dialogue
• There is less emphasis on the emotional depth of supporting characters
• The production quality is modest when compared to larger Bollywood films.

Review & Ratings of Gafla

Source	Score
IMDb	7.2 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	N/A
Metacritic	N/A
Google Audience	82% liked

Cast of Gafla

Cast	Character’s Role
Vinod Sharawat	Subodh Mehta — Ambitious stock trader inspired by Harshad Mehta.
Shruti Ulfat	Vidya — Subodh’s love interest who questions his choices.
Purva Parag	Journalist uncovering the scam.
Brijendra Kala	Market broker offering comic realism.
Anshul Trivedi	Government investigator pursuing Subodh.

Watch Trailer: GAFLA Trailer

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Is Gafla worth watching? Yes, especially for Indian viewers or finance enthusiasts. It’s a rare Hindi film that realistically portrays the stock market and the ethical dilemmas of ambition.

9.Equity (2016)

It is a rare Wall Street thriller film told from a female perspective, a rarity in finance films. The novel is about a high-stakes IPO deal that a senior investment banker as the head of the case is struggling with corporate politics, insider trading, and her own reputation, Naomi Bishop. 

Directed by Meera Menon and released on July 29, 2016, the film runs for 100 minutes. It features ethical quandaries, inside deals, and the precariousness of market trust – it underlines the point that in Wall Street perception is generally worth more than figures.

Category: Financial Drama, Corporate Thriller, Wall Street, Female-Led Finance Film

Synopsis of Equity

Breaking Down Barriers: Senior banker Naomi Bishop gets ready to spearhead a significant initial public offering.

Corporate Politics: Her advancement is threatened by gender bias and office rivalries.

Ethical Difficulties: Naomi’s decision-making conflates survival with integrity.

Betrayal and Whistleblowing: A coworker reveals insider trading in her social circle.

A New Balance: The film’s ambiguous conclusion depicts success at the expense of moral clarity.

What’s great about Equity

• Strong, genuine female lead in a genre dominated by men
• Realistic depiction of backroom politics and Wall Street culture
• Cleverly written with nuanced power dynamics.

Some caveats about Equity

• Slower pace and less dramatic than typical finance thrillers.
• The technical aspects of IPOs are simplified for general audiences.
• The ending feels abrupt, leaving some moral questions open.

Review & Ratings of Equity

Source	Score
IMDb	5.5 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	82%
Metacritic	68 / 100
Google Audience	75% liked

Casts of Equity

Cast	Character’s Role
Anna Gunn	Naomi Bishop — Senior banker leading a critical IPO.
Sarah Megan Thomas	Erin Manning — Naomi’s ambitious junior associate.
Alysia Reiner	Samantha — Prosecutor investigating insider trading.
James Purefoy	Michael Connor — Naomi’s romantic interest and rival.
Craig Bierko	Ed — A hedge fund manager entangled in the IPO.

Watch Trailer: Equity | Official Trailer HD (2016)

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Is Equity worth watching? Yes, for viewers seeking a thoughtful, gender-balanced look at Wall Street’s toxic culture. It’s subtle but deeply insightful, blending finance with human complexity.

10.Wall Street (1987)

The famous film Wall Street is the one that presented the world to the infamous Gordon Gekko, the ruthless corporate raider, who is famously quoted saying the following line “ Greed, for lack of a better word, is good”.  Charlie Sheen plays Bud Fox, an ambitious young stockbroker willing to cross moral lines to climb the financial ladder. 

Directed by Oliver Stone with a modest budget of around $16.5 million, Wall Street became a massive critical and commercial success, earning Michael Douglas an Academy Award for Best Actor

Synopsis of Wall Street

The Temptation: Bud Fox idolizes Gekko and seeks to impress him through insider tips.

The Rise: He gains wealth and status under Gekko’s mentorship.

The Conflict: Bud realizes Gekko’s unethical practices threaten innocent people — including his own father’s livelihood.

The Betrayal: Bud turns against Gekko, risking everything to expose corporate greed.

The Message: The film ends as a moral reflection on ambition and integrity.

 What’s great about Wall Street

• Michael Douglas delivers an iconic, Oscar-winning performance as Gordon Gekko.
• Captures the spirit of 1980s excess and ambition perfectly.
• Timeless moral lesson about integrity versus greed.
  

Some caveats about Wall Street

• The 1980s setting and jargon may feel dated to modern audiences.
• Simplified portrayal of trading and markets.
• More character-driven than technical or procedural.

Review & Ratings of Wall Street

Source	Score
IMDb	7.3 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	79%
Metacritic	56 / 100
Google Audience	90% liked

Casts of Wall Street

Actor	Character’s Role
Michael Douglas	Gordon Gekko — The charismatic, unethical Wall Street titan.
Charlie Sheen	Bud Fox — The ambitious young trader torn between greed and conscience.
Martin Sheen	Carl Fox — Bud’s father, representing working-class integrity.
Daryl Hannah	Darien Taylor — Bud’s love interest and symbol of material excess.
Terence Stamp	Sir Larry Wildman — Gekko’s corporate rival.

Watch Trailer: Wall Street (1987) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

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Is Wall Street worth watching? Yes, it’s a cornerstone of financial cinema and a moral parable about ambition. For anyone interested in trading, corporate politics, or the psychology of greed, this is essential viewing.

11.Arbitrage (2012)

Arbitrage (2012), is a financial thriller which revolves around the life of a billionaire hedge fund magnate, Robert Miller, whose perfect life starts to crumble after a fatal mistake forcing  him into a web of lies and illegal maneuvering. 

The film is 100 minutes long, released on September 14, 2012, and directed by Nicholas Jarecki. Produced with a small budget of about 12 million dollars, the film did fairly well, earning close to 35 million dollars in the theatres across the world, and its reception by the indie and streaming audience was also significant.

Categories: Crime, Thriller, Financial Drama

Synopsis of Arbitrage

The Illusion of a Perfect Billionaire Life: Robert Miller is a charismatic hedge fund billionaire who has everything- money, family, and reputation but beneath the surface he is concealing a huge financial fraud to sell his company even before the scandal is uncovered.

A Fatal Accident Changes Everything: While with his mistress, Miller is involved in a car crash in which she dies. He gets scared of being caught and sent to prison and so he runs out of the place and privately summons assistance of an old acquaintance to help him conceal the crime.

Detective Pressure and Moral Collapse: An NYPD detective, named Bryer, is suspicious and will never give up on Miller as he tries to establish the fact that he is involved in it although he has no tangible evidence. It is a psychological pressure brought about by the investigation.

Family and Business Risks Collide: the CFO of the company is also a daughter of Miller, who has started to suspect that something is amiss in the company and she ends up being too close to the revelation of her own deceased father.

A Win Without Justice: Miller manages to get away with a crime, having made the use of a system that allowed him to bend it to his will, revealing how the business, money, and influence can apprehend justice and what justice really is.

What’s great about Arbitrage?

• Great and dramatic acting by Richard Gere.
• True to life depiction of Wall Street morals and billionaire mentality.
• Skimpy smart screenplay which keeps the tension on tight- no strained drama.

Some caveats about Arbitrage

• Not a fast-paced pacing movie.
• All viewers may not be drawn by the emotionless tone.
• Open-ended moral resolution – no dramatic climax of punishment.

Review & Ratings of Arbitrage

Platform	Rating
IMDb	6.6 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes (Critics)	87%
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience)	74%
Metacritic	73 / 100
Google Users	83% liked

Casts of Arbitrage

Actor	Role
Richard Gere	Robert Miller (Billionaire hedge fund magnate)
Susan Sarandon	Ellen Miller (Wife)
Tim Roth	Detective Bryer
Brit Marling	Brooke Miller (Daughter & CFO)
Nate Parker	Jimmy Grant (Trusted associate)

Watch Trailer: Arbitrage Official Trailer #1 (2012) – Richard Gere Movie HD

Watch Movie:

Stream Arbitrage on Prime video

Is Arbitrage worth watching? Yes, especially for fans of realistic financial thrillers. It’s smart, suspenseful, and morally complex, offering a haunting portrayal of privilege and guilt in modern finance.

12.Rogue Trader(1999)

Rogue Trader is a biographical financial drama that was written in 1999 and it was based on the true story of Nick Leeson, a derivatives trader who was able to take down Barings Bank, the oldest merchant bank in Britain, single-handedly. The film is around 101 minutes directed by James Dearden. 

It was filmed at a estimated cost of about 12 million dollars and earned approximately 10.3million dollars at the movie theater. The movie is an account of the deadly risky trading choices, unbridled greed and disastrous results of having inadequate controls in the finance institutions.

Category: Biographical Drama, Financial Thriller, Stock Market, True Story, Corporate Failure

Synopsis of Rogue Trader

• The Rise of a Star Trader: Nick Leeson was a young and ambitious derivatives trader at the Barings Bank, a fast-tracked profit maker in Singapore, who was given full trust without much control.

• A Secret History of Fraud: To cover one mistake, he created a secret account called 888888 – and started hiding massive trading losses in this account.

• Greed Becomes a Spiral of Gambling: Leeson is unable to stop now, he doubles up betting on the Japanese market hoping to get some back but the losses continue to blow up behind the scenes.

• Kobe Earthquake Exposes Fraud: When the Kobe earthquake leads to an abrupt market crash, his last hope is destroyed, and exposes the losses that had crossed over £800 million.

• The Fall of a Legendary Bank: The 233-year-old Barings Bank goes bankrupt overnight all due to one rogue trader and not a single risk control measure.

What’s great about Rogue Trader?

• Strong and realistic description of the psychology of financial markets trading and their adrenaline rush.
• Good acting by Ewan McGregor who characterizes the power of ambitions, stress, and ruin.
• A real life warning story on risk management and unbridled institutional faith.

Some caveats about  Rogue Trader

• Minorly fictionalized and streamlined to film.
• Minimal description of sophisticated financial products to novices.
• There is a slowing down of pacing at the middle segment and then again picking up climax.

Review & Ratings of  Rogue Trader

Platform	Rating
IMDb	6.4 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	29% (Critics) / 63% (Audience)
Metacritic	51 / 100
Google Users	81% liked the film

Cast of Rogue Trader

Character’s Role	Actor
Nick Leeson	Ewan McGregor — The ambitious trader whose concealed losses collapse Barings Bank.
Lisa Leeson	Anna Friel — Nick’s wife, caught in the whirlwind of deception and denial.
Peter Baring	Nigel Lindsay — Represents the bank’s elite management, unaware of the growing disaster.
Tony Hawes	Tim McInnerny — A compliance officer who suspects something is wrong but lacks power to stop it.

Watch Trailer: Rogue Trader (1998) trailer

Watch Movie: Stream Rogue Trader on Prime Video

Is Rogue Trader worth watching? Yes, especially for traders and financial professionals. It’s a must-watch to understand how human error, ego, and lack of oversight can destroy even the most prestigious financial institutions.

13.The Big Bull (2021)

The Big Bull is a 2021 Indian biographical financial crime drama based on the real life story of a stock market trader Harshad Mehta in the 1980s-90s Bombay stock exchange boom. The film is directed by Kookie Gulati, was released on 8 April 2021 and it is 154 minutes long. 

It was produced with the support of Ajay Devgn Films and is estimated to have a 60 to 50 crore budget, and despite being digitally released on Disney+ Hotstar because of the restrictions on the films industry caused by the pandemic, it was highly viewed and became one of the most-watched films on OTT of the year.

Categories: Biography, Financial Drama, Stock Market Scam, Crime Thriller, Indian Economy

Synopsis of The Big Bull

• The Rise of an Unstoppable Dreamer: Hemant Shah is a small-time stockbroker in Mumbai who has a huge ambition – to penetrate a game full of strong business families and banks.

• Locate Loopholes, and Take Advantage of Them: He finds a loophole in the Indian banking system, begins to redirect public funds into the stock market, and drives a bull run, and makes impossible profits.

• Financial Genius to Market Messiah: Hemant is a godfather to the stock market in India, the first superstar in the stock market in India to be worshipped, who is said to be redefining the terms of wealth and opportunity to the common man.

• A Journalist Smells the Truth: Meera Rao, a financial journalist, begins to investigate the abrupt increase, following the abnormal money flow and suspicious banking transactions arranged in the shadows.

• The Empire Crashes Overnight: When the scam booms into the mainstream, the man who shook the Dalal Street Hemant Shah, brings the entire financial system down to its knees revealing the largest scam of the 90s.

What’s great about The Big Bull?

• Heartening emergence of a stock market hero of ambition and confidence.
• Powerful description of Indian early trading markets and psychology.
• The screen presence of Abhishek Bachchan as Hemant Shah is very strong.

Some caveats about  The Big Bull

• Audience expectations are influenced by comparing with Scam 1992.
• At other moments the emotional drama prevails over naked financial realism.

Review & Ratings of  The Big Bull

Platform	Rating
IMDb	5.9 / 10
Google Users	68% liked
Rotten Tomatoes	Not officially rated
Times of India	3 / 5
NDTV	2.5 / 5

Casts of The Big Bull

Actor	Role
Abhishek Bachchan	Hemant Shah (inspired by Harshad Mehta)
Ileana D’Cruz	Meera Rao (financial journalist)
Nikita Dutta	Priya Patel Shah (Hemant’s wife)
Sohum Shah	Viren Shah (Hemant’s brother)
Saurabh Shukla	Rana Singh (influential financial figure)

Watch Trailer: The Big Bull: Official Trailer | Abhishek B, Ileana D, Nikita D, Sohum S | Kookie Gulati | 8th April

Watch Movie: Stream The Big Bull on Hotstar

Is The Big Bull worth watching? Yes, for anyone interested in India’s financial history and the psychology of greed. It’s a mass-friendly version of a legendary real-life market scandal.

14.Money (2016)

Money is an American thriller movie of 2016 that centers on two business people who are insider traders that are having a private dinner when one of them is confronted by a mysterious stranger and an ordinary evening turns into a deadly mind game about morality, greed, and survival.

 It was released on April 6, 2016, and has a duration of around 86 minutes and is directed by Martino Rosete. Being created with a small indie budget, the film was given a small presence in theaters, but it became very popular on Netflix and foreign streaming platforms.

Categories: Thriller, Psychological Drama, Suspense, Crime Mystery, Independent Film

Synopsis of Money

A Dinner Turns Deadly: Two businessmen, Mark and Sean, who make money trading insider information are spending their time consuming dinner at home when a stranger knocks at the door.

The Stranger with Secrets: As a neighbor, John introduces himself as a friendly man but soon finds out that he hears about their financial crimes and he wants to know the truth.

Greed Under Pressure: What started as casual conversation ends up becoming a tense psychological game where greed, fear and betrayal come into conflict.

Mind Games and Manipulation: Loyalties change, the lies are done, and survival is the only aim as the control is lost.

The Price of Greed: At the close of the night money would be more expensive than life itself would send a chilling message that greed always gets its price.

What’s great about Money?

• Only a few characters, and the highest level of psychological suspense, the purest mind-game movie.
• Harmonic realistic approach to greed and illegal finance, not exaggerated or Wall Street glamour.
• Surprises and shifts of powers which maintains the audience in suspense even up to the very end.

Some caveats about Money

• Slow-burn pacing, not for action lovers.
• Dialogue-driven narration with the majority of it being one-location.
• Not flashy production values indie-level.

Review & Ratings of Money

Platform	Rating
IMDb	5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience)	62%
Google Users	82% liked
Metacritic	Not Rated
My Personal Take	Underrated psychological gem

Casts of Money

Cast	Character’s Role
Jesse Williams	Sean — Investment banker hiding insider-trading secrets.
Kellan Lutz	Mark — Sean’s business partner, equally guilty but more reckless.
Jamie Bamber	John — Stranger who exposes the duo’s crimes.
Jess Weixler	Sylvia — Sean’s wife, unaware of the source of their wealth.
Lucia Guerrero	Christina — A guest who becomes caught in the dangerous game.

Watch Trailer: Money Trailer #1 (2019) | Movieclips Indie

Watch Movie: Stream Money on Prime Video 

Is it worth watching Money? Yes, if you like closed-room thrillers with a financial twist that probes greed and morality.

15.The Wizard of Lies (2017)

The Wizard of Lies (2017) is a thrilling, biographical drama that was filmed on the true story of one of the largest financial frauds in the history of the US involving his name, Bernie Madoff. The film is directed by Barry Levinson and it has the legendary Robert De Niro playing the role of Madoff with a running time of 133 minutes. 

The film was shot on a budget of approximately 10 million dollars and received immense critical acclaim yet, being an HBO film, had a tiny box office, The movie also explores the true feelings and psychological effects of the 65 billion Ponzi scheme by Madoff on his family and victims and the cold-bloodedness of greed and deception.

Category: Biography, Crime, Drama, Financial Thriller

Synopsis of The Wizard of Lies

The Rise of a Financial Titan: Bernie Madoff is a reputable Wall Street icon, who brings success and stability to people, becoming the man they want to invest their money with.

The New Fake Rich: Behind the Success, Madoff secretly runs a massive Ponzi scheme, creating false gains and feeding greed with lies.

The Unraveling Truth: When the 2008 crisis hits, his empire falls down and reveals one of the largest financial frauds ever.

Family in Freefall: With the truth coming out, Madoff’s wife and sons are depressed by the realization and left behind by doubt and anger, not knowing whether to love or betray him.

The Price of Lies: Ultimately, the movie sends a chilling shock to the viewers, and that greed kills all and the wizard has to pay the price of his own words.

What’s great about The Wizard of Lies?

• Robert De Niro is mercilessly playing the role of Bernie Madoff in a chilling and emotionless manner.
• Authentic depiction of financial crimes and its human effects.
• Director Barry Levinson taps into greed and guilt.

Some caveats about The Wizard of Lies?

• The storyline moves too slowly and includes plenty of talking, which perhaps is not suitable to regular viewers.
• More family drama than financial factualities of the Ponzi scheme.
• Lacks more in-depth analysis of the views of the victims.

Review & Ratings of The Wizard of Lies

Platform	Rating
IMDb	6.8 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	73%
Metacritic	67 / 100
Google Audience Rating	83%
Common Sense Media	4 / 5

Casts of The Wizard of Lies

Cast	Character’s Role
Robert De Niro	Bernie Madoff — Mastermind of the largest Ponzi scheme in history.
Michelle Pfeiffer	Ruth Madoff — Bernie’s loyal yet conflicted wife.
Alessandro Nivola	Mark Madoff — Son of Bernie, struggles with his father’s legacy.
Nathan Darrow	Andrew Madoff — Another son, emotionally torn by the scandal.
Hank Azaria	Frank DiPascali — Bernie’s right-hand man and co-conspirator.

Watch Trailer: The Wizard of Lies Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Trailers

Watch Movies: 

Stream The Wizard of Lies on Prime Video

Stream The Wizard of Lies on Apple TV

Is it worth watching The Wizard of Lies? Absolutely. A dark, intimate portrayal of deceit and downfall, essential for understanding fraud psychology and moral blindness in finance.

16.Boiler Room (2000)

Boiler Room is a captivating drama-thriller that immerses into the shadowy realm of stockbroking. The film was released on February 18, 2000 and it is 120 minutes long, directed by Ben Younger. It earned more than 28million dollars across the globe with a small budget of approximately 7million dollars.

The film is set in the fast-paced environment of a suburban brokerage company that seduces young and ambitious men into unethical activities, selling them useless stocks to unsuspecting investors in order to make colossal fortunes. The novel is based on the culture of real life which is the pump and dump schemes that rocked the stock market in the 1990s.

Category: Drama, Crime, Finance, Thriller

Synopsis of Boiler Room

An Emerging Businessman: Seth Davis did not graduate college and is operating an underground casino in his apartment but wants to gain recognition and acceptance of the business by his father, a federal judge.

New Opportunity: He works with J.T. Marlin, a suburban brokerage firm that offers big money and quick success.

The Rise: Seth soon acquires the sales techniques and starts to make big commissions enjoying the opulent lifestyle of a high-ranking broker.

The Reality Check: Seth finds out that the business activity of the firm is fraudulent, as he becomes successful, selling worthless stocks using fakehood.

Moral Dilemma: Seth is caught between greed and guilt since he takes the initiative to act against the company before it collapses at the expense of his own future, doing the right thing.

What’s great about the Boiler Room?

• Captures the sales floor environment of high-pressure culture.
• Intense, quick-moving story with quotable quotes regarding money and ambition.
• Examines the moral dilemma of greed and capitalism.

Some caveats about the Boiler Room?

• The storyline follows a familiar moral downfall-repentance formula.
• It is often overshadowed by Wall Street (1987) in spite of its special setting.
• The supporting roles are not developed as much as the protagonist is.

Review & Ratings of Boiler Room?

Platform	Rating
IMDb	7.0 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	66%
Metacritic	63 / 100
Google Audience Score	82%
Letterboxd	3.4 / 5

Cast of Boiler Room?

Cast	Character’s Role
Giovanni Ribisi	Seth Davis — Young, ambitious stockbroker lured into a fraudulent firm.
Vin Diesel	Chris Varick — Aggressive, street-smart senior broker.
Ben Affleck	Jim Young — Charismatic recruiter and mentor promoting greed culture.
Nia Long	Abbie Halpert — Seth’s moral anchor and romantic interest.
Ron Rifkin	Marty Davis — Seth’s father, a judge representing ethical contrast.

Watch trailer: Boiler Room (2000) Official Trailer #1 – Vin Diesel Movie HD

Watch Movie: Stream Boiler Room on Prime Video

Is it worth watching Boiler Room? Yes, a sharp, morally charged look at financial greed and sales manipulation, showing how easily ambition can lead to deception.

17.Baazaar (2018)

Baazaar is a 2018 Indian financial crime drama movie which takes a deep dive into the cutthroat world of stock trading and corporate greed. The film, which is directed by Gauravv K. Chawla, was released on 26 October 2018. It was filmed under the Emmay Entertainment and Kyta Productions banner with a running time of 137 minutes. 

The movie was produced at a cost of around 40 crore and proceeded to earn around 34 crore in the theaters. The movie concerns itself with ambition, manipulation and the cost of success in the high stakes game at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Categories: Drama, Crime, Thriller, Stock Market, Corporate Greed

Synopsis of Baazaar

Ambitious Entry: Rizwan Ahmed is a small-town trader who is an ambitious person who dreams of becoming a big player in the stock market in Mumbai.

Meeting the Tycoon: He admires Shakun Kothari, an experienced and a rich Gujarati stock market tycoon and finally, he gets to work under him.

Increase in Greed: With the increased success, Rizwan gets involved in insider trading, manipulation, and corporate fraud.

Moral Conflict: Rizwan Rizwan’s rise comes at the cost of his ethics, leading to betrayal and guilt when he realizes the depth of Kothari’s corruption.

Fall and Redemption: Rizwan becomes part of the corporate fraud as the culmination of the whole story culminates.

What’s great about the Baazaar?

• Takes the Indian stock market world to the big screen in a realistic and intriguing manner.
• The role of a businessman, who is cunning and prudent, played by Saif Ali Khan is memorable and charming.
• Stylish cinematography and fast-paced narrative keep the audience hooked.

Some caveats about the Baazaar?

• The storyline is heavily derived from the wolf of wall street and wall street (1987).
• Lacks deep technical insight into trading and focuses more on drama than reality.
• The supporting characters would have done with more development to create an emotional depth.

Review & Ratings of Baazaar?

Platform	Rating
IMDb	6.5 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	57%
Times of India	3 / 5
Hindustan Times	2.5 / 5
Audience Rating	70% Positive

Cast of Baazaar

Actor	Role
Saif Ali Khan	Shakun Kothari – Ruthless stock market tycoon
Rohan Mehra	Rizwan Ahmed – Young trader chasing success
Radhika Apte	Priya Rai – Smart and ambitious stockbroker
Chitrangada Singh	Mandira Kothari – Shakun’s wife
Manish Chaudhari	Rana Dasgupta – Senior executive and mentor figure

Watch Trailer: Baazaar – Official Trailer | Saif Ali Khan, Rohan Mehra, Radhika A, Chitrangda S | Gauravv K Chawla

Watch Movie: Stream Baazaar on Apple TV

Is it worth watching Baazaar? Yes, a sleek, high-stakes Indian version of Wall Street, blending power, ambition, and betrayal.

18.Dumb Money (2023)

Dumb Money (2023) is a biographical dramatic comedy featuring a true story behind the underdog narrative of the retail traders who united through social media, particularly Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets to challenge powerful hedge funds during the 2021 GameStop saga.

The film was released on September 22, 2023, and has a duration of 104 minutes and was made on a budget of around 30 million dollars. It earned close to 20.5 million dollars in the global market in spite of its humble marketing. 

Categories: Biographical, Drama, Comedy, Finance, True Story

Synopsis of Dumb Money

The Birth of Roaring Kitty: Keith Gill is a humble financial analyst based in Massachusetts and posts his GameStop stock analysis on the internet under the name Roaring Kitty. His belief rapidly attracts the interest of traders on Reddit on the sub-reddit of WallStreetBets.

The Meme Stock Revolution: What started as a personal opinion of one man about a failing retailer has grown to become a viral movement when thousands of small investors storm GameStop, thus driving its stock to the moon.

Wall Street Feels the Heat: Short-selling hedge funds such as Melvin Capital are devastated by retailers reversing the fortunes of Wall Street titans.

The Battle Between Power and People: When trading apps restrict GameStop buys, retail investors erupt in anger, accusing Wall Street of manipulating the system.

The Legacy of Dumb Money: The saga became a historic turning point among the retail investors as it demonstrates that group faith can bring down financial giants at least temporarily.

What’s great about the Dumb money?

• Brilliantly dramatizes the David vs. Goliath theme of small traders and Wall Street giants.
• Good acting, particularly in the role of Keith Gill played by Paul Dano.
• A timeless meme stock and internet investing zeitgeist.

Some caveats about the Dumb Money?

• Cinematically oversimplified financial terms are used.
• The shallow nature of depth of hedge fund characters in contrast to the retail side.
• There is a sense of lack of balance between drama and satire in pacing.

Review & Ratings of Dumb Money?

Platform	Rating
IMDb	6.9 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	84% (Critics)
Metacritic	66 / 100
Google Audience	89% liked this film
Letterboxd	3.5 / 5

Casts of Dumb Money

Cast	Character’s Role
Paul Dano	Keith Gill (“Roaring Kitty”) — YouTuber and trader leading the GameStop movement.
Seth Rogen	Gabe Plotkin — Hedge fund manager losing billions shorting GameStop.
Nick Offerman	Ken Griffin — Billionaire CEO of Citadel, representing Wall Street power.
America Ferrera	Jenny — Retail investor symbolizing grassroots financial activism.
Pete Davidson	Kevin Gill — Keith’s brother adding humor and support.

Watch Trailer: DUMB MONEY – Official Trailer (HD)

Watch Movie: 

Stream Dumb Money on Prime Video

Stream Dumb Money on Sony Liv

Is it worth watching Dumb Money ? Absolutely, a smart, funny, and emotional portrayal of how the internet disrupted Wall Street.

19.Trading Places (1983)

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film which cleverly mixes social satire and Wall Street insanity. The plot of the story is based on a snobbish investor and a con artist, the life of whom is swapped in a social experiment. 

The film was filmed under the direction of John Landis, and released on June 8, 1983 with a length of 116 minutes. The film was shot on a very modest budget of approximately $15 million but went on to become a huge success as it earned more than 120 million dollars globally. 

Categories: Comedy, Finance, Social Satire, Drama, Classic Cinema

Synopsis of Trading Places

The Social Experiment: Randolph and Mortimer Duke, two wealthy brokers make a sadistic bet to find out whether nature or nurture are the determinants of success by exchanging the lives of two men living in different worlds.

The Fall of Louis Winthorpe III: Arrogant broker Louis Winthorpe III is framed and loses all he had, falling out of luxury to the streets.

The Rise of Billy Ray Valentine: Street hustler Billy Ray Valentine replaces Winthorpe and within a short time he learns the ropes in the high finance business.

An Unlikely Alliance: The two men work together to avenge after they get to know about the plot of the Dukes.

The Market Payback: They outwit the Dukes in the orange juice futures market using their insider tricks and the tables turn in a funny episode of Wall Street drama.

What’s great about the Trading Places ?

• Good combination of financial, humorous and social commentary.
• Unforgettable acting by Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.
• Lectures about the fundamentals of trading psychology and market manipulation in a funny manner.

Some caveats about the Trading Places?

• A few jokes and conversation might be out of date by current standards.
• Streamlines a complicated trading process to be comic.
• The tempo in the central part is a little slower than that of the dynamic beginning and ending.

Review & Ratings of Trading Places?

Platform	Rating
IMDb	7.5 / 10
Rotten Tomatoes	88%
Metacritic	69 / 100
Google Audience	90% liked it
Letterboxd	3.8 / 5

Casts of Trading Places

Cast	Character’s Role
Eddie Murphy	Billy Ray Valentine — Street con artist forced into a rich man’s life.
Dan Aykroyd	Louis Winthorpe III — Wealthy broker stripped of everything overnight.
Jamie Lee Curtis	Ophelia — Kind-hearted escort helping Winthorpe rebuild.
Ralph Bellamy	Randolph Duke — One of the rich brothers manipulating lives for sport.
Don Ameche	Mortimer Duke — Randolph’s brother and co-conspirator in the social experiment.

Watch Trailer: TRADING PLACES | Trailer | Paramount Movies

Watch Movie:

Stream Trading Places on Prime Video

Stream Trading Places on Apple TV

Is it worth watching Trading Places? Yes, a brilliant mix of finance, comedy, and social satire, still relevant for its class commentary.

20.Money Monster

Money Monster is a financial thriller that explores the dark aspects of media problems and Wall Street corruption. The film, directed by Jodie Foster, was released on May 13, 2016 and takes an approximate duration of 98 minutes. 

It was made with a budget of approximately 27 million dollars and earned more than 93 million dollars in the global market. The film is a mixture of tension, drama and satire because it reveals the human price of high-speed financial trading and blind greed.

Categories: Thriller, Drama, Crime, Finance, Media

Synopsis of Money Monster

The Host and the Hype: Lee Gates, a flamboyant financial TV host, dazzles the audience with incessant fast-talking stock tips, zany on-screen action, playing Wall Street like a game show.

The Intrusion: Kyle Budwell, a blue-collar employee who lost all of his savings after taking one of the tips offered by Gates, breaks in the studio, holds Gates at gunpoint in front of millions of people.

The Search for Truth: As producer Patty Fenn attempts to keep the show on the air, she starts to research the corporation that has bought the failed stock and finds out some very disturbing corporate fraud exists.

The Corporate Conspiracy: The further they dig the more they are appalled by what they find out: The CEO Walt Camby has been covering up a billion-dollar loss and securing the markets to keep his head out of danger.

On-Air Justice: In one of the climax moments, Gates and Kyle broadcast the injustice on live TV, making a hostage crisis a worldwide backlash against fraud and greed.

Great acts by George Clooney and Julia Roberts that leave the viewers glued.

What’s great about the Money Monster?

• A sharp critique of media sensationalism and Wall Street ethics.
• The action sequences are not overly applied in the real-time hostage scenario to create suspense.
• Closural judgment which is rather abrupt.

Some caveats about the Money Monster

• Minimal character growth of the supporting characters.
• The non-finance audiences may be confused since the financial jargon is hard to understand.
  

Review & Ratings of Money Monster?

Source	Rating
IMDb	6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes	59%
Metacritic	55/100
Audience Score	70%

Cast of Money Monster

Actor	Role
George Clooney	Lee Gates – Charismatic TV financial host
Julia Roberts	Patty Fenn – Show producer and Gates’ confidante
Jack O’Connell	Kyle Budwell – Desperate investor turned hostage-taker
Dominic West	Walt Camby – CEO involved in financial corruption
Caitriona Balfe	Diane Lester – Corporate communications chief uncovering the fraud

Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va-0o_xBVnU

Watch Movie: 

Stream Money Monster on Prime Video

Stream Money Monster on Apple TV

Is it worth watching Money Monster? Definitely, a suspenseful financial thriller showing the collision of media, money, and morality.

21.Barbarians at the Gate (1993)

Barbarians at the Gate (1993) is a caustic, humorous documentary of one of the most notorious business wars in the history of America, the leveraged buyout (LBO) of RJR Nabisco. The movie is an adaptation of a bestseller by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar and tells the greed, ego and nonsense that characterized Wall Street in the 1980s. 

The film is directed by Glenn Jordan and was released on March 20, 1993, and has a 107 minutes running time. It was filmed by HBO Films on a budget of approximately 11 million dollars and although it was filmed on television it was received well and watched by a large audience which later became a cult film as one of the best business-themed films ever shot.

Categories: Business Drama, Comedy-Drama, Biographical Film, Corporate Finance, Historical Satire

Synopsis of Barbarians at the Gate 

The CEO that has a Plan: F. Ross Johnson, the larger than life CEO of RJR Nabisco, comes up with a grand idea to make his company a private company because he thinks that this is the best way of ensuring his power and profits.

The Greed Game: What starts as a management buyout quickly degenerates into a full-scale bidding war as Wall Street sharks and private equity giants sniff opportunity and jump into the deal.

The Power Struggle: It is behind the shiny boardrooms, alliances change quickly, egos collide, and billion-dollar decisions are taken with astonishing audacity and jest.

The Corporate Circus: The further Johnson and his staff sink into the depths of the high financial scene, the more disorderly and absurd the world of international finance turns out to be – and the more shocking the fact that corporate greed can be more powerful than logic and loyalty.

The Fall and the Farce: In the end, nobody really wins, not the lawyers and bankers, the real victors of the Fall when the film Barbarians at the Gate shows us the vanity, hypocrisy, and dark comedy in the background of one of the biggest corporate fights in the history of America.

What’s great about the Money Barbarians at the Gater?

• Humorous, light jokes that help to make complicated financial issues entertaining.
• The humorous and charismatic role of Ross Johnson transferred to James Garner.
• An ideal combination of business reality and satire, and a source of education and amusement.
  

Some Caveats About the Barbarians at the Gate

• Used heavy financial terminology which may confuse viewers not familiar with corporate finance.
• The pacing in the middle can feel slow compared to modern business dramas.
• Some of the real-life details have been dramatized for entertainment, slightly reducing historical accuracy.

Review & Ratings of Money Monster

Source	Rating
IMDb	7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes	90%
Metacritic	77/100
Audience Score	80%

Casts of Barbarians at the Gate

Actor	Role Description
James Garner	F. Ross Johnson – RJR Nabisco CEO leading a leveraged buyout.
Jonathan Pryce	Henry Kravis – rival Wall Street investor bidding for the company.
Peter Riegert	Ted Forstmann – private equity partner opposing junk bond financing.
Joanna Cassidy	Linda Robinson – Johnson’s mistress and confidant.
Fred Dalton Thompson	Jim Burke – Nabisco chairman overseeing negotiations.

Watch Trailer: Barbarians at the Gate trailer

Watch Movie: BARBARIANS AT THE GATE story of ROSS JOHNSON nabisco takeover

Is it worth watching Barbarians at the Gate? Absolutely, a must-watch for anyone interested in corporate power struggles, hostile takeovers, and Wall Street excesses.

22.Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) is an acute drama, which immerses in the world of high pressure of the real estate salesmen, who are not able to survive in the cutthroat business environment. The film was produced by James Foley and released on September 30, 1992, and lasted 100 minutes. It was shot on a relatively small budget of about 12.5 million dollars, and earned about 10.7 million dollars in the box office- some money, but it earned the movie critical acclaim. It is one of the most fascinating descriptions of the moral decadence in the world of corporate America.

Categories: Drama, Business, Psychological, Classic, Finance

Synopsis of Glengarry Glen Ross

The Desperate Salesmen: This is a ferocious sales competition in a shabby office in the sale of real estate in Chicago where the salesmen are either selling or get fired and where everyone is pushed to the limits.

The Ruthless Boss: Blake is a passionate speaker, and his speech Always Be Closing makes everyone feel frightened and competitive, showing the harshness of the world of corporate competition.

The Race to the Leads: The desirable Glengarry leads turn into the golden parachute to survival, and this fact pushes formerly-pride salesman Levene to the brink of desperation.

The Betrayal Game: When stolen in the middle of the game, the team is torn apart due to suspicion and lack of loyalty is replaced with greed.

The Moral Collapse: They all end up caught in the clutches of lies and ambition and realize the price of winning in the world where honesty is no longer on sale.

What’s Great About Glengarry Glen Ross

• Great performances from Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin.
• The dialogue-driven storytelling feels like verbal warfare; it’s really intense and captivating.
• Realistic depiction of workplace pressure and moral compromise.

Some caveats about Glengarry Glen Ross

• The single location of the film may be claustrophobic to some viewers.
• This heavy reliance on dialogue rather than action might not appeal to all audiences.
• The tone is unremittingly bleak, allowing little emotional respite.

Review & Ratings of Glengarry Glen Ross

Source	Rating
IMDb	7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes	95%
Metacritic	82/100
Audience Score	90%

Casts of Glengarry Glen Ross

Actor	Role Description
Al Pacino	Ricky Roma – top salesman using charm and manipulation.
Jack Lemmon	Shelley Levene – aging salesman desperate to survive.
Alec Baldwin	Blake – ruthless motivator delivering the “coffee is for closers” speech.
Ed Harris	Dave Moss – angry salesman plotting revenge.
Kevin Spacey	John Williamson – cold, bureaucratic office manager.

Watch Trailer: Glengarry Glen Ross Trailer

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Stream Glengarry Glen Ross on Prime Video

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Is it worth watching Glengarry Glen Ross? Yes, an acting masterclass and a timeless exploration of greed, desperation, and survival in a capitalist system.

23.Other People’s Money (1991)

Other People’s Money (1991) is an American romantic dramedy with a sharp stinging edge directed by Norman Jewison and it deals with the conflict between human emotion and corporate greed. It is the story of a ruthless Wall Street raider, Lawrence (Larry the Liquidator) Garfield attempting to acquire a failing wire company that is run by a family.

The film, which was filmed on a budget of $15 million, was released on October 18, 1991 and took 103 minutes, and earned the film a lot of praise due to its comedy and smart dialogues.

Categories: Finance Drama, Corporate Takeover, Romantic Comedy, Business Ethics, Wall Street

Synopsis of Other People’s Money

The Hunt of the Liquidator: Lawrence “Larry the Liquidator” Garfield, the Wall Street raider, hunts companies that are undervalued to liquidate and make a profit because he views businesses as figures and not humans.

The Family Resistance: His most recent victim, New England Wire and Cable, is operated by an old industrialist Andrew Jorgenson, who is not willing to sell despite piling financial losses.

The Woman between: Kate Sullivan, sharp and confident stepdaughter of Jorgenson, intervenes as the lawyer of the company and turns out to be the intellectual equal and unexpected romantic competition of Larry.

The Battle of Control: The battle turns into a dramatic confrontation between shareholders where the idealistic, profit-oriented, and personal integrity clash.

The Price of Capitalism: Ultimately both parties come to the ugly reality that in the world of business, you need to sacrifice your heart to get your head.

What’s Great About the Other People’s Money

• Clever Dialogue and smart writing on money and morality.
• Danny DeVito was charismatic and funny as the ruthless raider.
• Balances business realism with emotional depth.

Some Caveats About the Other People’s Money

• Slightly Slower Midpoint where some scenes tend to drag.
• Simplified Finance lacks financial realism in details.
• Limited Character Depth

Review & Ratings of Other People’s Money

Source	Rating
IMDb	6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes	60%
Metacritic	57/100
Audience Score	68%

Casts of Other People’s Money

Actor	Role Description
Danny DeVito	Lawrence Garfield – ruthless corporate raider known as “Larry the Liquidator.”
Gregory Peck	Andrew Jorgenson – idealistic factory owner resisting the takeover.
Penelope Ann Miller	Kate Sullivan – lawyer and Jorgenson’s daughter.
Piper Laurie	Bea Sullivan – Jorgenson’s business partner and confidante.
Dean Jones	Bill Coles – board member caught between both sides.

Watch Trailer: Other People’s Money (1991) Official Trailer – Danny DeVito, Gregory Peck Movie HD

Watch Movie:

Stream Other People’s Money on Prime Video

Stream Other People’s Money on Apple TV

Is it worth watching Other People’s Money? Yes, a sharp, humorous take on hostile takeovers and business ethics, wrapped in classic 90s charm.

24.The Company Men (2010)

The Company Men refers to an American drama movie of 2010 that represents the ugly scenes of downsizing and its effects on the personal lives of employees. The novel is based on three men, Bobby Walker, Phil Woodward and Gene McClary, who are faced with job losses, broken egos as they seek meanings in life other than corporate success.

The movie, directed by John Wells, was released on October 21, 2010, and it has a duration of 104 minutes. The film was made with a budget of approximately 15 million dollars and made close to 8 million dollars at the box office.

Categories: Drama,  Corporate. Inspirational, Financial Crisis, Human Struggle

Synopsis of The Company Men

The downfall of the Executive: Bobby Walker is a very arrogant corporate salesman who loses his job and cannot get used to a life which is not luxurious.

The Struggle of the Veteran: Phil Woodward, a veteran employee, is confronted with the reality that loyalty is not a very important value in a world that runs on profits.

The Disillusioned Leader: Gene McClary is an executive of the company, who wonders why the company is not guided by moral compass when layoffs are wrecking its employees.

The Fall of the Corporate Dream: Their interwoven histories reveal the emotional debris of loss of work and decline of identity.

The Redemption of Purpose: Ultimately they find dignity in a humble and hard-working way, in a redefined idea of success.

What’s Great About The Company Men

• Realistic portrayal of post-recession corporate layoffs and emotional toll.
• Strong performances by Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, and Chris Cooper.
• Insightful commentary on self-identity, class, and redefining success.

Some Caveats About The Company Men

• The pacing sometimes feels slow and without dramatic tension for some viewers.
• Predictable storyline with conventional redemption arcs.
• Limited focus on female characters and broader societal impact.

Review & Ratings of The Company Men

Source	Rating
IMDb	6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes	68%
Metacritic	69/100
Audience Score	75%

Casts of The Company Men

Actor	Role Description
Ben Affleck	Bobby Walker – executive struggling after being laid off.
Tommy Lee Jones	Gene McClary – senior executive questioning corporate ethics.
Chris Cooper	Phil Woodward – older worker facing obsolescence.
Kevin Costner	Jack Dolan – Bobby’s brother-in-law offering blue-collar work.
Maria Bello	Sally Wilcox – HR head managing the layoffs.

Watch Trailer: The Company Men – Official Trailer

Watch Movie: Stream The Company Men on Prime Video

Is it worth watching The Company Men? Yes, a heartfelt exploration of life after layoffs and the emotional cost of corporate greed.

25.Quicksilver (1986)

Quicksilver is an American drama movie of 1986 that fused finance and street life into a redemption and self discovery story. It features Kevin Bacon as a one-time-successful stockbroker called Jack Casey who lost all his money in a single bad deal after which he becomes a bicycle messenger to re-establish himself in the world.

The film was released on February 14, 1986 and was directed by Thomas Michael Donnelly and lasts around 105 minutes. The film was shot with a budget of approximately 9 million dollars and a small box office collection of merely 7.2 million dollars which would later grow to a cult film as opposed to a box office hit.
Categories: Drama, Sports, Financial Thriller, Motivational, 1980s Classic

Synopsis of Quicksilver

The Prodigy Decay: Jack Casey, a brilliant and self-assured stock broker, gets into a fateful trade, which kills his career and reputation of his firm and pitches him into the depths of self-doubt.

The Escape from the System: Disillusioned by the business grind, Jack divorces the financial sector and takes a job as a bicycle messenger in his life and leads a simple and survival-of-the-fittest life.

The Bonds of Brotherhood: Among other riders Jack has deep friendships especially with a young messenger involved in bad loan sharks, and that makes Jack face his loyalty and sense of justice.

The Clash of Worlds: His old economic sense runs into his new freedom as he is drawn into assisting his friend in his debts, which restores in him the acuteness and fearlessness which he believed had been destroyed.

The Redemption of Balance: In the end, Jack gets to know that true success is not measured in terms of wealth or Wall Street position, but in terms of integrity, self-reliance and the ability to begin a new life.

What’s Great About the Quicksilver

• Unique blend of finance and street racing, presenting a very unusual contrast between two worlds.
• Kevin Bacon’s energetic performance carries the film with charm and emotion.
• Captures the 1980s spirit of ambition, failure, and comeback beautifully through its music and tone.

Some Caveats About the Quicksilver

• The pacing of the plot seems uneven, especially between the finance and messenger scenes.
• Some characters are underdeveloped, limiting emotional depth.
• The critics also found the financial subplot to be simple and less realistic compared to later dramas about Wall Street.

Review & Ratings of Quicksilver

Source	Rating
IMDb	5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes	45%
Metacritic	52/100
Audience Score	60%

Casts of Quicksilver

Cast	Character’s Role
Kevin Bacon	Jack Casey — Former trader seeking redemption as a bike messenger.
Jami Gertz	Terri — Love interest who helps Jack rediscover purpose.
Paul Rodriguez	Hector — Street-smart messenger and comic relief.
Laurence Fishburne	Voodoo — Veteran messenger guiding Jack’s transition.
Rudy Ramos	Gypsy — Fellow messenger entangled in risky side hustles.

Watch Trailer: Quicksilver (1986) Trailer | Kevin Bacon | Jami Gertz

Watch Movie: Stream Quicksilver on Apple TV

Is it worth watching Quicksilver? Yes, especially for those who appreciate redemption stories that contrast the high-stakes greed of trading with the simplicity of human connection.

Where can I watch movies about the Stock Market?

You can watch movies about the Stock Market and finance on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLiv, and ZEE5. A large number of titles are internationally available, while some regional Indian films and web series are on local OTT services only.

How Stock Market Movies Can Help You Learn Stock Market?

Stock market movies can help you learn about the stock market in several ways. It helps by showing real psychology, teaches what not to do, explains complex concepts, trains your mind like a real trader, and inspires you to study deeper. 

• The movie teaches real market psychology: These movies show how greed, fear, overconfidence, herd mentality, and panic control the market, not just the numbers. Scam 1992 brilliantly shows how hype driven retail crowds get trapped.
   
• Shows what not to do: Most of the stock market movies are based on real stock market fraud, scam or market crash, which teaches to avoid the same mistakes. Movie Margin Call teaches to avoid Leverage misuse.
  
• Explain complex concepts: Some movies turn advanced finance into story telling that you can remember forever. The movie The Big Short simply explains the concept of Mortgage-backed securities.
  
• Influence your mind like a real trader: The trading is 90% psychology and 10% system. These movies help you understand the difference between greed and patience, and conviction vs overconfidence.
  
• Inspire you to learn deeper: After watching these, you don’t just “enjoy the movie” you naturally want to study markets, look at charts, learn strategies.

Stock market movies serve as immersive, practical lessons in market psychology, risk awareness, finance concepts, trading mindset, and self-driven education, making them a valuable complement to more traditional forms of market learning.

Which Movies Best Illustrate Trading Psychology and Greed?

The movies that best illustrate trading psychology and greed are mentioned below. 

• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): This movie shows extreme greed, ego addiction, overconfidence, and the illusion of invincibility. Demonstrate how success blinds the trader, leading to reckless risk taking, manipulation and moral loss. 

• Scam 1992 (Series): This series shows the turning of confidence into over confidence, where greed, leverage and belief that “I control the market” created an empire for harshad mehta but destroyed overnight. 

• Wall Street (1987): This shows how mentors can influence young traders, and how ambition quickly turns into moral corruption if not controlled.

• Margin Call (2011): This movie focuses on fear, desperation, and survival-mode decision making in a market crash. Shows how even a top firm dumps morality when it comes to money. 

• Baazaar (2018, India): This movie shows power games, manipulation, ambition, and how greed often masks itself as “hunger to win”.

These movies stand out for the way they dramatize common psychological traps such as overconfidence, greed, fear, and moral compromise, key lessons every trader and investor can learn from onscreen stories and character arcs.

What Stock Market Movie is Most Realistic?

Among all stock market movies, Margin Call is widely considered the most realistic portrayal of the financial world and its inner workings.

It offers an authentic look inside an investment bank during the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. The film stands out for its realistic depiction of decision-making, ethical dilemmas, and the cold logic used when confronting financial collapse.

Unlike more sensationalized finance films, Margin Call avoids glamorizing trading. Instead, it highlights the complexity, pressure, and human tension behind managing systemic risk. Its sharp dialogue and lifelike character behavior make it a top pick among finance professionals for authenticity.

Trending Stock Market movies on Netflix/Amazon Prime

Trending stock market movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime are mentioned below. 

Trending on Netflix 

The Big Short (2015): This biographical comedy-drama, starring Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling, follows several investors who bet against the US housing market just before the 2008 crash.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013): A biographical black comedy directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this movie chronicles the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort.

Inside Job (2010): An Oscar-winning documentary that provides an in-depth look at the systemic corruption behind the 2008 financial crisis.

Dumb Money (2023): This film tells the story of the GameStop short squeeze, a retail investor rebellion that rattled Wall Street.

Trending on Amazon Prime

Margin Call (2011): This drama follows the key employees of a Wall Street investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.

The Big Short (2015): Also available on Amazon Prime, this movie covers the lead-up to the 2008 housing market collapse.

Wall Street (1987): The classic film about an ambitious young stockbroker who falls under the influence of a ruthless and wealthy corporate raider.

Boiler Room (2000): This film follows a college dropout who gets a job at a shady suburban brokerage firm, exposing the high-pressure and unethical practices involved in stock fraud.

These trending stock market movies available on Netflix and Amazon Prime not only entertain but also provide lasting lessons on the risks, ethics, and human psychology underlying financial markets.

Movies Based on True Events in Finance

There are 6 top movies based on true events in finance. The movies are mentioned below. 

• The Big Short: Based on Michael Lewis’s book, this film depicts the few investors who foresaw and profited from the 2008 US subprime housing crisis.

• Margin Call: Inspired by the 2008 financial crisis, this thriller dramatizes a critical 24 hours at a major Wall Street investment bank on the brink of collapse.

• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room: A documentary chronicling the rise and catastrophic fall of Enron, highlighting corporate deception and regulatory failures.

• Rogue Trader: The true story of Nick Leeson, whose unauthorized trades led to the 1995 collapse of Barings Bank.

• The Wolf of Wall Street: Based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir, this film chronicles his rise and fall as a stockbroker involved in massive securities fraud.

• Scam 1992: A series on the meteoric rise and fall of Indian stockbroker Harshad Mehta, at the center of India’s 1992 securities scam.

• Boiler Room: Inspired by real-life stock scams, the film showcases pump-and-dump operations and serves as a cautionary tale for new investors.
  

These films and series reveal the real-world greed, ambition, and corruption behind major financial scandals, offering valuable lessons about money, risk, and ethics in the world of finance.

Best Indian Stock Market Movies?

The best Indian Stock Market Movies and series are mentioned below in the table. 

Movie / Series	Year	Type	Why Watch
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story	2020	Web Series	The best and most accurate depiction of India’s 1992 stock market scam — explains trading, manipulation, and investor psychology in depth.
The Big Bull	2021	Film	A cinematic version of Mehta’s rise and fall; focuses on ambition, greed, and market power.
Gafla	2006	Film	Early realistic portrayal of India’s stock boom and subsequent crash in the 1990s.
Bazaar	2018	Film	Revolves around insider trading, corporate manipulation, and the darker side of trading.

These films and series capture the thrill, ambition, and greed that drive India’s stock market, offering a mix of realism, drama, and lessons on money, power, and manipulation.

Best Documentaries about the 2008 Financial Crisis

The best documentaries about the 2008 Financial Crisis are mentioned below in the table.

Title	Year	Focus / Why it matters
Inside Job	2010	Definitive investigative documentary on causes (deregulation, conflicts of interest)
The Big Short	2015	How a few investors predicted and bet against the subprime mortgage market – explains complex instruments accessibly.
Margin Call	2011	A 24-hour window at an investment bank during the initial stages of the collapse – moral/operational view from inside a firm.
Too Big to Fail	2011	Politicians, Treasury and regulators racing to avert systemic collapse – based on Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book.
Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis	2018	First-hand interviews with policymakers (Paulson, Bernanke, Obama, Geithner) about the crisis response.
Money, Power & Wall Street (Frontline)	2012	Deep timeline from causes to bailout and aftermath – excellent investigative reporting.
The Warning (Frontline)	2009	Focus on Brooksley Born’s warnings about unregulated derivatives, shows missed chances to prevent disaster.
The Flaw	2011	Places crisis in context of inequality and debt – structural/economic roots.
99 Homes	2014	A powerful dramatization of foreclosure and the human cost in the crisis’ aftermath.
The Company Men	2010	Focus on layoffs, job loss and social fallout of the recession caused by the crash.
The Last Days of Lehman Brothers	2009	Dramatized account of the crucial weekend around Lehman’s collapse – captures the panic and brinkmanship.
The Queen of Versailles	2012	Not about finance mechanics but a vivid portrait of how the crash affected the ultra-rich and showed the bubble-burst consequences.

Together, these films capture the causes, chaos, and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis, offering powerful insights into Wall Street’s greed, government response, and the human impact that followed.