movies about financial education

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• 10. The Big Short
• 9. Barbarians at the Gate
• 8. American Psycho
• 7. Glengarry Glen Ross
• 6. Rogue Trader
• 5. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
• 4. The Wolf of Wall Street
• 3. Boiler Room
• 2. Margin Call
• 1. Wall Street
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The 10 Best Finance and Wall Street Movies

Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.

The financial world, in all its incarnations, makes for great cinema. Tragedy, comedy, ingenuity, catastrophe, and redemption are all present in the many finance movies that Hollywood has produced over the years.

While most finance movies portray financial professionals in a less than flattering light, the unbelievable stories of excess, risk-taking, and, of course, greed all make for compelling cinema. They are required viewing for anyone thinking of, or already working in the business.

The 10 finance and Wall Street movies below, in no particular order, were chosen for their financial and stock market storylines plus their "plucked from the headlines" resonance.

Key Takeaways

• Learning about the world of finance through books and finance movies may help investors make better sense of financial products, services, and representatives.
• Wall Street movies can bring the financial landscape into focus for individuals looking for employment in the industry.
• A number of movies about finance that are both entertaining and educational have been made.
• The Big Short is based on the nonfiction best selling book about the 2007-2008 financial crisis by financial journalist Michael Lewis.
• Margin Call is about a large Wall Street investment banking firm during the early days of the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the firm's impending financial collapse.

10. The Big Short (2015)

Based on the nonfiction book "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis, this movie follows a few savvy traders as they become aware — before anyone else — of the housing bubble that triggered the financial crisis in 2007-2008.

The movie is known for how it cleverly presented explanations of sophisticated financial instruments. For example, it has actress Selena Gomez explain what synthetic CDOs are at a poker table and actress Margot Robbie explain mortgage-backed bonds  in a tub with champagne.

9. Barbarians at the Gate (1993)

This 1993 TV movie centers on the leveraged buyout (LBO) of RJR Nabisco, and it's based on the 1989 book of the same name by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar. While the movie does take some creative liberties in portraying this real-life event, audiences may be shocked and amused at the incompetence and greed of Nabisco’s CEO F. Ross Johnson and the behind-the-scenes negotiations and skullduggery around this famous LBO.

8. American Psycho (2000)

In this violent and thought-provoking film adaptation of the critically acclaimed Bret Easton Ellis novel set in the backdrop of finance, Christian Bale plays a wealthy investment banker with a dark and deadly secret.

While there is actually little about finance in this movie, American Psycho does shed light on the surreal world inhabited by the financial industry's elite class, and the utter disconnect they have with reality. 

7. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

An acclaimed big-screen adaptation of a David Mamet play, this infinitely quotable movie focuses on a team of downtrodden real estate salesmen whose morals have been utterly eroded after years of working for their unscrupulous company.

The movie showcases the greed and underhanded tactics that those in financial product sales positions may be exposed to. It underscores the unremitting pressure exerted on salespeople by their superiors who have sales goals to meet. 

While the entire cast is top-notch, Alec Baldwin’s motivational speech steals the whole movie. It brings to light the best and worst aspects of working in the financial industry under enormous stress.

6. Rogue Trader (1999)

This movie tells the true story of Nick Leeson, a trader who single-handedly caused the insolvency of Barings Bank , the world’s second-oldest merchant bank .

A rising star on the Singapore trading floor, Leeson blew up as quickly as he rose, covering enormous losses from his superiors in carefully hidden accounts. His actions eventually lead to the mother of all failed trades with a short straddle position on the Nikkei, which ends up experiencing a large sigma move.

While the movie is entertaining, it's Leeson’s story itself that makes for a great lesson in risk management and financial oversight.

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

Though the events contained in the documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room occurred more than 20 years ago, they still have the power to shock. Based on the best-selling book of the same title, the film relies on a trove of video footage, congressional hearings testimony, and interviews with Enron executive Mike Muckleroy and whistle-blower Sherron Watkins, to argue that Enron, far from being a stellar energy corporation that lost its way, was actually a con game almost from the beginning.

In one of the more stunning revelations, the film lays out how the California energy crisis of 2001 was a sham created by Enron traders, who are overheard asking plant managers to "get a little creative" in closing plants for "repairs." Enron shut down up to 76% of California's energy industry, as it criminally manipulated the state's energy supply and relentlessly drove up the price of electricity.

4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

This Martin Scorsese-helmed biopic chronicles the rise and fall of a famous stock scammer, Jordan Belfort. It features excellent performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill.

The Wolf of Wall Street is based on real-life events. This finance film looks at the infamous Stratton Oakmont, an over-the-counter brokerage firm, and a  pump and dump scheme that helped launch the IPOs of several large public companies during the late 1980s and 1990s.

3. Boiler Room (2000)

While Barbarians at the Gate takes place in the glitz and glamor of a corporate boardroom , Boiler Room is set on the absolute lowest rung of the financial firm ladder: the pump and dump scheme.

The term refers to unscrupulous firms boosting the price of a security with misleading and sometimes false statements. They then sell their own holdings of the security, leaving investors with stock that's lost its value.

Boiler Room is a work of fiction but pump-and-dump firms are very real, as are the pain and suffering they inflict upon their victims.

This finance movie serves as a warning for those starting to invest in the stock market to stick to transparent, solid companies and to invest based on sound fundamentals. Viewers of Boiler Room won't soon forget the adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

2. Margin Call (2011)

Perhaps the most financially accurate movie on the list, Margin Call takes place over the span of 24 hours in the life of a Wall Street firm on the brink of disaster (modeled closely after some of the bulge bracket banks ).

Margin Call does little to hide its contempt for the reckless risks taken by some of the largest banks in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis . It highlights the trading of complex derivative instruments that investment banks themselves barely understood.

A poignant scene in the movie features two main characters talking about the catastrophe that is soon be unleashed upon, not just their firm but the whole, unsuspecting financial community of companies and investors as well, as a janitor stands between them, completely oblivious to what is going on.

1. Wall Street (1987)

One finance movie every professional should consider seeing is the Oliver Stone classic that got thousands of college graduates to utter the immortal phrase “Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel” as they rushed to their Series 7 exams.

Originally crafted to show the excess and hedonism associated with finance, Wall Street still wields power as a recruiting tool for traders, brokers , analysts, and bankers nearly 30 years after it was made.

Although the Wall Street movie serves to warn us about the dangers of insider trading , let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be Bud Fox or even Gordon Gekko and indulge a bit in our greedy side. After all, it was Gekko who famously said, “Greed is good.”

What Are Some Other Finance Movies?

Some other types of Wall Street movies you might try include Working Girl (1987), with Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, and Sigourney Weaver; Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), based on the book by Tom Wolfe and starring Bruce Willis, Tom Hanks, and Melanie Griffith; and Arbitrage (2012), starring Richard Gere.

Are There Any Movies About Bernie Madoff?

Madoff, the investment manager who ran a Ponzi scheme and stole over $64 billion from unsuspecting investors (including director Steven Spielberg and actor Kevin Bacon), died in jail in 2021. Theatrical and documentary films about him include:

• The Madoff Affair (2009) on PBS's show, Frontline
• Chasing Madoff (2011), the documentary based on the book by Harry Markopolos, who investigated Madoff for a decade and tried to get the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to take action against him
• Madoff (2016), the TV mini-series based on the book by Ben Robbins called The Madoff Chronicles
• The Wizard of Lies (2017), an HBO film about Madoff starring Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer

Any Movies Made About Bitcoin?

Yes—though there are currently more documentaries than movies. Check out Crypto (2019), a crime thriller about money laundering involving crypto. And stay tuned for upcoming FTX projects, starting with one based on the upcoming book on Sam Blankman-Fried by Michael Lewis (author of "The Big Short" and "Moneyball").

These movies are a must-see for any prospective financial pro. Even if you aren’t thinking of a career in the field, these films can provide a bit of insight into the wild and sometimes absurd world of finance.

As the saying goes, “truth is stranger than fiction,” and as events like the 2007-2008 financial crisis , the fall of Enron , and the Madoff scandal show, real life can be far more unbelievable than any tale Hollywood can craft. 

Cambridge University Press. " Enron and the California Energy Crisis: The Role of Networks in Enabling Organizational Corruption ."

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). " BrokerCheck: Stratton Oakmont Inc ."

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5 movies that can teach you important money lessons

From 'wall street' to 'the money pit', these films offer a range of insights that we can incorporate into our financial lives.

Despite their focus on larger-than-life characters, many Hollywood blockbusters offer crucial personal finance lessons. Photo: istockphoto.com

Learning how to manage our money can be as easy as going to the movies.

Over the decades, the peaks and troughs of the financial world have made for great cinema. But art can also be instructive.

Despite their focus on larger-than-life characters and a propensity to glamourise excess, many Hollywood blockbusters offer invaluable personal finance insights that we can all incorporate into our daily lives.

Here are five money lessons from the movies.

1. Wall Street

Greed is good, Michael Douglas’s Gordon Gekko tells us in Wall Street , because it drives the evolution of mankind. Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning 1987 tale of a young stockbroker lured into the world of corporate espionage resonates just as loudly 35 years after it was released.

The film offers a primer on how financial markets work and how investors can benefit from calculated risks. It illustrates the role of demand and supply, how news (and insider information) drive up valuations and underscores the role of market regulators.

Through a gold trade in Hong Kong, we learn how money never sleeps in a diversified global market of numerous asset classes.

At a deeper level, the seminal tale of excess in the 1980s forces us to question our approach to money.

Is greed truly good? Even at someone else’s expense? Our uncertainty about whether Gekko should be a hero or a public enemy speaks to an abiding irony at the heart of capitalism, writes John Paul Rollert, a professor of behavioural science at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, “ a moral ambivalence that sees us not knowing whether we should wipe the grin off Gekko’s face or mirror it”.

Those questions remain relevant at a time when global inequality is higher than ever. The World Inequality Report in December revealed that the richest 10 per cent of the global population currently take home 52 per cent of the world's income while the poorest half, by contrast, earn only 8 per cent of the total pie.

Lesson: how to make money work for you, but not at somebody’s expense.

2. The Money Pit

Rewind to 1986 for a lesson on what happens when you fall for sob stories and fail to do your due diligence.

Sound familiar? Stories of people who can’t pay their debts make headlines regularly, proving the continued relevance of The Money Pit .

Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play a couple who buy a house under pressure and in a hurry. Purchase made, they realise the building is in worse condition than they thought and requires a succession of expensive repairs — which they don’t have the funds for.

They learn not to trust slick salespeople and that buying a house doesn’t end with closing the deal. Ultimately, they are victims of their own lack of financial planning .

Debt remains a major issue in the Middle East region. About 71 per cent of the region’s youths are concerned about personal debt, according to the 2021 Arab Youth Survey. Last November, 4,511 Emirati citizens had financial debt of more than Dh1.1 billion written off as part of a national relief initiative.

Arab Youth Survey: the key results

Making purchases without a financial plan to pay for them can lead to one building up high volumes of debt over time. Whether it is a home, a car, a holiday or even luxury shoes on your credit card, consider making a list of each potential expense — and any unforeseen extras in advance.

Then identify a source of funds and try to set aside a few extra months’ payments before actually making the purchase.

Lesson: plan your purchases in advance and always have a financial plan.

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

With total box-office earnings of $392 million, the 2013 story of the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, resonated with millions of people around the world.

The Wolf of Wall Street can be deconstructed for its lessons about poverty, ambition, ethics and addictive behaviour — not to mention the way it appears to glorify Belfort’s immoral choices.

But perhaps the biggest financial theme rippling through the Martin Scorsese film is the role of unregulated financial advisers . We see right away how Belfort and his team of brokers drive pump-and-dump rallies on penny stocks by cold-calling potential investors.

Not only is it worth checking their credentials — using sites such as whichfinancialadvisor.com and also by asking about commissionable investments — but it also pays to carry out research on investments beforehand and learn how to identify their potential.

A February 2019 study from Insight Discovery found that 37 per cent of UAE residents want stronger action from regulators against unregulated companies and fraudsters.

Those looking to invest their money should either do their own research — another great theme in the film — or put money into passively managed index funds . As the film emphasises, if an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Lesson: be wary of financial salesmen.

In the 2009 animated film Up , Carl and Ellie begin saving for a trip to their dream holiday destination of Paradise Falls, but must constantly use their savings to fund more pressing needs. When Carl is eventually able to arrange the trip as a surprise for his wife, she falls ill and is admitted to hospital, dying soon after.

The 3D fantasy comedy offers a poignant look at the human character, but it holds an important lesson about the motivators of personal financial planning .

Money is the means to obtaining what we want — but only if we have a strategy on how to use it. Carl and Ellie constantly dip into their emergency fund because they don’t identify separate savings buckets.

It is worth considering having separate funds for medical emergencies, expenses over a period of job loss, unexpected trips and family emergencies. Most banks now offer the ability to open additional savings accounts online; setting up regular direct debits is usually a quick process within your banking app.

UAE residents have finally realised the importance of an emergency fund, with 29 per cent of respondents in a December 2021 survey by online financial aggregator Policybazaar.ae saying they now pay more attention to reducing discretionary spending and creating an emergency fund after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

The next step is to identify and save for different goals, including a dream holiday — so that an emergency doesn’t cause you to miss out.

The other lesson in Up is that with medical cover and home insurance, you won’t have to dip into emergency funds to quite the same extent. While you will still need to pay the regular premiums, you won’t be paying for 100 per cent of damages.

Lesson: save for the future but don’t dip into your holiday fund.

5. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Nobody likes to read the fine print but it is there for a reason. That message is reinforced through a series of events laid out in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, as well as the 2005 version starring Johnny Depp.

The musical fantasy follows young Charlie Bucket and four other children who win a golden ticket to visit a chocolate factory, teaching us about good and bad along the way. However, before they — and the accompanying adults — can enter the factory, they must sign a liability waiver shrouded in legal terminology.

When the children are injured, factory owner Wonka shrugs off his responsibility. He even tells Charlie he is no longer entitled to his prize, a lifetime supply of chocolate, because he breached the contract he signed at the start.

Whether it is for an app or a credit card , we are all Charlie when we sign legal contracts in real life. The fine print is often the only place where many financial institutions explain what they are liable for, what incentives they receive and what investment and management fees they charge.

On a credit card, for example, 10 per cent cashback on every purchase may sound great, but reading the fine print will reveal any caps to the maximum refund available, writes Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching, in a column for The National .

A contract may say you receive 10 per cent or Dh25, whichever is lower — which means you receive Dh25 in cashback, not Dh100, on a Dh1,000 transaction.

Sometimes, the fine print makes it difficult to understand what you are actually signing up for. In such cases, it is best to make a list of questions and ask the institution’s representative before signing up to avoid missing out on that lifetime supply of chocolate when it is too late.

Lesson: always read the fine print.

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15 movies and tv shows that will teach you about money.

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We’ve all been there — you want to learn more about money, but some of the information out there is just so boring .

The good news is that you don’t need to rely on old books from 40 years ago in order to expand your financial savviness (although there might be some good tidbits in there). It’s possible to learn quite a bit about money from more recent movies and documentaries.

In fact, you might even learn some tips to help you become a millionaire . At the very least, these movies and shows can change your outlook on money for the better. 

Here’s a list of movies and documentaries that carry interesting money messages.

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'The Ascent of Money'

It started out as a book, but The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World was also turned into a TV documentary in 2008.

This program takes a historical look at banking, credit, and the history of money in general. It’s a great starting point for anyone to improve their financial literacy. We have to understand the past in order to understand the present and the future.

'Too Big to Fail'

Too Big to Fail is an HBO movie that was based on a book by the same name. It tells the story of the 2008 recession — more specifically, the story of why the U.S. government spent billions bailing out financial institutions and auto companies to avoid economic devastation.

This documentary gives a great insight into the way the U.S. economy works and will likely answer some questions you had about major economic events that you’ve lived through.

'Generation: Freedom'

You’ve probably noticed a general increase in the number of people working freelance or remote jobs. Generation: Freedom captures this trend.

The documentary follows the lives of 15 individuals who said goodbye to the monotony of the brick-and-mortar, 9-to-5 life and traded it in for a life of full freedom, where a laptop is all they need to make a living.

'The Big Short'

The Big Short is another movie based on the Great Recession, and also based on a book. Although a drama film, it admirably takes the time to explain complicated economic concepts such as subprime mortgages.

At the end of your viewing, you’ll feel surprised at how much you learned.

'The Wolf of Wall Street'

The Wolf of Wall Street is one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most famous films. This is not family viewing, but there are lessons to be learned.

This movie tells the story of a Wall Street stockbroker who spirals into a world of greed and moral ambiguity. It is a sobering portrayal of the messiness that can come along with newfound riches.

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'The Minimalists: Less is Now'

You’ve likely heard about minimalism, whose proponents believe that consuming less and living with fewer items brings us deeper happiness.

The Netflix documentary The Minimalists: Less is Now focuses on the life of Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, a duo famously known as “the Minimalists” who promote the benefits of living better by living with less stuff.

'Office Space'

This beloved comedy has become something of a cult classic, but did you know that it also has a financial philosophy hidden within it?

Office Space offers a surprising amount of business lessons, the most profound one being “life is too short for a job you hate.”

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'Playing with FIRE: The Documentary'

The FIRE method — financial independence, retire early — is quite popular on the internet among people looking to build wealth. Playing With FIRE is a no-nonsense documentary that follows the lives of a couple on a journey to simplify their lives and achieve FIRE.

'Moneyball'

Released in 2011, Moneyball follows a season of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, and how their team manager used a small budget to build success on the field.

This is a good lesson for anyone trying to make magic happen with small budgets. Sometimes, it’s not about how much money you have, but what you do with it.

'Leaving LuLaRoe'

This isn’t a movie but a show — and a very eye-opening one at that. Amazon Prime’s Leaving LuLaRoe follows the tumultuous stories of independent consultants for LuLaRoe, a California-based multi-level marketing company.

The overall moral of the series? Be wary of “get rich quick” companies, especially if they don’t offer transparent income disclosures.

'Freakonomics: The Movie'

Freakonomics: The Movie  is another documentary based on a book. It focuses on how human nature and economics sometimes collide in wacky ways.

Although known as one of the greatest horror movies to come out in recent years, Parasite also offers a surprising degree of depth. It contains an interesting message about how greed can quickly turn toxic, and how wealth is not always an indicator of how “good” or “bad” somebody is.

'Spent: Looking For Change'

The short documentary Spent: Looking for Change chronicles the lives of struggling Americans who try their best to get by using services like pawn shops and payday loans.

An eye-opening film, this helps us to recognize what we have to be thankful for.

'The Card Game'

The Card Game is a sobering PBS documentary program that shines a light on the consumer loan industry, something that most of us deal with on a daily basis.

Although a bit more serious than some of the other entries on this list, this documentary is far from dry and you’ll walk away from it feeling more informed.

'The Pursuit of Happyness'

Who doesn’t love a “rag to riches” story? That’s exactly what you get in The Pursuit of Happyness , where Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a man who loses his life savings on one bad investment and becomes homeless.

Eventually, Gardner lifts himself from poverty and receives a coveted full-time position before opening his own firm. The movie might not be chock full of tangible lessons, but it’s an inspiring tale that shows that no single financial situation has to be permanent.

Bottom line

Watching the right movies, documentaries, and TV shows can give you key insights into the best ways to boost your own bank account .

If you’re a visual learner, you might be surprised by how much more you absorb when it’s coming to you from a movie or TV show.

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Top 10 Movies That Will Teach You About Money

As they say, life imitates art, and art imitates life. So, when it comes to understanding complex financial concepts, why not turn to the silver screen? Here at Smart Finance Freedom, we have handpicked ten movies that provide not only an engaging cinematic experience but also valuable insights into the world of money, investments, and financial decision-making.

Let’s dive into our curated “Movies About Money” list that could just transform your financial education.

#1 – The Big Short (2015)

Based on Michael Lewis’s 2010 book, The Big Short unveils the story of the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of those who predicted and profited from the housing market’s collapse. It demystifies complex financial instruments like collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps in a creative and understandable way.

One of the film’s characters, Mark Baum, chillingly played by Steve Carell, says, “The truth is like poetry. And most people hate poetry.” This line beautifully sums up the public’s general attitude towards understanding the financial markets, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy.

#2 – Wall Street (1987)

A classic, Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” encapsulates the allure and dangers of the high-stakes financial world. The film’s iconic character, Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas, delivers the famous line, “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good” .

Despite Gekko’s eventual downfall, this line highlights the powerful role of self-interest in financial markets.

#3 – Moneyball (2011)

“Moneyball” is a compelling tale of economics and strategy in an unexpected place: a baseball field. This film centers on the Oakland Athletics’ general manager, Billy Beane, who uses statistical analysis to build a competitive team despite a limited budget.

Beane, portrayed by Brad Pitt, quips, “It’s hard not to be romantic about baseball.” This sentiment parallels how many feel about investing – it’s hard not to be romantic about the market highs, but it’s essential to stay objective and strategic.

#4 – The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This heart-wrenching movie tells the real-life story of Chris Gardner’s journey from homelessness to becoming a successful stockbroker. “Pursuit of Happyness” underscores the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving financial success.

Will Smith, playing Gardner, delivers an inspiring line to his son, “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me.” A timeless lesson for anyone striving for financial independence.

“Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me.”

#5 – Inside Job (2010)

This Oscar-winning documentary provides an in-depth analysis of the systemic corruption that led to the 2008 financial crisis. It serves as a potent reminder of the importance of ethical financial practices.

As narrated by Matt Damon, the film emphasizes, “The financial industry also exerts its influence in a more subtle way, one that most Americans don’t know about. It has corrupted the study of economics itself.” It’s a stark reminder to question and understand where our financial information comes from.

#6 – Trading Places (1983)

A comedic take on the world of commodities trading, “Trading Places” is a classic movie that highlights the impact of information (and disinformation) on financial markets. As character Louis Winthorpe III says, “Think big, think positive, never show any sign of weakness. Always go for the throat.”

#7 – Boiler Room (2000)

“Boiler Room” provides a view into the high-pressure world of shady brokerage firms. It serves as a cautionary tale about get-rich-quick schemes. A notable quote from the film: “And there is no such thing as a no sale call. A sale is made on every call you make. Either you sell the client some stock or he sells you a reason he can’t.”

#8 – Margin Call (2011)

“Margin Call” is a tense drama that unfolds over 24 hours at a large investment bank at the onset of the financial crisis. It highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by those in the world of finance.

#9 – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a roller coaster ride through the world of high-stakes finance. The film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who built an empire on fraudulent penny stock trading. This movie masterfully showcases the seductive allure of immense wealth and the devastating consequences of uncontrolled greed and unethical business practices.

Belfort, brought to life on screen by Leonardo DiCaprio, displays an intoxicating combination of charm and ruthlessness. His life is a cautionary tale that warns viewers about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the illusion of easy money.

“The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.” (The Wolf of Wall Street)

“The Wolf of Wall Street” not only provides an entertaining watch but also a critical examination of the moral complexities within the financial industry. It highlights the importance of financial literacy and ethics, making it a valuable addition to your financial education movie list.

#10 – Too Big to Fail (2011)

This film provides an insightful view into the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on the actions of key players in the government and financial industry.

It’s a powerful depiction of the tremendous pressure and responsibility these individuals faced, and the high stakes of their decisions, ultimately highlighting the interconnectedness of global finance and how it can impact everyday life.

So, grab your popcorn and get ready to delve into the captivating world of finance through these films. Whether you’re a financial expert or a beginner, these movies offer a wealth of knowledge wrapped up in compelling storytelling. Enjoy these movies about money as an entertaining part of your financial education.

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Money Makeover: The Ultimate Top 10 Must-See Movies for Financial Success!

If you’re a finance enthusiast looking to gain valuable insights while enjoying some quality cinematic experiences, you’re in luck!

Did you know that according to reports , only about one-third of the adults worldwide are financially literate, emphasizing the need for accessible and engaging financial education tools like movies?

Before we dive more into the topic we recommend you read The Top 10 Apps to Borrow Cash From In the USA and celebrity financial advice that tells you about building credit and improving credit score by Bright Money!

In this article, we present to you a carefully curated list of 10 must-watch movies that not only provide entertainment but also offer valuable lessons and insights into the world of finance. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone just starting to dip their toes into the financial realm, these movies are bound to leave a lasting impression. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for an enlightening movie marathon!

What is the Significance Of Financial Movies?

A survey revealed that 74% of respondents feel movies and TV shows have influenced their financial decisions.

Financial movies are a genre that delves into the intricacies of money, investments, and economic systems, and serve as more than just cinematic entertainment. They offer a unique avenue for individuals to explore the world of finance, gain insights into complex concepts, and reflect on the dynamics of wealth, risk, and decision-making.

Demystifying Finance

Finance is often perceived as a daunting and convoluted realm, riddled with jargon and complex principles. Financial movies play a crucial role in demystifying this world, making it more accessible to a wider audience. These films break down intricate concepts such as stocks, bonds, derivatives, and economic cycles, allowing viewers to grasp the fundamentals of finance in an engaging and relatable manner.

Providing Real-World Context

Financial movies draw inspiration from real-life events, offering a lens through which viewers can better understand historical economic moments and their impact on society. By depicting the causes and consequences of financial crises, such as the 2008 global recession, these films provide valuable context for understanding the fragility and interconnectedness of modern financial systems.

Fostering Critical Thinking

Engaging with financial movies encourages critical thinking as viewers analyze characters’ decisions and motivations. They are prompted to consider the ethical dimensions of financial choices, the potential outcomes of risk-taking, and the importance of due diligence.

This analytical approach can extend beyond the screen, empowering individuals to apply critical thinking skills to their own financial decisions.

Encouraging Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is a very vital life skill that let individuals make informed decisions about money management, investment, and retirement planning. According to a survey, only about 24% of millennials demonstrate basic financial literacy.

Financial movies can bridge this gap by introducing concepts and sparking curiosity about personal finance.

Inspiring Career Paths

Financial movies often portray characters in roles such as stockbrokers, investment bankers, and entrepreneurs. These portrayals can inspire individuals to consider careers in finance, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the industry.

A study by LinkedIn found that millennials are 1.7 times more likely to work in finance if they follow financial influencers.

1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) — Overcoming Financial Hardships

“The Pursuit of Happyness” presents the gripping real-life story of Chris Gardner, a man who rises above homelessness and adversity to pursue a career in the cutthroat world of stock brokerage.

Portrayed by the talented Will Smith, Gardner’s journey teaches us the importance of unwavering perseverance, boundless determination, and the courage to embrace risks, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

This film is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset and unyielding dedication, one can overcome financial hardships and achieve success against all odds.

2. Wall Street (1987) — The Dangers of Greed

In Oliver Stone’s classic “Wall Street,” the infamous line “Greed is good” has become an emblematic representation of the allure and peril of the financial world. The film revolves around the charismatic yet morally bankrupt Gordon Gekko, who embodies the dangerous pursuit of wealth at any cost.

As viewers are drawn into the world of corporate greed and unethical practices, they are reminded of the potential consequences of prioritizing personal gain over ethical considerations. “Wall Street” serves as a cautionary tale, prompting us to reflect on the moral implications of our financial decisions.

3. The Big Short (2015) — Understanding the 2008 Financial Crisis

“The Big Short” immerses audiences in the intricate web of events that led to the 2008 financial crisis. The Financial Times cites that films based on financial themes, such as “The Big Short,” led to increased interest in related books and educational resources.

Through clever storytelling and relatable characters, the film unravels the complexities of subprime mortgages, credit cards to build credit default swaps and other financial instruments that contributed to the collapse of the housing market. By demystifying these complex concepts, “The Big Short” underscores the importance of understanding the financial landscape and the need for responsible lending practices.

It is a vivid reminder that ignorance of financial mechanisms can have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

4. Moneyball (2011) — Data-Driven Decision Making

“Moneyball” offers a unique perspective on the application of data and analytics beyond the realm of finance — in the world of baseball. The film showcases the Oakland Athletics’ unconventional approach to player recruitment, relying on statistical analysis to make strategic decisions.

This approach translates seamlessly to the financial arena, emphasizing the transformative power of data-driven decision-making. By embracing data and leveraging technology, individuals can make informed choices that optimize outcomes and minimize risks in both sports and finance.

5. Boiler Room (2000) — Ethical Dilemmas in Finance

“Boiler Room” delves into the shadowy underbelly of a fraudulent brokerage firm, where unscrupulous practices thrive at the expense of unsuspecting clients. This cautionary tale serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of integrity and also ethical behavior in the finance industry.

The film underscores that financial success should never come at the cost of one’s values and morals. In a world where ethical considerations can easily be compromised, “Boiler Room” challenges us to uphold a higher standard of conduct, even in the face of lucrative opportunities.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — Balancing Ambition and Ethics

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort’s meteoric rise and subsequent fall, “The Wolf of Wall Street” offers a thrilling portrayal of excess, ambition, and ethical dilemmas. As Belfort’s stockbroker empire reaches dazzling heights, viewers are confronted with the ethical challenges that arise when success is pursued without restraint. The film serves as an important reminder that unchecked ambition can lead to a perilous path, highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries even in the pursuit of success.

7. Margin Call (2011) — Navigating Financial Crises

Set against the backdrop of a fictional investment bank during the 2008 financial crisis, “Margin Call” provides a gripping exploration of the moral quandaries faced by decision-makers when confronted with a potential financial collapse.

The film invites viewers to contemplate the ethical implications of their actions, urging them to consider the broader societal impact of financial decisions. “Margin Call” serves as a sobering reminder that the choices made by financial institutions have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond their balance sheets.

8. Inside Job (2010) — Unraveling the Global Financial Crisis

“Inside Job” is a comprehensive documentary that meticulously dissects the causes and consequences of the 2008 global financial crisis. Through in-depth analysis and expert interviews, the film exposes the intricate web of factors that contributed to the meltdown, including lax regulatory practices, irresponsible lending, and unchecked risk-taking.

As viewers gain insight into the systemic flaws that led to the crisis, they are prompted to advocate for greater transparency, accountability, and regulatory reform within the financial sector.

9. Rogue Trader (1999) — Lessons from Trading Disasters

“Rogue Trader” chronicles the true story of Nick Leeson’s role in the downfall of Barings Bank due to unauthorized trading. The film serves as a reminder of the importance of risk management, transparency, and accountability in financial institutions.

Leeson’s unchecked actions and the subsequent collapse of the bank underscore the need for effective risk assessment and control mechanisms to prevent catastrophic outcomes. “Rogue Trader” reinforces the critical role of ethical conduct and responsible decision-making in maintaining the stability of financial institutions.

10. The Social Network (2010) — Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation

“The Social Network” offers a captivating glimpse into the creation of Facebook and the entrepreneurial journey of its co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg. While primarily focused on technology and social media, the film highlights key principles that are equally relevant in the financial world.

Viewers witness the importance of identifying opportunities, taking calculated risks, and adapting to changing circumstances. “The Social Network” celebrates the innovative spirit that drives success in both technology and finance, encouraging individuals to embrace their entrepreneurial aspirations and pursue groundbreaking ideas.

Cinema has a unique way of bringing complex topics to life, and finance is no exception. A study found that incorporating financial films into educational curricula can enhance students’ understanding of finance and economics.

By watching these 10 movies, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of financial concepts, ethical considerations, risk management, and the real-world implications of financial decisions. As you up your finance game, remember that learning is a continuous journey, and these films are just the beginning of your exploration. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let these cinematic masterpieces guide you toward a more informed and empowered financial future.

Just like these top 10 web series, Bright Money is a financial app that can help you build credit by using MoneyScience™ with algorithms to improve credit scores. Connect cards, make timely payments, and lower debt.

Recommended Reads:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: are these movies suitable for beginners in finance.

A: Absolutely! These movies are designed to engage both beginners and those with a deeper understanding of finance. They offer valuable insights in an accessible and entertaining way.

Q2: Can I watch these movies with my family?

A: Most of the movies are rated for mature audiences due to their thematic content. It’s advisable to check the ratings and content warnings before watching with family members.

Q3: Do I need to have a background in finance to understand these films?

A: No, these movies are crafted to be understandable to a general audience. While a basic familiarity with financial concepts might enhance your experience, it’s not a requirement.

Q4: Are there any real-life lessons to be learned from these films?

A: Absolutely. Each movie offers unique perspectives on financial decision-making, ethical considerations, risk management, and the impact of economic changes.

Q5: Can I find these movies on popular streaming platforms?

A: Yes, many of these movies are available on popular streaming services. However, availability may vary based on your region and the platform.

Q6: Are there other movies that could complement this list?

A: Certainly! These 10 movies provide a strong foundation, but there are other finance-related films worth exploring. Consider expanding your watchlist as you delve deeper into the topic.

Q7: Can these movies replace traditional financial education?

A: While these movies provide valuable insights, they should complement, not replace, traditional financial education resources. Consider them as a creative supplement to your learning journey.

Q8: Are there any light-hearted movies on finance?

A: Yes, some movies approach finance with a lighter tone. However, the selected films offer a well-rounded exploration of financial themes, including both serious and lighthearted perspectives.

Q9: Can I apply the lessons from these movies to my personal finances?

A: Absolutely. The lessons learned from these films can be applied to various aspects of personal finance, such as decision-making, risk assessment, and ethical considerations.

Q10: Where can I find more resources for improving my financial literacy?

A: In addition to watching these movies, you can explore online courses, books, podcasts, and financial websites to further enhance your financial literacy.

References: 1. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24331041

2. https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/business/marketing-solutions/global/en_US/campaigns/pdfs/affluent-millennial-research-whitepaper-eng-us.pdf

3. https://www.axismyindia.org/Consumer-Sentiment.php

4. https://sjes.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41937-019-0027-5

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5 Hollywood Movies That Teach Us Great Financial Lessons

Learning to make and manage money is one subject that intrigues many.

That is why many filmmakers too, have used this theme to pique the interest of people to get important financial lessons in the process.

So, if you too are on a lookout for some striking financial lessons, then watching a few movies can dole out some crucial financial advice.

To help you, we have prepared a list of five such movies that offer some meaningful financial lessons.

1. The Money Pit

Be smart to save unnecessary expen ses.

This 1986 movie starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long shows through the couple’s experience that how before making any big purchase, you must adequately assess that asset.

The two of them, on purchasing a house in a hurry, later realize that the house was in a severely bad condition and needed significant renovation.

Their impulsive and emotional decision leads to unnecessary expenses.

Their example will teach you the importance of due diligence in matters such as these.

After watching this flick, you will probably not take any decisions emotionally.

So, whether you’re buying an asset or investing in any fund, check every aspect related to it.

After all, there is no point in putting your money in a pit.

2. Wall Street

Grab opportunities and time by the forelock.

Considered a classic, this 1987 film influenced the attitude of an entire generation towards investing money .

Gordon Gekko, the ruthless financier in the movie, taught his protege, Bud Fox that the secret to becoming wealthy is to understand that money never sleeps.

Meaning, while you may be dozing off every night, your money keeps working.

It can either work for you, by earning you returns on an investment or against you by charging you interest on loans and debts taken.

Moreover, he also taught that ‘time is money,’ conveying the importance of grabbing every opportunity, every moment that you get, to manifold your riches.

3. Untouchables

Don’t forget to pay taxes on time.

To be successful, you also need to be disciplined.

This movie starring Robert De Niro teaches you just exactly that.

It makes you think twice about neglecting to file your income tax returns. Al Capone, the lead character in the movie, is a mob boss. The FBI, in order to end his rule, tries everything from murder charges to racketeering to put him behind bars.

But what ultimately brings him down is the simple charge of tax evasion. Al Capone is finally brought down by accountants instead of the FBI.

So, along with enjoying and multiplying your good fortunes through wealth investment, also make sure that you do not fail in filing your income tax. Such evasion, whether intentional or otherwise, can severely hurt your credit. You may have to face fines or serve prison time, which will severely bring down your finances. So don’t forget to file your taxes on time.

4. The Social Network

Learn about your business well.

This 2010 film suggests that Mark Zukerberg, founder of Facebook, lost much of his resources because of waging legal battles against the twin brothers who accused him of stealing their idea.

It is shown that there was no formal contract between the parties which could specify terms regarding intellectual property ownership or non-competition.

So, the film teaches the importance of taking time out to learn about the legal aspects of running your business.

Zuckerburg’s character shows how you shouldn’t mismanage financial resources early on in the game.

You should identify authentic friends and allies and save your business and finances from future risk.

To be successful, both financially and otherwise, take steps to safeguard yourself well in advance.

5. The Wolf of Wall Street

“Don’t fall for the trap.”

This film, released in 2013, shows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort — a stockbroker who could sell anything to anyone.

Belfort lured his clients into buying terrible stocks by showing them the rosy picture and taking advantage of their greed.

While his clients lost their money, he became super rich.

Through this movie, you get to see how instant gratification can make you fall in a trap, just like his clients did.

So, whenever you’re making any significant money decision, turn to trusted sources, so that you avoid making money through manipulations.

Moreover, through Jordan’s fall towards the end of the story, you’ll see how it is also essential to handle your success in a controlled manner.

If you let it go out of control, just like how Jordan did (through drug use, insane purchases, and scams), then ultimately, you’ll be doomed.

So, don’t look for fast accumulation of wealth, because it may even lead to your destruction.

Invest Smartly and Manage Wisely

Along with learning from these movies, it is also imperative that you learn some smart techniques on wealth investment .

There are many types of options available these days that can help you in wealth creation, along with securing you financially.

Reputable insurers like Max Life Insurance offer multiple plans like child investments plans, retirement plans, savings plan, etc. that provide you many benefits to help you realize your dreams and goals.

With a claim settlement ratio of 98.26%, you can also be sure that you can rely on this life insurer, without any worries.

So, plan your wealth investments well, and reap the many benefits that lie in store.

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The Best Financial Movies You Can Stream Right Now

These money movies will help teach you about financial tools and concepts.

Financial Movies You Can Stream Now

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Learn how to improve your finances while you watch tv.

Boosting your financial literacy can be a bit like eating your veggies – you know it's good for you, but it's not terribly enjoyable.

Good news: There are dozens of movies, television shows, documentaries and documentary series available to cord cutters on popular video-streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, Hulu and Netflix.

Some of these financial movies are dramas based on real events and financial concepts. Others are documentaries or nonfiction television series that seek to illustrate financial ideas. Ready to fire up your favorite streaming service ? Here are the best financial movies and shows to stream right now:

"Dirty Money"

"explained", "freakonomics", "margin call", "panic: the untold story of the 2008 financial crisis", "shark tank", "the inventor: out for blood in silicon valley", "this giant beast that is the global economy", "too big to fail".

Read on for some of our favorite financial movies to stream right now.

This six-part documentary series explores a range of financial concepts and consumer issues, including payday loans, pharmaceutical pricing and the fraudulent clean diesel claims made by Volkswagen. The episodes, streaming on Netflix , demystify complex money topics with deep research and clear explanations.

Stream on: Netflix

While not every episode is about money in this explanatory series from Vox, many illustrate financial concepts important to individuals and consumers. Check out 15- to 20-minute episodes on the racial wealth gap, cryptocurrency, the gender pay gap and the stock market.

If you're a fan of the "Freakonomics" books or podcast , consider the related movie that strings together economist-driven explanations on a range of topics, including educational incentives, cheating scandals and baby names.

Stream on: Hulu

This Wall Street drama follows a group of workers at an investment bank on the eve of the 2007 financial crisis as they struggle to save their firm. If you want a movie that tackles complex financial concepts and investing strategies while keeping your heart pumping, here's a good one to start watching.

Stream on: HBO Now

Hear from the real versions of the financial players portrayed in "Too Big to Fail" in this documentary from Vice that combines interviews from former presidents, financial executives, policymakers and advisors, including Henry Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Warren Buffett and Jamie Dimon.

For anybody who's ever dreamed of launching a small business, "Shark Tank" is worth a watch for an idea of what kinds of products and companies are valuable and what a future investor would want to know about your business. The show, which airs on ABC, is currently streaming on Hulu . Within it, entrepreneurs pitch their products and businesses to a team of investors, including Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary and Daymond John. In turn, the investors ask for metrics, inquire about plans for growth and pose other crucial money queries.

This documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of Theranos, the multibillion-dollar blood-testing company launched by Stanford University dropout Elizabeth Holmes. Within it are lessons for investors and consumers about the warning signs of fraud, the due diligence investors should take before backing a company and the clues that a consumer product isn't all it's cracked up to be.

This explainer series, hosted by actor and comedian Kal Penn, takes an explanatory and comedic approach to a range of financial ideas, from money laundering to bitcoin. While the show can oscillate strangely between comedy and explanatory reporting, it tackles big financial topics comprehensively and with enthusiasm.

Stream on: Amazon Prime

This financial drama takes look at the financial crisis and the insiders who are working to minimize the fallout. Actors portray some of the most important names in the crisis, including Paulson, Bernanke and Dimon.

There are plenty of other financial movies and television shows in addition to these that are streaming online. Others, such as "The Big Short," are currently available to purchase through streaming services such as YouTube and Amazon Video but are not included in a regular membership.

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21 Movies With Important Lessons About Money

Most of these movies might just remind you of things you already know you should be doing – like, scrimping and saving up.

For years movies have served as a gateway for exploring new worlds and possibilities. But the best movies are more than their entertainment value – they’re filled with lessons about the world we live in, giving us a fresh perspective on life. And when it comes to learning, our financial choices are rich material for filmmakers to mine for stories and important messages.

The topics are diverse. From the repercussions of greed and manipulation and the significance of being responsible with money to the perils associated with debt and material needs, movies have given us tales of caution and motivation by showcasing how the characters make money, spend it, invest, and lend it. On the one hand, there are movies with the very idea of managing money. But on the other are films that deal with financial themes with more nuance and dubiety.

Related: 24 Movies You Can Watch Again and Again and They Never Get Old

Starting from fascinating stories about Wall Street and confiscation dramas to heartwarming, feel-good underdog comedies, the list of films with a genuinely interesting approach toward money is long. Most of these movies might just remind you of things you already know you should be doing – scrimping and saving up. Some other movies, meanwhile, will focus primarily on the capital market and the economic structure that impacts our daily life without us even realizing it. They allow us to examine and understand financial patterns and behaviors with the help of riveting and complex human stories about relationships, ambitions, and the road to fulfillment .

Our list of money-oriented movies is sure to provide thought-provoking insights and lessons on both money and life. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted and fun movie, or something more intense and cautionary, these films will reaffirm your prior knowledge and expose you to how money works and shapes our world.

21 It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

It’s A Wonderful Life has been a holiday favorite for decades and will continue to remain so for generations to come. The story follows George Bailey, a selfless businessman contemplating suicide on a troubled night. Just then, an angel shows up and shows him how life life and the town’s fate would have turned out had he not existed. Bailey has a beautiful change of heart. On the surface, the movie sounds like it focuses entirely on love and the feeling of belonging, but there are powerful tones about how money – its presence and absence – impacts an individual and their place in a community.

20 Trading Places (1983)

Trading Places is a lighthearted comedy about a filthy rich duke who bets his brother that they can turn a poor street con artist into a successful and snobbish commodities investor. After coordinating a ‘nature over nurture’ experiment, the people involved in the trade get entangled with money and fortunes. The movie includes a fantastic cast with Eddie Murphy, Dan Ackroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Ameche, and Ralph Bellamy, all giving outstanding performances. Beyond Eddie breaking the fourth wall to Jaime being drop-dead gorgeous and the movie delivering a bunch of laughs , this story of underdogs and how things turn around sheds light on the corrupt system and power imbalances in the society.

19 The Money Pit (1986)

Tom Hanks and Shelly Long star in this hilarious rom-com surrounding love and debt. The comedy follows a lovely couple, who, after being kicked out of their Manhattan apartment, end up buying a crumbling mansion at a discount. But soon, they realize that the renovation costs are spiraling out of control and the two are stuck balancing it out. The movie earns a lot of laughs from the practical effects of the perpetually collapsing house and Hanks’ mischief, but above all, The Money Pit is a cautionary tale about considering future expenses and not putting all your eggs in one basket. The chaos and under-planned decisions lead to mayhem and debt. While light on its tone, the movie reminds you to do financial homework every now and then.

18 Wall Street (1987)

The 1980s was known as the ‘Decade of Greed’. Characterized by consumerism and materialism, the era saw a surge of wealth and was driven by excess. Wall Street deals with the same era and the ‘greed is good’ mindset of people. The protagonist Bud Fox is a junior stockbroker who gets engulfed with greed and engages in unlawful insider trading to reach the top – all to impress a merciless tycoon Gorgon Gekko, played by Micheal Douglas. The story revolves around people chasing wealth by wrongful means and losing all sense of accountability. It also explores themes of greed and isolation and immorality for the sake of profits and money, and power.

17 The Untouchables (1987)

Directed by Brian De Palma and starring industry veterans like Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, and Andy Garcia, The Untouchables is set in Prohibition-era Chicago, where a tax agent Eliot Ness is trying to take down mobster and illegal liquor business lord Al Capone by joining forces with Jimmy Malone. But Malone warns Ness about the risks associated with crossing Capone. The movie’s central idea is the fight between good and evil, but there are themes of corruption and illegal profit-making. While the story may tackle the topic glamorously, it is important to understand the paranoia that comes with greed and how Ness refuses to bend his morals even when the odds are against him.

Related: These Are Some of the All-Time Best Shootouts in Movies

16 Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Glengarry Glen Ross is a fast-paced crime drama film set in the cutthroat world of real estate salesmen. After the employees of a company have underperformed, a high-profile executive rattles them up by announcing a contest incentive but at the same time, threatening the jobs of those who fail to live up to their responsibilities. Shelley Levene and coworker Dave Moss desperately take the rocky road to get sales leads and end up in trouble instead. The story of greed and backstabbing for money crystalizes the toxic behavior of money-driven men in the workplace and how only a few win the trophy. Dangling opportunities and ruthless competition often lead to compromises and eroded moral values – so pay heed.

15 The Firm (1993)

In The Firm , Tom Cruise plays Mitch, a promising law school grad who is about to sit his Bar exam. But when an organization named The Firm makes him an offer he cannot refuse, he joins them and stumbles upon their sinister secrets. The story that follows involves murders and interrogations with the FBI, all of which are taxing on Mitch but he decides to look the other way for a consistent, juicy paycheck. The thriller shows how power can be alluring and success blinding, and sometimes it is too late to escape the web. The story serves caution from greedy institutions and treading lightly when things seem too good to be true.

14 Casino (1995)

Set in the early-1970s Las Vegas, Casino displays a time when mobsters and foul executives ruled the new casino landscape. The crime epic follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein, who is given the opportunity to run the Tangiers Casino. Things are smooth until they aren’t. When his old friend Nicky Santoro and ex-wife Ginger McKenna enter the picture, Sam is pulled into a massive con. The movie explores excess, with men retaining and losing fortunes and taking merciless actions for the sake of money. Even the legal gambling scene can encourage addictive materialism and ego – none of which is worth losing one’s life and freedom over.

13 Jerry Maguire (1996)

Jerry Maguire is as lighthearted and fun a romantic sports comedy-drama as they come. We see Tom Cruise take on the role of Jerry Maguire, a disgraced sports agent trying to redeem himself after self-reflection, leads him to a low point in his career. Jerry voices out his concern for the players’ physical and mental well-being and prioritizes the same over company profits. But when it is not agreed upon, he is fired. In his attempt to get back on his feet, Jerry instills his own firm with a single athlete. Reeling from the financial losses and learning more about superficial success, he understands the importance of human connections and honest, caring relationships. The movie is a masterclass in teaching about how ambition, when fueled with true intentions, can not only bring fortune but fulfillment.

12 Boiler Room (2000)

Boiler Room tells the story of a college student who drops out when he is offered a job by a suburban brokerage firm. Driven and fooled by financial success, he doesn’t realize that the firm is actually profiting by defrauding their clients. The fast-paced, intriguing crime drama shows how a wrongful get-rich-quick scheme can lead promising minds toward bankruptcy and losing more than just money in life. The movie focuses on themes such as greed, the excitement of a flashy lifestyle, and the complex human nature that makes moral eros just to benefit from other people’s troubles.

11 Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Featuring a stellar cast of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt, and Casey Affleck, Ocean’s Eleven is a sassy, stylish and somewhat extravagant heist film that follows Danny Ocean (Clooney) recruiting a team to rob, in one night, a heft sum of $150 million from three Las Vegas casinos owned by his nemesis Terry Benedict, less than 24 hours into his parole. Although charming, these gangsters are cold toward making profits and winning and deceiving. There is a thrill in beating the house, but there is also a dark side to greed and taking risks . The movie basically reflects on the appeal of money but also the void that comes with it.

Related: These Are Some of the Best American Heist Movies, Ranked

10 The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

The Pursuit of Happyness is a sentimental drama about a family struggling to stay together while trying to make ends meet. The story follows a true rags-to-riches story of Chris and Linda Gardener as they strive to keep their family afloat while dealing with separation, homelessness, an unsteady job and financial crisis. When Linda leaves, Chris is left with an unreliable sales internship and fighting for the custody of his son. The movie portrays the desire to pursue the American Dream against all odds and the inescapable cycle of poverty in the age of institutional obstacles pushing those with no resources down for no reason. At its crux, The Pursuit of Happyness is about choosing relationships and righteousness over material wealth.

9 Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

Rebecca Bloomwood is a budding fashion journalist in the thriving and chic New York City. But with her great shopping taste comes an addiction that leads her into a hefty financial debt. What follows is her competing in an advice column contest to win prize money and end all her troubles. The fun, heartwarming, borderline relatable romantic comedy mocks materialism, overspending, and being irresponsible with money while also exposing the consumer behavior and the feeling of instant regret. The lesson in Confessions of a Shopaholic is that happiness doesn't come from buying new stuff, especially when you cannot afford it. Because not everyone gets a happy ending as Rebecca did.

8 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, the sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps sees the powerful return of Gordon Gekko. Now free from prison, he tries to mend broken relationships with his daughter. Meanwhile, he teams up with Jacob Moore to warn the financial community of the forthcoming fall and avenge the death of Moore's mentor. Twenty years after the original, the movie still tackles the themes of corruption quite impressively, as the system hasn't changed, regardless of the catastrophic events that occur in the monetary world. While Gekko is on a new path, the society is still cracked, with greed oozing out of it. The movie basically suggests that a culture dominated by money can only be reformed by bringing real change to the values of people.

7 Inside Job (2010)

The global financial crisis of the 2008 led to a monetary meltdown for millions of people. And the United States saw a significant fall in resources, leading the nation into a deep economic recession. Inside Job is a documentary that scrutinizes the actual crux of the matter by using interviews with economists, journalists, and those working within financial institutions . It unfolds the truth behind complex systems and irresponsible handling of accounts while the desire to earn more profits led to a global disaster. By rating events and the people associated, Inside Job analyzes a system that relies on short-term gains over ethics. By going into the details of the crisis, it shows the people who were hurt despite not being responsible, shedding light on the injustice of a culture ruled by money and power.

6 The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network is the dramatization of how Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook and turned it into a multi-million business and top-rated social media platform, sneaking into the lives of almost everyone on the planet. Speaking of sneaking, the movie also explores the darker side of the application, the personal and legal complications that followed Zuckerberg as people’s privacies came to a risk. While the movie talks about the thrill of entrepreneurship, it also shows how running after a higher status and power leads to isolation and lack of understanding from relationships. Zuckerberg gains financial success but he loses in his personal life. The movie teaches us about the importance of balancing creativity and ambition with personal connection and trust.

Related: 9 Movies Every Entrepreneur Should Watch

5 Margin Call (2011)

Another movie surrounding the events of the 2008 global financial meltdown, Margin Call revolves around a group of people at an investment bank 24 hours prior to the actual crisis. While confronting the upcoming doom is a long night of revelations, the truth is somewhat thought-provoking. The thrilling ride discloses an unseen look at all the greed and foolhardiness involving the market’s collapse. The shots analyzing the harsh unheeded condition of the house and the people profiting from a faulty system devoid of any ethics are appalling. But the movie ultimately shows us how a culture devoted to money leads to financial and personal losses.

4 Moneyball (2011)

Moneyball is a sports drama that tells the story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane and his out-of-the-ordinary winning strategy. The 2002 season is on, and Billy rebuffs the traditional scouting techniques and instead uses data and number-crunching systems to make a team on a budget. The story, probably one of the more positive ones than others, focuses on using wisdom, creativity, and technology for achieving more with less. Giving a fresh perspective at sports, the movie beats a rigged system and puts the human cost above all else, building a team with life and heart.

3 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

A menacing look at the real story of a corrupt stockbroker, The Wolf of Wall Street is a biopic of Jordan Belfort's rise and fall in the industry. The movie analyzes and critiques the 90s as a decade of excess. Meanwhile, it revels in the beauty of making a fortune by scamming people. Belfort exists in a hyper-competitive world where making money is of the utmost importance – even if it is at the cost of ruining people and indulging in unethical ventures. The dark comedy satirizes our anti-hero and his merciless tactics in the name of pursuing money. But it all leads to the ultimate downfall of society, and not just in legal terms.

2 The Big Short (2015)

The Big Short is an inside story about people who made millions out of the 2008 financial meltdown. Set as a drama-comedy, we see investors who bet money against the housing market before things went south. The story may seem unreasonable from a financial perspective, but it is interesting to hear the side of people who profited from the deep-rooted corruption. Apart from showcasing the underdogs who gained massive wealth from a rigged system's downfall, the movie displays the absence of responsibility and how an unrestrained system built on greed ends up failing us all. The lesson we get to learn here is that, as an individual, it is very important for us to understand what drives the market instead of relying on the smart guys in the room to provide solutions.

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Flickonomics: eight movies that teach us how money works

Wall street (1987): beware the corporate raiders.

Co-written and directed by Oliver Stone, and starring Michael Douglas , Wall Street documents the rise of modern "shareholder capitalism". From the 1930s to the 70s, "managerial capitalism" (ie capitalism managed by professional managers with little influence from shareholders), had prevailed in the advanced economies. However, by the 80s, floating shareholders driven by short-term financial gains started to get the upper hand.

Douglas plays Gordon "Greed is Good" Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider who wins the support of the shareholders managing a takeover bid for a company by pointing out the inefficiencies of corporate bureaucracy – the company has 33 vice-presidents, doing God knows what. Of course, his real intention is to asset-strip the company – sell off the valuable assets and close it down – rather than develop it.

The movie depicts a fundamental dilemma at the heart of modern capitalism. You cannot leave companies at the mercy of short-term-oriented financiers such as Gekko; but without pressure from shareholders, it is difficult to restrain inefficiency. In the quarter of a century since the film appeared, the balance has shifted too much in the direction of short-term shareholders, prompting criticisms of "quarterly capitalism". Under pressure from impatient shareholders, many companies, especially in the US and the UK, have become far too short-term-oriented and stopped investing in machines and technologies that only offer long-term returns. Ha-Joon Chang

Some Like It Hot (1959): the trouble with rentier capitalism

Some Like It Hot is rightly acclaimed as a brilliant, quirky comedy. It has cross-dressing and shtick so rapid that even after 10 viewings you are still finding new things funny. But it is also a brilliant portrayal of what's wrong with rentier capitalism . Consider the world of the movie: Chicago, in which the main players are organised criminals and inept cops, and in which even talented musicians have to live on loans from their girlfriends and on the proceeds of gambling. Then Florida, in which elderly millionaires, before the Wall Street Crash, squander their money on leisure, yachts and chorus girls. In between there is the world of the train, which seems to have no workers aboard it, only the female band, where the hierarchical structures of mid-20th-century work and gender are lovingly replicated. Sweet Sue does not reprimand Sugar directly but has to get her underling, Beanstalk, to do it for her. The movie was made by people who remembered the Depression, so for all its crazy humour it is also a sombre lesson in the futility of boom-time societies in which the sources of income are gambling, speculation and casual sex work, but never actual work for wages and production. For me, the utter brilliance of the movie is only possible because it creates this unreal cosmos around speculation, crime and the brainless rich. Paul Mason

The Matrix (1999): you can't trust happiness

It is increasingly accepted that income, the economists' traditional measure of human welfare, is not a good indicator of wellbeing. There are at least two reasons: first, because money is only one of the things we want in our lives; and second, because even when it comes to money, we often make poor decisions as consumers, influenced by advertising or driven by our desire to keep up with the Joneses.

As a result, some economists have tried to measure wellbeing by asking people directly how happy they are. But even ignoring the issue of whether happiness is something that can be measured, we can't really trust "happiness studies" because we cannot totally trust people's judgments on their own happiness.

First of all, there are all kinds of "adaptive preferences", in which people reinterpret bad situations to make them more bearable: "sour grapes" – deciding that what you could not get is actually not as good as you had thought – is a classic example. Moreover, many people who are oppressed, exploited or discriminated against, say that they are happy. Some even oppose changes that would improve their lot: many European women, for example, opposed the introduction of female suffrage in the early 20th century. These people think they are happy because they have come to accept – "internalise" is the fancy word here – the values of their oppressors. Marxists used to call it "false consciousness". The most perfected form of it is found in The Matrix , the Wachowskis' 1999 sci-fi movie in which people don't even know they are being used as organic batteries to power their machine overlords. HJC

Mary Poppins (1964): why banking is all about confidence

Few people would associate this Disney movie , based on the books of the Australian-British writer PL Travers, with economics. But it contains a scene that gives an excellent summary of the nature of modern banking, one that opens with young Michael Banks visiting the Dawes, Tomes, Mousley, Grubbs Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, where his father works. Mr Dawes, the chairman (played by Dick van Dyke, who also plays Bert, the cockney jack-of-all-trades) tries to persuade the boy ( with a song ) to deposit his tuppence in the bank so that it can be invested in railways through Africa, dams across the Nile, and other fantastical investment projects.

Michael is not convinced and doesn't want to give up his coin; but mesmerised by the singing, he loses concentration and Mr Dawes is able to snatch it. "Give me back my money!" Michael shouts, prompting other customers to fear there is something wrong and demand their deposits back, creating a run on the bank – just as we saw at Northern Rock branches in 2007.

The scene illustrates how banks depend on maintaining the confidence of their depositors. Like all other banks, the Fidelity Fiduciary had made a promise it could not keep: it had promised its depositors that they would be paid in cash upon demand, when actually it had enough cash to pay only a proportion of them. This is usually not a problem. At any given time only a small proportion of depositors would want to withdraw their money, so it is safe for the bank to hold in cash only a fraction of the amount in its deposit accounts. But if a depositor begins to doubt the bank's ability to pay her back, she has the incentive to withdraw her money as soon as possible. Even if the doubts are totally unfounded (as in Mary Poppins), it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy if enough account holders think and act in this way.

This "confidence problem" has led to the development of central banks (such as the Bank of England), which can lend to banks in trouble, and of public deposit insurance: measures intended to give depositors more confidence in the banks, thus stabilising the banking system. Of course, the 2008 financial crisis has shown the limitations of these measures, because today deposit banking is overshadowed by other segments of the financial industry, such as investment banking, trading in derivatives and other "structured" financial products. HJC

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): the value of the welfare state

In the 2005 movie version of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie's father loses his job as a toothpaste cap-screwer because someone has invented a machine that can do it much faster.

This kind of unemployment is known as "technological unemployment" and has been a constant feature of capitalism – just think about some of the professions that have all but disappeared except in name – chandler, weaver, miller, etc. Without constantly destroying old jobs and creating new jobs through technological innovations, capitalism cannot develop.

But the inevitability of technological unemployment does not mean that unemployed people should be left in the dustbin of history. Had Charlie's family lived in a country with a welfare state, which would provide unemployment benefit for the unemployed worker and income support for his family as well as subsidising his retraining, they would not have had to endure penury and that continuous diet of cabbage soup. HJC

Erin Brockovich (2000): how to measure environmental cost

Erin Brockovich, which was a hit in 2000, stars Julia Roberts , who won an Oscar for her role as an unemployed single mother of two who manages to get a job as a legal assistant in a California law firm. There, she stumbles on files about the unethical behaviour of a power company that was buying up land it had contaminated by the illegal dumping of hexavalent chromium. This was poisoning the water supply of residents and making them seriously ill. Albert Finney plays the hard-up boss of the law firm who agrees to take the case on. Against all odds they end up winning a class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) on behalf of their ill clients.

We all love conspiracy movies, but this was no Hollywood fiction. Erin exists, and indeed she won $333m from PG&E for her clients in 1996. And she has clearly not given up. Reportedly, she has just launched an attack on the pharmaceutical giant Bayer, which, she claims, is endangering the lives of thousands of women through its birth control drug Essure.

The film highlighted a real economic issue: the difficulty that markets have in putting a price on the impact of a company's core activity on the wider environment. In economics speak, this is the problem of measuring "externalities". Pollution, medical consequences, congestion, noise, climate change, community displacement and unrest fall into that category. What isn't measured tends to be ignored.

Some progress in this area has been made. In the decade that followed the film's release, companies have come under increased scrutiny for their business ethics. Corporate social responsibility has become something that companies espouse, at least publicly. A lot more needs to be done. But the business imperative is clear. Today, thanks to social media and 24/7 news, allegations of a company's failure to meet required standards travels instantly round the world. It can result in global boycotts of products, falls in share values, chief executives losing their jobs and, at times, companies that have been around for decades if not centuries going under. Think Enron, think Arthur Andersen – and many more. Vicky Pryce, whose latest book, Greekonomics, is published by Biteback Publishing

The Sound of Music (1965): how to handle success

A musical about an errant trainee nun in the Austrian Alps, starring Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music was a gargantuan commercial success, rescuing 20th Century Fox from the $40m wounds inflicted two years earlier by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra . It remains, in inflation-adjusted dollars, the third-biggest-grossing film of all time.

Producer Richard Zanuck was 30 years old, and this was his first big hit. So what did he do next? Understandably, he tried to repeat what he'd just done."I was convinced that the musical was back, and a lot of people, a lot of other studio heads, were convinced that this was the way to go," he told me when we had lunch just days before he died in July 2012. He commissioned three more musicals, all in a similar sugary vein. All three were box-office flops.

First, Doctor Dolittle, an adaptation of the children's books by Hugh Lofting, contributed to 20th Century Fox posting a staggering $37m loss in 1967. The next, Star!, released in 1968, which starred Julie Andrews and had the same director, producer and choreographer as The Sound of Music, also bombed: box-office receipts in the US were just $4m, and losses were pegged at $15m. The third, Hello, Dolly!, released in 1969 and starring Barbra Streisand, did equally badly, losing $16m, bringing to a close a disastrous few years for the studio, and prompting Zanuck to lose his job as production chief.

It's not that the past is never a good predictor of what lies ahead. There are of course many examples we could cite of times when looking backwards, consciously or not, has helped people reach the right decisions. The key, though, is not to be wedded to our past successes and failures, or our experience-based instincts, so that shifting tides or new information are ignored. Nor should we assume a linear trajectory – more so now than ever, as we attempt to navigate today's uncertain and unpredictable digital world, in which things are changing with an ever greater rapidity.

Zanuck explained to me that his movie strategy immediately after The Sound of Music fell victim to a fast-changing world, and a shift in cultural mores. When The Sound of Music hit movie screens, the appeal of singing nuns and the lush Technicolor greenery of the Austrian hills made sense against the backdrop of the early 1960s. But by the time the back-to-back movie flops were released, things had moved on. The Vietnam war and the civil rights movement had politicised the American public, Martin Luther King had been assassinated, pop and rock music were dominant, and saccharine-sweet family productions had lost their appeal.

Success does not necessarily breed success. Just because we haven't seen a snake today or yesterday, it doesn't mean that we won't see one tomorrow. And just because a certain set of ingredients once worked, it doesn't mean they always will.

It is a testament to Zanuck's creative energy and willingness to introspect that he came back from these harsh experiences to produce Jaws, Driving Miss Daisy, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and many other great movies. Noreena Hertz (Extracted from Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World. Out in paperback on 17 July, priced £8.99)

The Full Monty (1997): the reality of unemployment

This hit British movie, starring Robert Carlyle and Tom Wilkinson, is mainly remembered for its exuberant male stripping act. However, the road the six protagonists travel to reach that final scene is a troubled one.

In Sheffield in the mid-90s, industrial decline, particularly in the steel industry, had led to widespread unemployment. In the film, six jobless workers form a stripping troupe, after a long period of frustration, indignity, and deprivation.

In standard economic theory, this kind of unemployment should not exist. If the British steel industry goes into decline because of competition from, say, South Korea, the industry will shrink and release the capital (machines) and the labour (workers) that it used to employ. The capital and labour thus released will be absorbed by industries in which Britain is relatively more efficient, but, then, how many former steel workers do you know who have been re-employed by Goldman Sachs as an investment banker?

The point is that workers cannot freely move across different jobs, because their experience is specific to their line of work – there are few skills that are equally valuable in all industries. The alternative that most unemployed workers face is to get a new job that does not require much skill – in this case, stripping – that pays far less. HJC .

Economics: The User's Guide by Ha-Joon Chang is published by Pelican at £7.99. To order a copy for £5.99 with free UK p&p go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop or call 0330 333 6846

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Free Financial Literacy Movies for Students (Spark Debates, Unit Intros, etc.)

By: Author Amanda L. Grossman

Posted on Last updated: March 27, 2023

Are you an educator? Get help with your fin lit courses with this list of best, free financial literacy movies for students to learn money topics.

Need some juicy, educational, and free financial literacy movies for students?

These can be great for any number of reasons:

• Kick-off to a new fin. lit. unit
• Prep for a sick day when there will be a substitute teacher
• End-of-unit reward
• To spark some group debate on hot financial topics

I’ve curated a list of the best movies for financial literacy (all free – most on YouTube) by watching each of them.

Included is a summary, plus a Heads UP section detailing on any possibly inappropriate snippets throughout.

Hint: these videos don’t come with a suggested age, so I’m going to divide them into what I think they’ll work best with – middle or high school (yes, I watched each of these movies below).

Free Financial Literacy Movies for Middle School Students

Choose from these videos to get your middle school students interested in the financial unit you're about to start teaching them, or to do some of the teaching, too.

Hint: it was challenging to find free financial literacy videos for middle school students, but I'll keep adding to this list as I find more good ones.

1. What’s Your Money Personality?   (all less than 3 mins., BizKids)

Looking for a fun intro to your personal financial literacy class?

This one could be it – a deep dive into the different money personalities, complete with a lesson plan.

There are 5 short video clips, including two videos introducing the different personalities, a video about a middle school girl who couponed way too much, and then two videos on the Oblivious and Money Star money personalities.

2. Get Your Money Right (3:10, GoNoodle)

Sooo …this rap song might be totally too young for your group of middle schooler. BUT, I’m including it because:

• It’s fun, and could be a cool intro to a course
• It’s a really quick, summary lesson on how much each coin is worth (in case you want to refresh their memory)

3. Everybody Loves Raymond S 2 E 16 The Checkbook (2:39 minutes, YouTube)

This little, 2 minute and 39-second ditty is perfect if your students are going to be learning about writing checks and/or paying bills.

Raymond has taken over paying the bills (looks like Debra is the one who normally handles it), and he’s talking to a friend, Andy, about how he doesn’t understand why the electric company is turning off his service.

Turns out, Ray bounced 14 checks and has been charged over $300 in penalties. He now has to come up with $3,000 to take care of his over-withdrawn bank account.

The guy helping him briefly goes over how to balance a checkbook. Very funny scene!

4. What is Saving? Finance 101 (3:00, Easy Peasy Finance)

Easy Peasy Finance offers a series of quick, cartoon videos where an 11-year-old explains different financial concepts to kids (or, adults, in some cases).

Here’s a quick video all about what saving money is, and why kids might want to do it.

5. CashVille Kidz Episode 19: Paying for stuff (7:04, YouTube)

A group of kids are in a store, discussing stuff to buy and how to actually buy what they want. Including saving up for it first, using a credit card, etc.

Also discusses needs vs. wants.

Free Financial Literacy Movies for High School Students

I have to put a disclosure here: it’s difficult to find personal finance documentaries and financial literacy movies for high school students that are POSITIVE, and not only glimpses into financial catastrophes.

And you know what? I want your students to feel GOOD about money, and to not fear it.

Which they might already be doing – either because most people fear money, or because their family is dealing with financial problems and they have to watch their parents go through it.

Still – we can all learn from watching others make financial mistakes. Understanding how others have found themselves in bad situations can help teens avoid some of the worst ones that can get them stuck in young adulthood.

So, I’ve tried to do a mix of both types of documentaries – positive financial management ones, and dire-financial-warning-types.

Hint: here are personal finance basics for high school students for an idea of topics to cover.

1. That Film about Money (6:40, WetheEconomy.com)

Here’s a slightly snarky, short story on how banks do not actually hold your money (or, at least not all of it), and how banks use your money to earn interest from others in the form of loans they give out.

Hint: there’s also a second, 8-minute part that explains how money is created and put into the economy, plus the banking crisis back in 2008.

Heads UP: about 6 minutes into the second one, there’s a picture of Hefner with bikini-clad ladies.  

2. Spent: Looking for Change (40 minutes, YouTube, 2014 by American Express)

70 million Americans who are locked out of “normal” financial services, they have to pay to cash checks (though it’s immediately getting the money instead of having to wait 3-5 days for a check to clear),

Discusses bank fees and how they can get out of control + boot them out of the financial system, and the issue of trying to get a loan when you don’t have a credit history, payday loans and how the fees grow and grow (and how people can get stuck in a payday loan loop – specifically, one couple’s $450 loan has now cost them $1700 so far),

Several of the families had been doing fine, but had some major medical situation that happened, which led to things like no longer being able to work, big medical expenses, and being kicked out of the banking system.

Follow along on these stories, and see how just one money situation can cascade down the road to affect most of their lives.

3. My Money My Way Mini-Lesson Day 3: Financial Goals (20:29, Kumiko)

Help your students to marry their finances with their personal priorities and goals in life.

This can be incredibly empowering, and not only that, but motivating. Motivating to a student trying to budget for the first time but not finding it important, motivating for teenagers to get their first job despite being nervous about it, and motivating to learn about money.

• how it’s better to focus on just a few priorities with your money rather than lots at once, because you’ll make more progress that way
• defining your own needs and wants, depending on your situation
• coming up with the goals you want to put your extra money towards

FYI: she brings up sinking funds, which you’ll likely need to explain to students. Here’s a video on what a sinking fund is . And she gives homework – to make a list of wants and needs right now in your student’s life.

I’ve got a whole free printable created to help teenagers through a similar process of brainstorming, and then choosing a quick-win financial goal:

Hint: start at around 1:47 in, because she summarizes the other videos in this challenge in that first part.

4. Maxed Out: Keeping Up with the Joneses (KPBS, 26:46), YouTube

This starts out with a brief intro on the huge amount of credit card debt Americans are in, and then cuts to a multi-generational family living under the same roof.

The mother made the full credit card payment each month, and thought she was doing well. But the spending just continued. And that was fine…until her hours as a cafeteria worker, were cut.

Manny Navarro, a credit counselor, discusses people using credit cards to supplement income, because of the rise of living costs without a proportionate rise of income.

Has a nice history of the first credit card, and how credit card use has evolved. Plus, a history of how spending has changed from mostly spending on necessities, to mostly spending on discretionary (non-necessity) things, and an intro to “The Joneses”.

Heads UP: About 21 minutes in, it briefly mentions a security guard that was trampled to death by people trying to get a good deal at a Walmart.

5. These are Habits of Successful Millionaires (8:15, Rachel Cruze Show)

I love videos that can show kids that becoming a millionaire in their lifetime is totally doable – specifically if they make some smart choices, and make those choices as early in life as possible.

This video shows students that most millionaires:

• Don’t inherit their money
• Make and stick to a budget
• Spend less than they earn
• Stay away from get-rich-quick schemes

6. I Am Addicted to Spending Money (57:49, Absolute Documentaries)

Jasmine Harmin works with British compulsive shoppers throughout this documentary.

For example, 30-year-old Dipna has more clothes than she can possibly wear, only earns £500 a week, lives with her family, and says she cannot see anything else in life than shopping. Amazingly, she’s “only” £7,500 in debt (I say “only” because, well, you’ll understand if you watch the documentary).

I love how Jasmine makes these people (and your students, if you choose this documentary) really rethink their shopping habits.

And while just a small percentage of the population has a real shopping addiction, there are some great nuggets here:

• You shouldn’t buy more than you can possibly use
• You can have a shopping problem, whether you buy too many high-costing items OR if you buy a bunch of low-costing and bargain items
• A shopping addiction will often show up physically (clutter, clutter, clutter)
• There are huge life consequences to shopping too much (misplaced emotions, less relationships, huge financial repercussions, etc.)
• Recognizing and treating addictive behavior

Heads UP: At around 4:35 in, there’s a cuss word (though not very audible, with the accent). And around 51 minutes in, the woman talks briefly about the miscarriage she suffered.

7. Surviving an Unlivable Wage (27:14, YouTube, CBS News)

Do your students know what “food insecurity” is, or how a two-income household can still be struggling? How about the importance of tipping service staff?

This documentary looks at two-income households struggling to put food on the table in Kokomo, Indiana, which used to be a manufacturing hub. They’ve experienced a shifting labor market (from manufacturing 100,000 to 7,000 factory workers since late 19 th century to service industry workers).

They really dive into the service industry world, and trying to survive when that’s your job. It turns out that tipped restaurant workers are 70% female, and they discuss the importance of tipping your servers. Your students will learn about the tipped minimum wage ($2.13) and even the difference in tips between clientele in a depressed local economy vs. one where people have more money.

This also discusses how waitresses/waiters have to pay tips out to bartenders and busboys (3%-5%) – they have to pay this out whether they got tipped or not.

Also mentions how federal law states restaurants are supposed to make up for tips to equal minimum wage, but lots of restaurants are in violation of this (could be helpful for teens to learn about, since many of them will find a first job in the service industry).

8. Living on One Dollar (56:11 mins., YouTube)

Chris and Zack, two “normal” American guys, have decided to try to live on $1.00/day each, for two months in Guatemala. And they documented the whole thing with professional filmmakers.

Their income is unpredictable, and they’ve taken out a micro-loan to grow radishes and hopefully increase their daily spend amount (their goal is to get to $2/day/person…thankfully, they gift the radishes to the families around them).

On Day 5, students watch them take $15 to a market to buy mainly white rice, beans, soap, and bananas. They also discuss things they can’t afford, such as the $6 pile of firewood and toilet paper.

They talk about the number of calories they’re eating each day based on the food choices they made. There’s a huge lack of energy that plagues them, just like the locals deal with, since no one is getting enough nutrients.

Still, the community helps them in touching ways, like inviting them to their classroom, teaching them how to make better fires, make more nutritious food (like adding lard to their rice and beans for more fat), and find better bargains in town. 

They show a great summary of how just small loans (think $120 and $200) have made a huge difference in the lives of some of these families. For example, Rosa used a $200 loan to start a weaving business, and with the profits, has been able to go back to school to learn nursing. How amazing!

They also briefly explain a Savings Club, which is very helpful with the banking situation.

Heads UP: around 13 minutes in, there is a cuss word. And at around 46 minutes in, Mambo No. 5 song comes on.

Another benefit of your students watching this? Is them seeing an idea come to life. These guys had this idea to simulate poverty by actually living it, and they not only thought through how to do it, but they did it. Really neat and motivating to see.

9. Money Interventions: The Mom Who Shopped Her Family Broke (42:17, OWN on YouTube)

Some big things that struck me with this documentary: this woman’s priorities of needs vs. wants are completely out of whack (you can pair this movie with some needs vs. wants worksheets ). For example, she spends tons on nails and hair, but her children do not have health insurance because they “can’t afford it”.

Also, that people can fall into the trap of filling emotional voids and issues with shopping.

Another great topic to talk about from this documentary is managing money with a spouse, and the warning to never leave all of the money management to one person in a relationship. Lots of financial dishonesty documented here.

Psst: they did a follow-up video 8 years later! Here it is (5:32) . Hint..she went through a lot – divorce, alcohol, drugs, etc. However, she’s now happily remarried, and her spending is completely under control.

10. How Inflation and Supply Chain Issues Are Reshaping Fast Food Value Menus (6:17, WSJ)

Grab your student’s attention to educate them a bit on inflation by relating it to something in their own lives (what student hasn’t ordered or eaten from a value menu?).

Restaurants need to cut down on portion sizes, and/or raise prices to keep making a profit on these value-menu items.

Hint: they do use bigger economic terms in this video, like commodities, supply chain, consumer, franchisee, earnings report, revenue, etc. You might want to have definitions ready for them.

11. Explained: Stock Market (17:33, Netflix on YouTube)

I love how the stock market is explained through a young girl’s lemonade stand. She’s trying to expand, but can’t get a bank loan. So, she goes public.

A really great overview that’ll help students understand what the stock market is.

12. Paycheck to Paycheck (1:13:57, YouTube)

Looking for movies about budgeting money?

Katrina Gilbert is one of a growing class of Americans: the working poor. She’s a single mother of three – due to her ex-husband’s addiction – and the sole breadwinner, making just $9.49/hour as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant in Tennessee.

She lives paycheck to paycheck, and you’ll follow her around as she chooses which bills to pay on different days. 

Their father is now clean, and trying to “get a factory job”.

When she finds out she’ll get a tax refund, here’s what she’s thinking about using it for:

• Go to the chiropractor
• Pay off her car
• Get some insurance
• Get her medication (thyroid)
• Get something for her kids (she mentions she was not able to celebrate their birthdays last year)

Heads UP: One of the more colorful comments from a senior citizen happens around 23 minutes in.

13. I Can/Can’t Afford to Live Alone (5:12, WSJ)

Many students are going to face the question of whether or not to get a roommate when they move into their first apartment.

This is a great, armchair discussion between two people – one who has a roommate, and one who doesn’t – and can be used as a kick-off to small-group debate on the topic.

Perhaps students could create a first-apartment budget first as having their own apartment, and then by having a roommate (sometimes you just need to see the numbers, right?).

14. Upgrade Your iPhone Every Three Years (3:30, WSJ)

Lots of teens have smartphones (or they want one), and it’s gotten more normal than ever to upgrade your phone more often than you probably should.

That’s why I love this quick clip about what you’re really getting when you’re upgrading, and why you probably shouldn’t.

15. Millionaire Life: Not as Easy as it Sounds (42:20, YouTube, DW Documentary)

Chances are, your students have daydreamed (maybe even in YOUR class) about winning the lottery.

I mean, most of us adults have, too!

That’s why I chose this free documentary. It follows around several lottery winners to see how their lives change from it. There’s also a nice summary of how the lottery works from the perspective of someone outside of the U.S. looking in.

There’s David in Gretna Nebraska who won $62 million and quit his job as a mechanic (he was working 2 jobs for $2500/month). He and his wife handle things really well – they still budget as lottery winners ($25,000/month.

Then there’s Tim who $14 million at 21 years old. He only has $5 million left (I know…“only” is quite subjective here), and he’s now helping other lottery winners talk about how to handle winning a large sum of money and the dangers that can come with it.

Such as what happened to Daniel, who won $5 million at 23. He lived like a rockstar, and within 4 years the money was gone (plus he ended up in jail).

Or what happens to approximately 1/3 of winners, who end up losing everything (called the “curse of the lottery”).

Heads UP: about 20:55 in (during Jack’s story) he references s-e-x and there are women in bikinis.

16. Going from Broke (about 22 minutes/episode, Crackle)

Episode 1 follows 23-year-old Obi Nwankwo, Boston College graduate (with a finance degree, no less) and record setter for track and field. He’s attempting to grow his talent agency business…but he’s broke.

Yet, he earns $4800/month in business income so far.

What gives?

Dan Rosensweig and other financial experts work as consultants in each episode to help young adults go from broke, to back on the road to financial stability.

For this guy, he made a few choices that have put him into this situation:

• Moving to Los Angeles, which has a high cost-of-living
• Has lots of student loan debt
• Wanted all new furniture
• Paying for part of his brother’s tuition costs
• Paying too much for clothes/shopping and going out

Dan and the financial expert help him to use his money to pay down his personal debt quicker, and then to invest part of his business income back into his growing business.

I love the video diary of his documenting his expenses.

These are great! Also, here’s some bonus free financial literacy worksheets they created .

Heads UP: These episodes are all free on Crackle; however, you’ll have to watch several minutes of ads (and the ads pause if you open a new window). Doh! You can, however, mute the ads with no problem.

17. Your Life, Your Money (56 mins., PBS)

Looking for a basic, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink financial video to show students? This could be it.

I like how everything in this movie about financial literacy is directed towards young adults, which is the next phase your teens are going to find themselves in.

Donald Faison, from Clueless , narrates this series. Mostly because he bought a car after his first big movie role that he could no longer make the payments on just three months in. His story unfolds along with the topics covered in the documentary.

Multi-millionaire Russell Simmons’ story is highlighted. He started off just like every other teenager, learning just a little bit about money at home, selling records out of his trunk, and building up a business from scratch. Several hip-hop artists discuss how they grew up poor, and how they had to learn how to manage their money right.

Your students will learn from young adults how they furnished their first apartment, how they created a $10,000 savings goal, using credit cards in college to get by, and what percentage of your take-home pay should be used for debt payment/savings/etc.

It also goes over needs vs. wants, managing student loans, tracking spending against what they earn, and how to choose a bank/banking stuff to look out for (like fees). Also goes over credit scores, interest rates, and more.

Heads UP: Russell Simmons mentions that how to manage money is not taught in schools (in case that rubs you the wrong way). Also, about 12 minutes in, a Victoria’s Secret bag is quickly shown in reference to a boyfriend buying his girlfriend a gift. Also, this is from 2009 – so costs of things and online banking options are out of date.

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Watch the 10 best movies about finance

Winter is coming... and with it, a great time to catch up on movies. Inspired by a study by U.S. researchers, today we bring you a subjective list of the 10 best movies about the financial world to watch online.

Klaudia Sibielak | Personal finance | 5. January 2023

Some time ago, in our search for worthwhile films touching on topics close to our hearts, we came across the article "Finance in Cinema: A Survey of Professor Ratings of Films for Finance Students" by George W. Kester, DBA, Washington and Lee University, and Timothy B. Michael, Ph.D. of the University of Houston - Clear Lake, who asked members of the Financial Education Association questions about 30 films revolving around the world of finance. The researchers examined which films academics are most likely to recommend to finance students and use in undergraduate classes.

If you'd like to see the ranking published by them, be sure to take a look at the study . We took its results as an inspiration to compile our own subjective list of finance movies worth seeing. We've selected only those films that you can legally watch for free as part of a subscription or for a small fee on online streaming platforms.

1. The Big Short, 2015

This is an undisputed number one - both on Kester and Michael's list and on many other lists of finance-themed films (7.8/10 rating on IMDb). This Oscar-winning film is based on Michael Lewis' bestselling novel, which we also recommended in our list of the 8 best books on investing. It tells the story of the investors who correctly predicted the collapse of the real estate bubble in 2008 and made a hefty profit from it. The film is critically acclaimed by both critics and finance professors who point to its unique educational value. Just for the record, Michael Burry - the main character who became famous for getting rich from correctly predicting the crisis - has not been doing very well in the capital markets lately. As you can see, beating the market several times in a row is indeed a difficult task.

You can watch the film on Netflix .

2. Too Big to Fail, 2011

Number three on the list mentioned above. The film details the actions taken to bail out failing investment banks during the 2008 crisis by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's team and the decisions they made. It received 11 Emmy Award nominations.

You can watch the film on HBO GO .

3. Wall Street, 1987

The Oscar-winning story of a young, ambitious stockbroker who, under the influence of ruthless financial shark Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas), goes against his own conscience and uncovers inside corporate information. Well, being an active investor is clearly not a bed of roses ;) A good contribution to the debate on the nature of ethics in finance, ranked eighth in the American Scientists.

You can watch the film on AppleTV and  Disney+ .

4. Inside Job, 2010

Another Oscar winner on our list, this documentary follows the economic crisis of 2008 - but this time focusing in detail on its causes. It shows how regulatory changes and the imposition of certain practices on banks led to the creation of the housing bubble and the subsequent bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and the collapse of the financial system. Sixth in Kester and Michael's ranking.

You can watch the film on AppleTV .

5. I.O.U.S.A, 2008

A documentary about the U.S. national debt tells the story of Robert Bixby, director of the Concord Coalition, and David Walker, former U.S. Auditor General, as they travel the country informing the public about the potential dangers of the growing U.S. budget deficit. It ranked fourteenth on the list.

You can watch the film at watchdocumentaries.com .

6. Boiler Room, 2001

Next on the list is a feature film made before the 2008 crisis. The protagonist, a young stockbroker, starts working with an extremely dynamic investment company that offers fabulous salaries to its employees. In return, he learns to use aggressive tactics to win customers and to master manipulative techniques to perfection. According to academics, the film may over-demonize the world of finance - it ranked as high as eighteenth in their rankings - but the first part in particular is truly valuable for students.

7. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, 2005

An Oscar-nominated documentary based on the bestselling book by McLean and Elkind, documenting the collapse of the giant corporation Enron - considered by many to be the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. It reveals how top executives of major corporations were able to embezzle more than a billion dollars. Number five on the academics' list.

8. Trading Places, 1983

After the more challenging documentaries, here's a lighter respite for you. Trading Places - a comedy starring Eddie Murphy - surprisingly ranked a solid sixth in the American college professors' rankings . There's nothing surprising about that, though. Academics praise it primarily for its simple introduction to stock market terminology and its good illustration of how short selling works. The film tells the story of a homeless street hustler and a privileged stock trader who unwittingly become the victims of a bet between two wealthy men trying to decide which has more influence on success: genes or environment.

9. It's a Wonderful Life, 1946

Now for a film that will guarantee a pleasant viewing experience in the aftermath of the Christmas season. The classic, which turned 75 this year, tells the story of a kind-hearted man who gets into financial trouble and decides to take his own life. However, a guardian angel appears along the way... Ranking fifteenth on the list, the film also introduces several mechanisms relating to banking or the regulation of depository institutions.

You can watch the film on Amazon Prime .

10. The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013

Based on the main character's diary, this film directed by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese chronicles the Wall Street career of the controversial stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Known for his hedonistic lifestyle, Belfort bilked wealthy clients out of millions of dollars, which he just as quickly spent on parties, drugs, and other pleasures. Because of criticism for exaggerating the story and portraying the stock market in extremely black terms, and because of his obtuseness and vulgar language, it ranked only 24th out of 30 on the list of academics.

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Do you know and appreciate other movies about finance and investing that didn't make our list? Let us know! And if any of these films particularly resonated with you (or vice versa) and you'd like to post a review on our blog, we're open to collaborations. Just drop us a traditional email at [email protected] .

Klaudia Sibielak

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Top 12 Best Finance Movies for CFA Candidates

“Everything I learned I learned from the movies.”  – Audrey Hepburn

A while ago I went on a financial-film binge – I watched pretty much anything I could find on the subject, which was weird. I was never liked to watch films about my own industry – it felt like an extension of work. I never understood my doctor friends’ fascination about House, for example.

But after watching one, I was hooked. Yes, financial movies weren’t necessarily always spot-on with their technical details, but that’s besides the point. It didn’t feel like an extension of work. Conversely, watching films dramatize my day-to-day gave me a thrill, and made mundane bits about my job… cool. Which, I accept, is probably as close to feeling like Indiana Jones as I am going to get.

We have  a reading list for CFA Program candidates , so I thought, why not compile a list of best finance movies as well?

Here are the top films that will not only entertain, but put into practice what you’re learning from the CFA program.

1) The Big Short

2015  |  2h 10min  |  Biography, Comedy, Drama  |  2008 Financial Crisis, Credit Default Swaps, Collateralized Debt Obligations, Ethics

“For fifteen thousand years, fraud and short sighted thinking have never, ever worked. Not once. Eventually you get caught, things go south. When the hell did we forget all that? I thought we were better than this, I really did.”​

Based on the book by Michael Lewis (writer of  Moneyball, Liar’s Poker, Flash Boys ),  The Big Short  follows three separate but concurrent true stories of the US mortgage housing crisis:

Michael Burry, an eccentric ex-physician turned one-eyed Scion Capital hedge fund manager, has traded traditional office attire for shorts, bare feet and a Supercuts haircut. He believes that the US housing market is built on a bubble that will burst within the next few years. Burry proceeds to bet against the housing market with the banks, who are more than happy to accept his proposal for something that has never happened in American history.

Jared Vennett with Deutschebank gets wind of what Burry is doing and, as an investor believes he too can cash in on Burry’s beliefs. An errant telephone call to FrontPoint Partners gets this information into the hands of Mark Baum, an idealist who is fed up with the corruption in the financial industry. Baum and his associates, who work at an arms length under Morgan Stanley, decide to join forces with Vennett despite not totally trusting him.

Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley, who are minor players in a $30 million start-up garage company called Brownfield, get a hold of Vennett’s prospectus on the matter. Wanting in on the action but not having the official clout to play, they decide to call an old “friend”, retired investment banker Ben Rickert, to help out.

Oscar-winning  The Big Short  is an entertaining film in itself, but where it gets extra brownie points with us is its stylistic method of explaining often dry and technical details of financial instruments featured in the film, such as explaining the origination and complexity of a synthetic CDO in a scene where Selena Gomez plays blackjack.  Another example using Jenga blocks and Anthony Bourdain is featured in the clip below.

Wouldn’t it be nice if CFA Program material were explained like this?

2) ​Inside Job

​2010  | 1h 49min | Documentary, Crime  |  Regulation, Ethics, 2008 Financial Crisis

“Chuck Prince of Citibank famously said that ‘we have to dance until the music stops.’ Actually, the music had stopped already when he said that.” – George Soros

This documentary-film, narrated by Matt Damon, follows the events of the global financial meltdown of the subprime crisis, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse.

Filmed on-location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China, ‘Inside Job’ is a documentary based on research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, the film traces the rise of a rogue industry which has corrupted politics, regulation, and academia, sharing the point of view from then-politician Christine Lagarde to world known investor Georges Soros. It follows a well-structured approach consisting of five parts and looks in depth topics such as the regulation of financial markets and the housing bubble market.

​The film has gathered praise for its research and argument against the accountability of the US financial system.

3) Too Big To Fail

​ 2011 |  98 min  |  Biography, Drama  |  2008 Financial Crisis, Moral Hazard, Federal Reserve System

“Credit has the ability to build a modern economy, but lack of credit has the ability to destroy it, swiftly and absolutely.” ​​

Based on Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book:  Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System — and Themselves , this movie takes a closer look at the 2008 financial crisis and how the powerful figures decided the fate of the world economy in a matter of weeks.

The movie focuses on how the US Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson attempted to rescue Lehman Brothers and AIG from the bankruptcy. You probably know how the rest of the events unfold, but I particularly enjoyed Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of Ben Bernanke – no wonder he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for that!

4) ​Wall Street

1987  |  2h 6min  |  Crime, Drama  |  Insider Trading

“The point is, ladies and gentlemen, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.”

Oliver Stone’s 1987 film remains a classic today. It has received critical acclaim and is considered the best Wall Street by most. Usman Hayat from CFA Institute said it best: “It is the CAPM of finance films: Everyone in finance is supposed to know it, and whether it is any good is no longer the point.”

This film is about insider trading – using it to make tons of money as fast as possible. It isn’t the first film about it but it is unparalleled in its quality, intensity and entertainment value. You won’t find many top lists of finance movies without  Wall Street  being included – and the infamy of its villain, Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) is legendary.

Some of the iconic lines from the film have since been quoted and re-quoted to the point that some people don’t realise it’s from this film: “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.”

5) ​Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room​

2005  |  109 min  |  Documentary, Crime  |  Enron scandal, Corruption, Mark-to-Market Accounting

[CEO and Chairman of Enron, Kenneth Lay’s Q&A session with employees] All right, we are down to questions. And I got a few up here. [reads question from the floor] ‘I would like to know if you are on crack, if so that would explain a lot. If not, you may want to start because it’s going to be a long time before we trust you again.’ ​

From the 7th largest company in the US to bankruptcy in less than a year, this documentary explains the rise and fall of the Enron Corporation, probably one of the most shocking example of modern corporate green and corruption.

From inflating profits, dubious accounting practices and energy market manipulation – you have it all here in this documentary of corporate greed.

6) ​Becoming Warren Buffett

2017  |  1h 30 min  |  Documentary, Biography  |  Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger

“If you’re emotional about investment, you’re not going to do well. You may have all these feelings about a stock, the stock has no feelings about you.” – Warren Buffett

Finally, something positive and inspiring! Here we are with the Sage of Omaha himself, a great role model for  most CFA candidates and charterholders.

This inspiring documentary follows the evolution of a numbers-obsessed Nebraska kid to one of the most respected and successful investor in the world, all the while introducing you to the people that most aided his growth. It’s not focused on investing per se, but there are lots of words of wisdom dotted throughout that will provide serious food-for-thought afterwards.

A side note: for those of you with extra time this holidays, all the  Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters  are always an interesting and educational read for an insight to his investing style and personality.

7) ​American Psycho

​2000  |  1h 41min  |  Crime, Drama  |  Investment Banking

“I have to return some video tapes.”

Well that threw you on a loop, didn’t it? While not really following the same trend as the films before and would be classified more of crime drama or even the horror category, this film nonetheless is a great example why it is considered a Wall Street film.

Christian Bale plays the role of Patrick Bateman, a  young successful investment banker  in the heart of Manhattan. He goes on about his day eating in expensive restaurants, hanging out with his rich friends and … leading a life as a serial killer.

The film while is a little over the top is also satirical to  what investment banking is like : the quest of dominance, perfection and appearance. The famous business card scene perfectly highlights the superficialities of business culture, but at the same time demonstrates how profound banalities can affect us, if we let them. The film is a cult classic and is Christian Bale’s breakout film.

​The film focuses on Bateman’s psychopathic tendencies, but this might be closer to more fact than fiction. Published in the Financial Times ( “The Psychopath’s guide to finance” David Oakley ) a Professor from Oxford has conducted research on readers of the FT versus readers of other newspapers. He argued that ‘the profession with the most psychopaths was financial services’ and furthermore states that ‘psychopathic traits make great chief executives’.

8) ​Trading Places

​1983 |  1h 56min  |  Comedy  |  Commodities Trading

“Sell 30 April at 142!”

Louis Winthorpe (Dan Ackroyd) is a businessman who works for commodities brokerage firm of Duke and Duke owned by the brothers Mortimer and Randolph Duke. The Duke brothers bicker over the most trivial of matters and what they are bickering about is whether it’s a person’s environment or heredity that determines how well they will do in life.

When Winthorpe bumps into Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), a street hustler and assumes he is trying to rob him, he has him arrested. Upon seeing how different the two men are, the brothers decide to make a wager as to what would happen if Winthorpe loses his job, his home and is shunned by everyone he knows and if Valentine was given Winthorpe’s job.

The film culminates in a fast-paced futures trading showdown that is a great example of commodities trading ( the trades that take place in the Trading Places finale are broken down step by step here ).

One interesting kicker to the story: Trading commodities on inside information obtained from the government wasn’t actually illegal when the movie came out, but it’s illegal now. It was banned in the 2010 finance-overhaul law, under a special provision often referred to as the Eddie Murphy Rule.

9) ​Boiler Room

​2000  |  2h  |  Crime, Drama, Thriller  |  Pump & Dump Securities Fraud

“You will make your first million in three years.”

That’s the promise that Jack Young (Ben Affleck) makes to his young recruits at a suburban investment firm. Starring Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck, this film showcases the ‘pump and dump’ more than ten years before the Wolf of Wall Street. Pump and dump is a type of securities fraud that involves selling worthless stocks at artificially inflated prices to unsuspecting victims, usually by aggressive sales tactics, combined with misleading or outright false information.

Giovanni Ribisi plays Seth, a college dropout that joins Jack Young’s firm with a drive to make his father proud, and initially does well at his firm. As he begins to excel and develop a love for the hard sale and high commission, learning more about the firm he works at lead Seth to question the legitimacy of the firm’s operations – placing him once again at odds with his father and what remains of his morality.

10) ​Margin Call

2011  | 1h 47min  | Drama, Thriller  |  2008 Financial Crisis

“We are selling to willing buyers at the current fair market price. So that we may survive.”

Margin Call didn’t receive much attention in terms of widespread viewership but had a great ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey (if we can still mention him), Paul Bettany, Stanley Tucci, Demi Moore and Zachary Quinto.

One of the most technically accurate films in this list, this film is a realistic view on what transpired during the beginning of the crisis of 2008. Zachary Quinto plays the role of Peter Sullivan, a rocket scientist working as a  risk analyst  in a leading investment bank in New York. As most of the firm is  being laid off , Peter’s boss is among them.  Before he is escorted out of the office and hands Peter a USB drive showing worrying signs of what’s to come – and the decisions, actions and ethics that have to be considered in the next 24 hours.

11) ​The Company Men

2010  |   1h 44min  |  Drama  |  Redundancy, The Great Recession

“I … will … win. Why? Because I have faith … courage … and enthusiasm.”

Although business and finance take a back seat in this film, the impact of the great recession caused by the 2008 financial crisis is crushingly felt in  The Company Men.  If you are among the millions of people who have been  laid off by during the course of the recession ,  The Company Men  can be very relatable, insightful, and emotional to watch.

The film follows the downsizing of GTX, a ship-building firm, and the lives of the three employees after being laid off. One of the first to go is sales manager Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) who is shocked and then hurt and then overcome with a feeling of failure and humiliation. Bobby’s wife Maggie (Rosemarie DeWitt) at first responds with desperation but adjusts by taking on work as an ER nurse, coaxing their son to not lose hope in Bobby. Bobby tries to find work but is the victim of the joblessness of the country: he finally accepts Maggie’s brother Jack’s (Kevin Costner) offer to work as a simple carpenter.

Meanwhile the downsizing includes Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), one of the founders of the firm, and longterm employee Phil (Chris Cooper) who is overcome with anger and humiliation at being unemployable because of his advanced age. The manner in which each of these three men cope with the loss of job and income weaves a story that is complete with tragedy as well as a demonstration of the indomitability of the human spirit.

12) Bitcoin: The End of Money as We Know It

2015  |   1h  |  Documentary  |  Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Economics

“Innovation without permission has now arrived in the financial sector.”

I highly recommend this documentary for those who are new to the concept of cryptocurrencies.

This concise, clear and jargon-free documentary is targeted for mainstream audience. It starts by looks at the broader picture by examining the history of money, the patterns of technological changes and how it led to birth of cryptocurrencies.

The director Torsten Hoffmann also recently just launched another related documentary this year entitled: “ Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet “, focusing on blockchain. If you like his style, do check it out in the links further below!

Special Mentions: Other Finance Movies and Documentaries

They didn’t make the main list, but these films below are really worth checking out: ​

• The Accountant    |  2016  |  2h 8min  |   Action, Crime, Drama   |  Financial Reporting & Analysis  |   Trailer
• The China Hustle   |  2017  |  1h 22min  |  Documentary  |  Systematic Securities Fraud  |   Trailer
• Rogue Trader   |  1999  |  1h 41min  |  Crime, Drama, History  |  Derivatives Fraud  |   Trailer
• Family Man    |  2016  |  1h 48min  |  Drama  |  Recruiting, Work & Life Balance  |   Trailer
• The Wolf of Wall Street    |  2 013  |  3h  |  Biography, Crime, Drama  |  Pump & Dump Fraud  |   Trailer
• The Pursuit of Happyness   |  2006  |  1h 57min  |  Biography, Drama  |  Job Hunt, Stockbroking   |   Trailer
• Arbitrage   |  2012  |  1h 47min  |  Drama, Thriller  |  Hedge Funds, Fraud  |   Trailer
• Glengarry Glen Ross   |  1992  |  1h 40min  |  Crime, Drama, Mystery  |  Sales  |   Trailer
• Barbarians at the Gate   |  1993  |  1h 47min  |  Biography, Comedy, Drama  |  LBO  |   Trailer
• Betting on Zero   |  2016  |  98min  |  Documentary, Crime |  Pyramid Scheme  |   Trailer
• Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains and the Future of the Internet  |  2020  |  86min  |  Documentary, Crime |  Blockchain  |   Trailer

Do you have any more films to add to this list? Which is your favorite finance movie? Let us know in the comments below!

Meanwhile, you may find other related articles here of interest:

• The CFA Syllabus, Explained With Two Cows
• Looking for Good CFA Alternative Courses? Here Are 17 to Consider
• The Latest Recommended CFA Reading List For Candidates

7 thoughts on “Top 12 Best Finance Movies for CFA Candidates”

You have not included a much less spoken about but quite an interesting movie which deals with the current investment banking scenario, and broadly the world of finance, EQUITY. Available in Google Movies as well as Apple movies. EQUITY is the best wall Street movie I have watched after Margin call…came out in 2016 …..shows the difficulty in getting deals post the GFC and the new regulations from the perspective of a top tier FEMALE investment banker….all the movies concentrating on wall Street was from a male perspective….this is different… The balancing act in I banking is clearly shown

Barbarians at the gates – the leveraged buyout of nabisco

Thanks, added to the list!

Arbitrage (2018) with Richard Gere in it

Added to the list!

Wolf of Wall Street. This is probly the reason i want to get into wall street, quite tired of chasing bad guys and not enjoying the money, so “I want you to deal with your problems by becoming rich. Atleast as a rich man, when I have to face my problem, I show up in a back of a limo, wearing a $2000 dollar suit and a $40 000 gold fucken watch..”

Good shout! The securities fraud featured there is similar to Boiler Room, albeit with less nudity and crazy dialogue…

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Financial Literacy through Film: How Movies Can Educate and Empower Business Owners

In today's world, where the intricacies of finance seem to be multiplying by the day, having a firm grasp of financial literacy is more crucial than ever. It's no longer just about the basics of balancing a checkbook or paying bills on time. Financial literacy now encompasses a comprehensive understanding of investments, debt management, and the ability to make well-informed financial decisions. 

And when it comes to business owners, this knowledge takes on even greater significance, as it directly influences the success and sustainability of their ventures. In this article, we're going to delve into an unconventional yet highly effective medium for imparting financial wisdom—movies.

The Magic of Visual Storytelling

Movies have an extraordinary knack for conveying complex ideas and emotions through the art of visual storytelling. They engage our senses, tug at our heartstrings, and stimulate our intellect in a way that conventional educational materials often struggle to do. 

Regarding financial literacy, films employ the power of narratives and well-crafted characters to illustrate real-world financial scenarios, making the subject matter comprehensible and relatable. Many choose to watch documentaries about traders and events. Here are some movies inspired by the complex specifics of finances.

The Big Short (2015): Deciphering the Financial Crisis

Picture this: a star-studded cast led by Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling coming together to unravel the baffling complexities of the 2008 financial crisis. That's precisely what "The Big Short" directed by Adam McKay accomplishes. Based on Michael Lewis's book, the film delves into the depths of the crisis with such finesse that even those who shudder at the mention of terms like "subprime mortgages," "collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)," and "credit default swaps" find themselves nodding in comprehension.

For business owners, understanding the causes and consequences of the financial crisis is a crucial stepping stone. It offers valuable insights into market volatility and risk management. "The Big Short" doesn't merely break down these convoluted concepts; it shows the real-world fallout of financial mismanagement, serving as a poignant lesson in fiscal prudence for budding entrepreneurs.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): Perseverance and Financial Resilience

While "The Pursuit of Happyness" isn't a movie that revolves exclusively around finance, it strikes a chord with important financial themes. Starring Will Smith , this biographical drama chronicles the life of Chris Gardner, a tenacious salesman who grapples with homelessness while striving to provide a better future for his son. The film is a testament to the significance of financial resilience, unwavering determination, and the courage to take calculated risks.

For business owners, "The Pursuit of Happyness" serves as a wellspring of inspiration. It shines a light on the sheer grit required to overcome financial adversity and attain success. In the world of entrepreneurship, this quality often stands as the bedrock of achievement.

Wall Street (1987): Navigating the Ethical Labyrinth

Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" takes us on a deep dive into the world of corporate finance and the moral quagmires that individuals often grapple with. The character of Gordon Gekko, portrayed with flair by Michael Douglas, has etched itself into cinematic history as the epitome of corporate greed. The film raises pressing questions about ethics, insider trading, and the repercussions of prioritizing personal gain over ethical conduct.

For business owners, "Wall Street" serves as a cautionary tale of epic proportions. It underscores the paramount importance of conducting business affairs with unwavering integrity and ethical values. It serves as a poignant reminder that financial success should never come at the cost of one's moral compass.

The Social Network (2010): Entrepreneurship and Calculated Risks

Directed by David Fincher, "The Social Network" unveils the riveting story behind the inception of Facebook and the legal battles that followed. It offers profound insights into the realm of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the inherent risks associated with launching and scaling a business. Mark Zuckerberg's odyssey from a college student with a brilliant idea to a billionaire entrepreneur is a testament to the power of innovation and judicious risk-taking.

For business owners, this film is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit. It underscores the challenges that invariably accompany the pursuit of groundbreaking business ideas. It encourages individuals to chase their entrepreneurial dreams while being mindful of the potential legal and ethical intricacies that may emerge along the way.

Moneyball (2011): The Art of Data-Driven Decision-Making

"Moneyball," based on a true story and featuring Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, is a film that delves into the realm of sports and the art of data-driven decision-making. While not confined to the realm of finance, it imparts invaluable lessons on the importance of scrutinizing data to make well-informed choices. Beane's groundbreaking approach to building a winning baseball team through statistics and analytics revolutionized the sports industry.

Business owners can draw parallels between Beane's data-driven decision-making and the imperative of data analysis in their own enterprises. In today's data-rich environment, the ability to make strategic decisions based on data insights is indispensable for achieving success.

Leveraging Movies for Financial Literacy

Now that we've uncovered how movies can be a potent source of financial education, it's crucial to explore how to harness this medium effectively:

Selecting the Right Movies: Choose films that align with your financial learning goals. Whether you're seeking to decipher intricate financial concepts, gather entrepreneurial motivation, or ponder the ethical dimensions of finance, there's a movie tailored to your objectives.

Taking Notes: As you immerse yourself in these cinematic journeys, take notes on pivotal financial lessons, intricate concepts, or memorable quotes that resonate with you. These notes will serve as invaluable references for retaining and applying what you've learned.

Engaging in Discussion and Analysis: After watching a relevant film, consider engaging in discussions or joining online forums where you can dissect the financial themes, share insights, and glean wisdom from fellow enthusiasts.

Complementing with Traditional Resources: While movies serve as compelling educational tools, it's essential to supplement this cinematic education with traditional resources such as books, courses, and workshops. This ensures a comprehensive and well-rounded financial education.

Application is Key: Ultimately, the true value of financial literacy lies in its application. Endeavor to apply the knowledge you've acquired from these movies to make well-informed financial decisions within your business.

Financial literacy is an indispensable skill for business owners, and movies offer a unique and engaging pathway to attain this knowledge. Through masterful storytelling, relatable characters, and real-world scenarios, films such as "The Big Short," "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Wall Street," "The Social Network," and "Moneyball" bestow invaluable lessons on finance, entrepreneurship, ethics, and data-driven decision-making.

By integrating movies into your learning journey, you can transform financial literacy into an immersive and accessible experience. Remember to meticulously select films that resonate with your objectives, take diligent notes, partake in insightful discussions, supplement your cinematic education with traditional resources, and, most crucially, apply the wisdom you've gleaned to your entrepreneurial pursuits. Financial empowerment through the lens of cinema isn't merely entertainment; it's a transformative path toward triumph in the intricate realm of finance.

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Best Finance Movies

• Movies or TV
• IMDb Rating
• In Theaters
• Release Year

1. Margin Call (2011)

R | 107 min | Drama, Thriller

Follows the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.

Director: J.C. Chandor | Stars: Zachary Quinto , Stanley Tucci , Kevin Spacey , Paul Bettany

Votes: 143,791 | Gross: $5.35M

2. Inside Job (2010)

PG-13 | 109 min | Documentary, Crime

Takes a closer look at what brought about the 2008 financial meltdown.

Director: Charles Ferguson | Stars: Matt Damon , Gylfi Zoega , Andri Snær Magnason , Sigridur Benediktsdottir

Votes: 78,820 | Gross: $4.31M

3. The Big Short (2015)

R | 130 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama

In 2006-2007 a group of investors bet against the United States mortgage market. In their research, they discover how flawed and corrupt the market is.

Director: Adam McKay | Stars: Christian Bale , Steve Carell , Ryan Gosling , Brad Pitt

Votes: 482,468 | Gross: $70.26M

4. Wall Street (1987)

R | 126 min | Crime, Drama

An impatient young stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless, greedy corporate raider who takes the youth under his wing.

Director: Oliver Stone | Stars: Charlie Sheen , Michael Douglas , Tamara Tunie , Franklin Cover

Votes: 164,849 | Gross: $43.85M

5. Floored (2009)

Not Rated | 77 min | Documentary

For some people, risking everything is nothing.

Director: James Allen Smith | Stars: Bobby Ansani , Jeff Ansani , Ron Beebe , Chris Felix

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

R | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A documentary about the Enron corporation, its faulty and corrupt business practices, and how they led to its fall.

Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: John Beard , Tim Belden , Barbara Boxer , George W. Bush

Votes: 20,074

7. Betting on Zero (2016)

Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary

Writer/director Ted Braun follows controversial hedge fund titan Bill Ackman as he puts a billion dollars on the line in his crusade to expose Herbalife as the largest pyramid scheme in history.

Director: Ted Braun | Stars: William Ackman , Douglas M. Brooks , William Cohan , Julie Contreras

Votes: 5,607

8. Becoming Warren Buffett (2017)

TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary, Biography

The legendary investor started out as an ambitious, numbers-obsessed boy from Nebraska and ended up becoming one of the richest and most respected men in the world.

Director: Peter W. Kunhardt | Stars: Kenan Akansel , Saul Bisht , Susie Buffet Jr. , Bertie Buffet

Votes: 5,349

9. Traders: Millions by the Minute (2014– )

TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary

Two-part documentary series which goes inside the fast and fiercely competitive world of financial traders to meet the men and women who play the markets in London, New York, Chicago and Amsterdam.

Stars: Saskia Reeves , Jane Wilkinson-Tancock , Rene

10. Boiler Room (2000)

R | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

A college dropout, attempting to live up to his father's high standards, gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm which puts him on the fast track to success. But the job might not be as legitimate as it first appeared to be.

Director: Ben Younger | Stars: Giovanni Ribisi , Vin Diesel , Nia Long , Nicky Katt

Votes: 56,358 | Gross: $16.94M

11. Rogue Trader (1999)

R | 101 min | Crime, Drama, History

The story of Nick Leeson, an ambitious investment broker who singlehandedly bankrupted one of the oldest and most important banks in Britain.

Director: James Dearden | Stars: Ewan McGregor , Anna Friel , Cristian Solimeno , Lorna Pegler

Votes: 10,645

12. Too Big to Fail (2011 TV Movie)

TV-MA | 99 min | Biography, Drama, History

Chronicles the financial meltdown of 2008 and centers on Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Director: Curtis Hanson | Stars: James Woods , John Heard , William Hurt , Erin Dilly

Votes: 19,019

13. Wall Street Warriors (2006– )

25 min | Documentary

An HD documentary series examining the extreme power and intense competition that defines Wall Street, seen through the eyes of those who thrive there.

Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel , Brett Hickey , Mark Jawdoszyn , Lance Cooley

14. Million Dollar Traders (2009– )

60 min | Reality-TV

Eight ordinary people are given a million dollars, a fortnight of intensive training and two months to run their own hedge fund. Can they make a killing?

Stars: Andrew Lincoln , Lex van Dam

15. Frontline (1983– ) Episode: To Catch a Trader (2014)

TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary, News

FRONTLINE tracks an ongoing seven-year investigation into the largest insider trading scandal in U.S. history.

Director: Nick Verbitsky | Stars: Will Lyman , Sheelah Kolhatkar , Bethany McLean , Martin Smith

16. The Wizard of Lies (2017 TV Movie)

TV-MA | 133 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

The fall of Bernie Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme robbed $65 billion from unsuspecting victims; the largest fraud in U.S. history.

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Robert De Niro , Michelle Pfeiffer , Alessandro Nivola , Nathan Darrow

Votes: 28,560

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Best Finance Movies on Netflix

Did you know that you can learn about money from some of the best finance movies on Netflix? You don't have to read boring books or attend lectures in cold university halls to improve your financial literacy. 

Anyone with a bank account should know what happens in the financial world. Learning can be a fun and engaging experience!

From documentaries about capitalism, the stock market, and the global economy to fictional TV shows about a deadly fight for a once-in-your-life sum of money, here are the best finance movies and TV shows available on Netflix .

The Best Finance Movies on Netflix

When it comes to finance movies, Netflix has a wide selection. Here are some finance movies on Netflix about the inner workings of the financial world.

The Big Short (2015)

• Budget: $50 million
• IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
• Box office: $133.4 million

Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Christian Bale, The Big Short is a 2015 biographical crime comedy-drama film. The movie tells three separate but concurrent stories loosely connected by their actions in the years leading up to the 2007 housing market crash.

The Big Short focused on the 2007 housing market crash , an international financial crisis that led to a major economic recession, with millions of people losing their jobs and many businesses going bankrupt.

In the movie, a group of opportunists profit from the U.S. economic crash by sniffing out the situation in advance and betting against the banks. The Big Short is based on a book of the same name, and the movie's co-writers won two Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

• Budget: $100 million
• IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
• Box office: $406.9 million

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 epic biographical black comedy crime film about the high-finance life of Jordan Belfort. Belfort is a former American stockbroker, financial criminal, and entrepreneur. The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the movies about money that’s based on a true story.

The movie recounts Belfort's career as a stockbroker in New York City and how his firm builds wealth by engaging in large-scale corruption, corporate greed, and fraud on Wall Street, which all led to his fall.

This award-winning movie features A-list actors like Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Barbie's Margot Robbie.

Inside Job (2010)

• Budget: $2 million
• Box office: $7.9 million

Inside Job is a 2010 American documentary film about the late 2000's financial crisis. One of the leading financial topics of the movie is how changes in the political environment and banking practices created the financial crisis.

In interviews, Charles Ferguson, the director of the film, said that he did extensive research in preparation for the movie and told the story of "the systemic corruption of the United States by the financial services industry and the consequences of that systemic corruption."

Narrated by Matt Damon, Inside Job won the Best Documentary Feature at the 83rd Academy Awards.

The Company Men (2010)

• Budget: $15 million
• IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
• Box office: $8.1 million

The 2010 American motion picture The Company Men follows three men trying to overcome corporate downsizing at a major business – and how that affects them, the lives of their families, and their communities.

The Company Men features actors like Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones. The movie has won two awards and has received a total of 11 nominations.

While this 2010 drama isn't based on anyone in particular, it still recalls true events of the economic climate of the United States in the early 2000s.

Margin Call (2011)

• Budget: $3.5 million
• IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
• Box office: $19.5 million

Margin Call is one of Wall Street's many drama movies dealing with finance and power themes. The 2011 finance film stars Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, and Zachary Quinto.

Margin Call tells the story of a prominent Wall Street investment bank during the initial stages of the 2007–2008 financial crash. The movie's name comes from a business term for when an investor needs to add more stocks or other items to their portfolio if the value has decreased below a certain point.

Even though the film doesn’t depict any real Wall Street investment firm, the plot is similar to some events during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

The Founder (2016)

• Budget: $25 million
• IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
• Box office: $24.1 million

The Founder is a 2016 biographical drama directed by John Lee Hancock and written by Robert Siegel. The main takeaway of this finance movie is that uncontrolled capitalism can destroy small businesses, giving insights into the importance of managing one's greed and power.

The film follows the rise of Ray Kroc, a salesman who disrupted the lives of the original McDonald's owners and turned the two brothers' innovative fast food idea into the biggest restaurant business in the world.

Grab a burger and some fries, turn on Netflix, and watch this film if you're a fan of McDonald's!

The Laundromat (2019)

• Budget: N/A
• IMDB Rating: 6.3/10
• Box office: N/A

The Laundromat is a 2019 American comedy-drama film based on the book Secrecy World about the Panama Papers Scandal . The cast list of this film features world-famous celebrities like Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas.

When a widow's vacation takes an unexpected turn, she finds herself in a rabbit hole of investigating the financial conspiracy of two lawyers responsible for a money laundering scheme.

If you don't like heavy finance movies, you'll enjoy this movie, as it takes a satirical approach to the finance world.

The Social Network (2010)

• Budget: $40 million
• Box office: $224.9 million

The Social Network tells viewers how Mark Zuckerberg created a social networking site, Facebook, with his friend Eduardo's help. 

Facebook made Mark Zuckerberg one of the wealthiest people in the world, but the journey to success left Zuckerberg with quite a few enemies. Critics view The Social Network as one of the most successful films of the 21st century, with insights into the hidden side of the financial sector! 

When asked about The Social Network, Facebook’s co-founder Eduardo Saverin said, "The movie was clearly intended to be entertainment and not a fact-based documentary."

Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)

Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King is a 2022 Netflix original about a group of cryptocurrency investors investigating the suspicious death of their exchange's founder, Gerry Cotten , and the $250 million they suspect he stole from them.

Just like other documentary films, this is a well-researched story about the world of finance, investment, greed, and money. Between March and April 2022, Netflix viewers watched the film globally for over 12 million hours.

This true-crime documentary perfectly combines a murder mystery and the stock market.

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

This documentary is both entertaining and educational. The Tinder Swindler follows three women scammed by a dating app-based swindler as they hunt him down to bring justice and recover the large sums of money he stole from them.

Simon Leviev is an Israeli con man convicted of theft, forgery, and fraud. Between 2017 and 2019, he stole around $10 million from victims across Europe in a Ponzi scheme. Three of these victims tell how Simon began romantic relationships with them.

These relationships had one thing in common – Leviev managed to gain the women’s trust and convince them to give him money. After these relationships ended, each woman was left heartbroken and struggling with money.

The Minimalists: Less Is Now (2021)

• IMDB Rating: 5.9/10

From art to music, minimalism has been around for centuries. However, in the last few years, minimalism has transformed into a lifestyle where people reject the American dream, conventional consumerism, and the need to own material goods.

The 2021 documentary The Minimalists: Less Is Now explores the harmful effects of excessive consumerism and advocates for a simpler, more fulfilling life.

With practical tips on decluttering, embracing minimalism , and reevaluating our relationship with material possessions, the documentary offers a new perspective on how our spending habits impact our overall well-being.

The Best Finance TV Shows on Netflix

Some people have a hard time sitting through full-length movies. If you, too, prefer finance TV shows to movies about money, here are some of our favorites.

Dirty Money (2018)

• No. of episodes: 12
• IMDB Rating: 8.1/10

Dirty Money is an original 2018 Netflix television series about corporate corruption, securities fraud, and creative accounting. Each of the 12 episodes dives deep into one example of corporate corruption and features interviews with key people in each story.

In case you didn't know, creative accounting is a euphemism for accounting practices that are ethically questionable but technically legal. 

The show's description reads, "From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed.”

Money Explained (2021)

• No. of episodes: 5
• IMDB Rating: 7/10

Money Explained is arguably the most popular non-fiction TV show about money. Every episode of this docuseries delves into a different story – gambling, get-rich-quick schemes, credit cards, student loans, and retirement.

The idea behind the show is that money is unavoidable in everyone's life. We should educate ourselves about its possible risks to save ourselves from financial mistakes.

Did you know that the first credit card was invented in the 1950s or that the average person loses hundreds of dollars each year to gambling ? Learn about this and more with Money Explained in easy-to-watch 23-minute-long episodes!

Inventing Anna (2022)

• No. of episodes: 9
• IMDB Rating: 6.8/10

Netflix's 2022 original series Inventing Anna documents Anna Delvey, a fake heiress, as she cons her way through New York.

This series is based on Anna Sorokin, a Russian immigrant who convinced the New York elites that she was a German socialite and an heiress to immense wealth while scamming them out of millions of dollars.

Sorokin’s experiences turned her into a public persona. She was a folk hero to some because she took away from the wealthy. Others couldn’t excuse her actions and wanted to see her get justice.

Squid Game (2021)

• IMDB Rating: 8/10

Premiered in 2021, the Korean survival drama Squid Game circles a secret contest where over 450 players, each more broke than the other, risk their lives to play lethal children's games to win a prize of over $33 million.

Each player had financial problems for different reasons and struggled to make ends meet when they all received mysterious invitations to participate in a game. They didn’t know that outliving competitors was the only way to win.

This hit TV show is based on the class differences in South Korea and capitalism . While the show isn’t necessarily educational, it does make you think about what people are willing to do for financial stability.

Money Heist (2017)

• No. of episodes: 41

Have you ever thought about robbing a bank? Watch what it’d be like to rob a bank with a group of cunning conmen with Netflix’s Money Heist.

The series premiered in 2017 and follows a group of robbers who dream of pulling off the perfect robbery – stealing 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain. It’s a tale of friendship, finances, and the justice system.

Money Heist had a revolutionary impact on the real world. Protesters in Lebanon, Iraq, France, and others drew inspiration from the show as they fought for liberation and anti-authoritarianism.

Bad Boy Billionaires: India (2020)

• No. of episodes: 3
• IMDB Rating: 7.9/10

Bad Boy Billionaires: India came out in 2020, and the show investigates the greed, fraud, and corrupt actions of India's most infamous tycoons.

The tycoons in question are Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Subrata Roy, and Ramalinga Raju, who achieved predominant success in their businesses during their lifetime before being accused of crimes.

This docuseries is controversial due to its portrayal of major financial scams in India , and lawyers of the business tycoons quickly filed petitions against the release of the series. 

How to Get Rich (2023)

• No. of episodes: 8

How to Get Rich is a Netflix original docuseries where Ramit Sethi, a financial expert, teaches regular US citizens how to become rich in today's world. Sethi maintains that if you know a lot about finances, it can't control you or your life.

It's a docu-series that advises on how to balance finances properly, and most importantly, it teaches people to be secure with their lifestyle no matter how big their annual salary is.

Ramit Sethi, a self-made entrepreneur, encourages people to prioritize paying off their debts, creating a spending plan, and deciding their spending wants and needs.

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Useful Personal Finance Movies and Documentaries with Worksheets

Looking for more movies you can use with your students to learn more about personal finance topics? Here is a list of personal finance movies and documentaries with ready-to-use classroom worksheets.

In order to access the answer keys for the worksheets, click on the button at the top of the Video Library page while signed into your NGPF Teacher Account.

Also, NGPF has two documentaries highlighting the national momentum that is increasing access to financial education: The Most Important Class You Never Had and Real World Class.   

The American Nightmare: 10 Years After the Financial Crisis

Primary Topic : Managing Credit

Synopsis : Ten years after the housing crisis, many people were forced to change their plans for their financial futures -- and redefine their ideas of the American dream. Find out what they learned and how experts say you can prepare if another crisis unfolds in this two-part documentary.

Duration: 42 min

Movie Website

Broke, Busted, and Disgusted

Primary Topic : Paying for College

Synopsis : Broke, Busted, and Disgusted is a pro-education documentary covering the true cost of college. While many issues contribute to the student loan crisis, we believe the most immediate action we can take is to educate the next generation about their options, the consequences of student debt, and the financial decisions they face. 

Duration: 53 min

Movie Website 

Broken Eggs: The Looming Retirement Crisis in America

Primary Topic : Investing

Synopsis : Happily ever after is quickly becoming... working ever after. Taking a rare look at one of the gravest social issues facing an aging America, Broken Eggs showcases the grim irony that as we live longer, a growing number of Americans are falling short of retirement security. Sadly, the prognosis is even worse for future generations. Unlike any documentary of its kind, Broken Eggs blends comical animations with unforgettable portraits of everyday Americans reckoning with their inability to retire.

Duration: 79 min

The Card Game

Synopsis : As credit card companies face rising public anger, new regulation from Washington and a potential perfect storm of economic bad news, FRONTLINE correspondent Lowell Bergman examines the future of the massive consumer loan industry and its impact on a fragile national economy. In a joint project with The New York Times, Bergman talks to industry insiders, lobbyists, politicians and consumer advocates as they square off over new regulation and the possible creation of a consumer finance protection agency.

Duration: 56 min

Primary Topic : Money and Me

Synopsis : Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical problems, and naturally prone to showing off, many pro athletes get shocked by harsh economic realities after years of living the high life. Broke digs into the psychology of men whose competitive nature carried them to victory on the field yet seemed to ruin them off the field.

Duration: 78 min

Explained: Stock Market

Synopsis : A soaring stock market doesn’t necessarily mean the economy is strong. What’s good for corporations isn’t always what’s best for its workers and consumers. And only about half of Americans own stock, meaning millions are left out when the market surges. In this episode, VOX measures what the stock market is actually measuring.

Duration: 17 min

Movie Website  

How to Get Rich: Design Your Rich Life (Episode 1)

Synopsis : Have you ever wondered how much people make and how much they spend? Three families meet with Ramit and put their financial histories in his hands.

Duration:  39 min

How to Get Rich: Financial Hot Water (Episode 2)

Primary Topic : Budgeting

Synopsis : Twelve credit cards between two people, a potential $1.3 million lost to interest and fees — these money missteps give Ramit lots to work with.

Duration:  35 min

How to Get Rich: HOA not Okay (Episode 3)

Synopsis : Ramit debates the merits of home ownership; he helps a couple work better together and evaluates one family's conscious spending habits.

How to Get Rich: New Cash, Old Problems (Episode 4)

Synopsis : To give a couple a taste of the rich life, Ramit takes them on a fantasy getaway; he meets with a reality star who needs help with his spending.

Duration:  34 min

Synopsis : The global financial meltdown that took place in Fall 2008 caused millions of job and home losses and plunged the United States into a deep economic recession. Matt Damon narrates a documentary that provides a detailed examination of the elements that led to the collapse and identifies key financial and political players. Director Charles Ferguson conducts a wide range of interviews and traces the story from the United States to China to Iceland to several other global financial hot spots.

Duration: 108 min

Synopsis : Maxed Out takes viewers on a journey deep inside the American style of debt, where things seem fine as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time. With coverage that spans from small American towns all the way to the White House, the film shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer while the rich keep getting richer. Hilarious, shocking and incisive, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us. 

Duration: 86 min

Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things

Primary Topic : Money & Me

Synopsis : How might your life be better with less? Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things examines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life—families, entrepreneurs, architects, artists, journalists, scientists, and even a former Wall Street broker—all of whom are striving to live a meaningful life with less.

Money, Explained: Student Loans

Synopsis : Higher education helps society. But paying for it can be ruinous. What led to the U.S. student debt crisis, and is there a way to fix it?

Duration: 22 min

Playing with FIRE: The Documentary

Synopsis : Filled with inspiring stories and the influencers who make up the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement. Playing with FIRE is one family's journey to acquire the one thing that money can't buy: a simpler ― and happier ― life.

Duration: 75 min

The Retirement Gamble

Synopsis : Whether your IRA or 401K will assure a safe retirement is largely a gamble. Building off reporting from the groundbreaking special Money, Power and Wall Street, FRONTLINE's special raises troubling questions about how America's financial institutions protect our savings and answer them as reinforcements for what personal finance teachers are instructing students to do, starting with being considerate of investment fees. 

Duration: 52 min

The Secret History of the Credit Card

Synopsis : In “Secret History of the Credit Card,” correspondent Lowell Bergman uncovers the techniques used by the industry to earn record profits and get consumers to take on more debt. Some experts argue the profitability of credit cards began when the banking industry successfully eliminated a critical restriction: the limit on the interest rate a lender can charge a borrower. Deregulation, coupled with a revolution in technology enabled the almost real-time tracking of personal financial information and the emergence of nationwide banking, facilitated the widening availability of credit cards across the economic spectrum. But for some, the cost of credit is often far greater than it appears.

Duration: 55 min

Spent: Looking for Change

Primary Topic : Checking

Synopsis : A film about everyday Americans without the financial options most of us take for granted, and the movement giving them renewed hope. Turning to pawn shops, check cashing services, and payday lenders to meet basic financial needs can be costly for many.

Duration: 40 min

Thinking Money: The Psychology Behind Our Best and Worst Financial Decisions 

Primary Topic : Behavioral Economics

Synopsis : Host Dave Coyne leads viewers through an exploration of what behavioral economics reveals about why we spend, save (or don’t save) and the way we think about money. Dave meets with innovative thinkers who mix economics with psychology. Their experiments and insights into our financial behavior teach us to recognize how our brains and the marketplace can trick us into spending money we shouldn’t. 

Duration: 57 min

Your Life Your Money

Synopsis : Featuring compelling real-life stories of young people finding their way through a variety of economic challenges, "Your Life, Your Money" delivers basic financial advice in a simple and relatable manner. This one-hour special raises fiscal consciousness on everything from banking and credit to investments, budgeting, insurance and self employment.

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