Movies About Investing

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a New York stockbroker who ran a firm that engaged in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street during the 1990s. The film follows Belfort's career from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. It also chronicles Belfort’s hard-partying lifestyle, drug use, and sexual excesses. The Wolf of Wall Street is a critical and commercial success, earning five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Charles Ferguson, starring Matt Damon, Gylfi Zoega, Andri Snær Magnason, Sigridur Benediktsdottir
Rated PG-13

Inside Job is a documentary film about the 2008 financial crisis that examines its causes, consequences, and the people involved in it. Directed by Charles Ferguson, the film features interviews with various financial and political figures from around the world, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, and Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz. The documentary reveals a systemic corruption of the financial industry and its political enablers, and the disastrous consequences that followed. It also shows how the public and governments ultimately paid a huge price for the recklessness and greed of the financial sector. The film ultimately argues that the crisis was a result of deregulation and crony capitalism, as well as of a lack of transparency and accountability in the financial system.

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Rated R

The Big Short is a 2015 Academy Award-winning comedy-drama directed by Adam McKay and starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. The film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Michael Lewis and chronicles the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. The film follows the story of four men who, in the midst of the crisis, saw the potential of an upcoming market crash and bet on it, thus making a fortune out of it. The four men, played by Bale, Carell, Gosling and Pitt, come from different backgrounds and have different motives for their investment, but are all united in their desire to make money. The film is a witty and entertaining look into the global financial crisis and how it impacted the lives of many people across the world. It is an eye-opening look at how greed, hubris and ignorance can lead to disastrous outcomes. The Big Short also serves as a cautionary tale and warns of the consequences of unchecked capitalism.

From James Foley, starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin
Rated R

Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 drama film directed by James Foley, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by David Mamet. The film follows the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical, illegal acts—from lies and flattery to bribery, threats, and even burglary—to sell undesirable real estate to unwitting prospective buyers. The film stars Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and Kevin Spacey. It is a dark, intense and uncompromising look at the American dream and the men who will do anything to achieve success.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The film tells the story of Louis Winthorpe III, a wealthy commodities broker, and Billy Ray Valentine, a homeless con artist. Two wealthy brothers, Mortimer and Randolph Duke, make a bet on whether or not they can turn the homeless Valentine into a successful businessman, while at the same time transforming Winthorpe into a homeless beggar. As the two men face off in their new roles, they both find unexpected success, and soon team up to take revenge on the Dukes for their cruel experiment. Along the way, they discover the real truth behind the Dukes' business dealings and ultimately bring them to justice.

From Jed Rothstein, starring Dan David, Matthew Wiechert, Herb Greenberg, Roddy Boyd
Rated R

From J.C. Chandor, starring Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany
Rated R

From Ben Younger, starring Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Nicky Katt
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Shia LaBeouf, Michael Douglas, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin
Rated PG-13