Movies About Money

From Brian De Palma, starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Rated R

Scarface is a 1983 American crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone. It stars Al Pacino as Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who arrives in 1980s Miami with nothing and rises to become a powerful drug kingpin. The film chronicles his violent rise to power, as he builds a criminal empire and amasses a fortune while ruthlessly eliminating his rivals. Along the way, he faces off with drug lord Alejandro Sosa and encounters a series of characters who stand in his way. Ultimately, Montana's obsession with money, power and respect leads to his downfall. The film is filled with iconic lines and visuals, and is a classic of the gangster genre.

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

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American black comedy biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name. It follows Belfort's rise from penny stockbroker to a wealthy stock-market mogul and his moral collapse. Belfort's unscrupulous business dealings and lifestyle of drugs, sex, and excess eventually leads to his downfall. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, Jonah Hill as Donnie Azoff, and Margot Robbie as Naomi Lapaglia. The film features cameo appearances by other celebrities, including Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, Jean Dujardin, and Jon Bernthal. The film received widespread critical acclaim and has grossed over $392 million worldwide.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 film directed by Martin Scorsese. It follows the rise and fall of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a casino executive who is sent to Las Vegas to oversee the operations of the Tangiers casino. He quickly rises in the ranks, but his success is threatened by a mob-backed, former casino owner (Joe Pesci) and an ex-con who runs a successful casino-cheating operation (Sharon Stone). As the stakes grow higher and higher, Ace is forced to confront the brutal realities of his criminal lifestyle, ultimately leading to his downfall. As the story progresses, Ace's relationship with his childhood friend and mob enforcer Nicky Santoro (Pesci) grows increasingly tense, and Ace eventually has to pay the ultimate price for his actions. The film is a riveting exploration of the world of organized crime and its impact on the lives of everyone involved.

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

Inside Job is a 2010 American documentary film produced, written, and directed by Charles Ferguson, which details the events that led to the 2008 financial crisis. The film focuses on the systemic corruption of the United States financial system, which allowed for the crisis to take place and examines how the actions of a few key players contributed to the downfall of the world economy. Through interviews with major financial insiders, politicians, and journalists, the film examines how a combination of deregulation, greed, and cronyism led to the economic recession. In addition, it features interviews with various economists, financial analysts, and politicians, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson and former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan. The film won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds, Martin Stringer
Rated R

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 drama film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as oil prospector Daniel Plainview. Set in the early 20th century, the film follows Plainview's rise in the oil industry and his increasing rivalry with a local preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). As Plainview and Eli face off, their rivalry eventually leads to violence and tragedy, as Plainview's obsession with wealth and power drives him to corruption and ruthlessness. Through the course of the story, Plainview's relationship with his adopted son H.W. (Dillon Freasier) is also explored and tested, as aspects of his life slowly unravel.

From Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin
Rated R

American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. The film is based on the criminal career of Frank Lucas, a drug trafficker and gangster in Harlem in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It follows Detective Richie Roberts (Crowe) as he attempts to bring down Lucas' criminal empire and Lucas himself. The film follows Lucas' rise in the drug world, from his beginnings as a driver and bag man to a high-level kingpin. Along the way, the audience sees the lengths he will go to protect his business and his family. The film also shows Roberts' struggle to do his job despite police corruption, as well as his determination to bring down Lucas. In the end, Lucas is brought to justice, and Roberts is vindicated.

From David Fincher, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Rooney Mara
Rated PG-13

The Social Network tells the story of the founding of the social networking site, Facebook. It follows the journey of the site’s creator, Mark Zuckerberg, from a Harvard student with a vision to a multi-billionaire CEO of one of the most influential companies in the world. The film details the events leading up to the site's launch, the lawsuits that followed, and the breakups and forming of alliances that ensued. It is a story about ambition, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, and the power of social media to redefine the way people connect with one another around the world.

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

The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay. The film is based on the non-fiction book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. The film follows four individuals (played by Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling) who predict the 2007-2008 financial crisis and take on the big banks for their greed and lack of foresight. The film is a mix of comedy, drama, and satire, highlighting the outrageousness of the crisis and the characters' reactions to it. It also shows the systemic failure of the U.S. housing market and the human suffering that resulted from it. The film was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong
Rated R

The Gentlemen is a 2019 British-American action comedy film written, directed, and produced by Guy Ritchie. The movie follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) as he seeks to cash out of his highly profitable marijuana empire in London. As news of his plans spreads, it triggers plots and schemes from shady characters who all have their eyes on Pearson's fortune. As various forces converge and the stakes reach a boiling point, Mickey must rely on his sharp wits and street smarts to protect his business and family. Along the way, he is aided by his right-hand man Ray (Charlie Hunnam), an ambitious private investigator Fletcher (Hugh Grant), and the mysterious Coach (Colin Farrell). The lines between friend and foe quickly become blurred as the actions of everyone involved threatens to erupt into a full-scale war.

From Steven Soderbergh, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon
Rated PG-13

Ocean's Eleven is a 2001 heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, and Bernie Mac. The film follows a group of eleven criminals as they plan to rob the three largest casinos in Las Vegas simultaneously. Led by Danny Ocean (Clooney), the team execute a highly complex plan involving various disguises, subterfuge and deception in order to pull off the audacious crime. Along the way, Ocean and his friends must contend with the casino's security and outsmart its head of security, a powerful casino mogul (Garcia). In the end, the team succeeds in their heist, getting away with millions of dollars and leaving the casinos in shambles.

From Andrew Niccol, starring Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan
Rated R

Lord of War is a 2005 crime drama film written, produced, and directed by Andrew Niccol. It stars Nicolas Cage as an illegal arms dealer, Yuri Orlov, who is inspired by the stories of several real-life arms dealers and smugglers. The film follows Yuri's rise to power and his relationships with his family and associates. The film also stars Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, and Bridget Moynahan. The film opens with Yuri Orlov, a Ukrainian immigrant living in Brooklyn, New York, who is inspired by the stories of several real-life arms dealers and smugglers. In a series of flashbacks, we learn how he started his arms dealing career and how he kept growing it, despite the dangers involved. As his business expands, he finds himself at the center of a power struggle between his clients, the Ukrainian mafia and the FBI. In the end, Yuri is able to stay one step ahead of the law and make a huge profit. However, his actions also leave a lasting impression on his family and associates.

From Ted Demme, starring Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Franka Potente, Rachel Griffiths
Rated R

Blow is a biographical film directed by Ted Demme and starring Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, and Rachel Griffiths. The film tells the story of George Jung, a small-time marijuana dealer in the 1960s and 1970s who eventually becomes one of the biggest cocaine smugglers in the United States. Jung's life is marked by success and failure, love and betrayal, and ultimately paying the price for his mistakes. The film follows Jung's rise and fall from the top of the drug trade and his attempts to rebuild his life and find redemption.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly
Rated PG-13

The Aviator is a 2004 biographical epic drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the aviation pioneer and film producer Howard Hughes. It follows Hughes' life from 1927 to 1947 during which time he became a successful film producer, set multiple world air-speed records, and gained fame for his eccentric behavior. The film chronicles Hughes’ growing obsession with aviation, from his early experiments with gliders, to his creation of a successful airline, and ultimately, his attempt to break the world record for around-the-world flight. Hughes’ deteriorating mental state is explored, as well as his relationships with prominent Hollywood actresses including Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner. His success and ultimate downfall are chronicled, as well as his struggle with his own personal demons.

From Stefan Ruzowitzky, starring Karl Markovics, August Diehl, Devid Striesow, Martin Brambach
Rated R

The Counterfeiters is a 2007 Austrian-German drama film directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky. It tells the true story of Salomon "Sally" Sorowitsch, a Jewish master forger and counterfeiter who was arrested by the Nazis and sent to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the camp, Sally and other prisoners are tasked with creating counterfeit British and American currency to help finance the Nazi war effort. Sally agrees to cooperate with the Nazi officials in order to save his own life and those of his fellow inmates. The film follows Sally's inner struggle between moral duty and his own personal desire for survival. As he becomes more involved in the counterfeiting operation, he begins to confront the issues of guilt and morality, ultimately becoming an unwilling pawn in the Nazi's plan for global domination. The Counterfeiters is an intense and thought-provoking film which ultimately serves as a reminder of the power of human will and courage in the face of evil.

From Neil Burger, starring Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro
Rated PG-13

From Aaron Sorkin, starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Tamara Tunie, Franklin Cover
Rated R

From Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Tobey Maguire
Rated PG-13

From Guy Ritchie, starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Idris Elba, Thandiwe Newton
Rated R

From John Lee Hancock, starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini
Rated PG-13

From Todd Phillips, starring Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Steve Lantz, Gregg Weiner
Rated R

From Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Donald Sutherland, Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron
Rated PG-13

From J.C. Chandor, starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola
Rated R

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