Money plays a pivotal role in everyone’s life, but for millennials, financial challenges like student loans, job instability and skyrocketing living costs make it even more crucial to understand wealth, success and economic pitfalls. These 15 films dive deep into the world of finance, greed, capitalism and economic survival, providing eye opening insights into how money shapes our world. From real life financial scandals to dark comedies about excess, these films entertain while offering valuable lessons about financial ambition, corruption and power.
The Big Short, 2015 – How the Financial Crisis Happened
This fast paced, witty drama explains how the 2008 financial crisis happened. It follows a few investors who saw the economic collapse coming and bet against the housing market, making millions while the rest of the economy crumbled. Essential viewing for anyone wanting to understand how financial institutions affect everyday people.
The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013 – The Rise and Fall of a Stockbroker
Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a corrupt stockbroker who built a massive fortune through fraudulent stock schemes, before it all came crashing down. A lesson in recognizing financial scams and resisting the allure of fast money. A high energy cautionary tale about financial excess, greed and moral corruption. Shows how unchecked ambition and money can lead to self destruction.
Margin Call, 2011 – A Tense Look at the 2008 Crash
Taking place over one intense 24 hour period, this financial thriller follows an investment firm realizing that their entire company is about to collapse and the desperate decisions that follow. A great example of how greed and corporate decision making affect everyday people. A suspenseful, behind the scenes look at how high level bankers react to financial crises.
Boiler Room, 2000 – The Dark Side of Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
A young man joins a fraudulent stock brokerage firm, where employees lie and manipulate clients into investing in worthless stocks for huge commissions. Highlights the moral consequences of prioritizing profit over ethics. A warning about shady financial scams and the dangers of chasing fast wealth. Shows how persuasive sales tactics can trick people into losing everything.
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Glengarry Glen Ross, 1992 – The Harsh Reality of Sales and Pressure
A group of desperate real estate salesmen must compete for their jobs, leading to extreme pressure, deception and betrayal. A great lesson in how business culture can push people to moral breaking points. One of the most honest portrayals of workplace competition and desperation. Features the famous speech: “Always Be Closing.” Featuring iconic performances and razor sharp dialogue, the film brutally exposes the toxic, survival of the fittest mentality in high stakes sales.
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Inside Job, 2010 – The Documentary That Exposes Financial Corruption
his Oscar winning documentary uncovers the deep corruption behind the 2008 financial crash, detailing how banks, politicians and economists failed the public. Highlights the lack of accountability in financial institutions. A must watch for understanding economic injustice. Explains how the elite manipulate global finance for personal gain. With expert interviews and shocking revelations, the film serves as a powerful indictment of Wall Street’s unchecked power and lack of accountability.
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Trading Places, 1983 – A Hilarious Take on Wealth and Privilege
A rich businessman and a street hustler swap lives due to a bet, exposing the absurdity of wealth, privilege and financial systems. A great introduction to market manipulation and insider trading. A hilarious but insightful social commentary on class and capitalism. Shows how economic opportunities are often based on privilege, not merit. With sharp satire and memorable performances, the film cleverly critiques economic disparity and the absurdity of the financial elite.
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American Psycho, 2000 – The Dark Side of Wealth and Status
A wealthy investment banker hides a terrifying double life as a violent serial killer, revealing the emptiness behind corporate greed. Shows the dehumanizing effects of money driven success. A dark satire of Wall Street’s obsession with money and power. Highlights how material wealth does not bring true happiness. A chilling critique of corporate greed, vanity and the soulless nature of wealth obsession in high society.
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Wall Street, 1987 – “Greed Is Good”
A young stockbroker falls under the influence of Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider who teaches him that money is everything. Shows how ambition can lead to ethical compromises. The ultimate cautionary tale about the dangers of corporate greed. Features one of cinema’s most famous lines: “Greed is good.” A sharp indictment of corporate corruption and the moral compromises made in the pursuit of wealth and power.
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Hustlers, 2019 – A Different Kind of Financial Crime
A fresh take on economic struggles and financial desperation. Based on a real life story about strippers who scam Wall Street men. Highlights how power dynamics shift in financial exploitation. A bold and stylish exploration of power dynamics, economic disparity and survival in a male dominated financial world. Showcases how the 2008 financial crisis affected everyday workers while Wall Street execs walked away unscathed.
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The Social Network, 2010 – The Rise of Tech Billionaires
This gripping drama tells the true story of Facebook’s creation, showing how Mark Zuckerberg’s ambition and betrayal of friends led to one of the most powerful tech companies in the world. Shows how even billion dollar ideas come with ethical dilemmas. Highlights the cutthroat nature of entrepreneurship and tech startups. A must watch for anyone interested in business, innovation and the cost of success.
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The Founder, 2016 – The Ruthless Business of Fast Food
A fascinating look at how McDonald’s became a global empire, following Ray Kroc, the businessman who took the company from its original founders and built an empire. A great lesson in business ethics, franchising and corporate control. A harsh but realistic look at capitalism and business expansion. Shows how persistence and vision can lead to massive success, but at a cost. A gripping look at ambition, corporate takeovers and the ethical dilemmas of business expansion in the pursuit of success.
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Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, 2005 – Corporate Greed Gone Wrong
This documentary exposes one of the biggest corporate frauds in history, where Enron executives manipulated financial data and stole millions while employees lost everything. A reminder to question corporate leadership and financial transparency. A powerful example of what happens when greed overtakes morality. Shows how financial scams ruin real lives, not just numbers on paper.
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Capitalism: A Love Story, 2009 – The Dark Side of Economic Systems
Michael Moore’s documentary critiques how unchecked capitalism harms ordinary people, from foreclosures to government bailouts benefiting the wealthy. A thought provoking watch for anyone curious about economic justice. Explains why wealth inequality keeps growing. Questions the fairness of financial systems and government policies. A bold critique that challenges viewers to question who truly benefits from the system and who is left behind.
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Catch Me If You Can, 2002 – A True Story of Fraud and Fortune
Based on the real life story of Frank Abagnale, a young con artist who scammed banks, airlines and even the U.S. government, making millions before being caught. A reminder that money made dishonestly never lasts. A thrilling look at financial fraud and deception. Shows how intelligence and charisma can be used for both good and bad. A captivating tale that blends charm, deception and the pursuit of the American Dream with a cat and mouse chase between a master forger and the law.
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These 15 films provide a crash course in money, success and financial mistakes. Whether they expose corporate greed, investment strategies, financial fraud or entrepreneurship, they offer valuable lessons for millennials navigating today’s economic challenges. From scandals that rocked the economy to stories of wealth building and destruction, these films highlight what not to do and what to be aware of in the financial world. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor or just someone trying to understand money better, these films are essential viewing.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Read it here: 12 Anime Series Your Kids Are Obsessed With, And You Should Be Too
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