The Silver Screen & Silver Lining: Top Finance Films

Want to learn about finance without slogging through textbooks? Hollywood’s got you covered! While maybe not 100% accurate, these films offer engaging and often dramatic insights into the world of money, markets, and morality.

Must-See Financial Films

• The Big Short (2015)

  Adam McKay’s darkly comedic masterpiece explains the 2008 financial crisis in layman’s terms. Following several outsiders who predicted the housing bubble’s collapse, the film’s strength lies in its ability to make complex financial instruments like mortgage-backed securities understandable (and terrifying). It highlights greed, systemic flaws, and the human cost of economic disasters. Stellar performances from Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt make this a truly exceptional watch.

• Wall Street (1987)

  Oliver Stone’s iconic film introduced the world to Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless corporate raider who famously declared, “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” The movie explores the allure and dangers of insider trading, corporate takeovers, and the corrupting influence of wealth. It’s a cautionary tale about ambition and the ethical compromises people make in pursuit of success on Wall Street. It remains a relevant and compelling depiction of the financial world.

• Margin Call (2011)

  This tense thriller offers a behind-the-scenes look at the initial stages of the 2008 crisis. Set over a 36-hour period, it follows the employees of a large investment bank as they discover the devastating implications of their toxic assets. Margin Call excels at showcasing the pressure-cooker environment of high finance and the difficult decisions made when facing potential financial ruin. The ensemble cast, featuring Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, and Stanley Tucci, delivers powerful performances.

• Trading Places (1983)

  A hilarious comedy featuring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, Trading Places uses humor to explore the concept of commodities trading and the absurdity of social class. Two wealthy brothers, Randolph and Mortimer Duke, make a bet that they can swap the lives of a street hustler (Murphy) and a successful commodities broker (Aykroyd) and achieve the same outcomes. While comedic, the film offers a simplified (but entertaining) look at supply and demand and the power of market manipulation.

• Too Big to Fail (2011)

  This HBO film offers a more factual and detailed account of the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of the U.S. government. It chronicles the frantic efforts of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (William Hurt) and other government officials to prevent the collapse of the financial system. Too Big to Fail provides valuable insights into the political and economic forces at play during this critical period and the difficult choices faced by policymakers.

These are just a few examples of the many finance-related films available. Watching these movies can be a fun and engaging way to learn about financial concepts and explore the complex world of money. Just remember to take them with a grain of salt; they’re entertainment first, education second!