Movies about money never fail to captivate and entertain, and some of the best movies are related to this theme. Here are ten of the best movies about money and business—all diverse, thought-provoking, and entertaining in their unique way.
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
This film is based on the story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who becomes incredibly wealthy but ultimately goes to prison for fraud and corruption. The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the main character, Jordan Belfort. The film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who rose to incredible wealth but ultimately ended up in prison for fraud and corruption. Belfort was a dishonest and manipulative businessman who engaged in financial crimes such as stock market manipulation, securities fraud, and money laundering. Despite his illegal activities, Belfort achieved great success and lived an extravagant lifestyle with a mansion, yachts, and private jets. However, his criminal activities eventually caught up with him, and he was sentenced to prison for his crimes. The film portrays the excesses and decadence of Belfort’s life and the consequences of his actions.
“The Social Network” (2010)
This movie tells the story of the creation of Facebook and how it became a multibillion-dollar company.”The Social Network” is a 2010 biographical dramatic film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, based on the 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich. The film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the social networking website Facebook, with Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin and Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker. The movie tells the story of the creation of Facebook and how it became a multibillion-dollar company, mainly through the efforts of Zuckerberg and his co-founders. It also delves into the legal battles over the company’s ownership and Zuckerberg’s relationships with his co-founders and personal life.
“Moneyball” (2011)
“Moneyball” is a 2011 film directed by Bennett Miller, based on the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The film stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the team’s general manager, and Jonah Hill as Peter Brand, a young Yale economics graduate. The movie tells the story of how the Athletics used data analysis, known as sabermetrics, to recruit undervalued players and build a successful team. At the time, the Athletics struggled financially and had a small budget for player salaries compared to other teams. Beane and Brand devised a plan to use sabermetrics to identify players undervalued by the traditional scouting system and bring them to the Athletics. The team’s use of data-driven analysis to make personnel decisions was innovative and helped them become competitive with teams with much larger budgets. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for six Academy Awards. This film brings the same types of algorithms used to find value investments on Wall Street to baseball. A great introduction to data analytics.
“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.” – Warren Buffett
“Inside Job” (2010)
“Inside Job” is a 2010 documentary film investigating the root causes of the global financial crisis of 2008. Through interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, and journalists, the film examines various financial institutions and individuals’ roles in the crisis. The film argues that the crisis was partly caused by the deregulation of the financial industry and the unchecked greed of Wall Street. It explores the complex web of relationships that allowed these factors to contribute to the crisis. The film also examines the role of credit rating agencies in the crisis, the government’s response to it, and its impact on the global economy. Overall, “Inside Job” is a thorough and thought-provoking examination of one of the most recent economic events.
“The Big Short” (2015)
“The Big Short” is a 2015 film based on the bestselling book of the same name by Michael Lewis. The film tells the story of a group of investors who saw the housing market collapse coming and made a fortune by betting against it. Set in the mid-2000s, the film follows the lives of these investors as they navigate the complex and often corrupt world of the financial industry. Through flashbacks and character-driven narratives, the film illustrates the events leading up to the housing market crash and its impact on the global economy. The film also explores the ethical dilemmas the investors face as they try to convince others to join their cause and make a profit off the misfortune of others. With a talented cast and a clever script, “The Big Short” is a compelling and thought-provoking film about the financial crisis and its aftermath.
“The Great Hack” (2019)
“The Great Hack” is a 2019 documentary film that investigates the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a political consulting firm harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent. The film explores how the firm used this data to create targeted political advertising campaigns, particularly during the 2016 US presidential election. Through interviews with key figures involved in the scandal, the film delves into the inner workings of Cambridge Analytica and how it manipulated public opinion and swayed election results. The film also examines the broader implications of the scandal for privacy, democracy, and the role of technology in modern society. With a timely and thought-provoking narrative, “The Great Hack” is a must-see for anyone interested in the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the role of data in modern politics.
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” (2005)
“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” is a 2005 documentary film that tells the story of the rise and fall of the energy company Enron. The film is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Fortune reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind. It chronicles the events leading up to Enron’s spectacular collapse in 2001. Through interviews with key insiders and extensive archival footage, the film presents a detailed story of the accounting fraud that broke the company. The film also examines the culture of greed and deception that flourished at Enron and the top executives’ role in the company’s downfall. With a gripping narrative and a wide range of sources, “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” is a compelling and eye-opening look at one of the biggest corporate scandals in history.
“Capital in the Twenty-First Century” (2020)
“Capital in the Twenty-First Century” is a 2020 documentary film based on the bestselling book of the same name by economist Thomas Piketty. The film explores the growing wealth gap and its impact on society, arguing that economic inequality is reaching levels not seen since the Gilded Age. Through interviews with economists, historians, and policymakers, the film examines the causes of the wealth gap and its consequences for social mobility, political stability, and democracy. The film also looks at how wealth is passed down through generations and the role of institutions in shaping economic inequality. With a thought-provoking and timely narrative, “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” is a must-see for anyone interested in the issue of wealth inequality and its impact on society.
“The Accountant” (2016)
“The Accountant” is a 2016 film that follows the story of a math savant with high-functioning autism named Christian Wolff. Wolff works as a forensic accountant and uses his extraordinary mental abilities to uncover a massive embezzlement scheme. The film follows Wolff as he delves deeper into the complex and dangerous world of corporate fraud and confronts his troubled past and the secrets of his family. Along the way, he is aided by a young accounting clerk and pursued by a dogged Treasury agent. With a strong cast and an engaging plot, “The Accountant” is a thrilling and thought-provoking film about the role of accounting in the world of crime and corruption.
“Flash of Genius” (2008)
“Flash of Genius” is a 2008 film based on the true story of Robert Kearns, an inventor who spent years fighting a legal battle against the automotive companies that used his invention of the intermittent windshield wiper without giving him credit or compensation. The film follows Kearns as he struggles to develop and patent his invention and confronts the challenges and setbacks he faces along the way. As he takes on the powerful and well-established automotive industry, Kearns is aided by his wife and children and driven by his fierce determination and belief in his ideas. With a strong lead performance by Greg Kinnear and a compelling narrative, “Flash of Genius” is an inspiring and thought-provoking film about the power of innovation and the importance of standing up for one’s rights.
Conclusion
These ten Netflix movies comprehensively examine the complex relationship between money and power. Collectively, they show the variety of stories that money can tell—all while demonstrating why money remains such an intriguing topic for filmmakers. Whether you watch one or all, these movies will provide you with plenty of fodder for conversation and thought-provoking questions.
