As financial markets continue to captivate audiences around the world, it's no surprise that the genre of finance movies has gained popularity. Netflix, being a powerhouse of diverse content, offers a selection of compelling finance films that delve into the intricate and often dramatic world of money, power, and intrigue. Whether you're a finance enthusiast or simply looking for an entertaining and educational movie night, here are the nine best finance movies on Netflix that are currently available.
1. The Big Short (2015)
Budget: $50 million | IMDB Rating: 7.8/10 | Box office: $133.4 million
The Big Short is a film based on the book by Michael Lewis that exposes the corruption and greed of the big banks that caused the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The film follows four groups of outsiders who predicted the collapse of the housing market and the subprime mortgage bonds, and decided to bet against them, or "short" them, making huge profits in the process.
The film uses humor, drama, and fourth-wall breaking to explain the complex and obscure financial terms and schemes that led to the crisis and to show the human cost of the fraud and negligence of the banking system. The film was directed by Adam McKay and starred Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. The film received critical acclaim and won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2. Inside Job (2010)
Budget: $2 million | IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 | Box office: $7.9 million
Inside Job is a documentary film directed by Charles Ferguson that examines the causes and consequences of the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. The film features interviews with prominent economists, politicians, journalists, and academics who provide insights into the complex web of corruption, deregulation, and greed that led to the collapse of the world's economy.
The film also exposes the role of the financial industry in influencing academic research, media coverage, and government policies that enabled the crisis to happen. Inside Job is a powerful and provocative critique of the system that failed to protect the public interest and the people who suffered the most from its failure.
3. Wall Street (1987)
Budget: $15 million | IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 | Box office: $43.8 million
Wall Street is a film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, and Daryl Hannah. The film tells the story of Bud Fox (Sheen), a young and ambitious stockbroker who becomes involved with Gordon Gekko (Douglas), a ruthless and greedy corporate raider. The film explores the themes of greed, corruption, and morality in the world of finance and business.
The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Douglas an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gekko. The film also spawned a sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010), which reunited Douglas and Stone.
4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Budget: $100 million | IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 | Box office: $406.9 million
The Wolf of Wall Street is a biographical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter, based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. It recounts Belfort's perspective on his career as a stockbroker in New York City and how his firm, Stratton Oakmont, engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street, which ultimately led to his downfall.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, with Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, and Jean Dujardin in supporting roles. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor for Hill, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Winter. The film also holds the Guinness World Record for the most instances of swearing in a film, with 569 occurrences.
5. Margin Call (2011)
Budget: $3.5 million | IMDB Rating: 7.1/10 | Box office: $19.5 million
Margin Call is a drama film that depicts the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of a fictional investment bank. The film follows a group of employees who discover that their firm is holding a huge amount of risky assets that could cause a global meltdown if they are not sold quickly. The film explores the ethical dilemmas, personal conflicts, and professional pressures that the characters face as they try to save their careers and their company.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci. The film was written and directed by J.C. Chandor, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of the financial industry and its timely relevance to the economic situation.
6. The Founder (2016)
Budget: $1.8 million | IMDB Rating: 7.8/10 | Box office: $4.1 million
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is a documentary film that exposes the rise and fall of one of the most notorious corporate scandals in American history. The film, directed by Alex Gibney and based on the book of the same name by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, features interviews with former Enron executives, employees, journalists, analysts, and whistleblowers, as well as footage of congressional hearings, news reports, and internal company videos.
The film reveals how Enron's top management, led by CEO Jeffrey Skilling and Chairman Kenneth Lay, used accounting fraud, market manipulation, and deception to create a false image of success and profitability while hiding billions of dollars of losses and debts from investors, regulators, and the public. The film also shows how Enron's unethical culture and practices affected its workers, customers, and communities, leading to massive layoffs, pension losses, power shortages, and environmental disasters.
The film culminates with the collapse of Enron in 2001, which resulted in the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time, as well as criminal convictions for several of its executives.
7. Too Big to Fail (2011)
Budget: $15 million | IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 | Box office: N/A
Too Big to Fail is a film based on the book of the same name by Andrew Ross Sorkin, which chronicles the events of the 2008 financial crisis and the efforts of the US government to prevent a global economic collapse. The film features an ensemble cast of actors portraying real-life figures such as Henry Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Timothy Geithner, and others who were involved in the decision-making process during the crisis.
The film depicts the complex and controversial negotiations between the government, the banks, and the regulators, as well as the personal and professional challenges faced by the key players. The film also explores the ethical and moral dilemmas that arise when dealing with a situation that is too big to fail. It received positive reviews from critics and won several awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film.
8. Boiler Room (2000)
Budget: $8 million | IMDB Rating: 7.0/10 | Box office: $28.8 million
Boiler Room is a 2000 American crime drama film written and directed by Ben Younger. It stars Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Ben Affleck, Nicky Katt, Scott Caan, Tom Everett Scott, Ron Rifkin and Jamie Kennedy. The film is based on the experiences of Jordan Belfort, a former stockbroker who ran a fraudulent firm that sold worthless stocks to unsuspecting investors.
The film follows Seth Davis (Ribisi), a college dropout who joins J.T. Marlin, a shady brokerage firm that promises him quick wealth and success. However, he soon discovers that the firm is involved in illegal and unethical practices, such as pump-and-dump schemes, money laundering, and bribing federal agents. Seth must decide whether to continue working for the firm and risk his future or to expose the truth and face the consequences.
9. The Company Men (2010)
Budget: $15 million | IMDB Rating: 6.7/10 | Box office: $8.1 million
The Company Men is a drama film that explores the impact of corporate downsizing on the lives of three employees of GTX Corporation, a large manufacturing company. The film follows Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck), a successful sales executive who loses his job and struggles to find a new one amid the 2008 recession. He also has to deal with the financial and emotional challenges of supporting his wife and children and adjusting to a lower standard of living.
Meanwhile, Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper), a veteran engineer who has worked for GTX for 30 years, faces age discrimination and a loss of identity after being laid off. He becomes depressed and desperate and considers drastic actions to cope with his situation. Finally, Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), the co-founder and senior executive of GTX, tries to protect his loyal employees from the ruthless cost-cutting measures of his CEO and former friend, James Salinger (Craig T. Nelson).
The film shows how the three men cope with the changing realities of the modern economy, and how they rediscover their values and priorities in the process. The film received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
Conclusion
Netflix provides a diverse array of finance movies that cater to both enthusiasts and casual viewers. From high-stakes dramas to thought-provoking documentaries, these films offer a compelling glimpse into the world of finance, exploring the motivations, pitfalls, and consequences of the pursuit of wealth and success. Whether you're seeking entertainment, education, or both, these nine best finance movies on Netflix are sure to deliver a captivating cinematic experience.
See more: Top 10 Making Money Movies