Movies can provide valuable insight into stock market, so we have made a list of some of the best stock market movies that depict the stock market and interesting stories that takes place around it. These movies are some of the best form of depiction into the financial giant that is the stock market. These movies contain everything from stories of successful traders who beat the odds to insider trading and stock market scams.
These movies on share market/stock market should be a must watch for people be it a regular investor, or a seasoned trader.
The list of movies are arranged by their IMDB ratings.
List of Stock Market Movies
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) – 8.2/10
The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of stock market scammer Jordan Belfort who went from a young stockbroker to a wealthy and notorious figure on Wall Street. This film depicts the highs and lows of a man intoxicated by money, power and the thrill of stock market.
The movie also shows pump and dump schemes that happen in the stock market, darker side of the financial world and the toxic influence of money.
2. The Big Short (2015) – 7.8/10
Based on the book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” by Michael Lewis, this movie tells the story of a group of investors who predicted the 2008 financial crisis and bet against the housing market. The film features an all-star cast, including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling, and provides a captivating look at the events leading up to the crisis.
This movie is known for explaining complex financial instruments in a simple manner so even a normal layman who is not into finance can understand, featuring scene of Margot Robbie explaining Mortgage Backed Bonds in a bathtub with a champagne and Selena Gomez explaining Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) at a poker table.
This movie also gives insight into what happens prior to Black Swan Events such as the 2008 financial crisis.
3. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) – 7.6/10
This documentary movie depicts one of the largest stock market scandals to have happened in recent history. Enron was a successful and influential company and a part of the S&P 500 Index. The inclusion in the index only reflects its corporate significance and influence
This movie is a great lesson on how even a big Multinational Corporation can fail due to accounting irregularities and fraudulent practices, corruption, and greed that eventually led to the company’s downfall and the devastating impact it had on its employees and investors.
4. Trading Places (1983) – 7.5/10
A comedy movie related to finance, stock market is the best to describe Trading Places. Starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, the film follows a social experiment where a wealthy investor and a street hustler and con man switch lives.
This movie depicts the impact of socioeconomic factors, insider trading, and the role of information in the world of trading.
5. Wall Street (1987) – 7.4/10
Directed by Oliver Stone, “Wall Street” has become a classic in the realm of stock market movies. This movie should be a must-watch for any aspiring trader. The film features Michael Douglas, who plays the role of Gordon Gekko, and Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox his protégé. This film is about a ruthless corporate raider who acquires majority stock in companies just to make a hefty profit while not caring about the ripples it would cause in the lives of people.
This film has memorable lines such as “Greed is good”. It has also proven influential in inspiring people to work on Wall Street, with Sheen, Douglas, and Stone commenting over the years on how people still approach them and say that they became stockbrokers because of their respective characters in the film.
This movie depicts the cutthroat world of insider trading, where moral boundaries are tested, personal ethics are compromised and potential consequences when the pursuit of wealth becomes unchecked.
6. Margin Call (2011) – 7.1/10
Director by J.C.Chandor with a stellar ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci, “Margin Call” is a gripping and thought-provoking film that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 2008 financial crisis. While set in a fictional investment bank, the movie takes place over a 24-hour period when the company discovers the imminent collapse of the housing market which caused the 2008 financial crisis. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay.
This movie’s depiction of careless risks taken by banks, which was a catalyst for the financial crisis, is one of the most accurate depictions of what went on behind the scenes. It also serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the global economy and the far-reaching consequences that can arise from unchecked risks in the pursuit of profit.
7. Boiler Room (2000) – 7.0/10
Another movie that depicts pump and dump schemes. The film centers around a young and ambitious college dropout who finds himself entangled in the deceptive world of a fraudulent brokerage firm. The firm employs aggressive tactics to dupe unsuspecting investors into buying worthless stocks so the brokerage firm can pump and dump the stock. The movie also depicts scene where stock broker quotes lines of Gordon Gecko from “Wall Street” movie which is number 5 on our list.
Another movie depicting pump and dump schemes which serves as a cautionary tale for investors to look into a company properly before investing their life savings.
8. The Wizard of Lies (2017) – 6.8/10
“The Wizard of Lies” is a compelling film that tells the true story of notorious financier Bernie Madoff and his elaborate Ponzi scheme. Starring Robert De Niro as Madoff, the movie explores how he deceived investors, including close friends and family, into believing they were making lucrative investments. Madoff’s scheme eventually unraveled, leading to financial ruin for countless victims. Bernie Madoff scam was estimated to be at $64.8 Billion and was at one point the chairman of Nasdaq.
The movie is a good example of how even big icons of the financial world could be fraudsters in hiding.
9. Money Monster (2006)- 6.5/10
Directed by Jodie Foster, the story revolves around Lee Gates (George Clooney), a charismatic TV host who provides stock market advice on his show “Money Monster.” When a disgruntled investor named Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell) takes Lee hostage during a live broadcast, demanding answers for a disastrous stock tip given on his TV show, the film intensifies into a high-stakes hostage situation.
This film is a very good example of why an investor should do his or her due diligence before investing his or her hard-earned money, especially when dealing with stocks that were suggested in the media.
10. Rogue Trader (1999) – 6.4/10
Rogue Trader, starring Ewan McGregor as Nick Leeson, is based on the true story of a trader who single handedly caused the collapse of Barings Bank. The bank, founded in 1762, was the second-oldest merchant bank at the time of its collapse.
This movie is a great lesson in risk management for traders and investors and the consequences of what would happen if one does not follow proper risk management.
Interesting Fact: Barings Bank was the financial intermediary who sold Louisiana to the United States, which effectively doubled the size of the country!.
11. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) – 6.2/10
The movie is a direct sequel to Wall Street (1987). Michael Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gekko, also featuring Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Susan Sarandon, and Frank Langella. The film takes place in New York City, 23 years after the original. While this movie might not be iconic or classic as it’s prequel, it still gives a very strong performance.
