If the world of finance has you mesmerised but you’re left baffled by the complexity and jargon, watching a movie set in the sector could be a good way to get to grips with it. Not only will you be entertained, the films can also help you understand complex financial jargon and concepts.
All you need is a curated list of the best finance-based movies you can watch for a crash course in the topic. Luckily, a new ranking supported by financial experts will do just that.
A list unveiling the top nine films one can watch to gain crucial entry-level insights into the world of finance has been revealed.
The list, backed by specialists at broker analysis site Investing in the Web, ranks films set in the finance sector based on fan and critic reviews from platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb and Letterboxd. Each movie was scored out of 40 based on viewer feedback, with the final ranking reflecting both entertainment value and the quality of financial education provided.
Here are the top nine films set in the world of finance that should be on your list:
The Wolf of Wall Street
Topping the chart with critics, fans, and experts was 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street. The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio scored an impressive 38.9 out of 40.
This Martin Scorsese masterpiece is based on the real-life story of Jordan Belfort, who started with an entry-level job at a Wall Street brokerage and climbed his way up the financial ladder. Ranking highest in both the IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes audience categories, The Wolf of Wall Street is filled with accessible industry jargon and valuable investment lessons, while also cautioning viewers against greed and corruption.
Boiler Room
Coming in second place, with a score of 38.3 out of 40, is Boiler Room. The 2000 film follows Seth Davis as he trades his illegal casino apartment for a stock broking role, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of hard sales and high commissions. It ranks highest on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
The Big Short
The Big Short, which came out in 2015, featuring Steve Carell, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, and Ryan Gosling, takes the third spot. With a score of 36.5 out of 40, this comedy-drama packed with A-listers tells the tale of a hedge fund manager, a bank executive, and two young investors during the 2008 financial crisis. Like many other finance films on this list, it exposes corruption and system flaws, offering valuable insights into market research and key financial terms.
American Psycho
In fourth place is 2000’s American Psycho – perhaps an unexpected entry. It’s easy to overlook that this violent and thought-provoking film is set against a finance backdrop, with Christian Bale portraying a wealthy investment banker. Scoring 35.8 out of 40, American Psycho offers a glimpse into the surreal world of the financial industry’s elite.
Wall Street
Wall Street rounds off the top five with a score of 35.4 out of 40. This 1987 classic crime drama follows an ambitious stockbroker who goes to extreme lengths to impress a dubious corporate raider. The film underscores the importance of caution, ethics, and rule-following in finance.
Margin Call
Margin Call ranks sixth, scoring 35 out of 40. This 2011 film, which focuses on the 2008 financial crisis, boasts a star-studded cast including Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci and Paul Bettany. Set mainly within an office environment, the movie is filled with industry-specific jargon and exposition, making it a fast-paced learning experience.
Glengarry Glen Ross
In seventh place is Glengarry Glen Ross, which came out in 1992. This film, based on a play by David Mamet, follows a group of sales representatives at a real estate firm, all vying to keep their jobs.
The film scored 33.5 out of 40 and provides an entertaining viewing experience. With valuable advice such as “always be closing”, the film balances best practices with the absolute worst, presenting a perfect example of what not to do through the character Shelley Levene.
Rogue Trader
Rogue Trader, released in 1999, takes eighth place, scoring 32.3 out of 40 from viewers and critics. The drama follows Nick Leeson (played by Ewan McGregor) and is based on the true story of the futures trader whose risky investments led to the downfall of Barings Bank. Another cautionary tale, Rogue Trader advises viewers never to double down on losing positions, to distinguish between luck and skill, and highlights the importance of a stop-loss.
Barbarians at the Gate
The last film on the list is 1993’s Barbarians at the Gate, scoring a modest 23.3 out of 40. Despite not being as popular with audiences and critics as other films on this list, it still provides valuable insights into leveraged buyouts and market research, following the bidding war that unfolds when F Ross Johnson, CEO of a major tobacco company, decides to buy his own business.
Pedro Braz, CEO of Investing in the Web, shared his thoughts on the lessons which can be learned from these ranked films. “While characters like Jordan Belfort and Patrick Bateman are certainly not financial role models, these iconic movies can serve as useful tools for gaining key insights into the finance industry,” he said.
“Beyond the obvious practices to avoid, several characters in the ranked films embody traits that make for successful investors – ambition, intelligence, risk management and patience are all crucial for thriving in the world of finance. There are also significant lessons to be learned about sensible, ethical investment practices, and the importance of well-researched investments.
“While these films may be dramatised for entertainment purposes, each carries a valuable warning about exercising caution. Films like The Big Short excel at introducing complex industry jargon to viewers without a finance background, making them both accessible and engaging to a wide range of viewers.
“They may not teach you everything you need to know about finance, but there is no harm in turning to the media for entertainment and entry-level information.”