Top 10 Detective Films About Stock Brokers

Description: This classic film explores the life of Bud Fox, a young stockbroker, who gets entangled with the ruthless Gordon Gekko. The detective element comes from Bud's investigation into Gekko's illegal activities.

Fact: Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko. The film's famous line, "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good," has become iconic.

Description: Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, a derivatives broker whose unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank. The film follows his attempts to cover up his losses, creating a detective-like atmosphere.

Fact: Ewan McGregor plays Leeson, and the film was shot on location in Singapore and London where the events took place.

Description: While not directly about stock brokers, this film involves a tobacco industry whistleblower and the investigative journalism that uncovers corporate deceit, paralleling the detective work in financial sectors.

Fact: The film is based on a true story, and Al Pacino's character is inspired by real-life 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman.

Description: This film follows a young college dropout who gets involved in a shady brokerage firm. The plot thickens with elements of crime, corruption, and a detective-like investigation into the firm's practices.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life events and the book "The Bonfire of the Vanities" by Tom Wolfe. It features a cameo by Ben Affleck.

Description: This film, while not a traditional detective story, delves into the life of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker whose rise and fall is filled with deceit, fraud, and a detective-like pursuit by the FBI. It's a wild ride through the excesses of Wall Street.

Fact: The film was based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. Leonardo DiCaprio gained 30 pounds for his role to portray Belfort's indulgent lifestyle.

Description: While not strictly a detective film, this movie involves characters who uncover the truth behind the 2008 financial crisis, acting much like financial detectives in their quest to understand and profit from the impending market collapse.

Fact: The film uses unconventional methods like celebrity cameos to explain complex financial terms. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: This film captures a 24-hour period at a fictional investment bank during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. It's a tense, detective-like investigation into the firm's financial health.

Fact: The film was shot in 17 days, and many scenes were improvised to capture the real-time feel of the crisis.

Description: This film centers on a female investment banker trying to take her company public while dealing with an insider trading investigation, adding a detective-like tension to the narrative.

Fact: It was one of the first films to focus on women in high finance, with Anna Gunn and Sarah Megan Thomas both starring and producing.

Description: While primarily a drama, this film includes elements of a detective story as an aging actor investigates his own life, including his past as a stockbroker, and the mysterious disappearance of his wife.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Philip Roth and stars Al Pacino, who also produced the movie.

Description: This Australian film follows a bank's CEO who uses a mathematical model to predict stock market trends, leading to a detective-like investigation into his methods and ethics.

Fact: The film was shot in Sydney and features David Wenham in the lead role.