10 Movies & Shows Like Babylon (2022)

Description: Both 'Babylon' and 'Wall Street' are seminal films that define the ethos of their respective eras (1980s finance and 1920s Hollywood). They feature ambitious young men seduced by charismatic mentors who embody the excesses of their worlds. The films serve as both celebrations and cautionary tales about their industries.

Fact: The famous 'Greed is good' speech was inspired by a real commencement address by Ivan Boesky. Charlie Sheen's father Martin Sheen plays his on-screen father. Oliver Stone wrote the film as a tribute to his father, a stockbroker during the Great Depression.

Description: Both 'Babylon' and 'Glengarry Glen Ross' depict the cutthroat nature of sales-driven environments (real estate and Hollywood, respectively). The films feature ensemble casts delivering powerhouse performances about desperate men clinging to their livelihoods. The dialogue-driven intensity and themes of masculinity in crisis are central to both works.

Fact: Alec Baldwin's iconic 'Always be closing' speech doesn't appear in the original play—it was written specifically for the film. Jack Lemmon based his performance on his father, a salesman. The film's title refers to two real estate developments: Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms.

Description: Like 'Babylon', 'American Psycho' satirizes the excesses of 1980s yuppie culture, much as 'Babylon' critiques Hollywood's golden age. Both films feature protagonists obsessed with status and image, and both use dark humor to explore themes of identity and moral decay. The films also share a stylized visual aesthetic that heightens their surreal tones.

Fact: Christian Bale based his performance on Tom Cruise's intense, glassy-eyed demeanor in interviews. The infamous business card scene was improvised by the actors. Director Mary Harron was initially fired but rehired after Leonardo DiCaprio (originally cast as Bateman) dropped out.

Description: Like 'Babylon', 'Boiler Room' delves into the seductive allure of wealth and the moral compromises people make to achieve it. Both films feature young, ambitious protagonists who get caught up in corrupt systems. The high-energy, testosterone-fueled environments in both movies highlight the toxic cultures of their respective worlds.

Fact: Ben Affleck's monologue about being rich was largely improvised. Many real-life stockbrokers have cited the film as surprisingly accurate in its portrayal of boiler room operations. Vin Diesel, who plays a supporting role, was cast after the director saw him in 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Description: Similar to 'Babylon' (2022), 'The Wolf of Wall Street' explores themes of excess, ambition, and the dark side of success. Both films depict the rise and fall of their protagonists in high-stakes environments—Hollywood in 'Babylon' and Wall Street in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. The films share a frenetic pace, dark humor, and a critique of the industries they portray.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, including the famous 'cerebral palsy' sales pitch. The real Jordan Belfort makes a cameo as the MC introducing DiCaprio's character at the end of the film. The film holds the record for the most uses of the word 'fuck' in a non-documentary film (569 times).

Description: Like 'Babylon', 'The Social Network' is about the creation of an empire and the personal costs of ambition. Both films explore themes of genius, betrayal, and the blurred lines between friendship and business. The rapid-fire dialogue and ensemble casts in both films create a similar kinetic energy.

Fact: Jesse Eisenberg practiced his lines at high speed to mimic Mark Zuckerberg's actual speaking style. The rowing scene was added after Aaron Sorkin saw Harvard's crew team practicing. The film won three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Both 'Babylon' and 'The Big Short' expose the inner workings of industries (Hollywood and finance, respectively) that thrive on illusion and excess. They use innovative storytelling techniques—'Babylon' with its visual spectacle and 'The Big Short' with its breaking of the fourth wall—to critique systemic corruption and greed.

Fact: Director Adam McKay used celebrity cameos (like Margot Robbie in a bubble bath) to explain complex financial concepts. Christian Bale's character is based on real-life investor Michael Burry, who actually wears a t-shirt and shorts to work. The film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Similar to 'Babylon', 'Margin Call' provides a behind-the-scenes look at a high-stakes industry on the brink of collapse. Both films explore themes of power, responsibility, and the human cost of systemic failure. The ensemble casts in both movies deliver intense performances that highlight the moral ambiguities of their characters.

Fact: The film was shot in just 17 days. Writer/director J.C. Chandor's father worked at Merrill Lynch for 40 years, lending authenticity to the script. Kevin Spacey's character was originally written as a much smaller role, but was expanded after he signed on.

Description: Like 'Babylon', 'War Dogs' is based on a true story of young, ambitious outsiders infiltrating a corrupt system (arms dealing vs. Hollywood). Both films blend dark comedy with dramatic tension, showing how their protagonists' greed leads to their downfall. The films also share a frenetic energy and stylistic flourishes that heighten their surreal tones.

Fact: Jonah Hill based his character's laugh on a hyena's. The real David Packouz (played by Miles Teller) worked as a consultant on the film. The 'war dogs' nickname comes from military slang for arms dealers who profit from conflict.

Description: Similar to 'Babylon', 'The Founder' tells the story of an empire's rise, focusing on the ruthless ambition behind its success. Both films explore the tension between artistry and commerce, and how visionary ideas can be co-opted by more business-savvy operators. The period settings of both films add to their critiques of the American dream.

Fact: Michael Keaton spent time with the real Ray Kroc's widow to prepare for the role. The McDonald brothers' original restaurant was meticulously recreated for the film. The script was on Hollywood's 'Black List' of best unproduced screenplays for years.