Top 10 Crime Films on Financial Schemes

Description: A classic that introduced the world to Gordon Gekko, whose mantra "Greed is good" became synonymous with the excesses of the 1980s financial scene.

Fact: Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko, a character inspired by real-life corporate raiders.

Description: Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, whose unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank, one of England's oldest banks.

Fact: Ewan McGregor, who plays Leeson, actually met with him to prepare for the role, gaining insight into the mindset of a rogue trader.

Description: While not directly about financial schemes, it deals with corporate corruption and the lengths to which companies will go to protect their interests, including financial manipulation.

Fact: The film is based on a true story of a tobacco industry whistleblower, showcasing the personal and professional risks of exposing corporate fraud.

Description: While not strictly about financial schemes, it explores the psyche of a Wall Street yuppie whose obsession with status and wealth leads to dark and violent acts.

Fact: The film's ending was intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to debate whether Patrick Bateman's crimes were real or a figment of his imagination.

Description: This film follows a young man who gets involved in a brokerage firm that's nothing more than a front for a pump-and-dump scheme, highlighting the allure and dangers of quick money.

Fact: The movie was inspired by real-life stories of stockbrokers and the infamous Stratton Oakmont firm.

Description: This film dives deep into the life of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who indulges in a life of excess and fraud, showcasing the allure and downfall of Wall Street's excesses.

Fact: The film was based on the real-life memoir of Jordan Belfort. Leonardo DiCaprio improvised much of his dialogue, adding to the film's raw energy.

Description: This film examines the human cost of corporate downsizing and the financial schemes that lead to job losses, focusing on the lives of three men from different levels of a company.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of its writer-director, John Wells, who worked in corporate America before turning to filmmaking.

Description: A unique take on the 2008 financial crisis, this film explains complex financial instruments through humor and celebrity cameos, making it both informative and entertaining.

Fact: Margot Robbie and Selena Gomez appear in the film to explain financial concepts in layman's terms, adding a touch of star power to the educational aspect.

Description: Set during the initial stages of the 2008 financial crisis, this film provides a tense, insider's look at the decisions made by a Wall Street investment bank over 24 hours.

Fact: The film was shot in just 17 days, and most of the dialogue was improvised to capture the real-time feel of the crisis.

Description: An Australian film that explores the unethical practices of a powerful bank, focusing on a mathematical genius who discovers a pattern in the bank's fraudulent activities.

Fact: The film was one of the first to delve into the ethical implications of financial algorithms and data manipulation.