10 Must-Watch Drama Films About Losing a Job

Description: A group of unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield, England, decide to form a male striptease act to make ends meet, highlighting the lengths people go to when facing unemployment.

Fact: The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. The title "The Full Monty" is British slang for "the whole thing" or "going all the way."

Description: Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a negative assets manager at Life magazine who loses his job when the magazine goes digital, prompting him to embark on an adventure to find a missing photograph.

Fact: The film was shot in Iceland, Greenland, and New York City. Ben Stiller directed, produced, and starred in the film, which was a passion project for him.

Description: Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) is an insomniac machinist whose life spirals out of control after a workplace accident, leading to his job loss and psychological turmoil.

Fact: Christian Bale lost 62 pounds for the role, reducing his body fat to 3% to portray the emaciated Trevor. The film was shot in Spain, but set in an unspecified American city.

Description: Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron) loses her job and faces sexual harassment when she starts working in a mine, leading to a landmark class-action lawsuit against her employer.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Lois Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Company, the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the United States. Charlize Theron gained weight for the role to portray the physical toll of mining work.

Description: Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) loses his job but pursues his dream of setting a land speed record on his modified Indian Scout motorcycle, showcasing the spirit of never giving up.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Burt Munro, who set numerous land speed records in the 1960s. Anthony Hopkins performed many of his own stunts on the motorcycle.

Description: Based on a true story, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) faces homelessness and unemployment while pursuing a career in stockbroking. This film captures the essence of perseverance and the American Dream.

Fact: The title misspells "Happiness" to reflect the actual sign Chris Gardner saw outside a daycare center. Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, played his on-screen son.

Description: This film follows three men at different levels of a company who are all laid off during an economic downturn, exploring their struggles to redefine their lives and careers.

Fact: The film was inspired by writer-director John Wells' own experiences during the economic downturn. Ben Affleck's character was originally written for a younger actor, but Affleck's performance convinced Wells to keep him.

Description: While not directly about losing a job, this film shows the financial crisis that led to widespread unemployment, focusing on the people who foresaw the collapse of the housing market.

Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts, including Margot Robbie in a bathtub. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) is a retired widower who decides to become an intern at an online fashion site, facing the challenges of adapting to a new work environment after losing his previous job.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life program at a company where older interns were brought in to share their experience. Robert De Niro learned to use a smartphone for the first time for this role.

Description: Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) is a corporate downsizer who travels from city to city to terminate employees. The film explores the personal and professional ramifications of his job, and what happens when his own position is threatened.

Fact: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. George Clooney performed many of his own stunts, including the scene where he jumps out of a plane.