10 Must-Watch Financial Drama Films

Description: Gordon Gekko, the epitome of the ruthless financier, teaches a young stockbroker the ins and outs of insider trading and corporate takeovers, leading to a moral and legal downfall.

Fact: The phrase "Greed is good" became iconic, and Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gekko.

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

Fact: Ewan McGregor plays Leeson, and the film was shot in real locations where the events took place.

Description: While not strictly about financial scams, this film deals with corporate corruption as a tobacco executive becomes a whistleblower, revealing the industry's secrets to a journalist.

Fact: The film was based on a true story and features Al Pacino and Russell Crowe in critically acclaimed performances.

Description: A young college dropout gets a job at a brokerage firm that turns out to be a front for a pump-and-dump scheme. This film provides an insider's look at the high-pressure world of stockbrokers and the ethical lines they cross.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life stories of Wall Street fraud, including the Stratton Oakmont scandal. Ben Affleck's character was based on a real-life stockbroker.

Description: This film chronicles the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street. It's a wild ride through excess, debauchery, and the ultimate price of greed.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, including the famous "I'm not leaving!" scene. The film was also nominated for five Academy Awards.

Description: Mark Whitacre, an executive at Archer Daniels Midland, becomes an FBI informant in a price-fixing scandal but his own lies and delusions complicate the investigation.

Fact: The film's title uses an exclamation mark, a nod to the book it's based on, which also uses it to emphasize the absurdity of the situation.

Description: This film explores the human cost of corporate downsizing and the financial struggles of executives who lose their jobs, touching on themes of greed and corporate responsibility.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of writer-director John Wells, who had friends affected by corporate layoffs.

Description: Based on the true story of the 2008 financial crisis, this film explains complex financial instruments through humor and celebrity cameos, making it accessible to all while showcasing the greed and ignorance that led to the economic meltdown.

Fact: The film uses a unique narrative style with characters breaking the fourth wall to explain financial concepts. It also features Margot Robbie in a bathtub explaining subprime mortgages.

Description: Set during the initial stages of the 2008 financial crisis, this film follows the key players at an investment bank as they grapple with the realization that their firm is on the brink of collapse due to risky financial products.

Fact: The film was shot in just 17 days, and many of the actors improvised their lines to capture the chaos of the situation.

Description: An Australian drama about a bank's unethical practices and a mathematician who discovers a formula that could predict the stock market, leading to a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life events involving the manipulation of interest rates by banks.