If you're a fan of both detective stories and the high-stakes world of business, this curated list of films is just for you. These movies blend the suspense of detective work with the cutthroat environment of corporate life, offering a unique viewing experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From financial fraud to corporate espionage, these films delve into the darker side of business, making for compelling and thought-provoking entertainment.

Wall Street (1987)
Description: This classic film explores the world of insider trading and corporate greed, with a young stockbroker becoming entangled in the schemes of a ruthless corporate raider. The investigation into these practices adds a detective-like tension.
Fact: Michael Douglas won an Oscar for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko, and his famous line "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good" became iconic.


Rogue Trader (1999)
Description: Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, whose unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank. The film follows his attempts to cover up his losses, turning it into a financial detective story.
Fact: Ewan McGregor plays Leeson, and the film was shot in Singapore and Malaysia to capture the real locations where the events took place.


The Insider (1999)
Description: This film tells the true story of a tobacco industry whistleblower and the journalist who helps him expose the company's unethical practices. It's a detective story in the pursuit of truth against corporate cover-ups.
Fact: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe both received Academy Award nominations for their performances.


Boiler Room (2000)
Description: This film follows a young man who gets involved in a shady brokerage firm, only to uncover the illegal activities happening behind the scenes. It's a detective story of self-discovery and uncovering corporate fraud.
Fact: The film features cameos by real-life Wall Street figures, adding authenticity to the narrative.


The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Description: While not a traditional detective film, it follows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engages in rampant corruption and fraud. The investigation into his activities by the FBI adds a detective element to the narrative.
Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, adding to the film's raw and chaotic energy.


The Informant! (2009)
Description: This film is based on the true story of Mark Whitacre, an executive who becomes an informant for the FBI to expose price-fixing at his company. It's a detective story of corporate espionage and whistleblowing.
Fact: The film's title uses an exclamation mark to reflect the tone of surprise and intrigue surrounding the events.


The Company Men (2010)
Description: While not a traditional detective film, it explores the aftermath of corporate downsizing and the investigation into the company's practices by its employees, making it a detective story of personal and professional redemption.
Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of the writer/director John Wells, who had been laid off from his job.


The Big Short (2015)
Description: This film dives deep into the world of finance, showcasing how a few savvy investors foresaw the housing market collapse of 2008. It's a detective story in the sense that these characters are piecing together the clues of an impending economic disaster.
Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts, making it both educational and entertaining.


Margin Call (2011)
Description: Set during the initial stages of the 2008 financial crisis, this film follows the employees of a Wall Street investment bank as they uncover the firm's exposure to the subprime mortgage market. It's a tense, detective-like atmosphere as they try to mitigate the fallout.
Fact: The film was shot in just 17 days, and many of the characters are based on real-life figures from the financial world.


The Bank (2001)
Description: An Australian thriller about a bank's unethical practices and a mathematician who discovers a pattern in their loan approvals. The film follows his investigation into the bank's operations, making it a financial detective story.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life events involving the manipulation of interest rates by banks.
