If you were captivated by the gripping narrative and insightful exploration of the 2008 financial crisis in The Big Short, you’re likely craving more thought-provoking films that delve into the complexities of the financial world. From Wall Street greed to corporate scandals, these 18 movies offer a similar blend of entertainment and education, shedding light on the often opaque realm of finance and business.
1. Vice (2018)
Directed by Adam McKay, the mastermind behind The Big Short, Vice is a satirical biopic that chronicles the life and political career of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Christian Bale delivers a transformative performance as Cheney, showcasing his rise to power and the far-reaching consequences of his actions. Like The Big Short, Vice employs unconventional storytelling techniques, breaking the fourth wall and infusing humor to make complex political machinations accessible to the audience.
2. Wall Street (1987)
Oliver Stone’s Wall Street is a quintessential film about greed and ambition in the world of finance. The movie follows young stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) as he becomes entangled with the charismatic but ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). Wall Street serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition and the allure of wealth, themes that resonate with The Big Short‘s critique of financial excess.
3. Moneyball (2011)
While Moneyball focuses on the world of baseball rather than finance, it shares The Big Short‘s emphasis on data-driven decision-making and challenging conventional wisdom. Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, who adopts a revolutionary approach to assembling a competitive team on a limited budget. Like The Big Short, Moneyball is based on a nonfiction book by Michael Lewis and features a compelling underdog story.
4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is a wild ride through the excesses and debauchery of Wall Street in the 1990s. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who makes a fortune by defrauding investors and indulging in a hedonistic lifestyle. While The Wolf of Wall Street revels in the spectacle of Belfort’s rise and fall, it also serves as a scathing indictment of the culture of greed and corruption that permeates the financial industry.
5. Margin Call (2011)
Set over a 24-hour period at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, Margin Call offers a tense and intimate look at the inner workings of a Wall Street investment bank. The film boasts an ensemble cast, including Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, and Jeremy Irons, as they grapple with the realization that their firm is on the brink of collapse due to its exposure to toxic assets. Margin Call shares The Big Short‘s focus on the human drama behind the financial crisis and the moral dilemmas faced by those in the industry.
6. The Insider (1999)
The Insider tells the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a whistleblower who exposed the tobacco industry’s deceptive practices, and Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), the CBS producer who fought to bring Wigand’s story to light. While not directly related to finance, The Insider shares The Big Short‘s themes of corporate malfeasance and the courage required to stand up against powerful interests.
7. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Based on David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross is a searing portrayal of the cutthroat world of real estate sales. The film features an all-star cast, including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin, as they navigate the high-pressure environment of a sales office where closing deals is the only thing that matters. Like The Big Short, Glengarry Glen Ross offers a scathing critique of the dark side of American capitalism.
8. Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room follows a group of young, ambitious stockbrokers who engage in unethical and illegal practices to make quick profits. The film stars Giovanni Ribisi as Seth Davis, a college dropout who becomes seduced by the high-stakes world of brokerage firms. Boiler Room shares The Big Short‘s exploration of the moral compromises and consequences of pursuing wealth at any cost.
9. Too Big to Fail (2011)
Too Big to Fail is an HBO film that chronicles the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of key government officials and banking executives. The movie features an ensemble cast, including William Hurt as Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Paul Giamatti as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, as they navigate the unfolding crisis and attempt to prevent a complete economic meltdown. Like The Big Short, Too Big to Fail offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process during a pivotal moment in financial history.
10. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is a documentary that examines the rise and fall of Enron Corporation, one of the largest corporate scandals in American history. The film explores how Enron’s leadership, including CEO Jeffrey Skilling and CFO Andrew Fastow, used accounting loopholes and deceptive practices to conceal the company’s financial troubles. Like The Big Short, Enron highlights the dangers of corporate greed and the importance of transparency in financial dealings.
11. Rogue Trader (1999)
Rogue Trader is based on the true story of Nick Leeson, a derivatives broker whose unauthorized trading led to the collapse of Barings Bank, one of the oldest and most prestigious banks in Britain. Ewan McGregor stars as Leeson, capturing his meteoric rise and eventual downfall. Rogue Trader shares The Big Short‘s cautionary tale about the risks of unchecked ambition and the consequences of financial misconduct.
12. Arbitrage (2012)
Arbitrage stars Richard Gere as Robert Miller, a wealthy hedge fund manager who finds himself in a precarious situation when a critical investment goes wrong, and he becomes entangled in a cover-up. The film explores themes of greed, deception, and the lengths people will go to protect their wealth and reputation. Like The Big Short, Arbitrage offers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of finance and the moral compromises that often accompany success.
13. Inside Job (2010)
Inside Job is a documentary that provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2008 financial crisis, tracing its origins and the systemic issues that contributed to the meltdown. Directed by Charles Ferguson, the film features interviews with key players in the financial industry, government officials, and academics, offering a damning indictment of the greed and corruption that led to the crisis. Like The Big Short, Inside Job seeks to educate and inform viewers about the complex factors that shape the global economy.
14. Equity (2016)
Equity is a drama that follows Naomi Bishop (Anna Gunn), a senior investment banker navigating the male-dominated world of Wall Street. As Naomi works on a high-profile IPO, she must confront the challenges of being a woman in a cutthroat industry while also grappling with the ethical dilemmas that arise in her work. Equity shares The Big Short‘s focus on the human stories behind the world of finance and the personal toll that the pursuit of success can take.
15. The Company Men (2010)
The Company Men explores the impact of corporate downsizing on the lives of three men at different stages of their careers. Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones star as employees of a shipping company who find themselves out of work in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The film offers a poignant look at the human cost of economic upheaval and the struggle to redefine oneself in the face of adversity. Like The Big Short, The Company Men puts a human face on the consequences of financial turmoil.
16. 99 Homes (2014)
Set in the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis, 99 Homes follows Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield), a single father who loses his home to foreclosure. Desperate to regain his house, Dennis begins working for the real estate broker who evicted him, Rick Carver (Michael Shannon), and finds himself drawn into a world of moral compromise and exploitation. 99 Homes shares The Big Short‘s critique of the predatory practices that contributed to the housing crisis and the human toll of financial upheaval.
17. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
Directed by Michael Moore, Capitalism: A Love Story is a documentary that examines the impact of corporate dominance on the lives of everyday Americans. The film explores issues such as the 2008 financial crisis, the decline of labor unions, and the growing income inequality in the United States. Like The Big Short, Capitalism: A Love Story offers a critical perspective on the excesses and failures of the American economic system.
18. The China Hustle (2017)
The China Hustle is a documentary that exposes a massive fraud scheme involving Chinese companies listed on American stock exchanges. The film follows a group of investors and short-sellers who uncover the deception and attempt to expose the truth, despite facing significant obstacles and pushback. The China Hustle shares The Big Short‘s themes of financial misconduct, the importance of due diligence, and the risks of an opaque and poorly regulated market.
These 18 movies, like The Big Short, offer compelling and thought-provoking explorations of the complex world of finance, business, and economics. By shedding light on the human stories behind the headlines and the systemic issues that shape our world, these films serve as powerful tools for education, awareness, and critical thinking. Whether you’re a financial professional, a curious observer, or simply a lover of great cinema, these movies are sure to captivate, inform, and inspire.
