My Favorite Wall Street Movies
There are several films that depict the financial world, and I've included some of my favorites below. From the witty comedies of Margin Call to the serious dramas of Working Girl and Boiler Room, there's a movie for every investor. Watch them all and you'll soon be a financial expert :) There are also plenty of satires thrown in, and you may even find yourself recommending them to others!
Boiler Room
I've always loved Boiler Room, the 1987 film based on the real-life story of Stratton Oakmont and Jordan Belfort. Both men made headlines a few years before Boiler Room hit theaters, but it was this film that inspired a generation of men to work on Wall Street, wear suits like Charlie Sheen, and extol greed like Michael Douglas.
Boiler Room is the most raunchy movie in my list, but I would still recommend it for anyone who wants a glimpse into the world of high-flying Wall Street. While this movie may be aimed at the average person, it has plenty of inside information that will help you navigate the stock market better.
Margin Call
If you are looking for a satirical portrayal of Wall Street, look no further than Margin Call. This witty, sardonic comedy depicts the dehumanizing nature of the market as the characters discuss a financial catastrophe. One of the most striking scenes takes place during a heated meeting between two bank executives. The two men, played by Stanley Tucci and Vincent Kartheiser, discuss the looming financial disaster.
The story begins with the final night of prosperity on Wall Street. After an investment firm collapses and mortgage speculation takes the financial sector by storm, the company and its employees panic. Margin Call follows two young analysts who have just finished doing their boss's work while facing a difficult situation. They marvel at how little they understand the financial situation. The film depicts the end result of this unsettling scenario.
Working Girl
Mike Nichols's 1988 film Working Girl was a revelation. It crystallized the concept of successful womanhood as having it all and the rat race of New York City. The film is also a reminder of the bleakness of the big business world, but with a female protagonist. Working Girl is best remembered for its acting, with Melanie Griffith playing a down-and-out secretary who finds success in an unlikely way.
Mike Nichols's film fits neatly in between cynicism and idealism. It also contains the most witty use of the Staten Island Ferry in a film. As the story unfolds, we follow the lives of working-class Staten Island secretary Tess Griffith and her colleague Cyn Cusack. A song by Simon resounds throughout the film, which is why it's a perfect fit for a movie about the Wall Street rat race.
Other People's Money
The storyline of Other People's Money is a satire of 1980s Wall Street excesses. An entry-level day trader aspires to become like the powerful Wall Streeter Gordon Gekko, and is mentored by him through insider trading. Despite its lighthearted tone, the film demonstrates the devastation of the subprime mortgage market. A cameo role is also featured in this movie, and a hotshot sports agent has a moral epiphany in the film. He writes his vision to his co-workers and faces his new purpose. He decides to start his own sports agency.
Another popular movie about the banking industry is The Wolf of Wall Street. It is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a broker who spent 22 months in prison for defrauding investors. The movie is also critical of Wall Street and the governments that regulate it. Had Wall Street collapsed, it would have pushed the free world 20 years back in terms of quality of life. However, thanks to the US government, the financial system did not collapse.
Limitless
If you've ever been to Wall Street, then you've likely seen the movie Limitless, based on the novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn. The story revolves around a struggling writer (Bradley Cooper) who stumbles upon a drug called NZT-48. The drug allows users to use every part of their brain, making them super successful on the stock market. As the movie shows, this drug has many consequences, including the writer Eddie Morra's personal life.
One of the few science-fiction financial movies is Limitless. The film follows a struggling writer who becomes a financial genius and enters the world of corporate threats. Another great film about the corporate world is Barbarians At the Gates, which focuses on the inner workings of the food and tobacco industry. F. Ross Johnson is the CEO of RJR Nabisco and decides to take it private, but other companies want it as well.
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