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Written by Nathalie Okde
Updated 12 December 2025
Table of Contents
The world of money is full of drama, intrigue, and scandal, and Hollywood has captured it perfectly. Finance movies aren’t just for investors; they’re a mix of education, drama, and entertainment.
From stock trading to corporate takeovers, financial crashes, and insider trading scandals, these movies offer a glimpse into high-stakes finance that textbooks never could.
We’ve curated a list of top stock market and finance movies to watch in 2026. Whether you’re a beginner in finance or a seasoned investor, these films offer valuable lessons and a few thrills along the way.
Some are documentaries that expose real-world financial scandals, while others are dramas and comedies that explore greed, ambition, and the human side of money.
Key Takeaways
Films like The Wolf of Wall Street, Inside Job, and The Big Short combine drama and education, giving insights into trading, corporate greed, and financial crises.
Documentaries like Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Inside Job break down complex financial topics in an engaging way.
Watching finance movies can help you understand financial systems, human behavior in markets, and the consequences of greed.
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Here is a quick overview of the top 11 stock market and finance movies you should not miss in 2026:
#
Finance Movies
Release Year
IMDb Rating
1
Wall Street
1987
7.3
2
The Wolf of Wall Street
2013
8.2
3
Inside Job
2010
4
Boiler Room
2000
7.0
5
The Big Short
2015
7.8
6
Trading Places
1983
7.5
7
Margin Call
2011
7.1
8
Too Big to Fail
9
The Social Network
10
Dumb Money
2023
6.9
11
Rogue Trader
1999
6.4
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone, is a timeless classic that set the stage for all finance movies. The film follows Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a ruthless financier, and Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), a young, ambitious stockbroker, as they navigate illegal insider trading.
Image Source - Wikipedia
Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is Good,” became a symbol of the financial excess of the 1980s. The movie explores ambition, ethical dilemmas, and the consequences of financial greed. For anyone interested in the world of stock trading, this movie remains essential viewing.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this biographical black comedy follows Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his rise as a stockbroker using pump-and-dump schemes, money laundering, and fraud.
The film combines dark humor with extreme financial practices, offering a look into excess, corruption, and the human side of ambition. It also emphasizes the consequences of unethical financial decisions, making it both entertaining and educational.
Inside Job is an Academy Award-winning documentary that explains the 2008 financial crisis. Through interviews, research, and clear storytelling, it uncovers corruption in banks, government, and the financial industry.
This film simplifies complex financial topics and exposes the risks of unregulated markets, making it a must-watch for students, investors, and anyone interested in economic policy.
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Boiler Room offers a fast-paced, dramatic look at a young college dropout, Seth Davis, who gets involved with shady stockbrokers. The film exposes the less glamorous, sometimes illegal side of finance, including high-pressure sales tactics and deceptive trading.
It’s particularly good for showing how scams and unethical practices can thrive in the financial industry. Strong performances from Giovanni Ribisi and Vin Diesel make it both engaging and informative.
The Big Short is a mix of comedy and drama that tells the story of investors who predicted the 2008 housing market crash. With quirky narrative devices breaking the fourth wall, it explains complex economic concepts in simple terms.
The film educates viewers about financial markets, mortgage-backed securities, and the systemic issues that led to one of the largest economic crises in history. Its critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, highlights its success in combining entertainment with education.
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Trading Places is a comedy that teaches lessons on financial systems and human behavior. The story follows a wealthy broker and a streetwise con artist who swap lives due to a bet.
The film cleverly shows how environment and opportunity affect financial success. With Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd’s stellar performances, it remains a timeless, entertaining exploration of economics and social class.
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Set during a 24-hour period at a fictional investment bank, Margin Call follows employees discovering that the firm is on the verge of collapse due to risky mortgage-backed securities.
The film highlights ethical dilemmas, moral responsibility, and the human side of finance during crises. The ensemble cast, including Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons, adds gravitas to this intense financial thriller.
Based on Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book, this movie offers a behind-the-scenes look at the government’s response to the 2008 crisis. It explores bailout negotiations, corporate pressure, and political maneuvers that shaped the financial world.
This film is highly educational for anyone wanting to understand systemic financial risks and government intervention in crises.
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
This film explores Facebook’s creation, the legal battles that followed, and the impact of finance in tech startups. Through Mark Zuckerberg’s story, it highlights ambition, competition, and business ethics in the tech and finance world.
It’s particularly insightful for investors and entrepreneurs looking to understand the intersection of technology and capital.
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Dumb Money dramatizes the 2021 GameStop short squeeze, showing how retail investors challenged large hedge funds. It explores themes of financial rebellion, social media influence, and collective action in markets.
The film is both timely and relevant, highlighting modern investing culture and the democratization of finance.
IMDb rating: 6.4/10
Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, who caused the collapse of Barings Bank in 1995, Rogue Trader showcases the dangers of unchecked trading and fraudulent practices.
The movie demonstrates how individual actions can have far-reaching consequences in financial markets, serving as a cautionary tale for all investors.
These top 11 stock market and finance movies in 2026 mix drama, comedy, and documentary styles to explore finance from multiple perspectives. From insider trading to corporate fraud, financial crises, and personal ambition, these films provide lessons and entertainment for everyone.
Whether you want thrilling dramas, real-world documentaries, or comedies with financial lessons, these movies offer an engaging way to understand the world of money. Grab some popcorn, and dive into the drama of finance, because it’s more exciting than you think.
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Wall Street (1987) showcases stock trading and the high-stakes finance world.
The Big Short (2015) explains the 2008 financial crisis with drama and humor.
Money explained (2021) breaks down personal finance topics clearly.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) follows Chris Gardner’s rise from homelessness to success.
Rogue Trader (1999) tells the story of a trader causing Barings Bank’s collapse.
Dumb Money (2023) depicts Reddit investors challenging hedge funds.
Nathalie Okde
SEO Content Writer
Nathalie Okde is an SEO content writer with nearly two years of experience, specializing in educational finance and trading content. Nathalie combines analytical thinking with a passion for writing to make complex financial topics accessible and engaging for readers.
This written/visual material is comprised of personal opinions and ideas and may not reflect those of the Company. The content should not be construed as containing any type of investment advice and/or a solicitation for any transactions. It does not imply an obligation to purchase investment services, nor does it guarantee or predict future performance. XS, its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available and assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment based on the same. Our platform may not offer all the products or services mentioned.
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