With its roller-coaster rides and unpredictable turns, the stock market has always fascinated people. It's a world of risk, reward, and endless possibilities. While books and articles can provide market knowledge, movies and web series offer a unique, immersive experience. They bring the financial world to life, making it engaging and easy to understand.
Here are 10 of the best stock market movies and web series you must watch:
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this Martin Scorsese motion picture revolves around Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who used unconventional and questionable methods to make money, leading to his rise and fall. The film shows how his endless greed and risky choices created a luxurious life but ultimately led to trouble as his company, Stratton Oakmont, artificially inflated stock prices to sell them at a profit, leaving investors with worthless stocks. It is undoubtedly a wonderful film to watch if you are interested in stock market movies.
2. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)
One of the most talked-about and loved stock market web series in India, Scam 1992, is based on the real-life story of Harshad Mehta, a stockbroker who played a major role in manipulating the stock market in India in the 1990s. The series portrays Mehta’s rise from a modest background to the ‘Big Bull’ of Mumbai’s financial world. Watch the series to understand how he used loopholes in the stock market and the system to earn profits and his eventual downfall. If you are curious about how he managed to do the scam in the stock market, then this is a great watch for you.
3. Gafla (2006)
Another feature to consider for understanding the ups and downs of the stock market is Gafla, an Indian movie that tells you the story of a man who rises from nothing and rises to create wealth by stock market investments. However, his success is short-lived, as he loses everything due to his risky decisions. The film illustrates how his ambition drove him to make risky choices and how he quickly learned the market’s instability. ‘Gafla’ sets the perfect example of how the stock market can be both rewarding and risky.
4. Trading Places (1983)
Are you a fan of comedy films but also interested in financial flicks? If yes, ‘Trading Places’ can be a fun movie for you. It shows how the stock market can impact your life. The movie tells the story of two men who switch lives as part of a bet between two wealthy brothers. One of them becomes a successful stockbroker, while the other is left with nothing. The movie offers a humorous look at how insider trading works.
5. The Big Short (2015)
This Oscar-winning film delves into the 2008 financial crisis, explaining complex financial instruments like CDOs and CDS in a humorous yet insightful way. It tells the stories of different people who predicted the crisis and made money from it. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of the financial system.
6. Margin Call (2011)
A tense drama you should definitely consider! The film is about an investment bank that discovers a financial crisis within their company. The story takes place on a single day, showing how a group of investment bankers react to the financial crisis. The film highlights the risky nature of investments and the tough decisions that must be made when things go wrong.
7. Inside Job (2010)
Inside Job is a documentary about the causes of the 2008 financial crisis. It explains how risky practices by banks and investors and poor decisions by government officials can contribute to a global financial disaster. The film interviews many experts in the financial field and provides a clear picture of what went wrong. It helps you see the big mistakes that caused one of the worst economic meltdowns in history.
8. Wall Street (1987)
Wall Street is another classic stock market movie directed by Oliver Stone. It stars Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider who mentors a young stockbroker about the illegal ways to make money in the high stake world of finance. The movie dives into the ambitious ecosphere of finance in New York City. Gekko’s famous line ‘Greed is good,’ sums up the character’s attitude towards making money at any cost.
9. Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room shows a young man who gets involved with a brokerage firm, operating a ‘boiler room’ that pressures people into buying worthless penny stocks. Starring Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Ben Affleck, Nicky Katt, Scott Caan, Tom Everett Scott, Ron Rifkin and Jamie Kennedy. The film focuses on the consequences of unethical practices in the financial world and how ambition can drive people to make destructive choices. This movie is a great example of how risky the stock market can be if you do not follow the rules.
10. The China Hustle (2017)
The China Hustle is a documentary that uncovers how Chinese companies deceived U.S. investors by listing their stocks on American exchanges. The film explains how these companies used false information to get rich and how their actions affected the global stock market. Through a process known as 'reverse mergers,’ these companies were able to trade on U.S. stock markets without undergoing any scrutiny typically required for an American company. Directed by Jed Rothstein, it gives an eye-opening look at fraud and manipulation in the stock market.
Why Watch These Movies/Series?
- Understanding the Financial World: These movies/series can help you understand complex financial concepts in a simplified and engaging way.
- Learning from Mistakes: By watching and understanding the consequences of the characters’ mistakes, you can avoid making similar errors in your investments.
- Developing Financial Intuition: These stories can help you develop a better sense of market trends and human behaviour.
- Entertainment Value: Of course, these movies and series are also highly entertaining. They offer a thrilling and often humorous look at the world of finance.
Summing up
From real-life stories to fictional plots, these movies and web series offer captivating accounts of stock market risks and rewards. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the financial world or simply enjoy an engaging story, these films are worth a watch.
So, which movies are you binge-watching this weekend?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
