10 films about the financial market to understand this universe

The world of financial markets can be quite difficult to understand and navigate. There are unique terms and they require very complex strategies that refer to both your pocketbook and the international market. History has already taught us about many catastrophes in the financial market and how policies directly influence your pocket, and today, we are going to indicate some film productions that have already approached this universe in different ways, telling us both great success stories and great failures. . Then follows a list with 10 movies about the financial market for you who want to understand more of this world.

What is the Stock Exchange?

But before we put our nominations, we need to talk quickly about the biggest and best known financial space that is the Stock exchange. The Stock Exchange is a safe financial trading environment. There you can sell and buy a fraction of a company. This fraction is known as Action. And when you buy a share, you become a shareholder of a small piece of that acquired company.

But not just buying and selling shares, the Stock Exchange is where investors and all professionals in the field have an overview of the situation in the financial market in their country, in the world and in companies. What are the potentials, which ones may suffer a fall, and how all this can impact worldwide.

There too, for some people, it is the place where it is possible to gain financial independence, support their homes and families or even their retirement. But we have already left the warning here that although it seems easy, investing in the Stock Exchange requires studies, knowledge, and of course, have a Financial Broker registered with the CVM (Securities Commission) to help you have an overview of the market, and what are the best chances of getting a more profitable return.

However, like any investment, there are risks, so if you are going to invest, remember that it can happen that you lose money. So always study hard, and have a professional with you so that this risk is calculated and as little impact as possible.

Cinema as an educational medium

A survey carried out by Edelman Trust Barometer 2013 showed that only half of respondents trusted professionals to “do the right thing”. The 2021 survey by the same company, shows that disinformation is one of the biggest problems of trust and, as the media, it has played a very strong role in this distrust.

Cinema as a major media influencer in public opinion, both positive and negative, has already managed to both create a good image, and create great distrust in this world and in the professionals who work there.

So, thinking about this influence, I composed this list with films that are not only fun, but also informative and educational, ranging from what you should never do as a professional, to documentaries that really are a financial education class.

10 movies about the financial market

You Can't Buy Happiness (1946; drama)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | Metacritic: 89

The black and white film is a classic, considered one of the most inspiring and beloved titles in American cinema that tells the story of George Bailey (James Stewart), a good-natured man who runs a community finance company who is contemplating suicide after being accused of fraud. Then through powerful forces and a revelation, George gains renewed confidence, thus helping everyone in his community, as was always the principle left by his father. Available on Amazon Prime Video.

Swapping the Balls (1983; comedy)

John Landis' comedy tells the story of the Duke brothers who make a bet to find out which factor determines a person's success. So they devise a real-life survey, causing a thief and an executive to switch places. Louis Winthorpe III, the executive is accused of drug possession, losing his job, having his bank accounts frozen and being banned from using his house, while Billy Ray Valentine, the thief, is put in his place as a great executive.

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | Metacritic: 69

While Valentine manages to fit in, Winthorpe struggles to fit into his new reality, and after some awkward situations (made with a lot of grace), Winthorpe discovers the Duke brothers' plan and teams up with Valentine to get revenge on both of them.

The film had its impact years later, as in 2010 a rule was created within the market, which protects non-public information. It became known as Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act – this means prohibiting insider trading using non-public information misappropriated from a government source. Available on Globoplay.

The Big Short (2015; dramedy)

Acclaimed by critics and the public, The big bet is inspired by the real story of a group of investors who decide to bet against American banks, which later ended up causing that economic crisis in the country in 2008.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | Metacritic: 81

In the feature that won the Oscar for Best Picture, investors bet their chips saying that the real estate system in the United States would soon collapse, even though the media and not even analysts had foreseen it; this is a great movie for anyone who wants to understand about one of the biggest financial crises of the decade and the market. Available on Netflix

The Fraud (1999; drama)

The fraud will tell the story of Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor) and how he bankrupted one of London's oldest banks. When he is sent to Singapore, he begins a series of risky investments and hides the huge losses from his superiors, causing the bank to fail. The film is a great example of risk management and financial oversight.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013; drama/comedy)

Directed by the acclaimed Martin Scorcese, and with one of the best performances in Leonardo DiCaprio, the feature tells the biography of Jordan Belfort, who after being fired from his job, creates his own company that deals with low-value stocks, growing quickly, becoming a financial empire.

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | Metacritic: 75

However, due to his excesses and his illegal means he ends up being caught by the police. The film addresses the financial market, entrepreneurship, economics and of course, the problems that lack of emotional intelligence can cause, like a rope around your neck. Available on HBOMax

The Corporation (2003; documentary)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | Metacritic: 73

This documentary places the corporation as the greatest sociopath in history. It is not necessarily a film about the financial market, but it presents a series of interviews with relevant people of the time, delving into the ideas veiled to corporations, contrasting the individual (humans) with the legal entity (corporation), exploring why big companies are so eager for profits, and little concern for society and the protection of the environment. If you are interested in environmental and social issues, this documentary is a must.

Too Big to Break (2011; drama)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | Metacritic: 67

Inspired by the homonymous book written by the journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, the film tells the story of the US Secretary of the Treasury and how he had to manage the situation in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, trying to prevent the failure of the Lehman Brothers bank. Available on HBOMax

Capital Markets (2016; drama)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | Metacritic: 68

The film will tell the story of women who are in the financial market; here focuses especially on an investor who runs the path of success on Wall Street, as she tries to put her company on the Stock Exchange, in the midst of the global economic crisis of 2008. This film was financed by women from Wall Street who shared their stories inside the financial market, from its successes to mistakes and failures.

Wall Street Warriors (2006; documentary series)

Although we are talking about movies, I could not fail to mention this documentary series, because for those who want to know more about the financial world, wall street warriors it is sorely needed. The series has several documentary episodes about the multiple people who are in this environment in various different activities. It features the analyst, day trader, options trader, stockbroker, fund manager, trader and more, all present on Wall Street, and as the title suggests, fighting an extremely competitive battle to make big money. and having major bouts of stress.

Million Dollar Traders (2009; reality television series)

The BBC's 2009 reality show brings together several participants by putting them through a complete training on the world of finance and investments. The program presents all the steps – from basic classes to the initial investment application and market analysis –, fears, application and investment errors of the participants. It is something very interesting to follow, as it shows several different situations that can occur as an investor. At the end of the studies, participants receive US$ 1 million to invest in the way they see fit.

See also:

Did you like this list? What other films about the financial market do you think are essential for those who want to understand more about this world? Comment here! And be sure to check out our tips for 5 finance apps to help with your planning.