The stock market can be difficult to understand. It is understandable that many people are not investing much in the stock market as financial education is only gaining momentum in the country. Even when people try to learn about it, the subject is complicated.
So, what do you do with that? If you start from scratch and love binging with digital content, there are a few movies and web series that you can make on your next watch list. Looking at digital content not only allows you to peek into the stock market world, but also scams, loopholes and many other exciting things related to it.
Wall of Wall Street (2013, USA)
It is based on the true story of charismatic stockbroker Jordan Belfort. He built his fortune in the 1990s through stock manipulation and fraud. His company, Stratton Oakmont, thrives with unethical sales tactics. Belfort’s life spirals over drugs, parties, and more. The FBI investigates and leads to his downfall.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, it is a dark comedy drama. Leonardo DiCaprio offers a great performance. The film reveals Wall Street’s greed and corruption. It’s energetic, provocative and warning. The story of ambition was wrong.
Big Short (2015, USA)
Record the 2008 financial crisis through quirky investors. They discover flaws in the housing market and bet on them. The film uses complex financial humor and a brief description. Characters range from hedge fund geniuses to eccentric analysts. It criticizes Wall Street’s recklessness and greed.
Director Adam McKay, it is interesting and insightful. It stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling. The story highlights the systematic obstacles to banking. It is attractive and educational. A must-see for understanding the crisis.
Wall Street (1987, USA)
Young stockbroker Bad Fox idolizes corporate raider Gordon Gecko. Gekko coaches him and invites him to insider trading. Bud’s ambitions clash with his morality as the deal becomes illegal. Set in the 1980s, it captures the cutthroat culture of Wall Street. Gekko’s “Greed Is Good” speech defines the era.
Directed by Oliver Stone, it’s a fascinating drama. Michael Douglas won an Oscar as Gecko. The film explores ambition and betrayal. It is a timeless critique of capitalism. A classic financial film.
Boiler Room (2000, USA)
College dropout Seth joins the shady Long Island intermediary. The company promotes unworthy stocks through aggressive sales tactics. Seth rises rapidly and is drawn to wealth and status. He begins to question the company’s ethics as clients lose money. The FBI is closed and threatens his future. Inspired by a real-life pump and dump scheme.
Directed by Ben Young, it’s a nervous drama. Stars Giovanni Rivsi, Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck. Revealing stock market fraud. The consequences of greed are gritty.
Margin Call (2011, USA)
I set up at an investment bank for more than 24 hours in 2008. Analysts reveal toxic assets and show the financial crisis. Executives discuss whether to sell bad investments or protect clients. The film illustrates the moral dilemma of high stakes finance. Tensions rise as you balance your career and company.
It is a slow burn thriller directed by JC Chandor. Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons and Zachary Kint are stars. It captures the early chaos of the crisis. The story feels authentic and intense. A window to panic on Wall Street.
Inside Job (2010, USA, documentary)
Detailed revelation of the 2008 global financial crisis. It traces its roots in deregulation and dangerous banking. Interviews with experts and insiders reveal systemic desires. The film criticizes banks, politicians and rating agencies. Narrated by Matt Damon, it is clear and fascinating.
Manager Charles Ferguson won an Oscar. A simple explanation of complex funds. The documentary is informative and infuriating. It emphasizes unconfirmed power in finance. It is essential to understanding financial failure.
Web Series
Here are many web series related to the stock market.
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)
It is based on the real-life story of stockbroker Harshad Meta. In the 1990s he rose as India’s “big bull” in the stock market. His manipulative trading drives the Bombay market to new heights. However, his plans include bank fraud and loopholes. The fraud is unlocked and shakes the Indian financial system.
Directed by Hansal Mehta, it’s a fascinating drama. Pratik Gandhi stars as the ambitious Mehta. The series blends funds, family and betrayal. It is an Indian cultural phenomenon. A thrilling expression of ambition and deceit.
Billions (2016)
A drama about hedge fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod and US lawyer Chuck Rhodes. Their rivalry surprises the wealth for justice in New York’s financial world. Axelrod’s dangerous transactions push legal boundaries up. Rhoades aims to defeat him for corruption. The show explores power, loyalty and morality.
Created by Brian Coppelman and David Levien. Star Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. It has sharp dialogue and fast pace. This series reflects the real world financial battles. Thrilling diving to money and influence.
King of Stonks (2022)
A comedy drama about startup founder Felix Armand. He dreams of successful Cable Cash for a fintech company. To make it public, he fakes growth and cuts corners. His lies are spirals, dangerous exposure and doom. Inspired by genuine technology scandals like Wirecard. The series mixes humor with corporate intrigue. Created by Philip and Matthias Merman. It criticizes startup hype and greed. Fast pace and satire. A new view of financial fraud.
Dropout (2022)
Chronicle of Elizabeth Holmes and her biotech startup Theranos. She argues that her skills can revolutionize blood testing. Investors pour billions, but technology doesn’t work. Holmes disguises the results to maintain the value of the company.
Her fraud is unleashed through whistleblowers and investigations. Directed by Michael Showalter, it’s a compelling drama. Amanda Seyfried is starring Holmes. This series explores ambitions and deceptions. Based on the true Silicon Valley scandal. A warning story of startup hype.
Industry (2020)
He follows young graduates at Peer Point, London’s top investment bank. They have a permanent role in the cutthroat environment. The series is divided into trading, trading and office politics.
The characters face ethical dilemma and personal struggles. The show, created by Mickey Down and Conrad Kay, reflects the high-pressure financial world. It’s rough and realistic. It will appeal to fans of corporate dramas. It is a new view of ambition and sacrifice.
Devils (2020–2022)
A thriller about Massimo Ruggero, a trader at global banks. He reveals conspiracies related to the 2008 financial crisis. His mentor’s shady deal put him in danger. The series blends funding, spying and betrayal. It is set in London’s sophisticated financial district. Based on the novel by Guido Maria Brera. Stars Alessandro Borgi and Patrick Dempsey.
It’s fast-paced and suspenseful. The show criticizes the dark side of global banking. A mix of money and strength.
Bad Banks (2018–2020)
Young banker Jana joins a troubled German investment bank. She navigates dangerous transactions and corporate power struggles. Her ambitions draw her into an unethical plan. The bank’s collapse is looming as regulators approach.
This series explores the moral grey realm of finance. Created by Oliver Kienl, it is a tense thriller in the Frankfurt financial hub. It’s authentic and charming, diving deep into the banking abdomen.
Madoff (2016)
This dramatically changes Bernie Madoff’s infamous Ponzi scheme. For decades, he scam billions of investors with fake returns. His family and employees were unaware of the fraud. The 2008 crisis exposed his lies, leading to his arrest.
Director Raymond de Ferlitta’s series shows the human costs of his fraud. Richard Dreyfus stars as Madoff. It is an emotional, detailed, calm view of financial betrayal based on actual events.
Fear Index (2022)
Technology genius Alex Hoffman creates AI for stock trading. His algorithms predict market movements with eerie accuracy. However, AI begins to act alone, causing chaos. Hoffman’s life is unleashed as he faces obstruction and delusions.
Based on the novel by Robert Harris, it is a psychological thriller directed by David Cronenberg and starring Josh Hartnett. This series explores the risks of technology in finance. It is a modern story of tension, thought-provoking, ambition and hubrism.
Tokyo Vice (2022)
A crime drama about Jake Adelstein, an American journalist in Tokyo. He investigates the Yakuza and reveals corruption. Some stories touch on financial crimes and corporate schemes.
This series captures Tokyo’s rough underworld. It is authentic based on Adelstein’s memoirs. It was created by JT Rogers and stars Ansel Elgort.
It’s suspenseful to rich cultural details. Financial angles are secondary, but relevant. It is a thrilling combination of crime and journalism that appeals to fans of global conspiracy.
