If you’re looking for movies about stock trading, stock market crash movies, trading movies, high frequency trading movies or any stock market related movies, then this list is for you. This is a great reference if you’re looking for entertainment related to the stock market and there may even be a little learning too!
Below, we’ve listed the best investing and trading movies along with the reviews and movie trailers so you can preview what the movie is about. Happy watching!
Comment at the bottom of the post and let me know which of these you loved (or hated) and if there are any stock trading movies we have missed).
Best Trading Movies
- The Big Short (2015)
- Rogue Trader (1999)
- Trading Places (1983)
- Margin Call (2011)
- Too Big To Fail (2011)
- Betting on Zero (2016)
- Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
- Inside Job (2010 – Documentary)
- Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- Wall Street (1987)
- Boiler Room (2000)
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- Barbarians at the Gates (1993)
- Equity (2016)
- Chasing Madoff (2010)
- The Ascent of Money (2008)
- Banking on Bitcoin (2017)
- The China Hustle (2018)
- Quants: The Alchemists of Wall Street (2010)
- Floored (2009)
- Arbitrage (2012)
- Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
The Big Short (2015)
“The Big Short” is about how several traders and hedge fund managers made fortunes because they saw that the housing market’s decline would cause a collapse of bonds contrived from sub-prime mortgages. The big Short demonstrates some of the psychological pressures traders can experience and how managing outside money changes the psychological game of trading. Definitely worth watching!
Official Trailer of The Big Short (2015)
Rogue Trader (1999)
‘Rogue Trader’ is a film depicting the life of Nick Leeson, a former derivate broker based out in Singapore. The story is inspired by real-life events that shook the global financial system and led to the collapse of the world’s second-oldest merchant bank named Barings Bank based out in England. A great illustration of how deception, excess, leverage and greed can take control of traders if you are not careful. On a corporate scale this can bring down companies, on an individual scale this can lead to bankruptcy and ruin. This movie is pretty old now, but worth watching, I really enjoyed it, but I am a bit of a trading nerd 😉
Official Trailer of Rogue Trader (1999)
Trading Places (1983)
The Trading Places movie is my absolute favourite light hearted movie about trading and the financial markets. What is the movie trading places about? It is an awesome illustration of how inside knowledge, market manipulation, ego and emptions can impact the markets (and a trader’s livelihood). The market also provides a fascinating glimpse into the past with pit trading and highly inefficient markets and where big traders could manipulate the markets… much of this has changed, but this is still a stock trading movie every trader should watch when they need a light hearted view into the markets.
Official Trailer of Trading Places (1983)
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Margin Call (2011)
“Margin Call” depicts the emotion, panic and action of a Wall Street, as the deadly certainty sweeps up the executive ladder at an investment firm that disastrous speculation in the mortgage markets is leading to the firm’s collapse. This is a great movie about the financial crisis of 2008 – Smart and really well done.
Official Trailer of Margin Call (2011)
Too Big To Fail (2011)
Some financial companies are so big and so interconnected that pulling them out of the system would lead to the collapse of the system itself. Such firms were termed ‘Too Big To Fail’. Economists believe that if the TBTF’s feel they will be insulated against pressures of the market they will not self-regulate and resist any outside attempts to do so.
Official Trailer of Too Big To Fail (2011)
Betting on Zero (2016)
As a trader, you have probably heard about short selling, where you make money by betting that the stock price of a company will go down. “Betting on Zero” is a docu-film about a short side campaign on a whole different scale – A trade worth over a billion dollars and an associated campaign to ruin multi-level marketing firm Herbalife by billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. This film provides a pretty fascinating insight into large scale trades, the human impact and the occasional challenges and conflict between hedge fund managers on the opposite sides of a large trade. Fascinating!!!
Official Trailer of Betting on Zero (2016)
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
Have you ever wondered what large scale corportate crime and investor deception looks like in major markets like the United States? You need to watch this film – it is not a political documentary, it is really a crime story. The greed of people with inside knowledge and power can truly be despicable – “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” will make you mad. It tells the story of how Enron rose to become the seventh largest corporation in America with what was essentially a Ponzi scheme, and in its last days looted the retirement funds of its employees to buy a little more time.
Official Trailer of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
Inside Job (2010 – Documentary)
Inside Job is an enthralling documentary about how the reckless actions of Wall Street lead to the near collapse of the financial sector and subsequently the deepest recession since the 1930s. This provides a great insight into the recklessness and greed that runs wild inside some Wall Street firms. This is not a film about trading, but it is a view on the markets which is useful as context for the private trader. Boom and collapse are a fact of life in the markets – prepare for this in your own trading and you can do very very well!
Official Trailer of Inside Job (2010 – Documentary)
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Entertaining, confronting and even unsettling… it seems these are common traits of movies about Wall Street. “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” is an entertaining stock trading movie about the markets, but you are probably not going to learn anything valuable for your own trading here… just be entertained about human greed, emotion and relationships and how they are impacted by large amounts of money and ethical lines. Worth watching.
Official Trailer of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Basically when I watched “The Wolf of Wall Street” my reaction was one of total disgust. It was entertaining, but so much of what was depicted in the movie was just a revolting display of humanity at its most greedy. I don’t like to recommend this movie because I think it gives traders and the markets a bad name… It is not a high frequency trading movie, but is does give you an insight into the broker side of the markets and how over the counter stocks and dodgy brokers operate (or did in the past). If you want a flashy movie about the markets and are prepared for some pretty rotten displays of the failings of human ethics then this movie might be for you.
Official Trailer of The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
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Wall Street (1987)
“Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” – Gordon Gekko I can’t say I agree with Gordon Gekko, but this “Wall Street” certainly was one of the most influential movies on the stock market. It’s definitely a must watch!
Official Trailer of Wall Street (1987)
Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room depicts a story of a high pressure brokerage firm with highly questionable ethics who make their money deceiving investors. This is another example of a movie that gives Wall Street a bad name… maybe it is right, but as private traders all we need to do is trade profitably, we don’t deceive or hurt people – Unlike the brokers in Boiler Room. The movie portrays the average consumer’s lack of understanding of trading (exactly why systematic stock trading gives you such an advantage in the markets). High paced, edge of your seat stock trading movie. Highly Entertaining!
Official Trailer of Boiler Room (2000)
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ is a heart-warming movie based on a true story. This movie is about a struggling single father who takes custody of his son. Crippled by a bad investment in a medical device company, the broke and homeless father pursues his dream of becoming a stock broker despite harrowing odds. The movie is a tear jearker, but provides a rare uplifting perspective on pursuing your dreams and life in the financial markets. Based on a true story and absolutely worth watching!
Official Trailer of The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Barbarians at the Gates (1993)
This movie is about a guy named James Garner who was once a paperboy and became a big CEO in NYC. When Johnson is confronted with a costly project that appears to be doomed, he chooses to avoid shareholder backlash by attempting to obtain the funds necessary to purchase the firm himself. It may have worked at first, but when other money sharks started to get a smell of potential profit, the bidding battle begins.
Official Trailer of Barbarians at the Gates (1993)
Equity (2016)
‘Equity’ is a financial thriller movie that’s about a senior investment banker who is threatened by a financial scandal and is determined to redeem her professional record in the male-dominated financial industry she works in. Quite refreshing in the eyes to see women in action since Wall Street is famously dominated by men. An exploration of successful, driven women in finance.
Official Trailer of Equity (2016)
Chasing Madoff (2010)
This film is about a Wall Street fund manager’s fraudulent activities such as a Ponzi scheme involving the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other major financial media outlets. A very insightful movie since it mostly focuses on how one investigator spent ten years trying to expose Bernie Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme that scammed an estimated $18 billion from investors.
Official Trailer of Chasing Madoff (2010)
The Ascent of Money (2008)
This film shows how a new financial revolution is catapulting India and China, the world’s two most populous countries, from poverty to prosperity in a single generation which is an economic change unmatched in human history. A perfect watch for those who wants to understand the deep financial history of the world. It gives finance professionals a greater perspective and understanding of how the finance world operates.
Official Trailer of The Ascent of Money (2008)
Banking on Bitcoin (2017)
This is a documentary on the rise of Bitcoin and the battle / struggle between mainstream capitalists and this groundbreaking new technology called blockchain. Starting to date but certainly some interesting discussion and worth watching if you are looking for a cryptocurrency movie.
Official Trailer of Banking on Bitcoin (2017)
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The China Hustle (2018)
‘The China Hustle’ is a documentary about investing in Chinese companies that have promising market growth. An unsettling, mind blowing and eye-opening Wall Street horror story about Chinese companies, the American stock market, and the opportunistic greed behind the biggest heist you’ve never heard of.
Official Trailer of The China Hustle (2018)
Quants: The Alchemists of Wall Street (2010)
It’s a documentary about how these “Quants” people design and create computer programs and sell them to American, European, and Asian financial companies such as banks. Their programs make huge incomes for those companies but even the quants themselves cannot guarantee the stability of their models. An excellent documentary that outlines the use of technology to exploit opportunity. This is a high frequency trading movie that is absolutely worth watching.
Official Trailer of Quants: The Alchemists of Wall Street (2010)
Floored (2009)
A documentary of how these floor traders struggled to keep their jobs against computers that can do their jobs more effectively and more efficiently. Time is evolving and so is technology, so how did floor traders survive or evolve with the advent of electronic trading? Watch ‘Floored’ to find out!
Official Trailer of Floored (2009)
Arbitrage (2012)
This movie is about a 60 years old multi-billionaire named Robert Miller who runs a hedge fund with his daughter Brooke Miller and is planning to sell it for a large profit. It portrays the volatility in the Hedge fund business. Great movie! Tons of suspense and surprises!
Official Trailer of Arbitrage (2012)
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
A fascinating documentary about a $200 Million Bitcoin scam. The movie is about a young founder of a collapsing cryptocurrency exchange dying unexpectedly, and then irate investors suspecting that there’s more to his death than meets the eye. A must watch indeed!
Official Trailer of Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions About Trading Movies
Which movie is based on the stock market?
There are several movies based on the stock market that are worth watching. Here are a few highlights:
- The Big Short (2015): This film dives into the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on traders and hedge fund managers who predicted the housing market collapse and made fortunes. It’s a brilliant look at the psychological pressures of trading and managing outside money.
- Rogue Trader (1999): Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, whose unauthorized trading led to the collapse of Barings Bank. It’s a cautionary tale about greed, leverage, and deception.
- Trading Places (1983): A lighthearted classic about market manipulation, insider knowledge, and the emotional impact of trading. It’s also a fascinating glimpse into the old-school trading pits.
- Margin Call (2011): This movie captures the panic and decision-making during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis at an investment firm. It’s intense and well-executed.
- Wall Street (1987): Featuring the iconic line, “Greed is good,” this is a must-watch for its portrayal of ambition and ethics in the financial world.
- Boiler Room (2000): A high-paced story about a brokerage firm with questionable ethics, highlighting the dangers of deception in trading
What movie would traders know?
Traders would likely know several movies that capture the drama, psychology, and excitement of the financial markets. Here are a few standout ones:
- The Big Short (2015): A must-watch for traders, this film dives into the 2008 financial crisis and showcases how a few savvy individuals profited by predicting the housing market collapse. It’s brilliant for understanding market dynamics and the psychological pressures of trading.
- Wall Street (1987): Famous for the line “Greed is good,” this classic explores ambition, ethics, and the darker side of trading. It’s iconic in the trading world and a must-see for its cultural impact.
- Margin Call (2011): This intense movie captures the panic of the 2008 financial crisis as an investment firm faces collapse. It’s a gripping look at decision-making under pressure.
- Trading Places (1983): A lighthearted yet insightful film about market manipulation and insider knowledge. It’s a fun watch and offers a glimpse into the old-school trading pits.
- Rogue Trader (1999): Based on the true story of Nick Leeson, whose unauthorized trades led to the collapse of Barings Bank. A cautionary tale about risk and leverage.
These films resonate with traders because they highlight the highs, lows, and lessons of the financial world.
What is the movie where the stock market crashes?
There are a few movies that depict stock market crashes and the chaos surrounding them. Here are some notable ones:
- The Big Short (2015): This is probably the most famous movie about a market crash. It focuses on the 2008 financial crisis, showing how a few traders and hedge fund managers predicted the collapse of the housing market and profited from it. It’s a brilliant mix of drama and education about the financial system.
- Margin Call (2011): This film captures the panic and decision-making during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. It’s set in an investment firm that realizes its disastrous speculation in mortgage-backed securities is about to cause a collapse. A gripping and intense watch.
- Too Big to Fail (2011): This one dives into the government’s response to the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on the idea that some financial institutions were so large and interconnected that their failure would bring down the entire system.
- Inside Job (2010): While technically a documentary, this film is a deep dive into the reckless actions of Wall Street that led to the financial crisis. It’s an eye-opener for anyone interested in understanding the causes of market crashes.
What are the most watched stocks?
The most watched stocks tend to be those with massive market capitalizations, significant influence on indices, or those that dominate headlines due to their performance or innovation. A classic example is the FAANG stocks – Facebook (now Meta), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (now Alphabet) – which have been closely followed for years due to their dominance in tech and their impact on the broader market.
Recently, there’s been a shift toward MAMAA stocks: Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. These represent the giants of the tech world and are often seen as bellwethers for market sentiment.
Additionally, meme stocks like GameStop and AMC have captured attention due to their extreme volatility and the retail trading frenzy they sparked. These stocks are often watched not for their fundamentals but for their potential to move wildly based on social media-driven hype.
Finally, the largest stocks by market capitalization in major indices like the S&P 500 or NASDAQ – think Tesla, Nvidia, or Berkshire Hathaway – are always under the microscope because of their influence on the overall market.
What is the best stock market movie?
If you’re looking for a standout stock market movie, “The Big Short” is definitely worth watching. It’s a fascinating film about how several traders and hedge fund managers made fortunes by predicting the collapse of the housing market, which led to the 2008 financial crisis. The movie does a brilliant job of illustrating the psychological pressures traders face and how managing outside money can change the trading game .
Another classic is “Wall Street,” which, despite its age, remains influential. It explores the themes of greed and ambition in the financial world, famously encapsulated by the character Gordon Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good” .
If you’re interested in a more light-hearted take, “Trading Places” is a fun watch. It provides a glimpse into the past with pit trading and market manipulation, all wrapped in a comedic package .
Each of these films offers unique insights into different aspects of trading and finance, making them must-watches for anyone interested in the stock market .
What is the best movie about investing?
If you’re looking for a great movie about investing, “The Big Short” is a top pick. It’s a fascinating film about how several traders and hedge fund managers made fortunes by predicting the collapse of the housing market, which led to the 2008 financial crisis. The movie does a brilliant job of illustrating the psychological pressures traders face and how managing outside money can change the trading game .
Another classic is “Wall Street,” which, despite its age, remains influential. It explores the themes of greed and ambition in the financial world, famously encapsulated by the character Gordon Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good” .
If you’re interested in a more light-hearted take, “Trading Places” is a fun watch. It provides a glimpse into the past with pit trading and market manipulation, all wrapped in a comedic package .
Each of these films offers unique insights into different aspects of trading and finance, making them must-watches for anyone interested in the stock market .
What is the trader related movie?
If you’re looking for a trader-related movie, “Rogue Trader” is a classic. It tells the story of Nick Leeson, a derivatives broker whose unauthorized speculative trading led to the collapse of Barings Bank, one of the oldest merchant banks in the world. It’s a gripping tale of deception, excess, and the consequences of unchecked greed .
Another great choice is “Margin Call,” which captures the emotion and panic during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. It provides a smart and well-done depiction of how disastrous speculation in the mortgage markets can lead to a firm’s collapse .
Both films offer unique insights into the world of trading and the potential pitfalls of the financial markets.
Which is the best trading movie in the world?
When it comes to the best trading movie, “The Big Short” often tops the list. It’s a fascinating film about how several traders and hedge fund managers made fortunes by predicting the collapse of the housing market, which led to the 2008 financial crisis. The movie does a brilliant job of illustrating the psychological pressures traders face and how managing outside money can change the trading game .
Another classic is “Wall Street,” which, despite its age, remains influential. It explores the themes of greed and ambition in the financial world, famously encapsulated by the character Gordon Gekko’s mantra, “Greed is good” .
If you’re interested in a more light-hearted take, “Trading Places” is a fun watch. It provides a glimpse into the past with pit trading and market manipulation, all wrapped in a comedic package .
Each of these films offers unique insights into different aspects of trading and finance, making them must-watches for anyone interested in the stock market .
What movie did Leonardo DiCaprio play a stockbroker in?
Leonardo DiCaprio played a stockbroker in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” This film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in rampant corruption and fraud on Wall Street. It’s a wild ride through the highs and lows of Belfort’s career, showcasing the excesses and ethical dilemmas faced in the world of finance. If you’re interested in the more outrageous side of trading, this movie is definitely worth a watch.
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Thanks Adrian for sharing. Some really good ones there and I’m lookiing forward to see the ones I’ve missed.
Hi Ola! Thanks for taking the time to comment, let me know which ones you enjoy most!
Adrian
I loved the Big Short and the Wolf of Wall Street but havent watched many of the others. One that isnt trading related per se but applicable to systematic trading is Moneyball about american baseball and how one coach employed a statistician to systematically pick his players using past performance data rather than use the traditional talent scouts that utilised emotion and gut feeling. To me this is exactly what we do as systematic traders.
Thanks for commenting Jamie – Let me know which are your favorites as you work down the list!