Best Films About the Stock Market. What to Watch for Traders and Investors?

Trading movies are a great way to spend an evening on the couch and relax after a trading session. But why not combine pleasant with business and watch a couple of masterpieces about business, finance, or the psychology of traders? Hollywood spoils us with a variety of such films.

Watching them allows you to see the dynamics of financial markets and the strategies of different types of investors – from long-term players to speculators. However, it is important to remember that artistic interpretations often dramatize reality, so you should take them as a source of inspiration rather than an exact guide to action.

In this review, we have collected 10 best trading films about the stock market, which are worth watching for anyone interested in finance and investment.

1. The Wolf of Wall Street

• Director: Martin Scorsese
• Main Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
• Release Year: 2013
• Genre: Biographical Crime, Black Comedy
• Box Office: $389.8 million worldwide ($116.9M domestic, $272.8M international)
• Runtime: 180 minutes

The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the most famous films about stock market corruption, financial greed, and excess. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who made millions through fraudulent schemes before being exposed and sentenced to prison.

The trading film provides an insider’s look into high-stakes trading, pump-and-dump schemes, and financial crimes. It shows how Belfort’s brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, manipulated penny stocks to scam investors out of millions. The narrative dives into the extravagant lifestyle fueled by wealth and illegal activities, highlighting the moral and ethical decline that often accompanies unchecked greed.

While the trading film is purely a black comedy, it serves as a stark warning about financial fraud and market manipulation. It showcases how Belfort and his team exploited loopholes in the system, using aggressive sales tactics to deceive investors. His downfall came when the FBI launched an investigation, uncovering widespread corruption. Eventually, Belfort was convicted of securities fraud and money laundering, receiving a 22-month prison sentence.

From a trading and finance perspective, The Wolf of Wall Street is an essential watch for anyone interested in the darker side of Wall Street. It illustrates how market psychology, persuasion tactics, and regulatory oversight play crucial roles in financial markets. However, it also emphasizes the devastating consequences of unethical trading strategies.

The trading film was both a critical and commercial success, grossing nearly $390 million worldwide. It remains a must-watch for finance enthusiasts

2. Edison, the Man

• Director: Clarence Brown
• Main Cast: Spencer Tracy, Charles Coburn, Lynne Overman
• Release Year: 1940
• Genre: Biographical Drama
• Box Office: $1.78 million (on an $893,000 budget)
• Runtime: 107 minutes

Edison, the Man is a trading movie that dives into the life of Thomas Edison, showcasing his relentless pursuit of innovation and how his inventions influenced industries that later shaped financial markets. The film follows Edison’s transformation from a telegraph operator to a world-renowned inventor, highlighting his contributions to the phonograph, electric light bulb, and motion picture camera. His business ventures and technological breakthroughs had a lasting economic impact, creating new opportunities for investment and market speculation.

While this trading movie does not focus on stock trading in the traditional sense, it offers valuable insights into entrepreneurial risk, market disruption, and the financial potential of emerging industries. Edison’s journey mirrors that of modern investors who seek to capitalize on technological advancements and industry shifts. His ability to raise capital, manage competition, and commercialize groundbreaking ideas makes this film an essential watch for those interested in business strategy and financial success.

For anyone fascinated by the intersection of technology, business, and trading, this trading movie provides an inspiring look at how visionary leaders can shape markets and create lasting economic change. 

3. The Big Short 

• Director: Adam McKay
• Main Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
• Release Year: 2015
• Genre: Biographical Drama, Comedy
• Box Office: $133.4 million (on a $50 million budget)
• Runtime: 130 minutes

Among the most compelling trading movies ever made, The Big Short dissects the 2008 financial crisis through the lens of the few investors who saw it coming. This stock market drama brings finance to life, turning complex topics like subprime mortgages and credit default swaps into engaging, accessible storytelling. Directed by Adam McKay, the film masterfully blends humor, suspense, and real-world financial lessons.

At the heart of the film is Michael Burry, played by Christian Bale, a hedge fund manager who spots flaws in the housing market long before anyone else. Despite skepticism from Wall Street, he bets against the mortgage industry, ultimately making a fortune when the market collapses. His unconventional strategies, based on deep fundamental analysis, mirror real-world trading strategies that focus on market inefficiencies and mispriced assets.

The film also follows other traders who profit from the crisis, including Mark Baum (Steve Carell), a cynical hedge fund manager; Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), a sharp-tongued trader; and Ben Rickert (Brad Pitt), a retired investor who helps two ambitious young traders capitalize on the coming crash. Each character represents different approaches to market speculation, showing how traders can use data analysis, skepticism, and intuition to gain an edge.

What sets The Big Short apart from other trading movies is its unique approach to explaining finance. The film frequently breaks the fourth wall, using celebrity cameos like Selena Gomez and Margot Robbie to simplify financial jargon, making it accessible even to viewers without a background in stock market trading. The humor and sharp dialogue keep the pacing brisk, despite the heavy subject matter.

Despite its comedic elements, The Big Short doesn’t shy away from the devastating consequences of the crash. It forces viewers to question trust in financial institutions, the role of greed in market bubbles, and if similar crises could happen again. The final scenes leave an unsettling reflection on the fragility of economic systems and the risks of unchecked speculation.

For traders, investors, and finance enthusiasts, The Big Short is an essential lesson in market psychology, financial risk, and the dangers of blind trust in mainstream financial narratives. If you’re looking for a trading movie that is both informative and highly entertaining, this one should be at the top of your watchlist.

4. Margin Call 

• Director: J.C. Chandor
• Main Cast: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci
• Release Year: 2011
• Genre: Drama, Thriller
• Box Office: $19.5 million (on a $3.5 million budget)
• Runtime: 109 minutes

Few trading movies capture the sheer panic of an impending financial collapse as well as Margin Call. Directed by J.C. Chandor, this intense drama unfolds over a 24-hour period at an unnamed Wall Street investment firm, just as it realizes the full scale of its disastrous financial exposure. Unlike many other stock market movies, Margin Call doesn’t rely on high-speed trading sequences or exaggerated drama; instead, it delivers a slow-burning, cerebral narrative that perfectly encapsulates the greed, fear, and moral dilemmas faced by high-level executives in times of crisis.

The story kicks off with Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto), a young risk analyst, who stumbles upon shocking data left behind by his recently fired boss, Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci). His calculations reveal that the firm is on the brink of financial ruin, with losses so severe they could exceed the company’s total market value. As the realization spreads, key figures within the firm, including Sam Rogers (Kevin Spacey), Jared Cohen (Simon Baker), Sarah Robertson (Demi Moore), and CEO John Tuld (Jeremy Irons), are forced into an all-night scramble to decide whether to warn investors or dump toxic assets onto the market before the crash becomes public knowledge.

Unlike more sensationalized Wall Street movies, Margin Call stands out for its grounded, realistic portrayal of corporate decision-making under pressure. The dialogue-driven tension creates a gripping atmosphere, making the audience feel the weight of each ethical and financial decision. The film doesn’t rely on dramatic outbursts but rather builds suspense through quiet, calculated conversations that highlight the unsettling detachment of financial executives from the broader economic consequences of their actions.

Jeremy Irons delivers a particularly chilling performance as John Tuld, the cold and pragmatic CEO who sees the financial catastrophe as nothing more than another cycle in the market. Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of Sam Rogers adds an emotional depth, showcasing a man caught between his conscience and his loyalty to the firm. Meanwhile, Zachary Quinto’s character represents the new generation of Wall Street analysts: intelligent, ambitious, yet ultimately powerless against the corporate machine.

Margin Call serves as a stark reminder of how quickly financial institutions can unravel, exposing the fragility of the economic system. While it doesn’t delve into the aftermath of the 2008 crash like The Big Short, it brilliantly captures the very moment when greed, recklessness, and denial collide. For those interested in stock market trading, risk management, and the psychology of financial decision-making, this film offers a thought-provoking and unsettling look at the reality behind the numbers.

If you’re searching for a trading movie that goes beyond high-speed trading floors and Wall Street excess, Margin Call is a must-watch. It’s a gripping, realistic, and deeply unsettling film that perfectly encapsulates the ethical gray areas of the financial world.

5. Citizen Kane 

• Director: Orson Welles
• Main Cast: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane, Ray Collins
• Release Year: 1941
• Genre: Drama, Mystery
• Box Office: $1.8 million (during re-release)
• Runtime: 119 minutes

While Citizen Kane isn’t strictly a trading movie, it remains one of the most influential films about business, wealth, and power. Directed by and starring Orson Welles, this 1941 classic is a fictionalized account of the life of a media tycoon, Charles Foster Kane, loosely inspired by real-life magnates like William Randolph Hearst. Unlike traditional Wall Street movies, Citizen Kane explores the rise and fall of a businessman from a deeply personal and philosophical perspective, offering valuable insights into ambition, control, and the ultimate cost of financial success.

The film begins with the mysterious death of Charles Foster Kane, a once-powerful newspaper magnate, whose last word puzzles reporters trying to uncover its meaning. A journalist sets out to investigate Kane’s life, interviewing his associates and piecing together his journey from a poor child in Colorado to one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in America. Through flashbacks, the audience sees how Kane’s vast fortune, initially built on a small investment in a gold mine, propels him into media dominance, politics, and high society. However, his relentless pursuit of power and recognition ultimately leads to his downfall, leaving him isolated in his opulent mansion, Xanadu.

Unlike fast-paced stock market movies, Citizen Kane takes a more reflective approach, delving into the psychology of wealth and how financial success can distance individuals from personal fulfillment. Kane, despite his immense fortune, struggles to maintain relationships and loses sight of what truly matters. His attempt to control public opinion through his media empire mirrors the financial industry’s influence on markets, making it a relevant film for those interested in business and economics.

A critical moment in the film highlights Kane’s venture into politics, where his ambition to become governor is crushed by a scandal, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities. This moment serves as a stark reminder that financial power does not always translate to control over one’s destiny. A lesson that resonates deeply within the trading and investment world.

While Citizen Kane may not depict stock trading strategies or financial market manipulation like The Big Short or Wall Street, it provides a thought-provoking exploration of ambition, media influence, and the dangers of unchecked power. For those who appreciate trading movies with a broader perspective on wealth and its consequences, this film remains a must-watch. Its timeless storytelling and powerful themes continue to captivate audiences, proving that financial success without purpose can lead to an empty legacy.

6. Wall Street 

• Director: Oliver Stone
• Main Cast: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen, Hal Holbrook, Terence Stamp
• Release Year: 1987
• Genre: Drama, Finance
• Box Office: $43.8 million
• Runtime: 126 minutes

Few trading movies capture the ruthless ambition and moral dilemmas of Wall Street as powerfully as Wall Street. Directed by Oliver Stone, this financial drama dives deep into the world of stock trading, corporate takeovers, and the seductive power of greed. The film follows Bud Fox, a young and ambitious stockbroker eager to make a name for himself. His relentless pursuit of success leads him to Gordon Gekko, a ruthless and charismatic investor who embodies the film’s central theme: “Greed is good.”

Bud’s journey begins when he leverages insider information about Bluestar Airlines (his father’s company) to impress Gekko. Initially, his newfound success and wealth seem like the ultimate reward for his ambition. However, as he becomes more entangled in Gekko’s schemes, Bud starts to realize the cost of playing in the high-stakes world of Wall Street. His blind pursuit of money leads him to questionable deals, market manipulation, and unethical practices that put him on the radar of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The movie masterfully depicts the power dynamics of stock market trading, showing how corporate takeovers, strategic leaks, and insider trading can shape the financial world. Gekko’s aggressive investment strategies and hostile takeovers make him one of cinema’s most infamous financial villains. He doesn’t just manipulate stocks. He manipulates people. Including Bud, who soon learns that loyalty in the financial world is just another commodity.

As Bud gains wealth and status, he also faces the harsh reality of Wall Street’s cutthroat nature. When he discovers Gekko’s plan to dismantle Bluestar Airlines for profit, his moral conflict intensifies. Determined to protect his father’s company and redeem himself, he devises a plan to outmaneuver Gekko by orchestrating a counter-move with Lawrence Wildman, a rival corporate raider. However, betrayal is an inevitable part of the game, and Gekko retaliates by exposing Bud’s illegal activities to the SEC.

One of the reasons Wall Street remains a must-watch trading movie is its brutally honest portrayal of financial markets. It highlights the ethical dilemmas traders face and serves as a cautionary tale about the intoxicating allure of wealth. The film also reflects real-world issues in stock trading, including market manipulation, insider trading, and the fine line between ambition and corruption.

Michael Douglas’ performance as Gordon Gekko is legendary, earning him an Academy Award. His iconic speech has become a defining moment in cinema, encapsulating the mindset that drives financial markets. Meanwhile, Charlie Sheen’s portrayal of Bud Fox captures the transformation from an eager young broker to a man torn between ambition and conscience.

7. Trading Places

• Director: John Landis
• Main Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, Jamie Lee Curtis
• Release Year: 1983
• Genre: Comedy, Finance
• Box Office: $120.6 million
• Runtime: 116 minutes

Among the most entertaining trading movies, Trading Places stands out as a unique blend of finance and comedy, making the world of stock market trading both engaging and hilarious. The film follows a social experiment conducted by two wealthy and manipulative brothers, Randolph and Mortimer Duke, who own the prestigious commodities brokerage firm, Duke & Duke. Their bet? To see if a man’s success in finance is determined by his environment or his inherent abilities.

The Duke brothers orchestrate a life swap between two men from vastly different social standings. Billy Ray Valentine, a street hustler played by Eddie Murphy, and Louis Winthorpe III, a privileged commodities trader played by Dan Aykroyd. They frame Winthorpe for crimes he didn’t commit, stripping him of his wealth, career, and social status. Meanwhile, they elevate Valentine to a position of power at their firm, giving him access to the elite world of commodity trading.

As Valentine adapts quickly to his new role, proving that financial acumen isn’t just for the Ivy League-educated elite, he soon discovers the Duke brothers’ true motives. Learning about their unethical business practices, he teams up with a now-destitute Winthorpe to seek revenge. Their plan revolves around futures trading, specifically in frozen concentrated orange juice futures, a real-life financial instrument traded on commodity exchanges.

In a pivotal scene, Valentine and Winthorpe intercept and replace a confidential government crop report that the Duke brothers intended to use for insider trading. Believing that orange crops will be scarce, the Dukes aggressively buy up futures contracts, inflating prices. Meanwhile, Valentine and Winthorpe short sell the same contracts, betting that the market will crash once the actual report is released. When the true report reveals normal orange crop yields, prices plummet, allowing the duo to buy back contracts at a fraction of the price and make a fortune. While the Dukes suffer devastating losses and face financial ruin.

Unlike traditional stock market trading films, Trading Places takes a humorous approach to finance while subtly critiquing the greed and manipulation present in Wall Street. The film does a brilliant job of explaining commodities trading in a way that’s accessible to viewers, showcasing both the high-stakes nature of financial markets and the consequences of unethical business practices.

At its core, Trading Places is a satirical take on social class, privilege, and power dynamics in finance. The chemistry between Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, combined with the sharp screenplay and clever financial insights, makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in trading movies.

8. Arbitrage 

• Director: Nicholas Jarecki
• Main Cast: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Laetitia Casta, Nate Parker
• Release Year: 2012
• Genre: Thriller, Finance, Drama
• Box Office: $35.5 million
• Runtime: 107 minutes

Among the best trading movies, Arbitrage takes a darker, more psychological approach to the world of high finance, exposing the moral dilemmas that come with unchecked power and wealth. The film follows Robert Miller, a billionaire hedge fund manager played by Richard Gere, who seems to have it all: success, money, and influence. However, beneath his polished exterior lies a web of fraud, deception, and desperation.

Miller is on the verge of selling his trading empire to a major investment bank, eager to cash out before the truth about his company’s financial fraud is exposed. Like many powerful figures in the financial world, he has manipulated the numbers to present an illusion of stability, concealing trading losses that could destroy his legacy. But just when he believes he has everything under control, an unforeseen event shakes his entire world. His mistress, Julie (Laetitia Casta), is killed in a car accident while he is behind the wheel. Rather than coming clean, Miller covers up his involvement, fearing that any scandal will jeopardize the pending deal and ruin his carefully curated image.

As he struggles to keep his empire intact, Detective Michael Bryer (played by Tim Roth) relentlessly pursues the truth, convinced that Miller is hiding something far greater than just financial mismanagement. What follows is a tense, high-stakes battle where the lines between legality and corporate corruption blur, showcasing the lengths to which powerful financiers will go to protect their wealth.

Unlike traditional trading movies that focus on stock market trading, Arbitrage delves into the ethical dilemmas of hedge fund managers and the culture of impunity among financial elites. The film brilliantly illustrates how insider trading, financial fraud, and personal misconduct often intertwine, making it not just a financial thriller but a compelling social commentary.

Richard Gere’s performance is outstanding, capturing the essence of a man trapped by his own ambitions. The film’s gripping narrative, combined with its realistic depiction of high-stakes trading, makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in trading movies that go beyond the numbers and explore the human cost of financial greed. It’s a chilling reminder that in the world of finance, not all losses are measured in dollars. Sometimes, the price of deception is far greater.

9. The Pursuit of Happyness 

• Director: Gabriele Muccino
• Main Cast: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton
• Release Year: 2006
• Genre: Biography, Drama
• Box Office: $307.1 million
• Runtime: 117 minutes

Among the most inspirational trading movies, The Pursuit of Happyness tells the real-life story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who fights against all odds to break into the stock market trading industry. Unlike traditional trading movies filled with greed and corruption, this film focuses on perseverance, ambition, and the sacrifices required to succeed in finance.

Set in San Francisco in the early 1980s, the film follows Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a man determined to provide a better future for his young son, Christopher (Jaden Smith). With his savings tied up in an unsuccessful medical equipment business, Gardner finds himself unemployed, homeless, and struggling to make ends meet. His wife, overwhelmed by financial struggles, leaves him, forcing Chris to care for their son alone.

Desperate for a stable career, Gardner applies for a highly competitive stockbroker internship at Dean Witter Reynolds, a major brokerage firm. However, the internship is unpaid, and only one candidate will secure a job at the end. While battling extreme financial hardship, sleeping in homeless shelters, and even spending nights in public restrooms, Gardner relentlessly studies and builds relationships with potential clients, hoping to prove his worth in the trading industry.

One of the film’s most powerful moments is when Gardner, despite being in survival mode, takes a chance by approaching a CEO at a football game, seizing an opportunity to showcase his potential as a stock market trader. His strategic thinking and natural ability to connect with people ultimately lead to his success.

What sets The Pursuit of Happyness apart from other trading movies is its emotional depth. Instead of focusing on Wall Street corruption or high-stakes financial maneuvers, the film highlights the grit, resilience, and sacrifices necessary to break into the world of stock trading. Will Smith’s portrayal of Gardner captures the raw struggles of chasing the American Dream, making this a must-watch film for aspiring traders, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking for motivation to push through adversity.

10. Boiler Room

• Director: Ben Younger
• Main Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Ben Affleck, Nicky Katt, Scott Caan
• Release Year: 2000
• Genre: Drama, Crime, Finance
• Box Office: $28 million
• Runtime: 120 minutes

Boiler Room is a gripping trading movie that dives into the world of high-pressure brokerage firms, showcasing the fine line between ambition and outright fraud. Unlike traditional Wall Street dramas, this film takes a raw, unfiltered look at the dark side of stock trading, where pump-and-dump schemes and high-pressure sales tactics exploit unsuspecting investors.

The story follows Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi), a college dropout who runs an illegal underground casino from his apartment in Queens, New York. Looking for a more “legitimate” path to wealth, he gets recruited by J.T. Marlin, a shady brokerage firm promising young brokers fast money, luxury lifestyles, and Wall Street prestige. Led by aggressive senior brokers (played by Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck), the firm operates like a modern-day Wolf of Wall Street, pushing its employees to sell worthless penny stocks to uninformed investors.

At first, Seth is captivated by the high-energy environment, the promise of million-dollar commissions, and the relentless ambition of his colleagues. However, as he digs deeper, he uncovers the corrupt underpinnings of the operation. The firm thrives on fraudulent stock manipulations, creating artificial hype around failing companies before dumping the shares, leaving investors with crippling losses. This unethical trading strategy is a textbook pump-and-dump scheme, where brokers profit while their clients are left in financial ruin.

As the SEC and FBI start closing in on J.T. Marlin, Seth faces a moral dilemma. He is caught between his desire for financial success, the guilt of scamming investors, and his strained relationship with his father, a respected judge. The film portrays his internal battle as he decides whether to turn against the firm or continue chasing the illusion of wealth.

What makes Boiler Room stand out among trading movies is its authenticity. Inspired by real-life experiences, director Ben Younger based the film on an actual boiler room operation he encountered firsthand. The film’s high-energy sales speeches, aggressive cold-calling techniques, and relentless pursuit of commissions offer a brutally honest depiction of stockbroker culture in the late 1990s.