Watching movies is the perfect pastime for relaxing, laughing, and fighting boredom. Sweetening the deal for your entertainment needs is a plethora of films centered around Wall Street and the stock market, and many of which are filled with thinly-veiled lessons and messages on life, money, faith, and so much more. 

Pop the popcorn, change into something comfy, and kick your feet up. It’s time to watch a movie and learn something thought-provoking. Take a look at these 14 must-watch movies for investors to understand the stock market, valuation, real estate investing, and mindset. 

1. Wall Street (1987)

One of the most well-known Wall Street movies is the 1987 classic Wall Street, starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. This action-packed drama follows Bud Fox (Sheen), a young stockbroker who works with Gordon Gekko (Douglas), a wealthy businessman and Wall Street player. 

Watch the lines blur between good and evil when money’s involved. This story touches on buying stocks, insider trading, greed, and time in the market. You’re sure to be entertained with this one.

2. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

After more than 20 years, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) is out of prison and ready to rebuild. Unfortunately, Gekko has learned the value of time over money, and he’s looking to take revenge on his Wall Street enemy. The film teaches investors about market manipulation and the importance of time.

3. Inside Job (2010)

The 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary, Inside Job, takes viewers through the 2008 financial crisis. Matt Damon narrates the film with interviews from some of the most prominent players and influencers during the downpour. Inside Job covers the monetary value of stocks on stock exchanges, bad debt, and risky investments. In addition, investors will learn how the pursuit of profit ballooned until it wasn’t sustainable.  

4. Trading Places (1983)

After more than 38 years, Trading Places remains a must-watch movie for investors. The comedy is about an upper-class commodities broker played by Dan Aykroyd and a street hustler (Eddie Murphy). The two cross paths in an elaborate bet to test how the men perform when their lives are swapped.

Investors will gain insight into day trading, insider trading, trading stocks on margin, and the value of friendship. After watching this classic movie, you’ll want to learn more about how stocks work to protect your investments.

5. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Based on a true story, The Wolf of Wall Street follows the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. You’ll learn about the infamous Stratton Oakmont pump and dump scheme that fueled several IPOs (initial public offerings) in the late 80’s and 90’s, where enough is never enough for the players in this film. 

Whether you like it, love it, or could do without it, this movie is a top pick for investors. It hits on the problems with greed, corruption, and fraud on Wall Street. 

6. Enron: The Smartest Guy In The Room (2005)

Enron is a 2005 documentary. It centers around the collapse of Enron, a Houston energy and commodities company, due to scandal, accounting fraud, insider trading, and embezzlement. The scandal resulted in significant layoffs and empty retirement accounts. Shares of Enron went from $90.75 to $0.26.

The film teaches investors the importance of understanding accounting terms, financial statements, and valuation. After watching this film, investors will discover the purpose behind diversifying a portfolio with various stocks from different sectors.

7. The Big Short (2015)

The Big Short is based on the book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. The film walks viewers through the 2008 housing bubble through the eyes of a few investors who noticed a bubble forming and bet against the housing market.

The film teaches investors how to understand industry-specific news and how to hedge their investments. And even if investors aren’t ready to bet against a company, the film highlights the possibility and the worldwide implications of big shorts.

8. Too Big To Fail (2011)

Too big to fail is a famous phrase popularized in 2008 by George Bush when he described the need to “bailout” some financial organizations to prevent a worldwide economic collapse. To this day, the phrase is used to describe large companies so profoundly rooted in the global economy that their failure could strike a financial catastrophe. 

A compelling movie, Too Big To Fail, provides movie watchers with an intimate glimpse into the financial/banking industry. In addition, investors will gain insight into the problems with excessive debt and greed. 

Viewers will learn about the role of the stock market in the global economy and the second and third-order effects of large company failures. The film is a classic example of movies investors need to watch to understand the finance world and its role in the economy.

9. Barbarians At The Gate (1993)

The award-winning, Barbarians At The Gate, is based on the true story of RJR Nabisco’s leveraged buyout in the late 1980s. The CEO, F. Ross Johnson, turned to a leveraged buyout strategy to keep the company intact. Although the goal was to save the stock and the company, a bidding war with Henry Kravis ensued. Unfortunately, this sent the stock value higher than expected, leaving tons of debt and a bleak future.  

The movie entertains viewers on the importance of reading and understanding company-specific news, acquisitions, debt, and leveraged buyouts.

10. Duplex (2003)

Featuring Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore, Duplex, is an excellent story about the pitfalls of buying an investment property without all of the information. Alex Rose (Stiller) and Nancy Kendricks (Barrymore) purchase their perfect home, a duplex, that they hope to renovate and rent once an old Irish tenant, Mrs. Connelly, in a rent-controlled apartment dies. 

Soon they realize that the seemingly innocent older tenant is out to make them miserable as part of a real estate scam. 

Without giving away the ending, investors learn about the costs of real estate investing and the importance of understanding the property, costs, and tenants. In addition, the film is sure to spark your interest to learn more about evictions and rent control before purchasing an investment property. 

11. The Money Pit (1986)

The Money Pit, a 1986 comedy, features Tom Hanks and Shelley Long as a young couple looking to buy a bargain house in the country. Unfortunately, the house rapidly becomes a nightmare and money pit when numerous home renovations are needed. The movie teaches investors to: 

1. Do your research before investing in real estate
2. Have an emergency fund
3. Avoid over-budget mortgages just because you can afford it
4. Plan for renovations
5. Don’t pay for something until you see the product

12. Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains, And The Future Of The Internet(2021)

It’s 2021, and whether you’re investing in it or not, you need to learn about cryptocurrency and Bitcoin. The 2021 documentary Cryptopia: Bitcoin, Blockchains, and the Future of the Internet teach investors about the crypto ecosystem and blockchain technology. Learn the history of Bitcoin, the major players in the industry, and the fighting opposition with this enjoyable film.

13. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

The 1946 classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, teaches investors the value of life and money. On Christmas eve, small-town banker George Bailey contemplates suicide to save Bailey’s Building and Loan. Soon, Bailey is visited by an angel who shows him the value of his life in Bedford Falls. 

The iconic film touches on capitalism, communities coming together, and the value of life shortly after the Great Depression. After watching this movie, investors will become more knowledgeable about debt, crowdsourcing, and the importance of an emergency fund. 

14. Walt Before Mickey (2015)

Walt Disney pioneered animation and changed the movie industry forever with Mickey Mouse. However, his life wasn’t always so successful. Walt Before Mickey is a biographical movie about the life of Walt Disney before Mickey came to life. 

This tale of Walt Disney’s life teaches investors about the importance of persistence, self-worth, and a positive mindset to build wealth. The film inspires investors to work through failure and be committed to their long-term goals. This class movie is a must-watch for investors.

Final Thoughts

Wall Street makes excellent cinema. Despite the heavily romanticized portrayal of the stock market as an exclusive club for brokers and the wealthy, Hollywood has produced some award-winning comedies, action-packed thrillers, and dramas that not only entertain but teach you something. 

Whether you own one share of stock or one thousand, you need to check out these 14 must-watch movies. These films will spark curiosity and teach you so much more than Wall Street stereotypes if you watch closely. You’ll learn how the stock market works, the importance of valuation, and the role of mindset. There’s no better way to stay on top of the finance and investing world than with a great movie. Enjoy!