The financial world makes for great cinema. Over the years, Hollywood has produced a fair number of movies depicting it in all its incarnations. Some of which came out tragic, some were comedic, while others were catastrophic. Even though, these movies show financial professionals in a less than favorable way, they are required viewing for anyone in the business or thinking about moving into it. So here are IFA‘s 5 must-watch movies for finance professionals!

The Big Short

This movie is a must-watch. It is based on the nonfiction book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis. A group of skillful investors recognized the dangers of a financial crisis based on noticeable warning signs in the mortgage-backed real estate market. It’s known for its clever way to break down complex financial instruments such as, synthetic CDOs and mortgage-backed bonds.

The Wolf of Wall Street

You’re missing out if you haven’t seen this movie! Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his greatest performances of all time. Shot in a comedic way, this movie is based on a true story about a man who is driven by his desires.  Greed, gluttony and crime, a true reflection of the reality behind investing in Wall Street.

Boiler Room

Boiler Room serves as a warning for those starting to invest in the stock market. Seth Davis is given a space in the company’s “boiler room,” where he makes cold calls to prospective clients. As Seth proves his talent, he gains the admiration and attention of his superiors, family and co-workers. However, the higher Seth rises, the deeper he sinks into dishonorable dealings. He finds himself breaking the law in order to keep his superiors content and the cash coming in.

Margin Call

Taking place over the span of 24 hours in the life of a Wall Street firm on the brink of disaster, Margin Call is perhaps the most financially accurate movie on the list. Margin Call shows the careless risk-taking of some of the largest banks, leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Wall Street

This movie is the Godfather of all finance movies. It portrays a young stockbroker that gets involved with a wealthy, crooked corporate raider. Wanting to get to the top, he was willing to do anything, even trading on illegitimate inside information.

These movies are a must-watch for anyone looking to move into the financial sector. However, even if you are not looking to movie into the biz, these films can provide a bit of insight into the savage world of finance.

By: Ghina Sheikho