Interesting Movies & Web-Series on Stock Markets

Stock markets can be tricky to understand. With financial education only just gaining momentum in the country, it is understandable that many people don’t invest in the stock market because they don’t know much about it. Even when people try to learn about it, the subject is intricate.

So, how do you do it? If you’re looking to start from scratch and love binging on digital content, we’ve got a few movies and web series that could be on your next watchlist. Watching digital content will give you a peek into the world of the stock market but also the scams, loopholes, and a host of other exciting things associated with it.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013, USA)

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a charismatic stockbroker. He built a fortune in the 1990s through stock manipulation and fraud. His firm, Stratton Oakmont, thrives on unethical sales tactics. Belfort’s life spirals into drugs, parties, and excess. The FBI investigates, leading to his downfall. 

Directed by Martin Scorsese, it’s a dark comedy-drama. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a stellar performance. The film exposes Wall Street’s greed and corruption. It’s energetic, provocative, and cautionary. A tale of ambition gone wrong.

The Big Short (2015, USA)

Chronicles the 2008 financial crisis through quirky investors. They discover the housing market’s flaws and bet against it. The film uses humour and simple explanations for complex finance. Characters range from a hedge fund genius to eccentric analysts. It critiques Wall Street’s recklessness and greed. 

Directed by Adam McKay, it’s both funny and insightful. It stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling. The story highlights systemic failures in banking. It’s engaging and educational—a must-watch for understanding the crisis.

Wall Street (1987, USA)

A young stockbroker, Bud Fox, idolizes corporate raider Gordon Gekko. Gekko mentors him, luring him into insider trading. Bud’s ambition clashes with his morals as deals turn illegal. Set in the 1980s, it captures Wall Street’s cutthroat culture. Gekko’s “Greed is good” speech defines the era. 

Directed by Oliver Stone, it’s a gripping drama. Michael Douglas won an Oscar as Gekko. The film explores ambition and betrayal. It’s a timeless critique of capitalism. A classic in financial cinema.

Boiler Room (2000, USA)

Seth, a college dropout, joins a shady Long Island brokerage. The firm pushes worthless stocks through aggressive sales tactics. Seth rises fast, drawn to wealth and status. He begins questioning the firm’s ethics as clients lose money. The FBI closes in, threatening his future. Inspired by real-life pump-and-dump schemes.

Directed by Ben Younger, it’s a tense drama. Stars Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, and Ben Affleck. It exposes stock market fraud. A gritty look at greed’s consequences.

Margin Call (2011, USA)

Set over 24 hours at an investment bank in 2008. An analyst uncovers toxic assets, signaling the financial crisis. Executives debate whether to sell bad investments or protect clients. The film shows moral dilemmas in high-stakes finance. Tensions rise as careers and the firm hang in balance. 

Directed by J.C. Chandor, it’s a slow-burn thriller. Stars Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, and Zachary Quinto. It captures the crisis’s early chaos. The story feels authentic and intense. A window into Wall Street’s panic.

Inside Job (2010, USA, Documentary)

A detailed exposé of the 2008 global financial crisis. It traces the roots to deregulation and risky banking practices. Interviews with experts and insiders reveal systemic greed. The film critiques banks, politicians, and rating agencies. Narrated by Matt Damon, it’s clear and engaging. 

Directed by Charles Ferguson, it won an Oscar. It explains complex finance in simple terms. The documentary is both informative and infuriating. It highlights unchecked power in finance. Essential for understanding economic failures.

Web Series

there are a lot many web series which are related to stock market here are the famous web series,

Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020)

Based on the real-life story of stockbroker Harshad Mehta. In the 1990s, he rose as India’s “Big Bull” in the stock market. His manipulative trades boost Bombay’s market to new heights. But his schemes involve bank fraud and loopholes. The scam unravels, shaking India’s financial system. 

Directed by Hansal Mehta, it’s a gripping drama. Pratik Gandhi stars as the ambitious Mehta. The series blends finance, family, and betrayal. It’s a cultural phenomenon in India. A thrilling look at ambition and deceit.

Billions (2016)

A drama about hedge fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod and U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades. Their rivalry pits wealth against justice in New York’s financial world. Axelrod’s risky trades push legal boundaries. Rhoades aims to take him down for corruption. The show explores power, loyalty, and morality. 

Created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. Stars Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis. It’s fast-paced with sharp dialogue. The series reflects real-world finance battles. A thrilling dive into money and influence.

King of Stonks (2022)

A comedic drama about a startup founder, Felix Armand. He dreams of making his fintech company, CableCash, a success. To go public, he fakes growth and cuts corners. His lies spiral, risking exposure and ruin. Inspired by real tech scandals like Wirecard. The series mixes humour with corporate intrigue. Created by Philipp and Matthias Murmann. It critiques startup hype and greed. Fast-paced and satirical. A fresh take on financial fraud.

The Dropout (2022)

Chronicles Elizabeth Holmes and her biotech startup, Theranos. She claims her technology can revolutionize blood testing. Investors pour billions, but the tech doesn’t work. Holmes fakes the results to maintain the company’s value. 

Her fraud unravels through whistleblowers and investigations. Directed by Michael Showalter, it’s a compelling drama. Amanda Seyfried stars as Holmes. The series explores ambition and deception. It’s based on a true Silicon Valley scandal. A cautionary tale of startup hype.

Industry (2020)

Follows young graduates at Pierpoint, a top London investment bank. They compete for permanent roles in a cutthroat environment. The series dives into trading, deals, and office politics. 

Characters face ethical dilemmas and personal struggles. The show, created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, reflects the high-pressure world of finance. It is gritty and realistic. It appeals to fans of corporate drama. It is a fresh take on ambition and sacrifice.

Devils (2020–2022)

A thriller about Massimo Ruggero, a trader at a global bank. He uncovers a conspiracy tied to the 2008 financial crisis. His mentor’s shady deals put him in danger. The series blends finance, espionage, and betrayal. Set in London’s sleek financial district. Based on the novel by Guido Maria Brera. Stars Alessandro Borghi and Patrick Dempsey. 

It’s fast-paced and suspenseful. The show critiques global banking’s dark side. A gripping mix of money and power.

Bad Banks (2018–2020)

Jana, a young banker, joins a troubled German investment bank. She navigates risky deals and corporate power struggles. Her ambition pulls her into unethical schemes. The bank’s collapse looms as regulators close in. 

The series explores finance’s moral gray areas. Created by Oliver Kienle, it’s a tense thriller set in Frankfurt’s financial hub. It’s authentic and gripping, a deep dive into banking’s underbelly.

Madoff (2016)

This dramatises Bernie Madoff’s infamous Ponzi scheme. For decades, he defrauded investors of billions with fake returns. His family and employees were unaware of the scam. The 2008 crisis exposed his lies, leading to his arrest. 

The series, directed by Raymond De Felitta, shows the human cost of his fraud.  Richard Dreyfuss stars as Madoff. It’s emotional and detailed, based on real events, and a sobering look at financial betrayal.

The Fear Index (2022)

A tech genius, Alex Hoffman, creates an AI for stock trading. His algorithm predicts market moves with eerie accuracy. But the AI starts acting on its own, causing chaos. Hoffman’s life unravels as he faces sabotage and paranoia. 

Based on Robert Harris’s novel, it’s a psychological thriller directed by David Cronenberg and Starring Josh Hartnett. The series explores tech’s risks in finance. It’s tense and thought-provoking, a modern tale of ambition and hubris.

Tokyo Vice (2022)

A crime drama about Jake Adelstein, an American journalist in Tokyo. He investigates the yakuza and uncovers corruption. Some stories touch on financial crimes and corporate schemes. 

The series captures Tokyo’s gritty underworld. It's authentic, based on Adelstein’s memoir. Created by J.T. Rogers, it stars Ansel Elgort. 

It’s suspenseful with rich cultural detail. The finance angle is secondary but relevant. It's a thrilling mix of crime and journalism that appeals to fans of global intrigue.