Top 10 Best Stock Market Movies On HBO Max In 2023 [Ranked]

 

Stock Market Movies, from iconic classics like "Wall Street" to modern tales like "The Big Short," provide a unique lens through which to explore themes of ambition, greed, risk, and the pursuit of success and also offer a window into the psychology of traders, investors, and corporate moguls.

 

The world of stocks, bonds, and trading is brought to life through captivating visuals, tense negotiations, and sharp dialogue that mirrors the real-world tension and unpredictability of financial markets. But beyond the numbers and economic jargon, Stock Market Movies often serve as a commentary on larger societal issues, from corporate greed to systemic corruption.

 

In this list of Stock Market Movies available on HBO Max, each film offers a glimpse into the high-stakes realm of finance, from the tense negotiations to the moral dilemmas.

 

 

1. Citizen Kane (1941)

 

 

Citizen Kane is one of the most acclaimed drama-mystery features which is certainly worth giving a try.

 

Written for the screen by Herman J. Mankiewicz, Orson Welles, John Houseman, Roger Q. Denny, and Mollie Kent and starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, and Dorothy Comingore in significant roles, the motion picture received favourable reviews from film critics. It managed a score of 8.3 from users on IMDb.

 

Millionaire newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane said one mysterious word before, "Rosebud," before he practically fell off the map. A set of reporters have been trying to comprehend his meaning ever since.

 

They explore his life and milestones through newsreels and other footage as they strive to decipher the word, which promises to contain a game-changing message for those who can find it.

 

The story keeps delving into Kane's rise to fame and fortune, and how he later dropped from the top.

 

 

 

2. The Big Short (2015)

 

 

Featuring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling in the lead, The Big Short is a biography-comedy movie that was released in 2015. It comprises a talented team of crew members Adam McKay (director), Charles Randolph, and Adam McKay (screenplay), Barry Ackroyd (cinematography), and others.

 

The motion picture received a score of 7.8 on IMDb, while it received 81 out of 100 on Metacritic.

 

The story of the build-up to the financial crisis of 2007-2008. A group of investors, including Michael Burry, Jared Vennett, and Mark Baum, saw the opportunity to make a fortune by betting against the housing market.

 

These investors, known as "The Big Short," were able to predict the housing market's collapse and made a fortune by investing in credit default swaps.

 

 

 

3. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

 

 

The Wolf of Wall Street is a biography-comedy which has been helmed for the screen by Martin Scorsese.

 

Toplined by actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Margot Robbie (main characters), the film was released in 2013 with a runtime of 3 hours.

 

After losing his job at l. F. Rothschild, Wall Street stockbroker Jordan Belfort and his neighbour Donnie Azoff decide on finding their brokerage firm. Their business sees quick growth and becomes so well-known on Wall Street that companies file their initial public offerings through them.

 

However, with growth and fame, their hunger and desire to go down the wrong road into substance abuse and lies grow as well. With Belfort on the FBI's radar, will his attempts to maintain his lavish lifestyle while offshoring all the money into a European bank escape the FBI's eyes?

 

 

 

4. Margin Call (2011)

 

 

Featuring Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and Kevin Spacey in the lead, Margin Call is a drama-thriller movie that was released in 2011. It comprises a talented team of crew members J.C. Chandor (director), J.C. Chandor (screenplay), Frank G. DeMarco (cinematography), and others.

 

The motion picture received a score of 7.1 on IMDb, while it received 76 out of 100 on Metacritic.

 

Set in the high-stakes world of investment banking during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. A risk management analyst discovers a critical flaw in the bank's financial model. As the firm's executives become aware of the impending collapse of their assets, they face a moral and ethical dilemma and only 24 hours to decide whether to reveal the truth to their clients and potentially cause a market panic or protect their interests. All their decisions have lasting consequences.

 

 

 

5. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

 

 

With a budget of $55,000,000, this blockbuster film raked in an impressive $307,127,625 at the box office. Directed by Gabriele Muccino and featuring a star-studded cast including Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, and Jaden Smith, this movie is a must-watch for all movie fans.

 

A salesman in San Francisco, Chris Gardner, has his financial condition in shambles. With no money to pay rent, an inability to pay for income tax returns, and overflowing parking tickets, Chris shares an equally bad relationship with his wife.

 

Chris bags an unpaid internship as a stockbroker while hustling to meet potential clients, win them over, and study to get his broker license; he works simultaneously to keep a roof over himself and his son's head.

 

 

 

6. Arbitrage (2012)

 

 

Arbitrage is a drama-thriller which has been helmed for the screen by Nicholas Jarecki.

 

Toplined by actors such as Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, and Brit Marling (main characters), the film was released in 2012 with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 min.

 

About to be 60, Robert has collected enough wealth and enjoyed the abundance of luxury that only a few can experience. But, his loving family doesn't know the lengths he has gone to acquire the riches and the trouble it is going to bring in their lives.

 

Robert tries to manage the situation the best he can; however, things are meant to fall out of his control, especially with an NYPD detective right behind him.

 

 

 

7. The Wizard of Lies (2017)

 

 

The Wizard of Lies is a biography-crime film that has been helmed for the screen by Barry Levinson. It features actors Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Alessandro Nivola in pivotal roles. The motion picture was released in 2017 with a 2 hours and 13 min runtime.

 

Bernard Madoff founded a company in 1960 on Wall Street which within no time turned into one of the biggest investment funds. He enjoyed a reputation as a successful financier and philanthropist. He employs his sons and wife as well.

 

In the year 2008, it becomes known that over a span of 16 years, his firm managed to pull off one of the largest Ponzi schemes in American history.

 

 

 

8. Money Monster (2016)

 

 

Featuring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jack O'Connell in the lead, Money Monster is a crime-drama movie that was released in 2016. It comprises a talented team of crew members Jodie Foster (director), Jamie Linden, Alan DiFiore, and Jim Kouf (screenplay), Matthew Libatique (cinematography), and others.

 

The motion picture received a score of 6.5 on IMDb, while it received 55 out of 100 on Metacritic.

 

Financial expert Lee Gates is in the midst of the latest edition of his show 'Money Monster' when a deliveryman wanders onto the set, pulls a gun and takes Lee hostage.

 

He forces Lee to put on a vest laden with explosives and reveals his identity; Kyle Budwell, a man who invested his life's savings in a company that Lee had endorsed and whose stocks have cratered due to a trading algorithm glitch. And unless he gets answers, he will blow up Lee before killing himself.

 

Lee and longtime director Patty Fenn attempt to calm Kyle down, as they race against time to uncover the mystery behind the conspiracy that's taken place.

 

 

 

9. Cosmopolis (2012)

 

 

Cosmopolis is a crime-drama which has been helmed for the screen by David Cronenberg.

 

Toplined by actors such as Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, and Sarah Gadon (main characters), the film was released in 2012 with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 min.

 

Eric Packer seems to have everything in his life. The 28-year-old man is a currency speculator/asset manager, and he has no shortage of wealth and luxury.

 

However, the growing discomfort around him and his wrong speculations triggers his downfall, pushing him on the verge of depression and urging him to take his own life. 

 

Relationships in his life fall apart, and with a man out there trying to kill Eric, he learns to let go of his fears of dying. 

 

 

 

10. Too Big to Fail (2011)

 

 

Looking for a movie to watch? Too Big to Fail could be a good option. With a runtime of 1 hour and 39 min and released in 2011, it stars James Woods, John Heard, and William Hurt and was directed by Curtis Hanson.

 

Too Big to Fail take a closer look at the financial fall in the U.S. market between late March and mid-October 2008.

 

 Lehman Brothers was in crisis, and several important people rallied around to pull it back, which included the Secretary of the Treasury, chairman of the Federal Reserve and president of the New York Fed, along with investment bankers and members of Congress who were trying to balance the economy.

 

Results were both positive and filled with uncertainty.