Understanding money is a struggle for many people. Whether it’s learning to budget, mastering various investing strategies, or simply understanding the fundamentals around money, it can be a confusing topic to tackle. Fortunately, today’s documentary-genre can offer viewers a better grasp of money, often presented in a more interesting, accessible way than many books. Here are ten documentaries to teach you about money.
- Inside Job (2010)
Inside Job is one of the best documentaries to teach you about money. Directed by Academy award-winning filmmaker Charles Ferguson, this documentary charts the rise of the 2008 global financial crisis, putting the blame squarely on Wall Street and its associated politicians. Inside Job highlights the lack of government regulation, financial mismanagement, and greed within the banking system. This highly-recommended documentary offers insight into how market instability can lead to a financial disaster and how to protect yourself from future economic breakdowns.
- The Ascent of Money (2008)
Produced by the BBC, The Ascent of Money offers insight into how money has shaped our world’s history from ancient civilizations to the present day. From the rise of banking to the history of stocks, the documentary delves deep into the world of finances for a thorough and informative look at how money has influenced our modern world.
- The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
The Smartest Guys in the Room examines the downfall of Enron, the famous Texan energy company. The critics have praised the film for shedding light on the culture of corporate greed, misappropriation of funds, and fraudulent accounting that ultimately led to the company’s collapse. This timely film is as much a cautionary tale as it is a documentary and gives viewers a glimpse into the potential negative impacts of unchecked Wall Street power.
- Money for Nothing (2009)
Money for Nothing, directed by Andrew Tkach and Kristian R. Nielsen, follows the lives of people who make their money off of the Depression-era stock market crash. The film provides an intimate look into how the characters make their money, with interviews and narratives from experienced traders and investors. This documentary teaches important lessons about the stock market, including how to identify a quality investment and how to limit your risk.
- Breaking the Bank (2013)
Breaking The Bank is a documentary that dives into the world of high finance and investment banking. Using interviews and case studies, the film examines the role of banking in the global economy and financial markets and how decisions made by banks can have real-world implications. The documentary follows the story of a group of bankers who attempt to maximize their profits through risky trading strategies, and how these strategies contribute to the volatile nature of the markets.
- The Armstrong Lie (2013)
The Armstrong Lie tells the story of Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace in the cycling world. This documentary takes an in-depth look at the financial costs of doping, the pressure to succeed, and the moral implications of lying about performance-enhancing drugs. The Armstrong Lie shows how easily money can blur ethical boundaries, and gives viewers an insight into how athletes put their trust in corporate sponsorships and how seeking money can lead to a slippery slope.
- Float (2016)
Float is a documentary that reviews the modern economy and how the progression of technology is changing traditional methods of banking and financial services. Directed by Ben Minton, Float explores innovative businesses that are challenging the outdated banking industry, allowing them to gain more control of their finances. This film provides important lessons around technology and money, showing viewers how to keep up with the latest trends and protect their financial security in a digital age.
- Generation Wealth (2018)
Generation Wealth is director Lauren Greenfield’s look at the obsession with wealth and materialism in our modern-day culture. Through interviews and footage, this documentary charts how our modern-day world yearns for wealth, using the latest technologies and desires for instant gratification to get further ahead financially. Generation Wealth offers an honest yet shocking perspective on modern-day society and how it puts money and possessions over happiness and wellbeing.
- The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short, directed by Adam McKay, stars some of today’s biggest Hollywood stars in a unique look into the 2008 financial crisis. While most documentaries place the blame on Wall Street investors, The Big Short looks into the shadow banking industry and how it contributed to the market downfall. It educates viewers about the potential damage of short-term investments, providing an entertaining but informative spin on the 2008 crash.
- I.O.U.S.A. (2008)
I.O.U.S.A. is one of the best documentaries to teach you about the US economy. This film focuses on the US debt crisis and its potential implications on the global economy. Through interviews with economists and experts, the film explores the current state of the US financial system and what could potentially happen if the nation continues to add to its debt. This film provides essential knowledge for anyone who wants to understand the fragile US economy and how it could be heading towards financial disaster.
Understanding and managing money can be an intimidating topic for many people, but with the help of documentary films, it doesn’t have to be. From the corporate greed of Wall Street to the modern-day obsession with wealth, these ten documentaries provide entertaining but informative takes on the world of money and how it shapes our lives. With these documentaries, anyone can gain a better grasp of the fundamentals of money, from budgeting and investing to understanding the markets and how global economies work. Have you seen any of these documentaries? Let us know in the comments!
