Based on various sources, here are some highly recommended movies and documentaries currently available on Netflix that can help you learn about the share market (also known as the stock market). These focus on real-world events, financial crises, trading practices, and investment strategies. I’ve prioritized those with strong educational value, including brief descriptions and key lessons. Note that while some are fictionalized, they are based on true stories and explain complex concepts like short-selling, market crashes, and fraud.
- The Big Short (2015) This film follows investors who predicted and profited from the 2008 financial crisis by betting against the housing market. It breaks down complex terms like CDOs (collateralized debt obligations) and short-selling in an entertaining way. Key Lessons: Understanding market bubbles, risk assessment, and how systemic failures impact stocks. Format: Movie (Comedy-Drama). Why Watch: Great for beginners to grasp how the stock market can crash.
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Based on the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, it depicts his rise through penny stock scams, pump-and-dump schemes, and lavish lifestyle, leading to his downfall due to fraud. Key Lessons: The dangers of unethical trading, regulatory oversight, and how greed drives market manipulation. Format: Movie (Black Comedy). Why Watch: Illustrates the high-stakes world of brokerage and stock fraud.
- Margin Call (2011) Set over 24 hours in an investment bank during the early stages of the 2008 crisis, it shows executives dealing with toxic assets and deciding to sell them off, triggering market panic. Key Lessons: Risk management, leverage, and the rapid decisions that can lead to market downturns. Format: Movie (Drama). Why Watch: A tense look at how one firm’s actions affect the broader stock market.
- Inside Job (2010) A documentary narrated by Matt Damon that dissects the causes of the 2008 global financial crisis, including deregulation, banking practices, and conflicts of interest. Key Lessons: How policy changes and corruption lead to stock market instability and recessions. Format:Documentary. Why Watch: Provides a factual analysis of systemic issues in finance and markets.
- Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga (2022) This mini-series covers the 2021 GameStop stock frenzy, where retail investors on Reddit challenged hedge funds shorting the stock, causing massive price surges. Key Lessons: Short-selling, meme stocks, retail vs. institutional investing, and market volatility. Format: Documentary Mini-Series. Why Watch: Modern example of how social media influences share prices and democratizes trading.
If you’re open to TV series for deeper dives, check out Billions (about hedge fund trading and market manipulation) or Dirty Money (episodes on corporate fraud affecting markets). Availability can vary by region, so search directly on Netflix. For more personal finance basics, try Money, Explained.