14 Riveting Movies Like "The Big Short"

Lila Sommers

Lila Sommers

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In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, a cinematic masterpiece emerged that not only captured the essence of the catastrophe but also unraveled the intricate web of greed, irresponsibility, and systemic failure that had led to one of the greatest economic downturns in history. "The Big Short," directed by Adam McKay, took audiences on a gripping journey through the underbelly of Wall Street, illuminating the unscrupulous practices and unchecked risk-taking that lay at the heart of the crisis. With a cast of talented actors and a script that's as witty as it is funny, the film managed to both entertain and educate, offering a rare glimpse into the world of high finance and its devastating consequences.

As we revisit the unparalleled impact of "The Big Short," we are drawn to explore other movies that share its unflinching examination of financial intricacies, moral dilemmas with a light hearted and comical theme. From the thrilling revelations of "Margin Call" to the audacious excesses of "The Wolf of Wall Street," we delve into a curated list of 15 remarkable films that echo the resonating themes and gripping storytelling of "The Big Short."

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Rotten tomatoes87%
iMBD76
Metacritic7.1

Set against the 2008 financial crisis, "Margin Call" follows an investment bank's decision-makers as they uncover the imminent collapse. Similar to "The Big Short," it delves into the high-stakes world of finance, exposing the moral dilemmas that arise in the face of impending disaster.

CAST

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey

Zachary Quinto

Zachary Quinto

Simon Baker

Simon Baker

Paul Bettany

Paul Bettany

Ashley Williams

Ashley Williams

Demi Moore

Demi Moore

Penn Badgley

Penn Badgley

Jeremy Irons

Jeremy Irons

Mary McDonnell

Mary McDonnell

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci

Directed by J.C. Chandor
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Rotten tomatoes98%
iMBD88
Metacritic8.2

A documentary that dissects the causes and aftermath of the 2008 economic meltdown. Like "The Big Short," it exposes the complex web of greed, negligence, and systemic flaws that led to the crisis, with interviews and analysis from experts.

CAST

Matt Damon

Matt Damon

William Ackman

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

George W. Bush

George W. Bush

Jonathan Alpert

Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde

Ann Curry

Ann Curry

Sigridur Benediktsdottir

Gylfi Zoega

Directed by Charles Ferguson
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Rotten tomatoes77%
iMBD67
Metacritic7.3

This HBO film provides a behind-the-scenes look at the government's efforts to prevent the collapse of major financial institutions during the crisis. It shares the same sense of urgency and exploration of the intricate mechanisms of the financial world as "The Big Short."

CAST

William Hurt

William Hurt

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti

James Woods

James Woods

Billy Crudup

Billy Crudup

Topher Grace

Topher Grace

Matthew Modine

Matthew Modine

Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub

Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon

Ed Asner

Ed Asner

Directed by Curtis Hanson
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Rotten tomatoes80%
iMBD75
Metacritic8.2

Prepare to be whisked away into the wild realm of excess, ambition, and financial frenzy. "The Wolf of Wall Street" chronicles the meteoric rise and tumultuous fall of a stockbroker living life in the fast lane. Leonardo DiCaprio's electrifying performance thrusts us into a world where indulgence knows no bounds, mirroring the unchecked greed examined in "The Big Short." As we journey through outrageous parties, jaw-dropping schemes, and the moral abyss of Wall Street, we're confronted with a chilling reflection of the darker impulses that can steer an entire industry astray. Like "The Big Short," this film explores the seductive allure of wealth and the dangerous dance between power and morality.

CAST

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio

Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

Kyle Chandler

Kyle Chandler

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey

Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau

Jean Dujardin

Jean Dujardin

Joanna Lumley

Joanna Lumley

Cristin Milioti

Cristin Milioti

Directed by Martin Scorsese
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Rotten tomatoes94%
iMBD87
Metacritic7.6

Step off the Wall Street pavement and into the dugout with "Moneyball." This unconventional sports drama takes a swing at the establishment, just like "The Big Short" swung at the financial world. Brad Pitt plays a baseball manager armed with data-driven strategies that shake up the game's norms. While the financial crisis may seem worlds away from the baseball diamond, both films dig deep into uncharted territories. "Moneyball" is a reminder that innovation and daring decisions can turn a stagnant system on its head, echoing the audacity it takes to challenge Wall Street's status quo, much like the heroes of "The Big Short" did.

CAST

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Robin Wright

Robin Wright

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt

Stephen Bishop

Stephen Bishop

Reed Diamond

Reed Diamond

Brent Jennings

Brent Jennings

Ken Medlock

Ken Medlock

Tammy Blanchard

Tammy Blanchard

Directed by Bennett Miller
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Rotten tomatoes96%
iMBD95
Metacritic7.8

From algorithms to excess, "The Social Network" unravels the electrifying birth of Facebook. While the tech realm may seem distant from the financial hubbub of "The Big Short," both films dissect the ambition-fueled drive that shapes industries. As Zuckerberg's brainchild revolutionizes connectivity, the film strikes a chord with the disruptive innovation seen in the financial sector pre-2008. The intense rivalry, creative genius, and ethical quandaries depicted in "The Social Network" mirror the volatile mix that led to the mortgage meltdown. Ultimately, both films remind us that seemingly different worlds are often woven by the threads of human desire, aspiration, and the consequences that follow.

CAST

Jesse Eisenberg

Jesse Eisenberg

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

Armie Hammer

Armie Hammer

Max Minghella

Max Minghella

Josh Pence

Josh Pence

Brenda Song

Brenda Song

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones

John Getz

John Getz

David Selby

David Selby

Directed by David Fincher
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Rotten tomatoes97%
iMBD82
Metacritic7.6

A documentary about the rise and fall of Enron, showcasing corporate malfeasance and financial manipulation. It aligns with "The Big Short" in uncovering deceit within the business world, revealing the disastrous outcomes of unchecked power.

CAST

Peter Coyote

Peter Coyote

John Beard

Jim Chanos

Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney

Carol Coale

Gray Davis

Reggie Dees II

Joseph Dunn

Max Eberts

Peter Elkind

Directed by Alex Gibney
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Rotten tomatoes93%
iMBD76
Metacritic7.1

While "The Big Short" dissected the crash from above, "99 Homes" takes you to ground zero of the housing crisis. This gripping drama throws you into the lives of those bearing the brunt of the economic fallout. Through the lens of evictions and foreclosures, it uncovers the human cost, just as "The Big Short" revealed the real people behind the numbers. As the characters navigate the rubble of their shattered dreams, the film mirrors the emotional aftermath that echoed throughout the financial landscape. Both films share an unflinching desire to reveal the heart-wrenching stories buried beneath the headlines, reminding us that every financial decision has a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the trading floors.

CAST

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield

Michael Shannon

Michael Shannon

Laura Dern

Laura Dern

Nicole Barré

Nicole Barré

J.D. Evermore

J.D. Evermore

Tim Guinee

Tim Guinee

Noah Lomax

Noah Lomax

Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown

Cullen Moss

Cullen Moss

Wayne Pére

Wayne Pére

Directed by Ramin Bahrani
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Rotten tomatoes66%
iMBD63
Metacritic7

Fast money, faster talk – "Boiler Room" echoes the high-octane energy of "The Big Short" in a different arena. This high-stakes thriller revolves around a shady stock brokerage firm, where ambition collides with ethics. Like the characters in "The Big Short" navigating the tumultuous waters of Wall Street, the protagonists of "Boiler Room" dive headfirst into a world of cutthroat competition and moral gray areas. Both films unveil the allure of financial success and the intoxicating dance with danger that ensues. While "The Big Short" tore apart the economic fabric, "Boiler Room" unearths the vulnerabilities of a different realm, reminding us that the hunger for wealth can lead to morally dubious paths.

CAST

Giovanni Ribisi

Giovanni Ribisi

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel

Nia Long

Nia Long

Nicky Katt

Nicky Katt

Scott Caan

Scott Caan

Ron Rifkin

Ron Rifkin

Jamie Kennedy

Jamie Kennedy

Taylor Nichols

Taylor Nichols

Bill Sage

Bill Sage

Tom Everett Scott

Tom Everett Scott

Directed by Ben Younger
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Rotten tomatoes79%
iMBD56
Metacritic7.3

Enter the lion's den of capitalism with "Wall Street." This classic resonates with the same tenacity as "The Big Short," diving into the world of greed and ambition. As Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko preaches "greed is good," the film encapsulates the very essence of unchecked financial excess. Much like "The Big Short" exposed the underbelly of the 2008 crisis, "Wall Street" lays bare the moral compromises that can lead to catastrophic outcomes when the pursuit of wealth overrides all else.

CAST

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah

John C. McGinley

John C. McGinley

Hal Holbrook

Hal Holbrook

Sean Young

Sean Young

Terence Stamp

Terence Stamp

James Spader

James Spader

Chuck Pfeiffer

Chuck Pfeiffer

Directed by Oliver Stone
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Rotten tomatoes68%
iMBD69
Metacritic6.7

While "The Big Short" explored the toppling of financial giants; "The Company Men" delves into the human fallout. This drama puts a face to the crisis as it follows corporate executives struggling with unemployment. Both films confront the devastating repercussions of economic downturns on individuals and families, bridging the gap between the ivory towers of high finance and the realities faced by everyday people.

CAST

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner

Maria Bello

Maria Bello

Rosemarie DeWitt

Rosemarie DeWitt

Craig T. Nelson

Craig T. Nelson

Eamonn Walker

Eamonn Walker

Tom Kemp

Tom Kemp

Nancy Villone

Directed by John Wells
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Rotten tomatoes79%
iMBD64
Metacritic6.6

Dive into this comedic critique of corporate excess. While "The Big Short" exposed the sinister underpinnings of finance, "The Other Guys" finds humor in the absurdity. Through hilarious antics, the film takes a satirical swing at the financial world, making light of the same greed and misconduct that "The Big Short" uncovered.

CAST

Will Ferrell

Will Ferrell

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton

Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan

Ray Stevenson

Ray Stevenson

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson

Lindsay Sloane

Lindsay Sloane

Natalie Zea

Natalie Zea

Directed by Adam McKay
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Rotten tomatoes42%
iMBD57
Metacritic6.3

From Wall Street to offshore accounts, "The Laundromat" unveils a global network of financial deceit. Like "The Big Short," this film strips away the façade of wealth, revealing the intricate web of money laundering. Both movies serve as a stark reminder that behind the glamorous veneer of success lies a murky world of financial manipulation.

CAST

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman

Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright

Melissa Rauch

Melissa Rauch

Jeff Michalski

Jeff Michalski

Jane Morris

Jane Morris

Robert Patrick

Robert Patrick

David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer

Cristela Alonzo

Cristela Alonzo

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
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Rotten tomatoes30%
Metacritic6.4

Venture into the risky territory of unauthorized trading with "Rogue Trader." This true story echoes the recklessness depicted in "The Big Short," focusing on a trader's downfall due to risky decisions. Both films share a common thread of unchecked risk-taking and the catastrophic consequences that ensue when boundaries are crossed.

CAST

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor

Anna Friel

Anna Friel

Nigel Lindsay

Nigel Lindsay

Tim McInnerny

Tim McInnerny

Irene Ng

Irene Ng

Lee Ross

Lee Ross

Yves Beneyton

Yves Beneyton

Simon Shepherd

Simon Shepherd

John Standing

John Standing

Pip Torrens

Pip Torrens

Directed by James Dearden

Comments & User Suggestions

Huge yes to "Margin Call". A more recent one that probably deserves to be on this list would be 'Dumb Money' (2023). Also, although not technically about the stock crash, 'Vice' (2018), feels a lot like The Big Short - you get Christian Bale and Adam McKay at their best, and has the same sort of sentiment and style as the Big Short.

film_buff2 months ago
Lila Sommers

About Lila Sommers

Lila is your media maven with a passion for the extraordinary! Spot her at the local bookstore or crafting her own stories on lazy Sunday afternoons. From indie flicks to hidden gem tracks, Lila's knack for weaving words and tunes is unmatched, making her your ultimate companion in the exciting world of media and entertainment.

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