We discuss 10 Movies like The Big Short you must watch. Add these well-recommended films to your watch list and enjoy.
The Big Short is the 2015 comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay, which has a star-studded cast including Steve Carrell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, and Marisa Tomei.
The film is based on the non-fiction book by Michael Lewis, which chronicles the real lives and actions of financial-industry professionals in the mid-2000s who predicted a dramatic collapse in the real estate market. The film follows financial experts observing, forecasting, and planning to make a fortune by taking advantage of the collapse.
Credit has to go to the writers and actors for making such deplorable humans, so fun to watch. As this is based on a true story, this film is a sort of cinematic journalism, showing audiences, through clever comedy, what happens in the stock market. A world many of us still don’t know or understand.
If you enjoyed this financial comedy-drama movie, here is a list of ten movies like The Big Short you must watch.
10 Movies like The Big Short you must watch
Moneyball (2011)
The Big Short author Michael Lewis is known for finding stories about outsiders who disrupt old systems. His book Moneyball was also adapted into a film in 2011. It tells the story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), a baseball manager, and Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), an economics graduate who challenges convention as they form a competitive sports time using computer-based methods. It’s clever, comical, and the perfect film to watch after The Big Short.
The Blind Side (2009)
Another fantastic book adaptation, The Blind Side, was also written by Michael Lewis, so if you’re a fan of his work, this film is one to add to the list. This sports-drama film takes us into the life of Michael, a homeless African-American teenager who is adopted by a Caucasian family. They help him with his learning difficulties and his American football career. Filled with drama, heartfelt comedy, and an underdog storyline, this film won Sandra Bullock her Oscar in 2010.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Just a bit of cheeky info, I was an extra in this film, but I don’t think I made the final cut, as no matter how many times I’ve seen it, I can’t see myself. Anyway, for the ballsy, money-making drama of Wall Street, this film is a must-see. DiCaprio gives the performance of a lifetime as he plays Jordan Belfort, who makes millions on Wall Street living a ridiculous, drug-fuelled lifestyle. Based on a true story, The Wolf of Wall Street showcases the insane lives that can be lived and what can go on behind the scenes of the stock market.
Don’t Look Up (2021)
I’m throwing this one on this list as it’s also directed by Adam McKay and is such a cleverly written and excellently executed script, filled with satire about climate change; it’s a must-watch. Another star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jennifer Lawerence, and Meryl Streep, Don’t Look Up follows the story as two low-level astronomers take on the media to warn people of a world-ending comet coming to earth.
The Social Network (2010)
While online trading is becoming easier and available as apps on your phone, many of us still don’t own or understand stocks. However, most of us are on or have been on Facebook. So The Social Network makes the list as it’s the origin story of the website that’s vacuumed up endless hours of our daily lives. Starring Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and with Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the acting is exceptional.
Wall Street (1987)
If it was the financial aspect of The Big Short that captivated you, then Wall Street will be right up your alley. There is a lot more financial jargon in this film, so it can get confusing at times. The story surrounds an ambitious stockbroker, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen), who would do anything to get to the top, desperate for more money and power. Lured in by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), he resorts to insider trading and illegal schemes. While this film isn’t about the pitfalls of Wall Street, it’ll draw you in and adhere to your greedy side.
American Hustle (2013)
This classic film by David O. Russell’s American Hustle is the story of small-time con artists, the Mafia, and politics. A heavily dramatized version of the real-life Abscam scandal that occurred during the ’70s, it stars The Big Short lead Christian Bale as a petty swindler who’s forced by the FBI to help capture corrupt politicians, with his wife (Jennifer Lawrence) and mistress (Amy Adams) forced to play along. It’s classy and sassy and earned itself plenty of Oscar nominations.
Hustlers (2019)
If you’re looking for an all-female cast, Hustlers is the film for you. This story is similar to The Big Short as it’s about the extended fallout of the housing crisis. The recession that followed upended the stripping industry, and with fewer high-rolling clients, a group of strippers start to drug their businessmen Wall Street clientele and run up giant charges while they were asleep. It’s a fun film starring the ever-beautiful J-Lo, who is always pleasing to watch.
Joy (2015)
The Big Short does see rich people getting richer, so if you’re looking for rags to riches, the little guy becoming a hero type of story, then Joy is a perfect match. People have always dreamed of becoming wealthy through any means, but isn’t it nice when it happens legally? In this film, we see Jennifer Lawrence as the real-life Joy Mangano, who invented a self-wringing mop that launches her into a phenomenal success. Even though this sounds happy, this film still warns about the dangers of money and capital and what happens when we lose it all.
American Psycho (2000)
Ending this list with a lovely crime/horror genre film takes you away from the fun and comedy unless you have a dark sense of humor. This film will show you life through the eyes of a corporate Wall Street sociopath in 1980s New York. Christian Bale gives an outstanding performance, and similar to The Big Short, you’ll be hooked from the start.
Do you have any other recommendations for Movies like The Big Short? Let us know in the comments below!
