Wachana Na DJ Afro: Top 12 Hollywood Movies to Teach You About Finance

For many Kenyans, gaining financial knowledge might seem like a daunting task that requires diving into complex books or attending expensive classes.

But what if you could learn the essentials of finance, economics, and investing simply by watching movies? From gripping dramas to eye-opening documentaries, these films bring financial concepts to life, offering valuable lessons in an engaging and relatable way.

Here’s a curated list of must-watch movies that can teach you more about money and markets than a textbook ever could!

1. Margin Call (2011)

   A gripping drama about a financial company on the brink of collapse during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis. The story highlights the tough decisions executives make to protect themselves and their firms.

2. Too Big to Fail (2011):

   A dramatization of the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and the government’s efforts to save major financial institutions from collapsing.

3. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005):

   A documentary exploring the rise and fall of Enron, exposing the corrupt practices and corporate greed that led to one of the biggest scandals in U.S. history.

4. Inside Job (2010):

   An investigative documentary that dissects the causes of the 2008 financial meltdown, uncovering unethical practices in the banking sector and systemic flaws in financial regulation.

5. The Big Short (2015):

   Based on Michael Lewis’s book, this film explores the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of a few individuals who predicted the collapse of the housing market and profited by betting against it.

6. The Ascent of Money (2008):

   Historian Niall Ferguson takes viewers on a journey through the history of money, finance, and the economic systems that shape our world.

7. The Corporation (2003):
   A documentary analyzing the rise of the modern corporation and its influence on society, the environment, and the economy, questioning its power and ethical boundaries.
8. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013):

   Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, this film explores greed, excess, and unethical behavior in the financial sector, offering a cautionary tale about Wall Street culture.

9. Rogue Trader (1999):

   
   The real-life story of Nick Leeson, a trader whose high-risk bets caused the collapse of Barings Bank, highlighting the dangers of unchecked financial speculation.

10. Wall Street (1987):

    A classic film featuring Gordon Gekko’s famous mantra, “Greed is good.” It examines the cutthroat nature of Wall Street and the moral dilemmas of corporate greed.

11. Trading Places (1983):

    
    A comedic take on finance and economics, exploring how social and financial status can influence behavior and outcomes, all wrapped in an entertaining story.

12. The China Hustle (2017):

    A documentary uncovering fraud in Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges, revealing the risks investors face in an interconnected global market.