100+ Movies like The Wolf of Wall Street
Con Man
Both "Con Man" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" follow the rise and fall of young, ambitious con men who engage in fraudulent financial schemes to achieve wealth and success. The protagonists, Barry Minkow and Jordan Belfort, start small businesses that rapidly grow through deceptive practices like forging documents, inflating company values, and running pump-and-dump stock schemes. They live lavish lifestyles fueled by their ill-gotten gains, but their fraudulent empires eventually crumble under scrutiny from authorities. Despite facing criminal charges and prison sentences, both men later attempt to redeem themselves, with Minkow becoming a pastor and fraud prevention educator, while Belfort reinvents himself as a motivational speaker. The movies parallel each other in depicting the allure and consequences of greed, deceit, and the pursuit of money at all costs.
The Wizard of Lies
Both "The Wizard of Lies" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" depict the rise and fall of financial fraudsters who orchestrated massive Ponzi schemes on Wall Street, deceiving investors and amassing enormous personal wealth through illegal means. The protagonists, Bernie Madoff in The Wizard of Lies and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, start legitimate financial firms but eventually turn to running elaborate Ponzi schemes by luring investors with promises of high returns. They live lavish lifestyles fueled by their ill-gotten gains, indulging in drugs, affairs, and excessive spending. As their schemes grow larger, they face increasing scrutiny from authorities. Ultimately, their fraudulent activities are exposed, leading to their downfall, arrest, and imprisonment. Both films explore themes of greed, corruption, and the consequences of unethical behavior in the high-stakes world of finance.
Boiler Room
Both "Boiler Room" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" depict the rise and fall of young, ambitious stockbrokers who get involved in unethical and illegal "pump and dump" schemes at corrupt brokerage firms. The protagonists, Seth Davis in Boiler Room and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, start out working at legitimate firms but are seduced by the lure of easy money and lavish lifestyles. They are recruited into "boiler room" operations that use high-pressure sales tactics to inflate the prices of worthless stocks before dumping them on unsuspecting investors. The movies follow a similar narrative arc, showing the protagonists' initial success and indulgence in drugs, sex, and excessive wealth, followed by investigations by the FBI and SEC. Both Seth and Jordan eventually face legal consequences for their actions, though Jordan receives a reduced sentence for cooperating with authorities. The movies expose the corrupt practices of the brokerage industry and the moral compromises made in the pursuit of wealth and status.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Both "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" revolve around the greed and corruption of Wall Street traders and brokers. The main characters, Jake Moore in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" and Jordan Belfort in "The Wolf of Wall Street", engage in unethical and illegal practices like insider trading, market manipulation, and pump-and-dump schemes to make massive profits. They are seduced by the lavish lifestyle and excess that comes with their ill-gotten wealth. The movies depict the rise and fall of these characters as they face investigations and legal consequences for their actions. Themes of greed, ambition, and the moral decay of the financial industry are central to both films. The movies also explore the impact of the characters' actions on their personal relationships and families.
Business Ethics
Both "Business Ethics" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around unethical businessmen who engage in fraudulent financial schemes to amass wealth and power. The protagonists, Zachery Cranston and Jordan Belfort, start legitimate careers but are seduced by greed and the allure of a lavish lifestyle, leading them down a path of corruption. They establish corrupt firms, Stratton Oakmont and Zachery's hedge fund, that employ deceptive tactics like pump-and-dump schemes and Ponzi schemes to defraud investors. The movies depict the protagonists' descent into hedonism, fueled by drugs, sex, and excessive spending, as their schemes spiral out of control. Ultimately, their unethical actions catch up with them as law enforcement investigates and their empires crumble, forcing them to face the consequences of their misdeeds.
Arbitrage
Both "Arbitrage" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around wealthy, high-powered businessmen who engage in financial fraud and illegal activities to maintain their lavish lifestyles and cover up their misdeeds. The protagonists, Robert Miller in Arbitrage and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, cook the books and manipulate stock prices through pump-and-dump schemes to conceal investment losses and avoid prosecution. They surround themselves with loyal employees who aid in their schemes, and their fraudulent actions eventually catch the attention of law enforcement. The movies explore themes of greed, corruption, and the consequences of unethical business practices in the high-stakes world of finance. Despite facing potential legal repercussions, the protagonists remain driven to maintain their wealth and status at all costs, even resorting to further deception and cover-ups.
Assault on Wall Street
Both "Assault on Wall Street" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" depict the greed and corruption prevalent in the financial industry, particularly on Wall Street. The protagonists, Jim Baxford in Assault on Wall Street and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, are driven to extreme measures due to the unethical practices of Wall Street firms and their employees. They engage in illegal activities, such as fraud and violence, to seek revenge or personal gain. The movies portray the lavish and decadent lifestyles of the wealthy financiers, fueled by their ill-gotten gains. The protagonists initially struggle financially but eventually amass wealth through unscrupulous means. However, their actions ultimately lead to their downfall and legal consequences. Both films explore the themes of greed, corruption, and the pursuit of the American Dream at any cost. They highlight the moral decay and lack of accountability in the financial sector, where the pursuit of profits often takes precedence over ethical considerations.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Both "The Pursuit of Happyness" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" follow the story of an ambitious man striving for success in the financial industry against difficult odds. The protagonists, Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, start from humble beginnings and face significant challenges, including poverty and homelessness, as they pursue their dreams of becoming stockbrokers. Through their determination, salesmanship, and unorthodox methods, they achieve remarkable success, though Belfort's success is built on illegal and unethical practices. Both movies depict the protagonists' struggles to balance their professional ambitions with their personal lives and family responsibilities. Ultimately, Gardner's story is one of perseverance and redemption, while Belfort's tale serves as a cautionary tale about greed and excess in the financial world.
Fun with Dick and Jane
Both "Fun with Dick and Jane" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" depict the rise and fall of individuals who become embroiled in unethical and illegal financial schemes. The protagonists, Dick Harper and Jordan Belfort, start out as ordinary employees but are seduced by the prospect of making easy money through dubious means. They assemble teams of friends and associates to perpetrate their fraudulent activities, which initially bring them immense wealth and lavish lifestyles. However, their actions eventually attract the scrutiny of authorities, leading to investigations and legal consequences. The movies explore themes of greed, corruption, and the consequences of pursuing wealth at any cost. Both protagonists ultimately face a reckoning for their misdeeds, though their outcomes differ slightly. The movies parallel each other in their portrayal of the allure and pitfalls of the pursuit of money through unscrupulous means.
Easy Money: Hard to Kill
Both "Easy Money: Hard to Kill" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" follow the rise and fall of men who become involved in criminal financial schemes and succumb to greed and excess. The main characters, JW and Jordan Belfort, start from humble beginnings but quickly amass wealth through illegal activities - JW through a kidnapping and robbery scheme, and Jordan through a "pump and dump" stock manipulation scam. They surround themselves with a crew of friends and associates who aid in their criminal enterprises. As their wealth and power grow, the protagonists indulge in a lavish lifestyle of drugs, sex, and debauchery. However, their success is short-lived as law enforcement closes in, leading to their eventual downfall and arrest. Both movies depict the allure and dangers of easy money obtained through illicit means, as well as the corrupting influence of greed and power.
Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright
Both "Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" revolve around financial fraud and white-collar crime on a massive scale. The protagonists, Charlie Wright and Jordan Belfort, orchestrate elaborate Ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump stock manipulation, defrauding investors of billions of dollars. They live lavish lifestyles fueled by their ill-gotten gains, indulging in drugs, prostitutes, and other excesses. As their schemes unravel, they face investigations by federal authorities like the FBI and SEC. In the end, they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions, with Wright's cancer diagnosis and Belfort's arrest and imprisonment serving as a reckoning for their misdeeds. The movies explore themes of greed, excess, and the moral corruption that can accompany wealth and power in the financial world.
Michael Clayton
Both "Michael Clayton" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around protagonists who work in high-stakes, morally ambiguous professions involving manipulation and deception. Michael Clayton is a "fixer" for a law firm, using legal loopholes to benefit clients, while Jordan Belfort runs a corrupt brokerage firm that engages in pump-and-dump stock schemes. The protagonists become embroiled in major scandals involving corporate cover-ups - Michael uncovers a memo proving a company knowingly sold a carcinogenic product, while Jordan's firm faces investigation for securities fraud. Both men grapple with ethical dilemmas and the consequences of their actions, ultimately turning against their employers to expose the truth. The movies explore themes of greed, corruption, and the moral compromises made in pursuit of wealth and power in the corporate world.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Both "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around morally corrupt protagonists who engage in criminal financial schemes to make money through unethical means. The main characters are driven by greed and a desire for wealth and power, leading them down a path of increasingly risky and illegal activities. Family relationships and dynamics play a key role, with strained bonds between brothers and fathers/sons being prominent themes. The stories follow the rise and eventual downfall of the protagonists as their criminal enterprises spiral out of control, culminating in violence and tragic consequences. The movies explore themes of excess, corruption, and the dark side of ambition when taken to the extreme.
The Accountant
Both "The Accountant" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around protagonists who operate successful but illegal financial schemes. Christian Wolff in The Accountant and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street run fraudulent enterprises that involve money laundering and stock manipulation, respectively. They use deception and aggressive sales tactics to amass great wealth through illicit means. The movies follow their rise to power and lavish lifestyles fueled by greed and excess, as well as the eventual investigations and legal consequences they face for their criminal activities. Despite the risks, both protagonists remain driven by their ambition and inability to walk away from their lucrative operations. The movies explore themes of corruption, the allure of money, and the moral compromises made in pursuit of success and wealth.
The Scam
Both "The Scam" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" revolve around unscrupulous stock market schemes and the rise and fall of the protagonists involved in these scams. The main characters start from humble beginnings and achieve immense wealth through fraudulent stock trading practices like pump-and-dump schemes, insider trading, and market manipulation. They assemble teams of brokers and financiers to execute their elaborate scams, living lavish lifestyles fueled by greed and excess. However, their illegal activities eventually attract the attention of authorities, leading to investigations and legal consequences. The movies depict the allure of easy money and the moral corruption that comes with it, as well as the ultimate downfall of the protagonists due to their own hubris and recklessness.
25th Hour
Both "25th Hour" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" follow the rise and fall of a man involved in illegal activities in New York City. The main characters, Monty Brogan in 25th Hour and Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, become wealthy through criminal enterprises - drug dealing and securities fraud, respectively. They indulge in excessive lifestyles of drugs, partying, and infidelity, straining their relationships. Eventually, law enforcement catches up to them, leading to their downfall and imprisonment. The movies explore themes of greed, morality, and the consequences of criminal behavior amidst the backdrop of New York's seedy underbelly. Key plot points include the main characters facing betrayal from those close to them, grappling with the prospect of incarceration, and ultimately being forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
Tower Heist
Both "Tower Heist" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" revolve around financial fraud and white-collar crime schemes orchestrated by charismatic, unscrupulous individuals. The protagonists, Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street and Arthur Shaw in Tower Heist, amass immense wealth through illegal means like running Ponzi schemes and embezzling funds. Their actions lead to the financial ruin of many innocent people, motivating the other characters to seek revenge and attempt to steal back the ill-gotten gains. The movies depict the lavish lifestyles of the fraudsters and the elaborate heists planned by the victims to reclaim their money, highlighting the themes of greed, corruption, and the pursuit of justice against powerful figures. The protagonists ultimately face legal consequences but find ways to retain some of their wealth, reflecting the complexities of prosecuting financial crimes.
The Last Time
Both "The Last Time" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" center around ambitious young salesmen who engage in unethical and illegal business practices to achieve success and wealth. They employ deceptive sales tactics like pump-and-dump schemes to inflate stock prices, defrauding investors. The protagonists indulge in excessive wealth, drugs, and infidelity, leading to the breakdown of their personal relationships. Their fraudulent activities eventually catch the attention of authorities, resulting in investigations and legal consequences. However, despite facing setbacks, the protagonists remain unrepentant and continue pursuing their ruthless ambitions, even after serving time in prison. The movies explore themes of greed, corruption, and the moral compromises made in pursuit of the American Dream.
A Most Violent Year
Both "A Most Violent Year" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" depict the rise of ambitious entrepreneurs in morally ambiguous industries - the heating oil business in A Most Violent Year and the stock brokerage firm in The Wolf of Wall Street. The protagonists, Abel Morales and Jordan Belfort, build their companies through aggressive and unethical tactics like price fixing, fraud, and illegal schemes. They accumulate immense wealth and success but face investigations and legal troubles due to their corrupt practices. The movies explore themes of greed, ambition, and the moral compromises made in pursuit of the American Dream. Both protagonists are tempted by violence and criminal associates to maintain their empires, testing their ethical boundaries. Ultimately, their illicit activities catch up with them, leading to downfalls and consequences.
Empire State
Both "Empire State" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" follow the rise and fall of ambitious young men who get involved in financial crimes and illegal money-making schemes. The main characters, Chris Potamitis and Jordan Belfort, start out in low-level jobs but quickly get seduced by the lure of easy money and a lavish lifestyle. They assemble teams of friends and associates to carry out their illegal operations - Chris steals from his armored car company while Jordan runs a "pump and dump" stock scam. Their criminal enterprises become hugely successful, allowing them to indulge in drugs, parties, and excess. However, their illegal activities eventually attract the attention of law enforcement, leading to investigations, arrests, and prison sentences for the main characters and their accomplices. The movies depict the thrills and temptations of greed and corruption, as well as their ultimate downfall.