Netflix is home to some great stories and movies about money that show how it can have a huge influence on people’s lives. From documentaries to feature films, these movies explore the power dynamics between the wealthy and those struggling to make ends meet.
Here are the 10 best Netflix movies about money.
1. Glengarry Glenn Ross (1992)
Glengarry Glen Ross pulls back the curtain on the cutthroat world of real estate sales, showcasing how the relentless pursuit of money can warp morals and relationships. The film follows a group of desperate real estate agents, including the seasoned but disillusioned Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon) and the ambitious Ricky Roma (Al Pacino), as they compete for leads and commission in a high-pressure sales environment. Their boss (Alec Baldwin at the top of his game!) serves up some of the most memorable lines, such as “Put that coffee down! Coffee’s for closers!” and the famous motivational “ABC” speech (Always Be Closing).
The plot centers around a brutal contest, where the top salespeople are promised valuable bonuses, while the losers face demotion or termination. This money-driven competition exposes the characters’ willingness to deceive, manipulate, and betray one another in their desperate quest for financial survival. Each character’s actions reflect their precarious relationship with money, revealing how the fear of losing their livelihoods leads to morally questionable decisions.
The film expertly illustrates the dark side of capitalism, where the thirst for wealth overshadows ethics and humanity. With memorable dialogue and intense performances, Glengarry Glen Ross is a powerful commentary on how the relentless chase for money can drive men to their breaking point, ultimately questioning the true cost of success in a ruthless market.
2. Worth (2020)
Worth is a powerful drama that centers on the complicated and uncomfortable intersection of money and human life. Michael Keaton stars as Kenneth Feinberg, a lawyer faced with the monumental task of determining how much families of 9/11 victims should be compensated. The film explores the grim reality of assigning a dollar value to lives lost, highlighting how money becomes a cold yet crucial element in the aftermath of tragedy.
As the head of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Feinberg is initially focused on spreadsheets, formulas, and legal calculations, working to distribute settlements efficiently. The movie dives deep into the tension between cold financial logic and the personal stories of grief that refuse to fit neatly into formulas. Feinberg must confront the moral complexities of valuing one life more than another based on factors like income and potential future earnings.
Supported by Amy Ryan as his colleague Camille Biros and Stanley Tucci as Charles Wolf, an advocate for more equitable compensation, the film underscores how deeply money is intertwined with not just the economy but human emotion and fairness. Worth forces viewers to reflect on how, in the wake of loss, financial settlements offer relief, but can never truly measure the value of a life.
3. The Laundromat (2019)
The Laundromat is a dark comedy-drama that uncovers the shady world of money laundering. Meryl Streep stars as Ellen Martin, a widow who is sucked into the world of corporate greed after a tragic boating accident. As she investigates, she finds herself entangled with two slick lawyers, played by Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas, who are masterminding a vast financial conspiracy.
The film uses sharp humor and satire to expose how the wealthy hide their money using offshore accounts and legal loopholes while the rest of us mere mortals pay the price. The lawyers charm their way through the story, but their smooth talk disguises the moral rot at the core of their empire.
Ellen’s quest for justice reveals just how deep the rabbit hole goes, showcasing the impact of financial crime on everyday lives. The Laundromat presents a witty critique of the global financial system, reminding us that when it comes to money, there’s often more than meets the eye.
4. Rising High (2020)
Money is a powerful tool, and its influence can be seen in the riveting German crime drama, Rising High (2020). Starring David Kross, Frederick Lau, and Matthias Schweighöfer, this film follows the journey of the ambitious real estate investor, Max, who is determined to climb the corporate ladder and achieve wealth at any cost.
As Max and his morally flexible partner in crime dive deeper into the ruthless world of big business, they resort to increasingly dubious tactics to secure quick profits. Their actions reveal just how far people are willing to go in the relentless pursuit of money.
The film offers an intimate look at the corrupting power of money and ambition. As Max’s empire grows, so does the pressure to maintain his lavish lifestyle, leading to a thrilling spiral of greed, betrayal, and moral decay. Rising High illustrates that in the relentless pursuit of wealth, the cost can be much higher than one might expect—both financially and personally.
5. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (2019)
Inside Bill’s Brain (2019) offers a deeper insight into the life and mind of one of the most innovative people on earth. While the movie isn’t really about money in the traditional sense, it shows how Gates uses his wealth to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems. After building Microsoft and becoming one of the richest people on the planet, he decided to focus his time and resources on global issues like disease eradication, sanitation, and clean energy.
Money is kind of the unspoken power behind it all. Without his billions, Gates wouldn’t be able to fund massive health initiatives or invest in cutting-edge solutions to fight climate change. The documentary really gets you thinking about the responsibility that comes with extreme wealth and how money can be used to drive real change. Gates doesn’t just sit on his fortune—he’s constantly thinking about how to use it for good, which gives this film a unique perspective on what it means to have (and use) financial power.This in-depth documentary series skillfully examines Bill Gates’ work, philanthropic endeavors, and his passion for using technology to drive positive change. It’s an inspiring story that speaks volumes about money, power, and ambition.
6. The Minimalists: Less Is Now (2021)
The Minimalists: Less Is Now is a thought-provoking documentary that follows two guys who’ve become the poster boys for the minimalist movement. It’s all about shedding excess stuff and questioning our obsession with consumerism. Their approach? Living with the bare essentials—think mattress on the floor, folding chair, and a wardrobe that fits in a backpack. They even wrote a book and went on tour to preach the minimalist gospel.
Minimalism and the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) overlap in some ways, with both pushing the idea of spending less to live more. But while some FIRE enthusiasts aim for frugality, others (myself included) are more like “FIRE-ish”—happy to save but not quite ready to live on $30k a year. This documentary really gets you thinking about consumerism, happiness, and what matters most. It’s a film that could completely transform your life if you’re open to an alternate way of living.
7. The Irishman (2019)
Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Irishman stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in an epic saga charting the rise and fall of one man’s ruthless career within organized crime. With money a driving force behind the action, this film is an entertaining and fascinating exploration of America’s criminal underworld.
8. Get Smart With Money (2022)
Get Smart With Money is a relatable documentary that pairs four financial experts with everyday people facing real-world money problems—whether it’s drowning in credit card debt, managing student loans, or figuring out how to invest for the future. The experts include Mr. Money Mustache (Pete Adeney), the frugal living legend; Tiffany Aliche, bestselling author of Get Good with Money; Paula Pant, the brains behind the Afford Anything podcast; and Ro$$ Mac, who breaks down financial literacy in his hit show Maconomics.
In just 90 minutes, these pros share tips and strategies to help their mentees build healthier relationships with money, showing that financial freedom is more about choices than early retirement. They preach budgeting basics like “Income – Savings = Expenses” and emphasize the importance of having a solid emergency fund before diving into investments.
The real takeaway? It’s not just about stashing cash to quit working—it’s about creating a life where you control your time, your work, and your future.
9. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2020)
This true crime documentary tells the story of QuadrigaCX, once Canada’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and the mysterious death of its founder Gerry Cotton that led to the disappearance of an estimated $250 million worth of bitcoin.
Featuring interviews with victims left behind, Trust No One keeps you on the edge of your seat as it dives into a world of greed and life-and-death stakes. It expertly explores Cotten’s shady business practices, the chaotic downfall of QuadrigaCX, and the desperate search for answers as those affected try to uncover what really happened to their money—and to the so-called “Crypto King” himself.
10. The Money Pit (1986)
The Money Pit is a hilarious but all-too-relatable comedy about how money can bring both joy and misery. Tom Hanks and Shelley Long play a couple who think they’ve hit the jackpot with a dirt-cheap mansion. But as soon as they move in, the place starts falling apart—one disaster after another—until they’re throwing every dollar they have into keeping the house standing.
What the movie really nails is how money can seem like the answer to all your problems, but also become a source of insane stress when things don’t go as planned. At first, the idea of owning their dream home feels thrilling, but once the hidden costs kick in, they’re trapped in a financial nightmare. It’s a reminder that big purchases, especially things like homes, can either bring satisfaction or endless headaches, depending on how well you prepare.
In the end, The Money Pit is a cautionary tale about how easily financial security can slip away if you’re not careful, even when things look great on the surface.
A Few More Great Movies About Money Not Currently On Netflix (Plus a Few Netflix Series!)
Dirty Money Series (Series on Netflix) – 2020
Money Explained Series (Series on Netflix) – 2021
Jerry and Marge Go Large – 2022
There Will Be Blood – 2007
Amazon Empire: The Rise and Reign of Jeff Bezos – 2020
Capital in the Twenty-First Century – 2019
Playing with FI/RE – 2018
Generation Wealth – 2018
The China Hustle – 2018
The Big Short – 2015
Inequality for All – 2014
Margin Call – 2011
Too Big to Fail – 2011
Money Ball – 2011
Inside Job – 2010
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – 2010
Twenty-One (21) – 2008
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room – 2005
Oceans 11 – 2001
Boiler Room – 2000
Casino – 1995
The Color of Money – 1986
Wall Street (Original) – 1985
Trading Places – 1983
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