Top 10 Business Crime Films

Description: Gordon Gekko's famous line "Greed is good" epitomizes the 1980s ethos of wealth accumulation. This film explores the moral decay of corporate America through the eyes of a young stockbroker.

Fact: Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gekko, and the character was loosely based on several real-life Wall Street figures.

Description: A young lawyer discovers his prestigious law firm has ties to organized crime, leading him into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the FBI and the mob.

Fact: The film was adapted from John Grisham's best-selling novel, and Tom Cruise performed many of his own stunts.

Description: A tobacco executive becomes a whistleblower, exposing the industry's practices, leading to a high-stakes battle with his former company and the media.

Fact: The film was based on a true story, and Russell Crowe gained weight for his role to portray the character's stress and isolation.

Description: A satirical look at the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker with a dark secret. This film blends business satire with psychological horror, making it a unique entry in the genre.

Fact: Christian Bale lost 30 pounds to portray Bateman's obsessive nature, and the film's ending was intentionally left ambiguous to reflect the book's theme.

Description: A young man gets involved in a shady brokerage firm, where he learns the art of the pump-and-dump scheme. It's a gritty look at the world of penny stocks and financial manipulation.

Fact: The film was inspired by real-life stories of brokerage firms like Stratton Oakmont, which was also the basis for "The Wolf of Wall Street."

Description: This film captures the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who indulges in excess, fraud, and corruption. It's a wild ride through the excesses of the 1990s Wall Street culture.

Fact: The film was banned in Malaysia due to its explicit content, and Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, adding to the film's raw energy.

Description: Based on true events, this film explains the complex financial instruments that led to the 2008 financial crisis through the eyes of several characters who bet against the housing market.

Fact: Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, and Anthony Bourdain appear in cameo roles to explain complex financial concepts in an accessible way.

Description: Set during the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis, this film follows the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period as they discover their firm's exposure to the housing market.

Fact: The film was shot in just 17 days, and many of the characters are loosely based on real-life bankers.

Description: A group of real estate salesmen are pushed to their limits by a ruthless sales contest, revealing the cutthroat nature of the business world.

Fact: The film features an all-star cast including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin, with Baldwin's character delivering the iconic "Always Be Closing" speech.

Description: This film examines the personal and professional fallout of corporate downsizing, focusing on three men from different levels of a company as they navigate unemployment and identity crisis.

Fact: The film was inspired by writer-director John Wells' own experiences with corporate layoffs, and it features a strong ensemble cast including Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones.