Are you fascinated by the glitz and glamour of the ultra-rich, coupled with the suspense of a good detective story? Then this curated list of detective films about billionaires is just for you. From tales of corporate espionage to personal vendettas, these films delve into the complex lives of the world's wealthiest, where money can't always buy safety or happiness. Each film offers a unique blend of intrigue, opulence, and the thrill of solving a mystery, making for an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The Parallax View (1974)
Description: A reporter investigates the assassination of a U.S. senator, uncovering a shadowy corporation that recruits assassins, with ties to the ultra-wealthy.
Fact: The film's title refers to the Parallax Corporation, which is never fully explained, adding to the mystery.
Watch Now
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Description: Tom Ripley, a young man with a talent for deception, is sent to Italy to bring back a rich playboy. What follows is a tale of identity theft, murder, and the dark side of wealth.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Italy, providing a stunning backdrop to the story's sinister events.
Watch Now
The Insider (1999)
Description: A 60 Minutes producer and a former tobacco executive expose the tobacco industry's secrets, showcasing the power of money and corporate cover-ups.
Fact: The film was based on a true story, with the real-life figures involved in the events portrayed.
Watch Now
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
Description: A billionaire art thief plays a cat-and-mouse game with an insurance investigator, blending romance with high-stakes detective work.
Fact: The film features a memorable chess game scene, which was actually played by the actors, not just staged.
Watch Now
The International (2009)
Description: An Interpol agent and an American attorney track down a powerful arms dealer, revealing a global conspiracy involving a major bank.
Fact: The Guggenheim Museum in New York was used for a dramatic shootout scene, which was meticulously planned to avoid damaging the art.
Watch Now
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Description: This film dives into the life of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who becomes involved in corruption and fraud on Wall Street. It's a detective story of sorts, where the protagonist is both the criminal and the investigator of his own life.
Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised much of his dialogue, adding to the film's raw and energetic feel.
Watch Now
The Informant! (2009)
Description: Mark Whitacre, a senior executive at a major agribusiness company, becomes an informant for the FBI, leading to a complex investigation into price-fixing.
Fact: The film's score by Marvin Hamlisch was one of his last works before his death.
Watch Now
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Description: A disgraced journalist and a computer hacker investigate a 40-year-old disappearance of a billionaire's niece, uncovering a web of secrets and murder.
Fact: The film's opening credits sequence, designed by Tim Miller, won numerous awards for its innovative use of animation and music.
Watch Now
The Big Short (2015)
Description: While not a traditional detective story, this film follows a group of investors who bet against the U.S. housing market, uncovering a massive financial fraud. It's a detective story in the world of finance, where the stakes are billions.
Fact: The film uses unconventional narrative techniques like breaking the fourth wall to explain complex financial terms in an entertaining way.
Watch Now
The Nice Guys (2016)
Description: Two private eyes investigate the disappearance of a girl and the death of a porn star, uncovering a conspiracy involving a billionaire's car company.
Fact: The film was originally intended to be set in the 1970s, but was moved to the 1960s to avoid comparisons with other period pieces.
Watch Now
