9 Finance Shows and Films to Boost Your Financial Literacy

Watch and Learn 💸🎬

Who says learning about money has to be boring? Some of the best lessons on wealth, risk, and ambition come straight from the big screen. From stock market drama to money heists gone wrong, finance films and shows teach us how money really works: the wins, the losses, and the lessons in between.

We believe financial literacy should be fun and relatable. So, we’ve rounded up movies and shows that’ll entertain you and teach you a thing or two about building wealth the smart way.

🎥 Finance Movies to Watch

The Big Short (2015) – Understanding Market Risk

 

   

Premise: Based on a true story, The Big Short follows a handful of unconventional investors who predicted the 2008 global financial meltdown. While everyone else was blinded by optimism, they dug deep into market data, spotted the housing bubble, and made strategic bets against the system earning billions when the market collapsed.
Lesson: Markets aren’t always logical. Understanding risk and doing your homework before investing can protect your money from big losses.
For beginners: It teaches you that financial knowledge is power, and that even “ordinary” people can make informed decisions that pay off.
InvestNaija insight: You don’t need to be a Wall Street genius to invest wisely. With options like the Chapel Hill Denham Money Market Fund (MMF) and Nigeria Bond Fund, you can build a balanced, low-risk portfolio and grow your wealth confidently.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, DisneyPlus, Prime video

 

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) – Ethics Matter in Finance

Premise: Jordan Belfort starts out as an ambitious stockbroker but soon falls into a world of manipulation, greed, and excess. His wild rise and dramatic fall reveal how easily money can corrupt without discipline.
Lesson: Success in finance isn’t about flashy wins; it’s about integrity, responsibility, and staying grounded.
For beginners: Don’t let hype, greed, or “too good to be true” opportunities sway your financial goals.
InvestNaija insight: At InvestNaija, transparency is non-negotiable. Our products from the FGN Savings Bond to the Nigerian Dollar Fund (NDIF) are regulated, trustworthy, and built for real growth, not quick scams.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Prime video

The Wizard of Lies (2017) – Due Diligence Saves You

Premise: This film chronicles the shocking story of Bernie Madoff, whose seemingly legitimate investment firm turned out to be the largest Ponzi scheme in history costing investors billions.
Lesson: Even the most credible-looking opportunities can be deceptive. Always verify, never assume.
For beginners: It’s a reminder to invest only in verified, licensed platforms.
InvestNaija insight: Every Chapel Hill Denham fund is backed by regulation and transparency, ensuring that your money is not just growing, but protected.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Prime video, Hulu

Wall Street (1987) – Greed Isn’t a Strategy

Premise: A young broker, Bud Fox, idolizes a ruthless corporate raider who embodies the mantra “Greed is good.” As Fox chases wealth at all costs, he learns that shortcuts and unethical deals come with a heavy price.
Lesson: Financial discipline and integrity build lasting success greed doesn’t.
For beginners: Don’t chase overnight wealth; long-term, consistent investing always wins.
InvestNaija insight: With steady-growth funds like the Chapel Hill Denham Paramount Fund (Equity), you can invest for the future, not just the moment.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, DisneyPlus, Prime video

Working Girl (1988) – Confidence Is Capital

Premise: Tess, a secretary with big dreams, breaks barriers in the finance world by using her smarts and persistence to climb the corporate ladder.
Lesson: Knowledge and confidence are the real currency in finance and they’re accessible to everyone.
For beginners: Financial education can be your greatest tool for empowerment.
InvestNaija insight: Through Finance 101 and InvestinStories, InvestNaija helps you gain financial confidence by breaking down complex topics in simple, relatable ways.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, DisneyPlus, Prime video

📺 Finance Shows Worth Watching

Industry (2020) – Welcome to the Real World of Finance

Premise: This drama follows ambitious graduates navigating the competitive world of London’s high-stakes investment banking. Behind the glamour lies immense pressure, risk, and learning curves.
Lesson: Success in finance comes from skill, research, and resilience not luck!
For beginners: You’ll see that finance is a career of constant learning, strategy, and focus.
InvestNaija insight: Start small and steady the Money Market Fund is a beginner-friendly way to start investing while learning how markets work.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, DisneyPlus, Prime video

Billions (2016) – Think Like a Strategist

Premise: A brilliant hedge fund manager clashes with a relentless prosecutor in a thrilling battle of money, power, and wit.
Lesson: In finance, information, timing, and strategy are everything.
For beginners: You don’t need billions to think like a strategist. Budgeting, planning, and discipline are your tools.
InvestNaija insight: With PlanIN on the InvestNaija app, you can set personalized financial goals and invest strategically just like the pros do.

Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Showmax, Prime video

Succession (2018) – The Power of Legacy Planning

Premise: The Roy family, owners of a global media empire, are caught in a web of rivalry and dysfunction while fighting for control of their business empire.
Lesson: Money without structure or planning leads to chaos.
For beginners: It’s a masterclass in succession planning and building lasting wealth.
InvestNaija insight: Through long-term options like the Bond Fund and Paramount Fund, InvestNaija helps you plan and preserve wealth across generations.

Where to watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Showmax, Prime video

Dirty Money (2018) – Transparency Is Everything

Premise: This documentary series exposes shocking corporate corruption stories across the globe from banking scandals to environmental fraud.
Lesson: The financial world can be murky, and not every company plays fair.
For beginners: Always research where your money goes and who manages it.
InvestNaija insight: At InvestNaija, openness and trust drive everything we do. We’re committed to clarity, no jargon, no hidden fees, no games.

Where to watch: Netflix

💡 Final Thoughts: Learn. Watch. Grow.

Financial literacy isn’t just about reading textbooks or attending webinars it’s about engaging with stories that make money make sense. The best part? These shows and movies make finance fun, showing real human decisions behind numbers and trends.

We believe learning should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we have our own Learning Module, a digital hub packed with Finance 101 articles, InvestinStories, and our Market Watch email series all designed to help you stay informed, confident, and ready to make smarter financial moves.

So next time you’re scrolling through Netflix, Prime or YouTube, remember your next movie night could be your next money lesson. Pair it with the InvestNaija app, and you’re not just watching the financial world, you’re part of it.