My Favourite Films About Wealth of All-Time

Not many genres have earned the appreciation of wealth. Since the 1980’s, stories of wealthy people have made for memorable movies. Whether it’s housekeepers, suspects of murders or great millionaires, the genre has created many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about wealth that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a friend that would often criticize any movies that gave India a bad image. Born in the poverty-stricken slums of Mumbai, he was always critical of dark movies that depicted his country. An Indian without fear, he once had dreams of becoming a famous millionaire. He would argue movies were an art that couldn’t capture the beauty of a great country that held a precious place in his heart.  Few films I’ve ever seen have captured struggles of impoverished kids to become wealthy in India as powerfully as “Slumdog Millionaire”. Ever since its release in 2008, Danny Boyle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about wealth. With the greatest film of his career, Boyle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an impoverished Indian boy’s journey to become a successful millionaire. Boyle has always had an aptitude for making movies about money putting lives of people in danger, and “Slumdog Millionaire” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jamal is overcome with joy after he miraculously wins the game show becoming a millionaire in India is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Dev Patel, who portrayed an Indian boy seeking to become a successful millionaire. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” my favourite film about wealth of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies set in India that are targeted towards citizens of the country, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after the release of an iconic film about a orphan seeking to be a millionaire, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making great movies capturing wealth about which audiences deeply care.

2. The Social Network

Facebook is a legendary company that my friend always loved dearly. I remember my friend was once a huge fan of a company that broke barriers for social networking. He would always strive to educate my class in school about a company that sought to communicate. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the wealthy social network company in his movie “The Social Network”. With the greatest film of his career, Fincher captured formation of a famous social network in which friendships faced despair. Fincher has often explored friendship in his movies, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop after his shares in social media are lowered is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed a renowned social network founder. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about friendships which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a company that changed social media, it’s a sensational reminder of a genre making great movies which are worth seeing in Cinema.

3. Parasite

Housekeepers have impacted my family. Several years ago, my grandparents faced grief when they discovered that their housekeeper was a thief. My grandparents were shocked to find that a housekeeper they trusted had stolen jewelry they appreciated. As someone haunted by memories of a housekeeper that had to fight class barriers, I appreciated “Parasite”. Released in 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s movie captured the lives of housekeepers in South Korea. Bong Joon-ho has always had an aptitude for making great movies about wealthy people in South Korea, and “Parasite” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Ki-woo poses as a school tutor to be hired by the Park family in Korea is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Song Kang-ho, who embodied a Korean man seeking to commit crimes to provide for his family. Ultimately, what makes “Parasite” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies set in South Korea that are targeted towards citizens of the country, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of frightening parasite barriers housekeepers in South Korea commonly fight, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured timeless movies which deserve to achieve the media spotlight.

4. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature always impressed my mother. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author in English literature. She was drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. Wealth has always been a prominent theme in Austen’s books and it is most evident in “Pride & Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie honoured Jane Austen’s most celebrated book. Wright has an aptitude for adapting classic literature into compelling movies, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Keira Knightley, who embodied a commemorated heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a commemorated adaptation is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after the publication of a classic book about prejudiced women developing romantic relationships with pride, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to leave audiences tremendously satisfied.

5. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book about wealth that my teacher always loved dearly. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured wealthy millionaires seeking success in the 1920’s. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the legendary book about wealthy millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the luxurious lives of wealthy individuals, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby is first introduced to Nick Carraway at a party causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who created an iconic millionaire character. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its universal universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about the long-lasting consequences of wealth which audiences consider precious.

6. The White Tiger

Wealth often impacts the lives of housekeepers facing a dilemma in India. India has built an image of being a country in which wealthy families treat housekeepers poorly. The negative impact of wealth on the lives of individuals facing disaster in India are beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing hardships housekeepers in India are facing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers in India experiencing frightening hardship, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies about the negative consequences of wealth which audiences commonly worship.

7. The Wolf of Wall Street

Jordan Belfort is a wealthy stockbroker that built a lasting legacy. During the 1980’s, Belfort was a Wall Street stockbroker that engaged in criminal activities becoming wealthy. In 2013, Martin Scorsese honoured the wealthy stockbroker that ruled Wall Street in his movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” stand out is its depiction of Wall Street. Scorsese uses captivating voice-over narration to capture the life of a stockbroker on Wall Street facing tension. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is incredible in the lead role, Scorsese honoured a stockbroker that became wealthy years ago. 30 years after Jordan Belfort committed crimes on Wall Street, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured movies which audiencesc commonly consider unforgettable treat.

8. The Talented Mr. Ripley

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about wealthy people, it’s worth discussing The Talented Mr. Ripley. Since its publication in 1955, Patricia Highsmith’s book has become a literary classic. In 1999, Anthony Minghella honoured the legendary book in his movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Talented Mr. Ripley” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Minghella uses captivating montages capturing a con-artist deceiving wealthy millionaires that are frightening. Assisted by Matt Damon who is amazing in the lead role, Minghella honoured a legendary book about millionaires. A terrific adaptation of a book about con-artists that are talented, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated timeless movies which deserve to be always tremendously appreciated.

9. Crazy Rich Asians

Wealthy millionaires facing a dilemma are common in China. China has built an image of being a country where millionaires earn a high wage. The luxurious lifestyles of crazy rich Asians are beautifully depicted in the movie “Crazy Rich Asians”. Released in 2018, John M. Chu’s movie depicted wealthy families in China. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Crazy Rich Asians” stand out is its strong depiction of China. Chu uses captivating real-life locations across the country to capture a wealthy Asian-American family. Assisted by Michelle Yeoh who is amazing in the lead role, Chu created a compelling movie about social class in China. A captivating portrait of larger-than-life crazy rich families seeking prosperity in China, it’s a compelling reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

10. The Big Short

Few movies ever made about wealth falling short are as beloved as “The Big Short”. Released in 2015, Adam McKay’s movie offered a powerful portrait of the financial crisis. McKay used captivating montages to capture geniuses that forecasted a crisis that’s frightening. Assisted by Christian Bale who is amazing in the lead role, McKay recreated the crisis with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s exaggerated depiction of investors that forecasted wealth shortages in the economy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 20 years after the economic downfall, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing memorable movies about wealth that enthral which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that’s easy to recall.