Not many figures attract audiences to theatres like millionaires. Since the 1970’s, the genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s Wall Street stockbrokers, parasitic housekeepers or famous actors, the genre has produced many 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 rich people 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 criticize movies giving India a bad image. Born in poverty-stricken slums of Mumbai, he was always critical of dark movies that depicted his country. An Indian without fear, he once had big dreams of being a famous millionaire. He would argue movies were an art form that could never capture the beauty of a great country that had held a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the hardships it takes to become a millionaire as powerfully as “Slumdog Millionaire”. Following its release in 2008, Danny Boyle’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about millionaires. 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 poverty 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 great performance by Dev Patel, who portrayed an Indian boy seeking to become a millionaire. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” my favourite film about millionaires of all-time is its encompassing appeal. Unlike most movies set in India, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about a orphan seeking to be a millionaire, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre manufacturing commemorated movies about which audiences care.
2. The Social Network
Facebook is a legendary social networking company that my cousin always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that adored the company which changed social media. A huge fan of Facebook, he would always praise ambitious millionaires of a company that changed his outlook. Millionaires have always played a pivotal role in forming the famous social network company. In 2010, David Fincher honoured millionaires that founded the social network in his movie “The Social Network”. Fincher used captivating non-linear storytelling capturing the ambitious millionaires that formed a company which revolutionized social networking. For instance, the scene in which Mark is accused by the twins of stealing their idea for Facebook causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodied the ambitious founder of a social network. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to social media, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre manufacturing commemorated movies commonly attracting audiences towards 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 movies about millionaires 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 poor Korean man seeking to become a millionaire with prosperity. 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. It delivers a meaningful message about social inequality which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of frightening parasite barriers housekeepers in South Korea fight, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated movies which definitely deserve to achieve the newsworthy spotlight.
4. The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a great book that my teacher would always appreciate. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. Drawn towards the green light, he adored a book capturing the class barriers that millionaires fight. He would often yearn to see the book about millionaires depicted on the big-screen. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the lives of millionaires, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Luhrmann effectively used narration to capture the life of a millionaire seeking recognition. 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 appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary 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 famous movies which audiences commonly consider extremely precious.
5. Anora
Prostitution is a sensitive subject that’s seldom portrayed in movies with respect. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a girl showing courage. A tomboy, she aimed to destroy stereotypes engaging in activities which the opposite sex would enjoy. She was a queer girl that had dreams of becoming a famous millionaire. As someone treasuring fond memories of a feminist girl with nostalgia, I appreciated “Anora”. Released in 2024, Sean Baker’s movie offered a powerful portrait of prostitution. Baker effectively uses montages capturing a prostitute embarking on a journey to discover her identity. For instance, the scene in which Anora and Vanya embark on a luxurious trip to Las Vegas causing his family to face a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Mikey Madison, who embodied a prostitute with strong dedication. Ultimately, what makes “Anora” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about prostitution, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of sex work which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Anora’s desire to become a successful hooker, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies about the lives of millionaires audiences treasure.
6. Batman Begins
Batman is a beloved comic-book character that has built a lasting legacy. Since his creation in the 1960’s, the caped crusader has appeared in unforgettable movies. One of the defining characteristics of Batman is that he’s a millionaire. In 2005, Christopher Nolan reimagined the heroic millionaire in his movie “Batman Begins”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Batman Begins” stand out is its depiction of trauma. Nolan effectively used flashbacks to capture a millionaire haunted by his parents’ death. Assisted by Christian Bale who is amazing in the lead role, Nolan honoured a groundbreaking superhero with detail. A captivating tribute towards a celebrated comic-book character, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about wealthy millionaires which audiences treasure.
7. Downton Abbey
When it comes to the most beloved television series about millionaires in British history, it’s worth discussing Downton Abbey. Since its creation in 2010, Julian Fellowes’ iconic series has earned a huge fan following. In 2019, Michael Engler honoured the iconic series about wealth families in his movie “Downton Abbey”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Downton Abbey” stand out is its depiction of social class. Engler uses captivating production-design of houses to capture class structures causing lives of housekeepers to decline. Assisted by Maggie Smith who is extraordinary in the lead role, Engler honoured an iconic show in British history. A brilliant tribute towards a series about families that are British, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing memorable movies which audiences always cherish.
8. My Week With Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe is a millionaire movie-star that achieved fame years ago. With her attractive looks, charming personality and strong demeanour, Monroe gained a huge following in the 1950’s. In 2011, Simon Curtis honoured the iconic actress in his movie “My Week With Marilyn”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “My Week With Marilyn” stand out is its outsider perspective. Curtis effectively uses various perspectives of actors Marilyn worked with in the film industry to create a powerful portrait of a millionaire. Assisted by Michelle Williams who is magnificent in the lead role, Curtis honoured a legendary millionaire’s legacy. A marvellous tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies giving audiences dreams to commonly follow.
9. The White Tiger
Housekeepers that seek to become millionaires are common in India. India has built an image of being a country where housekeepers often have dreams of becoming rich earning high wage. The dreams of housekeepers to become millionaires in India that prosper are beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses narration capturing a housekeeper rising from rags to riches in India. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers in Indian countries that face stress, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies achieving success.
10. The Wolf of Wall Street
Few movies ever made about Wall Street millionaires are as beloved as “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured millionaires on Wall Street. Scorsese used narration capturing a millionaire on Wall Street seeking recognition. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is sensational in the lead role, Scorsese honoured a stockbroker that achieved fame years ago. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of millionaires abusing their authority to become wealthy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 30 years after Jordan Belfort became a stockbroker achieving prosperity, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies about millionaires which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my film criticism dreams into reality.
The Film Buff 