The Best Movies About Becoming Rich Ranked

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. Goodfellas

Gangsters are grand figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a great grandfather appreciating dark gangsters that faced damage. He was fascinated with the rags-to-riches stories of dark gangsters that sought to become somebodies in neighbourhoods full of nobodies. An offer that he could simply never refuse, my grandfather loved to watch dark movies about the lives of dark gangsters that had shaped his worldviews. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the rags-to-riches struggles faced by greedy gangsters as powerfully as “Goodfellas”. Ever since its release in 1990, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about becoming rich. With the greatest film of his career, Scorsese used innovative cinematic techniques to capture greedy gangsters that seek to become millionaires facing despair. Scorsese has often had an aptitude for making engaging movies about gangsters whose lives are in danger, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which Henry Hill leads Karen into the Copacabana club introducing her to gangsters causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ray Liotta, who embodied a dark gangster that’s rich in America. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” my favourite film about being rich of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a message about community which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a bold reminder of a genre honouring money.

2. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that is rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed a relationship with a close friend that would criticize any movies which had given India a bad image. Born in the Mumbai slums, he was often critical of movies that depicted his country. He always believed movies were an art that couldn’t capture beauty of a country holding a special place in his heart. As someone treasuring a friend that sought to become an Indian millionaire, I adored “Slumdog Millionaire”. Released in 2008, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning movie honoured millionaires in India. Boyle has an aptitude for making movies about rags-to-riches, and “Slumdog Millionaire” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Boyle deftly used places in India to honour millionaires in the country. For instance, the scene in which Jamal is overcome with joy after he wins the game show being a millionaire in India is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who embodied a poor Indian boy seeking to become a millionaire. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” a classic is strong depiction of India. Unlike most movies about India, it tackles themes that resonate with everyone. It delivers a bold message about child trauma which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Jamal’s desire to be a millionaire, it’s a bold reminder of a genre making movies about which audiences commonly care.

3. 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 founders of a company that changed his outlook. He would often yearn to see the social media company depicted in Cinema. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the ambitious entrepreneurs that formed the social network in his movie “The Social Network”. Fincher used captivating non-linear storytelling capturing the ambitious entrepreneurs 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 a company that changed social media, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre manufacturing commemorated movies commonly attracting audiences towards Cinema.

4. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my mother. I remember a mother that adored the author’s literature. She had great expectations from an author she grew up to appreciate. Rags-to-riches has always been a common theme in stories written by the legendary author in English literature. In 2019, Armando Iannucci honoured the author whose stories have appealed in his movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. Iannucci used captivating montages capturing a poor orphan rising from poverty to become a famous writer that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which David Copperfield has a tense argument with Uriah causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who portrayed an orphan that’s successful. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Charles Dickens adaptations, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about orphans which would resonate with everyone. As strong as David Copperfield’s desire to become an author, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies which audiences commonly treasure.

5. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great rags-to-riches book that my teacher would always appreciate. 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 social class in the 1920’s. 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. For instance, the scene in which Gatsby recounts with nostalgia how he rose from childhood poverty to become a millionaire 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 genre that has manufactured great movies which audiences always consider extremely precious.

6. Anora

Prostitution is a profession in which rags-to-riches stories are common. Stories of prostitutes that rise from poverty to achieve prosperity are common in America. The struggles faced by prostitutes seeking to escape dilemma of poverty to become wealthy are beautifully depicted in the movie “Anora”. Released in 2025, Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie captured prostitution. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Anora” stand out is its depiction of prostitutes. Baker uses captivating montages capturing hardships a prostitute seeking wealth is facing. Assisted by Mikey Madison who is amazing in the lead role, Baker created a strong portrait of prostitution. As strong as Anora’s love for prostitution, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured engaging movies which deserve utmost appreciation.

7. Catch Me if You Can

When it comes to wealthy con-artists that faced jail, it’s worth discussing Frank Abagnale. During the 1960’s, Abagnale was a clever conman that engaged in felonies. Abagnale participated in criminal activities until the day that he was caught by FBI authorities. In 2002, Steven Spielberg honoured the notorious con-artist with a plan in his film “Catch Me if You Can”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Catch Me if You Can” stand out is its depiction of con-artists. Spielberg uses captivating montages capturing con-artists committing crimes that are shocking. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Spielberg honours a greedy con-artist that achieved fame years ago. As strong as crimes Frank Abagnale has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated genre that deserves to be absolutely appreciated.

8. Crazy Rich Asians

Millionaires that live a lifestyle of luxury 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 Asian 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 Chinese millionaires. A captivating portrait of crazy rich families in China, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced unforgettable movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

9. The White Tiger

Housekeepers driven by wealthy motives are common in India. India has built an image of being a country where housekeepers often possess greed to escape poverty causing damage. The great role that greed plays in lives of housekeepers in India that face disaster is beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured greedy housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing greed housekeepers in India are experiencing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of hardships that poor housekeepers in India face, it’s a powerful reminder of a genre making great movies audiences commonly embrace.

10. The Wolf of Wall Street

Few movies ever made about stockbrokers becoming rich on Wall Street are as beloved as “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured a Wall Street stockbroker. Scorsese used narration capturing a Wall Street investor. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is outstanding in the lead role, Scorsese created a compelling rags-to-riches movie. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of Wall Street stockbrokers has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Jordan Belfort’s desire to become wealthy, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about rich individuals achieving prosperity which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.