Top 20 Movies About Getting Rich

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - July 12th 2025, 19:00 GMT+2

Cropped American Made — American Made (2017)

Based on a true story, this film takes audiences through the wild and unpredictable world of Barry Seal, a commercial airline pilot turned drug smuggler. As Seal navigates his way through the explosive mix of the CIA, the Medellín Cartel, and his own entrepreneurial ambitions, the film explores how one man’s hustle can lead to unimaginable wealth. With Tom Cruise in a standout role, his performance adds a charismatic yet deeply flawed layer to Seal’s character. The movie combines humor, action, and intense drama to show how the pursuit of wealth can be both thrilling and dangerous. This gripping tale also gives insight into the intersections of politics, crime, and business. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped The Founder 2016 — The Founder (2016)

The Founder chronicles the rise of McDonald's, one of the world's most iconic fast-food chains, focusing on Ray Kroc's transformation from a struggling milkshake machine salesman to the man who revolutionized the fast-food industry. Michael Keaton's portrayal of Kroc captures his ruthless ambition and entrepreneurial drive to secure wealth, often at the expense of others. The movie delves into the complexities of business ethics and the price of success. Through Kroc’s unrelenting pursuit, we see how one man’s vision and hunger for success can redefine an entire industry. | © The Weinstein Company

Cropped War Dogs 2016 — War Dogs (2016)

Based on the real-life story of two young arms dealers, this film showcases how they exploited government contracts to make a fortune, navigating a world of shady deals, international politics, and high-stakes negotiations. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller play the leads, offering a perfect mix of comedic charm and intense drama as they portray the morally ambiguous characters, who found success by hustling and bending the rules. War Dogs highlights the dark side of the arms trade and the lengths people will go to in the pursuit of wealth, all while adding a sharp sense of humor to the story. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped The Big Short 2015 — The Big Short (2015)

This film brings to light the 2008 financial crisis, showing how a group of outsiders predicted and capitalized on the collapse of the housing market. Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Brad Pitt star in this thought-provoking drama, which blends humor with serious social commentary. The characters’ success lies in their ability to go against the tide and bet on a failing economy, ultimately making huge profits. The Big Short is an insightful exploration of the world of finance and the people who can turn financial disaster into incredible wealth, all while highlighting the greed and corruption at the heart of Wall Street. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped The Wolf of Wall Street 2013 — The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

This Martin Scorsese-directed masterpiece captures the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who amasses a fortune through deceit, fraud, and high-risk investments. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers an unforgettable performance, portraying Belfort’s rise and eventual fall with energy and flair. The film offers a critical, yet fascinating, look at how wealth and power can corrupt, showing the extremes people are willing to go to in the name of success. With a mix of wild parties, fast cars, and unforgettable one-liners, The Wolf of Wall Street is both a cautionary tale and a wild ride through the excesses of the financial world. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Limitless 2011 — Limitless (2011)

In this psychological thriller, Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Morra, a struggling writer who gains access to a drug that enhances his cognitive abilities, ultimately leading him to success and immense wealth. Limitless explores the idea of unlocking the full potential of the human brain, but at what cost? The rapid rise in wealth and intelligence comes with its own set of challenges and dangerous consequences. With a twisty narrative and fast-paced thrills, the movie provides an intriguing take on how ambition and the pursuit of riches can push someone to their limits – literally. | © Relativity Media

Cropped The Social Network 2010 — The Social Network (2010)

The Social Network offers a look into the creation of Facebook and the complex relationship between its co-founders, particularly Mark Zuckerberg. Jesse Eisenberg stars as the socially awkward yet brilliant Zuckerberg, whose ambition leads to the creation of one of the most successful companies in history. The film examines how wealth and success can drive a wedge between friends and create a battleground of legal battles. With a stellar supporting cast, including Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake, The Social Network is a compelling look at the cost of innovation and the price of becoming a tech mogul. | © Columbia Pictures

Cropped There Will Be Blood 2007 — There Will Be Blood (2007)

This epic drama follows Daniel Plainview, an ambitious oilman who will stop at nothing to obtain land and resources, building his wealth and empire. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a mesmerizing performance, portraying a man whose insatiable hunger for power and wealth leads to moral corruption and personal isolation. The film’s exploration of greed, ambition, and the American Dream offers a stark reminder of the human cost behind the pursuit of wealth. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th-century oil boom, it’s a masterclass in storytelling and character development. | © Paramount Vantage

Cropped American Gangster 2007 — American Gangster (2007)

American Gangster is a gripping crime drama that follows Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin in 1970s Harlem, and Richie Roberts, the cop determined to bring him down. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe give standout performances, bringing these complex characters to life in a world driven by crime and wealth. The film shows how Lucas’s success in the drug trade allows him to build a vast empire, but his journey also comes with great risks and ethical dilemmas. Through intense action and emotional moments, American Gangster dives into the dangerous allure of wealth and power in a corrupt society. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped Catch Me If You Can 2002 — Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., who successfully posed as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while committing massive fraud, Catch Me If You Can tells a thrilling tale of deception and cunning. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks shine in their roles as the young con artist and the determined FBI agent on his tail. The film highlights how Abagnale’s quick thinking and charm led to his success in forging identities and accumulating wealth, all while evading capture. With a mix of humor, heart, and suspense, the movie shows the lengths people will go to in order to achieve financial success – albeit through illegal means. | © DreamWorks Pictures

Cropped Blow 2001 — Blow (2001)

Blow tells the true story of George Jung, one of the most influential drug traffickers of the 1970s and '80s, who built a fortune through his involvement in the cocaine trade. Johnny Depp gives an unforgettable performance as Jung, a man whose ambition and desire for wealth lead him into the dangerous world of smuggling. The film portrays the rise and fall of Jung, showing how his drive for success ultimately causes his personal downfall and estrangement from those he loves. Blow serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of ill-gotten wealth and the consequences of living on the edge. | © New Line Cinema

Cropped Glengarry Glen Ross 1992 — Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

In this intense, dialogue-heavy drama, a group of desperate real estate salesmen fight for survival in a cutthroat business environment. The film, based on David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, features a stellar cast including Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin. It explores the moral compromises people are willing to make in their pursuit of wealth, showing the lengths to which these men will go to secure a sale or keep their jobs. Glengarry Glen Ross is a sharp, thrilling portrayal of ambition, greed, and the high stakes of the business world, where integrity often takes a backseat to success. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Wall Street 1987 — Wall Street (1987)

Wall Street is a hard-hitting drama that explores the world of corporate greed and financial corruption, focusing on the relationship between a young stockbroker, Bud Fox, and the ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas. Gekko's famous line, "Greed is good," encapsulates the movie’s exploration of how wealth can corrupt and blind individuals to the human cost of their actions. Charlie Sheen stars as Fox, a character who must navigate his own moral dilemma as he rises through the ranks of the financial world. This film is a critique of the excesses of the 1980s and remains a powerful commentary on the dangers of unchecked ambition. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Brewsters Millions 1985 — Brewster's Millions (1985)

Brewster's Millions follows the hilarious and heartwarming story of Montgomery Brewster, a man who must spend $30 million in 30 days to inherit a much larger fortune. Richard Pryor stars as the title character in this comedy that explores themes of wealth, inheritance, and the absurdity of money. As Brewster navigates the difficult challenge of spending the money without accumulating any assets, the film delivers both humor and insight into the value we place on material wealth. Brewster’s Millions offers a unique perspective on the responsibility that comes with wealth and the impact it has on those who inherit it. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Scarface — Scarface (1983)

Scarface is one of the most iconic films about the corrupting influence of wealth and power. Directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who rises to the top of the drug trade in Miami, the film is a powerful and violent exploration of ambition gone wrong. Montana’s drive to succeed leads him to build an empire, but it also causes him to lose everything he holds dear. With memorable performances, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable scenes, Scarface remains a powerful commentary on the lengths people will go to in order to achieve wealth, and the ultimate destruction that often follows. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped The Jerk 1979 — The Jerk (1979)

The Jerk is a classic comedy starring Steve Martin as Navin R. Johnson, an eccentric and naive man who discovers that he is the heir to a vast fortune. The film follows Navin’s hilarious journey as he navigates his newfound wealth, uncovering absurdities along the way. While comedic in tone, The Jerk also offers a satirical look at the pursuit of money and success, showing how fame and fortune can lead to ridiculous situations and misplaced priorities. Steve Martin’s quirky performance and the film’s clever script make it a unique and entertaining exploration of wealth and identity. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 1948 — The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

In this gripping drama, three prospectors, led by Humphrey Bogart, search for gold in the desolate mountains of Mexico. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre examines the psychological toll that the pursuit of wealth can take on individuals. As the men grow increasingly paranoid and distrustful of each other, the film explores themes of greed, survival, and the corrupting power of gold. With its sharp storytelling and deep philosophical undercurrents, this classic film is a timeless exploration of how wealth can consume even the most noble of men. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped The Devil and Daniel Webster 1941 — The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)

In this dark and captivating film, a farmer named Jabez Stone, desperate for wealth, sells his soul to the devil. The film takes a unique approach to the classic Faustian bargain, with Walter Huston playing the devil, and James Craig as Daniel Webster, the famous orator who defends the soul of Stone in a dramatic courtroom battle. The movie blends elements of fantasy, drama, and morality, showing how the pursuit of wealth can lead to dire consequences. It’s a thought-provoking film that offers a deep commentary on ambition, greed, and the price of success. | © RKO Radio Pictures

Cropped Citizen Kane 1941 — Citizen Kane (1941)

Citizen Kane is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, offering a powerful exploration of wealth, ambition, and the American Dream. Orson Welles stars as Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper magnate whose pursuit of power and wealth leaves him lonely and isolated. Through a series of flashbacks, the film examines Kane’s rise to prominence and the personal sacrifices he makes in his quest for success. Citizen Kane is a masterful study of the complexities of wealth, illustrating how the longing for material success can often lead to personal emptiness. | © RKO Radio Pictures

Cropped The Gold Rush 1925 — The Gold Rush (1925)

Charlie Chaplin’s *The Gold Rush* is a comedic masterpiece that follows the Little Tramp’s hilarious and heartwarming journey to find fortune in the Klondike during the gold rush. Though a silent film, its physical humor and Chaplin’s iconic performance make it universally accessible. The story highlights the absurdity and hardships of the pursuit of wealth, with the Little Tramp facing hunger, peril, and the challenges of survival in a rugged environment. With its timeless humor and poignant moments, *The Gold Rush* remains a classic exploration of ambition, dreams, and the pursuit of riches. | © United Artists

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Are you looking for inspiration, motivation, or simply a thrilling escape into the world of wealth and success? The allure of getting rich has captivated audiences for decades, and countless movies have explored this theme in exciting, dramatic, and sometimes comical ways. From entrepreneurs making their fortunes to daring individuals chasing their dreams, these films offer a fascinating glimpse into the pursuit of wealth. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 20 movies about getting rich that are sure to entertain, inspire, and give you a new perspective on what it really means to achieve financial success. Whether you’re after a story of ambition, grit, or just plain luck, these films showcase some of the most memorable characters and life-changing moments in cinematic history. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore the best films about the pursuit of riches!