You may not consider curling up with popcorn and a flick the best way to gain a financial education, but Hollywood has served up more than a few films over the years depicting the many and various impacts of money on life.

With that in mind, here are our picks for some of the best money movies out there — and their real-life lessons you can apply to your own financial philosophy.

Do More With Less: Moneyball (2011)

Some smart and thorough analysis of assets, obligations, and goals can help you get the most from your budget. That's just what Billy Beane did for the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team. Moneyball tells the true story of Beane and his groundbreaking recruiting philosophy: bring in players who deliver consistent results over expensive, flashy ones, and success will follow. 

This is one of the best movies about money out there, hands down. It's chock-full of interesting insights into what has true value, and the reality of reaching your goals on a budget. 

Give your own budget the Billy Beane treatment by using one of these handy templates to take control of your money.

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

If you're a Leonardo DiCaprio fan, it doesn't get better than this portrayal of greedy, dishonest stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Belfort relies on a “pump and dump” strategy to build a successful firm that rakes in billions during the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

The basic formula: gather up shares in a company, artificially inflate the price, then sell. The resulting price drop leaves buyers with a bunch of stock suddenly worth considerably less than they paid. 

In the film, and in real life, Belfort’s ruthlessness catches up to him to the tune of financial ruin and jail time. The lesson? Be careful that your own quest for the good life doesn't lead to questionable decisions you'll regret later on. After all, living well is about a lot more than your bank account.

Watch Out for Scammers: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

A true comedy classic, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels shows the lengths some scammers will go to for a payday. Steve Martin and Michael Cain hilariously play two competing con artists who try to outdo each other with increasingly brazen and ridiculous methods, culminating in a winner-take-all scheme that ultimately gives them a taste of their own medicine. 

Whether you take in this version or the modern remake (The Hustle, 2019), the lesson is the same: be careful who you trust. 

Take steps to safeguard your money and your personal information so you don’t end up becoming a scammer’s unsuspecting mark. Do your homework before you invest, check out your bank’s security measures, and take steps to protect your identity online. 

You Can Overcome Financial Adversity: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Based on a true story, the Pursuit of Happyness is about a young father trying to make ends meet. Scrappy, smart, resourceful, and persistent, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) goes from struggling salesman to professional stockbroker by overcoming a heartbreaking series of hardships, including homelessness. 

This movie is a bit of a tearjerker, but it also just might inspire you to stay the course during your own financial setbacks. 

If your finances have taken a hit during the pandemic, you’re not alone. Take a look at our tips for getting through the current crisis — and any future financial difficulties you may face.

Reconsider the Possibilities: Playing with FIRE: The Documentary (2019)

This fascinating documentary is a must-see if you’re feeling disillusioned by the typical slog of working your whole life to finally retire at 65 or later. In personal finance circles, F.I.R.E. stands for “financial independence, retire early.” 

The movement’s adherents swear by the frugal philosophies they claim enable a more fulfilling lifestyle. 

Playing with FIRE follows multiple people through their real-life journeys toward financial freedom. Whether you’re ready to go full-FIRE or just get some good suggestions for smart money moves, this documentary will definitely leave you wanting to make some lasting changes to your personal financial strategy.

(A Little) Greed is Good: Wall Street (1987)

No list of movies about money is complete without this iconic Oliver Stone classic. Michael Douglas’s Oscar-winning performance as ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko, plus the movie’s spot-on portrayal of 1980s excess, inspired an entire generation’s attitudes toward the financial industry. 

From Bud Fox, Gekko’s young, conflicted mentee, to the federal watchdogs at the SEC, to Gekko himself, the movie often pits integrity and hard work against wealth and power. 

While his unbridled avarice ultimately gets the better of the unscrupulous Gekko, a little greed can actually help keep you driven to succeed. Think of  “greed” as “motivation” instead, and you have one of the key ingredients for financial success. After all, you need to set goals to make the most of your money. And visualizing your success will go a long way toward keeping you on track. 

If Gordon Gekko isn’t exactly your idea of a financial mentor (he does end up in jail, after all), try learning about real-life investing legend John Bogle. In addition to revolutionizing wealth building, he lived an honest, principled life.

Beef Up Your Emergency Fund: The Company Men (2010) 

This limited-release Sundance standout highlights the bleak consequences of corporate downsizing. Hollywood heavyweights Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Affleck, and Chris Cooper deliver compelling performances as people caught in the crosshairs of a company trying to stay afloat in a depressed U.S. economy. The main characters deal with their misfortunes in various ways, some more devastating than others. 

While you may be spared from a job loss, chances are good that you’ll encounter some choppy financial waters from time to time. Experts have long touted that an emergency fund to get you through tough times before you’re back on your feet is a cornerstone of any personal financial plan. Start small and make steady deposits, and let your growing balance give you a bit of peace of mind.