91 Economics and Economy Documentary Films

This documentary examines the far-reaching influence of the world's largest bank, tracing its origins and exploring the implications of its immense power for people everywhere.

Debtocracy examines the increasing transfer of government assets to private ownership. The filmmakers journey globally, documenting privatization efforts and investigating the aftermath of Greece's large-scale privatization program.

Bill Ackman, a well-known hedge fund manager, has launched a campaign to prove that Herbalife, a major nutritional company, is actually a massive pyramid scheme. Herbalife executives, however, accuse Ackman of trying to destroy their company through market manipulation, hoping…

October 24th, 1929: The Wall Street Stock Exchange crashes, triggering the most significant economic crisis of the 20th century. The crash shatters the optimism of the Roaring Twenties, exposing the dangers of limitless wealth speculation. America is plunged into a…

PIIGS is a documentary film that questions common European budget strategies and the idea that austerity is always necessary. It presents previously overlooked information and evidence that undermines current European economic policies and widely accepted political beliefs.

"Debtocracy" investigates the origins of the Greek debt crisis, highlighting solutions overlooked by the government and mainstream media. The film examines countries like Ecuador that established debt audit commissions, documenting this process as it unfolds in Greece.

This film presents an argument for a fundamental shift away from the current global economic system. It focuses on the essential, practical needs for human and societal survival, looking beyond cultural differences and established beliefs. The film explores how these…

This film adapts Robert Reich's 2010 book, *Aftershock*, to explore the growing income inequality in the United States. Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich aims to highlight the country’s expanding economic divide. Having advocated for this issue for years, making…

In 1932, Paul Nizan's "The New Watchdogs" criticized intellectuals who used neutrality to support the status quo. Now, journalists, editors, and media experts have become market advocates and protectors of the social order. The film satirizes this press, which claims…

This documentary explores Greece and Europe's past and recent history, spanning from World War II to the present economic crisis. It presents a collection of stories examining this period. As stated by Paul Craig Roberts, "If Democracy can be destroyed…

A humorous and sharp look at the global financial crisis. This follows Russell Brand's rise to activism, beginning with his 2014 book *Revolution*, where he criticized "corporate tyranny, ecological irresponsibility, and economic inequality."

A top German investment expert, earning millions daily, now speaks from an empty bank building in Frankfurt, overlooking the city's modern skyline. In a revealing mix of monologue and interview, he shares his unsettlingly fascinating perspective from a world where…

This documentary explores the historical development of the political system that governs nations worldwide. It reveals how the current power structure originated from the secretive control and growth of wealth, particularly gold and other financial resources.

Following the end of the military dictatorship in 1983, Argentina's democratic governments initiated reforms aimed at creating a highly liberal and prosperous economy. However, within two decades, the country has suffered devastating losses: key national companies were sold cheaply to…

Twenty years after the corporation's secrets were revealed, this sequel shows a world completely shaped by its influence, teetering on the brink of fascism.

Inside the high-stakes trading floors of downtown Chicago, a chaotic world of ambition unfolds. Men use coded hand signals to trade commodities like pork and soybeans, bearing the weight of the nation's economy. Success brings wealth beyond their expectations, but…

THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a comedic true story about two unconventional political activists. They go undercover as high-ranking corporate officials to infiltrate major business conferences, where they stage outlandish pranks.

Michael Moore returns to his signature focus: how powerful corporations negatively affect the daily lives of Americans – and, by extension, people everywhere.

Even after the official end of the recession in the summer of 2009, millions of Americans – around 25 million – continue to struggle with joblessness or underemployment. Many of these individuals had previously built successful careers in corporate settings.

Over four years, interviews capture Noam Chomsky as he examines the policies that have led to today's extreme inequality. He traces fifty years of decisions that have benefited the wealthy while harming most people. Chomsky also reflects on his own…

A journey through five countries in South America to examine the region's social and political movements and how mainstream media often misunderstands it. The film features interviews with seven of South America's current presidents.

From the director of *American Movie*, this documentary features Michael Ruppert, a former LAPD officer now working as an independent reporter. He details his experiences as a controversial thinker and presents his predictions for the future, covering crises in areas…

CAPITALISM is a six-part documentary series examining the history and social forces behind our capitalist world. Through interviews with leading historians, economists, anthropologists, and social critics, alongside footage filmed in twenty-two countries, the series challenges the idea of a completely…

This sharp and insightful documentary follows a small group of activist pranksters as they become internationally known for their elaborate impersonations of the World Trade Organization. They stage their performances on television and at business events worldwide.

Erwin Wagenhofer's 2008 documentary, *Let's Make Money*, examines the evolution of the global financial system. It explores various facets of this development.

Captured before the October 1987 stock market crash, this one-hour documentary offers a compelling look at Paul Tudor Jones II. He shares his unique perspective on futures trading and explains the dynamics of this fast-paced, high-stakes environment. The film also…

This documentary focuses on economist and writer Marilyn Waring. Through in-depth interviews, Waring explains her feminist perspective on money and questions widely held beliefs about the world economy. The film also covers Waring's early political career and her effective activism…

"Life and Debt," a 2001 American documentary, explores the economic and social realities of Jamaica. It focuses on the effects of structural adjustment policies implemented by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the island nation.

This documentary explores the life and work of a leading American linguist and political activist. He exposes how corporate media uses propaganda to influence public opinion. The film presents his research and analysis, showing how mainstream media manipulates information for…

"Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?" Details how American corporations systematically undermined middle-class prosperity through deregulation, job outsourcing, and tax policies benefiting businesses and the wealthy. The U.S. Economic decline is presented as a deliberate outcome of choices made over…

The world faces a critical economic crisis, driven by environmental limits, resource depletion, and growing problems like stagnant growth, job losses, and inequality. This documentary explores how we can build a more sustainable future. Social and economic theorist Jeremy Rifkin…

This documentary examines the contemporary apocalypse triggered by an unchecked banking system. Twenty-three prominent thinkers, disillusioned with the limitations of their fields, offer their perspectives on how the world functions.

Terry Jones' *Boom Bust Boom* is the product of a collaboration between writer, director, historian, and Monty Python's Terry Jones, and economics professor and entrepreneur Theo Kocken. Co-written by Jones and Kocken and featuring John Cusack, along with Nobel Prize…

This film reveals the startling reality behind the 2008 economic crisis. The worldwide financial collapse, costing over $20 trillion, led to millions losing their homes and jobs. By thoroughly researching and interviewing key financial figures, politicians, and journalists, Inside Job…

25 Million Pounds recounts the mid-1990s collapse of Barings Bank, largely due to broker Nick Leeson's £827 million ($1.3 billion) loss from futures trading. The film frames the downfall against the backdrop of Barings Bank's history as one of Britain's…

This film explores the history of neoliberalism, examining its origins and how this ideology continues to shape governmental decisions and everyday life today.

A century after its founding, the U.S. Federal Reserve wields immense power, influencing global markets and governments. Few understand this influential yet opaque financial institution. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, *Money For Nothing* offers an unprecedented look inside the Fed and…

Oeconomia follows Carmen Losmann as she explores the nature of money and debt, and their far-reaching effects. The film examines how these concepts are visually represented within the core of neoliberal economic policy.

A Greek journalist journeys to Venezuela seeking answers to a puzzling question: why are politicians in his own country fixated on toilet paper shortages in Caracas? Through multiple trips – from impoverished communities to the Colombian border and back to…

Plunder: The Crime of Our Time, an investigative film by Danny Schechter, examines how the financial crisis stemmed from criminal actions. The film reveals the link between the housing market collapse and the subsequent economic disaster.

The world faces a major financial crisis: Wall Street is under occupation, Europe is in turmoil, and global fear and anger are rising. Is the crisis ending, or are we heading for economic disaster? This documentary explores the global financial…

This documentary investigates the Federal Reserve and the legality of the Internal Revenue System. Through interviews with experts and authorities, the film reveals how the U.S. Government and banking system have allegedly misled the American public by transferring wages to…

This documentary presents serious research and evidence about the UK's economic and financial system. It's the first film to examine this topic from a British viewpoint, explaining how Central Banks operate and how money is created. Because money influences nearly…

In this expanded version of *The Ascent of Money*, British historian and author Niall Ferguson examines the workings of modern finance and the causes and potential solutions to economic crises. The documentary features interviews with leading experts, including former Federal…

This film reveals how government policies have enabled U.S. Corporations to evade taxes, fueling a rising tide of public frustration.

This is the remarkable story of the Sung family, who run Abacus Federal Savings in New York City's Chinatown. They are accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., making Abacus the first U.S. Bank to…

This is a chilling and revealing story set in the world of Wall Street. It follows Chinese companies, the American stock market, and the ruthless pursuit of profit behind a massive, little-known financial scheme.

Facing endless bailouts and increasing debt, the film questions how a society with unprecedented wealth and productivity ended up with widespread debt to banks. Now, with the banks facing financial difficulties, taxpayers are being asked to rescue them, adding to…

L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*, is widely recognized within economics as a rich allegory for monetary reform championed by the Populist movement and William Jennings Bryan's 1896 and 1900 presidential campaigns. The yellow brick road…

This documentary explores neoliberal ideology, examining how it has been implemented globally. Drawing on the insights of leading thinkers, it offers a comprehensive look at the ideology's impact and the methods used to enforce it worldwide.

"Money & Life" is an inspirational documentary that explores a provocative idea: could the current economic crisis be viewed as a significant opportunity? This film connects the causes of our present economic difficulties and presents a new perspective on money,…

The final installment of the Money as Debt trilogy offers a detailed look at a potential future financial system.

FIRE: Financial Independence Retire Early explores the reality behind the popular movement. It examines the core principles of this growing lifestyle trend, separating fact from fiction.

Money touches almost every part of modern life. We rarely think about how much power the financial system truly holds over us. THE MONEY FIX is a documentary that examines how our society interacts with money.

This documentary offers an intimate look at families facing overwhelming challenges. It follows dozens of individuals across three continents – a Midwestern family business owner, a California preacher, workers in Florida, and a poet in Mexico – as they grapple…

Following a late 18th-century legal ruling that established corporations as legal persons, they have become a powerful force in global economics, politics, and society. This film offers a psychological exploration of this corporate "person" through various real-world examples. The analysis…

This film examines the concept of "disaster capitalism," inspired by Naomi Klein's theory that modern capitalism thrives on crises like natural disasters, wars, and terrorism to gain power.

This documentary traces the history of money and the exchange of value, leading to the emergence of Bitcoin.

Apple. Intel. Genentech. Atari. Google. Cisco. Behind some of the world's most revolutionary companies are a few men who, through timing, foresight, and an ability to understand people, recognized opportunities others missed. These are the original venture capitalists, backing and…

For the first time, the full story of a pivotal moment in the financial crisis is revealed. The film examines the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the decision to let the company fail, exploring the widespread impact on the global…

This documentary, adapted from Professor Richard Werner's book, examines the influence of central banks in 20th Century Japan. It explores how these institutions can impact a nation's economy, politics, and society.

PUMP is a documentary exploring America’s dependence on oil, tracing its history from corporate origins to its current dominance. It offers a straightforward explanation of how we can overcome this reliance and gain fuel choice. Our exclusive use of oil…

Leading documentary filmmakers delve into the unseen aspects of the world around us.

"An Inconvenient Tax," a 2010 documentary from Life Is My Movie Entertainment, examines the history of the income tax in the U.S. And the reasons behind its complicated structure.

In Buenos Aires, thirty unemployed ceramic workers occupy their abandoned factory, setting up sleeping areas and vowing to stay. Their goal is simple: to restart the machinery. This act of defiance challenges the global economic system. Armed with only slingshots…

Bitcoin is a revolutionary technology unlike anything seen since the internet. Its creators aimed to challenge traditional financial systems and national control. After years of secret development, Bitcoin gained widespread attention and drew opposition from those who felt it threatened…

Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman, friends since high school, create a website to connect people with local governments. This documentary follows the journey of their company, govWorks.com, from May 1999 to December 2000, and the strain it puts on…

This documentary explores the history and current impact of major corporations avoiding taxes. It reveals how multinational companies have been sheltering profits in offshore accounts, costing governments trillions of dollars in lost revenue.

The promise of "Renewable Energy" as a solution is a carefully constructed illusion, benefiting a select few. Popular concepts like electric vehicles are misleading; these vehicles are often powered by fossil fuels – coal, natural gas, or even unsustainable sources…

Glaciers are melting, coastlines are eroding, and the financial markets are on the brink of collapse. The relentless pursuit of growth has created a world where the consequences are starkly visible. A thick haze of smog and smoke obscures the…

The residents of 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan live in a world of extreme wealth. This address has more billionaires than any other place in the United States.

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich travels the United States to examine major shifts in the country's economy. He talks with people from different walks of life, revealing how these changes affect millions of working families trying to achieve financial…

Marx Reloaded is a documentary exploring the continued relevance of Karl Marx's ideas in light of the 2008-09 global economic crisis. The crisis, the worst recession in 70 years, led to a $1 trillion US government bailout of the banking…

MARTIN ARMSTRONG was a highly successful financial advisor in the US, known for using the mathematical constant pi to accurately forecast economic shifts. When powerful New York bankers invited him to participate in a plan to seize control of Russia,…

"The End of Poverty?" Explores whether today's poverty is the result of a calculated, ongoing exploitation since the colonial era. Individuals and activists who have lived with and fought against poverty critique colonialism and its lasting effects: land theft, resource…

The Brussels Business is a documentary thriller exploring the hidden workings of European democracy. It follows an investigation into the world of 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels, the public relations firms, think tanks, and their extensive networks of influence, and their…

As the nation's debt spirals, most Americans are unaware of the approaching economic crisis. This documentary explores potential paths for the U.S. To stabilize its economy. It examines the federal and trade deficits, alongside the difficulties in funding vital national…

This documentary examines the Enron corporation, detailing its flawed and unethical business methods and the chain of events that ultimately caused its collapse.

"This Is Not a Coup" examines the European Central Bank's financial actions in countries like Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus, and Greece. With contributions from academics, politicians, and journalists, the film analyzes the connections between EU institutions and major corporations and…

This film adapts Thomas Piketty's influential bestseller of the same name, offering a revealing look at global wealth and power dynamics.

This documentary film chronicles the largest global corruption scandal ever exposed, focusing on the hundreds of journalists who put themselves in danger to reveal the truth.

Across the Mexican border, the landscape is dotted with maquiladoras – large factories frequently run by major international companies. This documentary follows Carmen and Lourdes, who work in these factories in Tijuana. It explores their attempts to navigate daily survival…

Maxed Out explores the hidden realities of American debt culture. Life appears stable as long as monthly payments are made, but a sense of unease often lingers. Despite this feeling that something is amiss, people are encouraged to ignore it,…

For decades, products were designed to endure. But in the 1920s, some business leaders discovered that longer-lasting goods meant lower profits. This led to Planned Obsolescence – the practice of designing products to become unusable after a certain period. This…

"The Big One" follows director Michael Moore as he travels the United States to investigate the confusing reasons behind the country's growing unemployment problem. The documentary reveals that many American companies are moving their manufacturing to other countries with cheaper…

This documentary examines the causes of the 2008 financial crisis and the actions taken by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, New York Fed President Timothy Geithner, and Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke to prevent a complete economic collapse in the United…

"Crisis Civilization" is a documentary exploring how current global challenges – including ecological disasters, financial crises, declining oil, terrorism, and food shortages – are interconnected signs of a broken global system. The film argues that a different future is not…

"American Dream 2.0" is a documentary about the consequences of General Motors closing its Flint, Michigan plant. The closure cost over 30,000 jobs, leading to widespread hardship and despair in the city and surrounding communities. Filmmaker Michael Moore documents the…

"The Weight of Chains 2" examines the impact of the Washington Consensus and neoliberalism on the former Yugoslav republics. Serbian-Canadian director Boris Malagurski interviews figures like Noam Chomsky and Oliver Stone to explore why many in the Balkans are disillusioned…

This film explores the credit bubble that led to the global financial crash. Featuring interviews with prominent economists like Robert Shiller, Joseph Stiglitz, and Louis Hyman, alongside Wall Street figures and those affected by the crisis – including Ed Andrews,…

This documentary explores the creation and growth of Bitcoin, the decentralized digital currency.