Economics weekend binge-list
Hore, Ankshita
Sometimes, a relaxing weekend is all we need after a long week of juggling academics, adulting, and a social life. For most, this involves curling up in bed and binge-watching comfort shows/movies. Despite the seemingly endless catalogue of shows/movies to choose from, the options can feel very dull at times. So, why not spice up your weekend binge with a dash of economics? We have compiled a list of the best economics-related movies to rekindle your passion for the field that you might have lost to the sheer academic drudgery of the week. The list follows no particular order and is non-exhaustive, so feel free to add your own suggestions!
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A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Genre : Drama/Romance
A Beautiful Mind is an autobiography that chronicles the remarkable life of famous economist and mathematician John Nash. The movie explores the trials and tribulations he faced in his youth, and documents his ground-breaking discovery of the game theory. The movie also touches on Nash’s mental health struggles and its impact on his life.
Note : If you’re a first-year IBEB student, you have no excuse to miss this movie.
Length : 2h 15m
Watch on : Amazon Prime Video -
Parasite (2019)
Genre : Thriller/Drama
Length : 2h12m
Watch On : Amazon Prime Video
With its nuanced portrayal of class inequality, Parasite not only swept through the 92nd Academy Awards, but also became the first non-English movie to win Best Picture. The South Korean movie follows members of the Kim family, who aspire for upward social mobility. However, this drive for prosperity quickly takes an unexpected turn, making for a riveting thriller. The movie’s cinematography offers brilliant allegories and metaphors that you will be left analyzing for days after. -
The Big Short (2015)
Genre : Drama/Comedy
Length : 2h 10m
Watch on : Netflix
Another oscar-winning movie on the list, The Big Short is a witty movie based on the early stages of the 2007 recession. Set in the mid-2000s, the movie shows how various financial agents and investors made huge fortunes by taking advantage of the deepening crisis. The movie follows three separate storylines focused on different characters, with each story being more intriguing than the last. If you’re looking for a financial/corporate drama, filled with clever dialogue, and lessons in investment, then add this to your list ASAP! -
Moneyball (2011)
Genre : Sport/Drama
Length : 2h 13m
Watch on : Hulu
Have you ever wondered what you can do with your economics degree beyond entering the corporate or bureaucratic world? Well, Moneyball shows that economic analysis plays a crucial role in various sectors, including the sports industry! Based on Michael Lewis’s 2003 non-fiction book with the same name, Moneyball tells the story of Billy Beane, the general manager of a baseball team. The movie shows how he revives his floundering team by using economic theory to challenge existing baseball conventions, overcoming budget shortages, and optimizing player selection. -
Wall Street (1987)
Genre : Drama/Crime
Length : 2h 6m
Watch On : Disney+
How much are you willing to compromise on your morals to attain the life of your dreams? Wall Street’s unscrupulous protagonist Bud Fox is faced with this question when after fulfilling his dream of working with the financial industry’s tycoon, he realizes that not all that glitters is gold. Fox quickly becomes entangled in the malicious schemes of his idols and seeks a way out by going against the superpower of the industry. In my opinion, all of this could have been easily avoided had he just taken the Philosophy course offered in IBEB.
We’re at the end of this list, but there are plenty of others available online. If you end up watching any of these movies, we’d love to read your review!