Even though Leonardo DiCaprio has delivered banger after banger throughout his tenure in Hollywood’s entertainment industry as an actor, not many come as close to perfection at its peak as The Wolf of Wall Street. To say the least, that epic biographical black comedy crime film not only exceeded expectations but also turned out to be beyond immersive and intriguing. Besides becoming a major commercial success with its $407 million gross on a $100 million budget, as reported by Box Office Mojo, it became Martin Scorsese’s highest-grossing film. The R-rated masterpiece earned rave reviews from fans and critics worldwide, going on to be nominated for five stunning Oscars, among other major accolades. Being such a massively commended project, it’s only understandable that fans want more of it through similar pieces.
Turns out, similar pieces do exist in the television shows field. That said, here are four other shows based on similar plotlines and themes that resonate with DiCaprio’s 2013 masterpiece. The Wolf of Wall Street, based on Jordan Belfort’s 2007 memoir of the same name, was perfectly helmed by Martin Scorsese and featured Leonardo DiCaprio leading the flick as Belfort. The film recounts his career as a stockbroker in New York City and how his firm Stratton Oakmont’s rampant corruption and fraud practices on Wall Street eventually led to his downfall.
Industry
Padding along similar roads is the show Industry, which started in 2020 and is still ongoing with its fourth season on the way. A show by former investment bankers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, the first season features a group of young graduates vying for permanent job positions at Pierpoint & Co, a prominent investment bank in London. It is set during the recession times that followed as a result of the 2008 financial crisis. However, the show explores more than just the professional dynamics among the young bankers; it delves into the high finance industry’s intricacies through an insider’s perspective. This includes issues like the pressure of the job, sex, and drugs, while also examining gender relations, workplace interactions, and the exploitative nature of certain employment practices. Industry can currently be streamed on Max and Hulu.
Black Monday
A dark comedy television series, Black Monday, created by Jordan Cahan and David Caspe, is set in the year that led up to “Black Monday,” the day when international stock markets crashed in October of 1987. The series follows the employees of a second-tier Wall Street trading firm called the Jammer Group. However, it takes a different turn: While it remains unclear who caused that crash back then, the series depicts it as the result of actions taken by “a group of outsiders,” who challenged the blue-blood old-boys club of Wall Street, leading to what they refer to as a “catastrophe.” Black Monday can currently be streamed on Apple TV.
Billions
An American drama TV series created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Andrew Ross Sorkin, Billions has captivated audiences with its gripping narrative. Set primarily in New York and Connecticut, the series showcases the story of hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod, portrayed by Damian Lewis, as he amasses wealth and power in the competitive realm of high finance. However, his aggressive tactics draw the scrutiny of US Attorney Chuck Rhoades, played by Paul Giamatti, whose character is inspired by real-life federal prosecutions of financial crime. Billions can currently be streamed on Paramount Plus.
WeCrashed
Last but not least, Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway’s drama miniseries WeCrashed is another masterpiece that fans of The Wolf of Wall Street can watch to recall its thrilling spirit. Premiering on Apple TV+, the series is based on the podcast WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork by Wondery, created by Drew Crevello. This show features a less complex storyline compared to the others on this list, focusing on Leto’s character, Adam, and Hathaway’s character, Rebekah, the married couple at the center of the coworking space company WeWork, which claimed a valuation of $47 billion in 2019 before financial revelations led to its collapse. WeCrashed can currently be streamed on Apple TV+.
The Significance of These Shows
In summary, these series echo the themes of ambition, corruption, and the inherent dangers of the high-stakes financial world depicted in Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Wolf of Wall Street. As viewers have shown a heightened interest in character-driven narratives that dive into the darker aspects of wealth and power, any of these TV shows serve as great follow-ups to DiCaprio’s remarkable film. Engaging with this type of media not only entertains but also prompts reflection on the moral complexities and psychological impacts of pursuing success at any cost.
