News & Trending Money News

12 Insightful Movie Quotes About Money You Should Learn From

Don't ignore this golden money advice from the silver screen.

cash banknotes money
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Movies aren’t just lighthearted entertainment or pretty moving pictures. They are companions through the human experience and a reflection of our cultural consciousness. Movies mirror the collective values and wisdom of our times — especially when it comes to love, war, and money.

The silver screen has a direct line to our heartstrings and our wallets. Many popular sayings about building wealth come straight from the cinema.

And some of these zingers are, well, on the money. Here are 16 pieces of money advice from several movies that you should actually follow — or at least contemplate deeply.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Vanilla Sky (2001)

jirsak/Adobe money investment concept

“My father wrote about this in his book. Chapter 1... Page 1... Paragraph 1: What is the answer to 99 out of 100 questions?... Money.”

The takeaway: Money is important, but it isn’t everything. Within the context of the movie, worshiping money means you miss out on truly living.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Maridav/Adobe luxury shanghai lifestyle

“So your family is, like, rich?”

“We're comfortable.”

“That is exactly what a super-rich person would say.”

The takeaway: Be tactful. There’s no polite way to tell someone, “Yes, I’m rich.” Be sure not to flaunt it in a way that makes others feel less-than or over-inflate your own ego. 

The Princess Bride (1987)

Vasil/Adobe studio photo of a girl

“There's not a lot of money in revenge."

The takeaway: Pursuing revenge can be costly, both financially and emotionally. Instead, spend your time and energy on other tasks that will enrich you.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

The Godfather (1972)

vividflowstudio/Adobe black and white portrait

“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

The takeaway: Everyone has their price if you know how to make the offer — and it might not be a matter of money alone.

“The richest man is the one with the most powerful friends.”

The takeaway: Having well-connected friends grants you access to resources and protection that money alone can't buy. The right friends can help you achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and navigate complex situations — like getting you impossible dinner reservations.

Wall Street (1987)

Péter Mács/Adobe wall street

“Greed is good.”

The takeaway: It sounds harsh, but a healthy amount of greed fuels ambition and activity, which are good outcomes. That’s one positive interpretation. The quote can also be seen as cautionary, warning others about prioritizing excess profit and materialism over ethics.

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Dmitry Lobanov/Adobe rich kid

“Show me the money!”

The takeaway: When it comes to making money off of initiative or investments, the best way to do it is through a plan. Show the path to financial freedom, don't just talk about it.

 It also addresses value and recognizes somebody’s full worth. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you know you’re worth.

Three Amigos! (1986)

Siam/Adobe dollars stuffed into piggy bank

“No dough, no show.”

The takeaway: Though this film was undoubtedly a comedy, it has nuggets of serious truth. There’s a price for everything — advice, labor, and friendship. Even if it’s “free,” there’s still an investment of time, effort, resources, or skill. 

Value your worth and set boundaries.

Other People’s Money (1991)

Sergey/Adobe burlap with dollar banknotes

“I love money more than the things it can buy… but what I love more than money is other people’s money.”

The takeaway: Beware of who you trust. People are never as cautious with your money as they are with their own money.

Annie (1982)

deagreez/Adobe crazy funny funky old man

“But brother, you’re never fully dressed without a smile.”

The takeaway: This is all about personal perspective. It doesn’t matter how well-dressed and wealthy you are unless you’re happy. It’s better to be smiling and in rags than in fur trim and miserable.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today


Fight Club (1999)

peopleimages.com/Adobe mma fighter training

“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy [redacted] we don’t need.”

The takeaway: The job of advertisers (and influencers) is to create discontent with what we have — thus needing money to chase an ever-moving goalpost of new desires and #trends. Instead, focus on what actually matters to you and smart ways to invest your money.

“The things you own end up owning you.”

The takeaway: The more you own, the more you have to maintain. And greed has a funny way of never being satiated. Don’t get in over your head physically and mentally by buying too many things.

Boiler Room (2000)

Atstock Productions/Adobe businessman giving or paying money

“There is no such thing as a no-sale call. A sale is made on every call you make. Either you sell the client some stock or he sells you a reason he can’t. Either way, a sale is made. The only question is who is gonna close? You or him?”

The takeaway: A sale isn’t just a formal transaction of goods; we are always selling something — our personality, viewpoints, or convictions. Hone your craft to win friends and business.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

chajamp/Adobe businessman adjusting his cufflinks

“Money's only something you need in case you don't die tomorrow."

The takeaway: Money and long-term financial planning are so important, but once you're gone, it certainly won't matter to you. It's important to balance both long-term planning and living in the moment. 


Bottom line

mrmohock/Adobe businessman holding coins

Money makes the world go round in many different ways. These iconic movies shed light on abstract ways to think about our relationship with materialism, wealth, and power.

We hope these quotes inspired you to improve your relationship with money and build long-term wealth for your future.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Stacy Garrels

Stacy enjoys writing about fintech, consumer deals, the side hustle economy, and random tomfoolery. She's personally tried more than 100 different gigs, including being an Uber driver for one afternoon.