8 documentaries that will make you smarter about money

Part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series, this 2012 documentary examines how professional athletes have gone from rags to riches, and then managed to lose those riches in only a few years.

The heartbreaking accounts from former players who have lost tens of millions of dollars teach an important lesson about lifestyle inflation — and although "Broke" focuses on athletes, anyone is susceptible to financial ruin with a few bad choices.

Watch it on Netflix.

This Oscar-winning documentary gives you a front row seat to the 2008 financial crisis, examining how corruption in the financial services industry led to the recession. "Inside Job" is split into five parts, starting with how the economy was set up to fail, and closing with who was accountable and where we go from here.

Anyone can learn from this 2010 film — from those who haven't read the news or followed the markets in a decade, to the most experienced investors.

Rent it on Amazon.

This PBS film will make you want to drop everything and ensure your retirement plans are on track. It reveals how the majority of Americans don't have nearly enough saved up for retirement, nor do they have any idea how to improve their situation.

"The Retirement Gamble" also highlights the excessive, and often hidden, fees involved in retirement savings accounts that can drain your savings.

Watch it on PBS.

This 2011 documentary portrays some of the most successful venture capitalists and shows how they helped build American tech giants, such as Apple, Google, Atari, and Intel.

"Something Ventured" reveals how extraordinary risk reaped unprecedented rewards for these venture capitalists, who essentially laid the groundwork for America's start-up economy. It will also give you a crash course in venture capital and a modern business history lesson.

Watch it on Netflix.

"Maxed Out" details America's credit card debt crisis. Additionally, the 2006 film uncovers the sneaky practices that some credit card companies use to take advantage of consumers, and depicts real people who were unknowingly fooled by creditors.

Although it's nearly a decade old, there are still valuable takeaways for today's consumers, such as the risks involved with carrying too much debt and the danger of paying only the minimum amount on your credit card.

Rent it on Amazon.

Although "Freakonomics" is not strictly financial, it sheds light on why people do the things that they do — specifically, the scientific and economic concepts behind human behavior.

The 2010 film, based on the book by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, will open your eyes to what motivates you as a consumer — or what is motivating your customers, if you own a business.

Watch it on Netflix.

The 2005 documentary "Enron" is a cautionary tale. It's a deep dive into the fall of Enron, the energy company that was at one point valued at $70 billion but filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

It's become one of the most well-known cases of financial corruption and accounting fraud, and this film explores the psychology behind and fallout of the collapse of an empire.

Watch it on Netflix.