18 Series and Films Featuring Wealthy Villains to Enjoy During 'Succession' Breaks

Imagine the most despicable individuals imaginable holding the reins of power in America. What would that look like? This biting HBO satire, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President (and later President) Selina Meyer, explores this very scenario. Selina is both a feminist icon and a cautionary tale, surrounded by a cast of entitled elites clawing their way to the top. The show is a masterclass in sharp wit and brutal humor, though its uncanny resemblance to real-life politics can be unsettling.

 Where to stream: HBO Max

Adam McKay’s critically acclaimed film, adapted from Michael Lewis’s bestselling non-fiction book, offers a dramatized and satirical take on the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. It follows a group of hedge fund managers and traders who navigated the complexities of the US banking system to predict—and profit from—the impending collapse. Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling portray these finance professionals, who, while not necessarily geniuses, managed to exploit the system for personal gain, even as they contributed to the global economic meltdown. McKay, who also produces Succession, brings a similar sharp critique of wealth and power to this story.

Where to stream: Tubi

This glossy, hip-hop-infused drama stars Terrence Howard alongside a stellar cast, including Taraji P. Henson, Gabourey Sidibe, and Vivica A. Fox. The show’s premise closely mirrors Succession, with Howard playing Lucious Lyon, a former drug dealer turned music mogul who built Empire Entertainment from scratch. Diagnosed with ALS and given only a few years to live, Lyon pits his three sons against each other to determine who will inherit his empire. The plot thickens with the return of Cookie Lyon (Henson), his ex-wife and co-founder of the company, fresh out of prison. The result is a whirlwind of family drama, power struggles, and betrayal.

 Where to stream: Hulu

Much like other stories centered on the extravagantly wealthy, there’s a delicate balance between critiquing their excess and indulging in the allure of their luxurious lifestyles. We yearn to see the morally bankrupt elite face consequences, yet we’re equally captivated by their lavish possessions. This duality is masterfully explored in Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of the memoir by Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a real-life New York stockbroker turned convict. Belfort’s rise to wealth in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, fueled by dubious and illegal schemes, is both fascinating and repulsive. Scorsese skillfully avoids glorifying Belfort’s lifestyle, ensuring viewers are entertained without entirely envying his unscrupulous riches.

Where to stream: fuboTV, Showtime Anytime

South Korean creators excel at critiquing the ultra-wealthy, as seen in hits like Parasite and Squid Game.

Mine continues this tradition, focusing on the women vying for control of the fictional Hyowon Group, a powerful chaebol family. Set within their stunningly opulent estate, the series follows Hi-soo and Seo-hyun, two women married into the family, whose ambitions are disrupted by a housemaid’s affair with a male heir and a tutor threatening to expose long-buried secrets. This Dynasty-style drama is packed with power struggles, betrayals, and the quest for identity amidst immense wealth.

 Where to stream: Netflix

This sharp political satire, created by Jesse Armstrong (Succession) and Armando Iannucci (Veep), features Peter Capaldi in a pre-Doctor Who role as Malcolm Tucker, a ruthless spin doctor. The series delves into the British government’s manipulation of the media, with Tucker working tirelessly to control the narrative around the Prime Minister and keep rebellious cabinet members in line. While the characters aren’t as wealthy as the Roys in Succession, their relentless power struggles and incompetence mirror the cutthroat dynamics of the HBO series. The show’s biting humor and cynicism make even the characters of Veep and Succession seem endearing by comparison.

 Where to stream: Hulu, Britbox

Industry shifts the focus from the elite battling at the top to the ruthless climb up the corporate ladder. The series follows a group of ambitious young graduates vying for coveted positions at Pierpoint & Co., a prestigious London investment bank. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, each character is willing to do whatever it takes to secure a permanent role and achieve their dreams of joining the ranks of the wealthy and powerful. The show captures the cutthroat nature of the finance world, where ambition often overshadows morality.

 Where to stream: HBO Max

This Austrian drama, also known as Old Money, stars Udo Kier as Rolf Rauchensteiner, a billionaire industrialist facing a dire prognosis: he needs a new liver within a year to survive. However, his high-profile status complicates his ability to obtain one legally or illegally. His solution? Pit his children against each other in a twisted competition—whichever child secures him a liver inherits his empire. The series is a darkly comedic exploration of greed, family dynamics, and the lengths people will go to for power and wealth.

Where to stream: Netflix

Based on David Mamet’s play, this film unfolds over two intense days at Premiere Properties, a fiercely competitive real estate agency. Alec Baldwin’s character, Blake, is dispatched to “motivate” the sales team, which he accomplishes through relentless verbal assaults. With only the top two performers guaranteed to keep their jobs, the four salesmen resort to increasingly unethical tactics to close deals on properties like Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms. The film is a sharp, brilliantly performed critique of capitalism’s pressures and the moral compromises it demands from those trapped within its system.

Where to stream: fuboTV, Showtime Anytime, Hoopla

This iconic sitcom, brimming with memes, shares a striking resemblance to Succession, albeit with a more comedic tone. The story begins with George Bluth Sr., a corrupt real estate developer, landing in prison. His family, unwilling to relinquish their opulent lifestyle despite financial ruin, relies on Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) to salvage the family business. Michael, the only competent and somewhat moral member, struggles to rein in his self-absorbed siblings and mother, who resist any form of austerity. The show’s original three-season run remains a masterclass in sharp humor and biting social commentary.

Where to stream: Hulu (just the early seasons), Netflix

Inspired by Angela Burt-Murray’s bestselling book Games Divas Play, this series offers a dramatized take on the world of professional sports and the women entangled in its glamorous yet cutthroat lifestyle. Lauren London stars as a lawyer whose life takes a dramatic turn when her husband joins a pro basketball team. Alongside a reporter seeking redemption and a determined groupie, she navigates the treacherous waters of wealth, power, and betrayal. The show delves into the struggles of three women fighting to maintain their status in a world dominated by the rich and morally dubious.

Where to stream: fuboTV, Paramount+, SlingTV

While the nine-season ‘80s original holds a special place in my heart, thanks to its iconic fashion and unforgettable characters like Diahann Carroll, the modern reboot has carved out its own niche. This updated version, though lacking the original’s free streaming availability, has garnered its own fanbase. Like its predecessor, it’s a guilty pleasure rather than a show with a profound message—and that’s perfectly fine. The series revolves around the Carringtons and their rivals, with patriarch Blake’s engagement to Cristal, a woman with a mysterious past, threatening to upend the family’s legacy.

Where to stream: Netflix, fuboTV, CW Seed

From writer/director Armando Iannucci, who collaborated with Succession creator Jesse Armstrong on The Thick of It, comes this darkly comedic portrayal of the power struggle following Stalin’s death in 1953. The film blends satire with historical truth, showcasing the chaos and moral decay among Soviet leaders as they scramble for control. It’s a biting commentary on the corrupting nature of power, culminating in a shocking and unforgettable finale.

Where to stream: Digital rental

A recurring theme in these narratives, often mirrored in real life, is the question: What’s the purpose? Why the relentless pursuit of wealth and power if it only amplifies your worst traits and brings misery to yourself and those around you? Do figures like the Trumps ever appear truly content? Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada (reportedly inspired by a former Vogue editor) certainly doesn’t; her tyrannical behavior may earn her followers, but it doesn’t win her genuine allies. Meryl Streep’s captivating performance makes her character entertaining to watch, though no one would want to endure her wrath in real life.

Where to stream: Starz

While Billions lacks the sharp edge of Succession, it compensates with a more playful tone. Paul Giamatti stars as Chuck Rhoades, a prosecutor modeled loosely on real-life figure Preet Bharara, determined to take down hedge fund mogul Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). The series blends dark humor with soap opera drama, maintaining its freshness across five seasons through unexpected twists. A standout is Asia Kate Dillon’s portrayal of Taylor Mason, one of the first non-binary characters in mainstream American television.

Where to stream: fuboTV, Prime Video, Showtime Anytime

From the outset, the show makes it clear that the wealthy guests at the White Lotus resort are in for a disastrous time. Armond, the resort manager played by Murray Bartlett, bluntly tells his staff to treat the guests like spoiled children. Despite the exorbitant prices paid for luxury and comfort, the toxic dynamics and competitiveness among the guests ensure a miserable experience for all. Initially planned as a miniseries, its success has paved the way for a new season featuring a fresh cast of affluent, deeply flawed characters at another White Lotus location.

Where to stream: HBO Max

Including this series might feel like a slight deviation, as it doesn’t primarily focus on wealthy individuals behaving poorly. Instead, it centers on a family grappling with a succession dilemma: three siblings, living far apart, are reunited after their father’s death, inheriting equal shares of an 800-acre sugarcane farm in Louisiana. Produced and occasionally directed by Ava DuVernay, the show blends scandal and melodrama but ultimately tells a story of reconciliation and preserving a family legacy. It stands apart from typical tales of the rich and corrupt, offering a refreshing take on a Succession-like scenario where less affluent characters strive to rise above their flaws.

(If you feel shortchanged on stories about awful rich people, well, that’s capitalism for you.)

Where to stream: OWN, Hulu, fuboTV