6 Best Oil Boom and Black Gold Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 3, 2026

The ruthless fortunes and family dynasties built on oil have powered some of cinema’s most sweeping, intense American dramas. In There Will Be Blood (2007): A ruthless silver miner turned oilman builds an empire while his ambition consumes everyone around him. Also notable is Giant (1956): A cattle rancher’s marriage and legacy are transformed by the discovery of oil on his sprawling Texas land.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

IMDb ★ 8.2 RT 91% Metacritic 93

A ruthless silver miner turned oilman builds an empire while his ambition consumes everyone around him.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson · 2h 38m · Rated R

Won 2 Oscars114 wins & 138 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

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Local Hero (1983)

TMDB ★ 7.3

An American oil executive sent to buy a Scottish coastal village finds himself falling for its charm.

Directed by Bill Forsyth · 1h 51m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Hud (1963)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A ruthless, amoral rancher's son clashes with his principled father over the family's cattle and future.

Directed by Martin Ritt · 1h 52m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Written on the Wind (1956)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A wealthy oil dynasty is torn apart by jealousy, alcoholism, and self-destructive desire.

Directed by Douglas Sirk · 1h 39m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Giant (1956)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A cattle rancher's marriage and legacy are transformed by the discovery of oil on his sprawling Texas land.

Directed by George Stevens · 3h 21m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Boom Town (1940)

TMDB ★ 7.0

Two wildcatting oilmen's decades-long friendship and rivalry is complicated by fortune, failure, and the same woman.

Directed by Jack Conway · 1h 59m · Rated NR

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Oil Boom and Black Gold Movies

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Local Hero (1983)

Hud (1963)

Written on the Wind (1956)

Giant (1956)

Boom Town (1940)

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