<P> The Wolf of Wall Street premiered in New York City on December 17, 2013, and was released in the United States on December 25, 2013, distributed by Paramount Pictures . The film was the first to be released entirely through digital distribution . It was a major commercial success, grossing more than $392 million worldwide during its original theatrical run to become Scorsese's highest - grossing film and the 17th - highest - grossing film of 2013 . The film was controversial for its morally ambiguous depiction of events, explicit sexual content, profanity, depiction of hard drug use and the use of animals during production . The film also caused controversy due to accusations that it was financed by illegally obtained funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). </P> <P> The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, with praise for Scorsese's direction, the comedic performance of DiCaprio and the fast - paced and consistent humor . The film was nominated for several awards including five nominations at the 86th Academy Awards ceremony: Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations for DiCaprio and Hill, respectively . The film did not win in any category, although DiCaprio did win Best Actor--Musical or Comedy at the 71st Golden Globe Awards, where the film was also nominated for Best Picture--Musical or Comedy . It was also recognized by numerous other awards ceremonies, as well as guilds and critics' associations . </P> <P> In 1987, Jordan Belfort procures a job as a Wall Street stockbroker for L.F. Rothschild, employed under Mark Hanna, who quickly entices him with the sex and drugs fueled stockbroker culture and passes on his idea that a stockbroker's only goal is to make money for himself . Jordan soon finds his career terminated following Black Monday and takes a job at a boiler room brokerage firm on Long Island that specializes in penny stocks . Thanks to his aggressive pitching style and the high commissions, Jordan makes a small fortune . </P> <P> Jordan befriends his neighbor, Donnie Azoff, and the two found their own company . They recruit several of Jordan's friends, whom Jordan trains in the art of the "hard sell". The basic method of the firm is a pump and dump scam . To cloak this, Jordan gives the firm the respectable - sounding name of Stratton Oakmont . After an exposé in Forbes, hundreds of ambitious young financiers flock to his company . Jordan becomes immensely successful and slides into a decadent lifestyle of prostitutes and drugs . He has an affair with a woman named Naomi Lapaglia . When his wife finds out, Jordan divorces her and marries Naomi . Meanwhile, the SEC and the FBI begin investigating Stratton Oakmont . Jordan illegally makes $22 million in three hours upon securing the IPO of Steve Madden . This brings him and his firm further to the attention of the FBI . To hide his money, Jordan opens a Swiss bank account with corrupt banker Jean - Jacques Saurel in the name of Naomi's Aunt Emma, who is a British national and thus outside the reach of American authorities . He uses the wife and in - laws of his friend Brad Bodnick, who have European passports, to smuggle the cash into Switzerland . </P>

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