There is no better way to encourage entrepreneurial thinking than watching one of the classic business movies to inspire you. We’ve put together a list of the best business movies out there, ranging from true stories depicting famous business moguls and self-made millionaires to dramatisations of financial crime and tales of corruption.
Some of these movies provide thrill-seeking escapism, while others may serve as a warning to upcoming entrepreneurs. One thing is sure: business movies make for some of the best filmographies. These business movies are filled with suspense and inspiration and have the audience rooting for the underdog.
Inspiring Business Movies
Business movies can offer much more than just entertainment; they provide invaluable lessons about perseverance, creativity, and the drive to succeed. Here are two inspiring films highlighting the journeys of individuals who overcame tremendous challenges to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness tells the true story of Chris Gardner, portrayed by Will Smith, who faces financial hardship while trying to provide a better life for his son. The film illustrates the struggles of a single father who battles poverty, homelessness, and personal adversity, all while striving to secure a job as a stockbroker.
Despite his overwhelming challenges, Gardner’s relentless determination and belief in himself drive him to land a prestigious job, turning his life around eventually.
This biographical film potently reminds us that success often comes after periods of hardship, and it encourages entrepreneurs to persist, even when the road seems impossible.
The Social Network
The Social Network offers an insight into Facebook’s founding and Mark Zuckerberg’s rise. The film focuses on the complexities of ambition, friendship, and betrayal as Zuckerberg, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, navigates the challenges of turning a Harvard dormitory project into a global social media empire.
It explores themes of innovation, competition, and success costs, making it a compelling watch for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The movie reminds viewers that business success often requires innovation, difficult decisions, and acceptance of the sacrifices that come with building something monumental.
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese in 2013, is a dark comedy biopic that delves into the greedy and seedy side of financial crime. The controversial film depicts the life of Jordan Belfort, a New York Stockbroker who gained infamy for his extravagant and somewhat immoral lifestyle fueled by his misleading stock exchange schemes.
The film dramatises Jordan Belfort’s memoirs, which he wrote in prison after being found guilty of fraudulent stock exchange manipulation. Leonardo De Caprio plays the lead role, portraying the rise and ultimate failure of the larger-than-life character.
Some critics find the humour crude, with scenes displaying glorified drug abuse and immoral sexual exploits. Still, the film was a success, becoming one of the highest-grossing business movies, bringing in over $406 million through digital distribution alone.
business movies
Where to watch The Wolf of Wall Street?
You can rent The Wolf of Wall Street starting at £2.49 or buy and download it on these streaming platforms:
I wouldn’t say the film is supposed to inspire audiences to explore fraudulent activities for monetary gain, but it is a humorous depiction of stockbroker culture and white-collar crime. It is worth the watch for an insight into how entrepreneurship ideas can lend themselves to the seedy side of business practices.
Lessons Learned
The Wolf of Wall Street highlights the dangers of unchecked greed and the ethical pitfalls of pursuing wealth at any cost. Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall in finance teaches us that while ambition and salesmanship are powerful, integrity and ethical responsibility are essential for sustainable success.
The film is a cautionary tale about prioritising morals over short-term gains and the consequences of ignoring personal accountability.
JOY
JOY is a biopic comedy that follows Joy Mangano’s rags-to-riches story. The film dramatises the life of the single mother who became a self-made business mogul after reinventing the traditional mop. The entrepreneur has built a business empire that continues to invent and sell millions of household products annually.
Jennifer Lawrence brings the role of Joy Mangano to life on screen, depicting how she overcame cultural expectations placed upon her and followed her dream despite the challenges thrown her way. It’s one of the most inspiring business movies, showing the realities of building a business dynasty and the importance of self-determination and believing in yourself.
business movies
Where to watch JOY?
You can rent the biopic of Joy Mangano starting at just £3.49. It is also available to buy on the following streaming platforms:
Bradley Cooper and Robert De Nero also star in the 2015 film. It’s a feel-good comedy with audiences supporting one woman’s entrepreneurship and rooting for the underdog the whole way through.
Lessons Learned
JOY teaches us the importance of resilience and perseverance in entrepreneurship. Joy Mangano’s journey from a struggling single mother to a successful business mogul illustrates how believing in your vision and not giving up, even when faced with rejection, is key to success.
The film emphasizes that self-determination and innovation are vital in overcoming obstacles and creating something that can change lives.
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness has to be one of the best business movies out there. It depicts the struggle, emotional turmoil, and upheavals experienced by Chris Gardner, the true story. Will Smith plays Chris’s lead role, and his son Jaden Smith plays Christopher Gardner.
The 2007 film brings life to the unbelievable true story, depicting heartbreaking scenes of financial distress and the child-like mentality of being naive and unaware of their situation. The film almost provides a real-life depiction of Arthur Miller’s – The Death of a Salesman, showing the realities of achieving the “American dream” and the modern challenges of hiding poverty to keep up appearances.
Where to watch The Pursuit of Happyness?
The Pursuit of Happyness is now streaming on Netflix, but you can also rent it starting at £2.49 or buy it on:
The Pursuit of Happyness is a biopic about a man who achieves career success due to his hard work, determination, and refusal to give up. His success is well deserved and a real inspiration to anyone trying to make it one of the best business movies inspired by true events.
Lessons Learned
The Pursuit of Happyness reinforces the lesson of grit in the face of adversity. Chris Gardner’s story is a powerful reminder that never giving up, even when faced with immense challenges, can lead to success.
The film also highlights the significance of personal sacrifice and hard work in achieving one’s dreams, especially when caring for loved ones.
The Big Short
The 2015 film, directed by Adam McKay, is a brilliant exploration of the true story of a group of investors who bet against the US housing market. It dramatises the corruption and top-level fraud within big banks and how the everyday American people suffered due to their actions.
This movie does a great job of explaining complex financial fraud processes to audiences in a sarcastic and easy-to-understand way. This needs to happen in real life, not just in movies. With a talented cast that includes Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, and Brad Pitt, it’s one of the best business movies and well worth the watch.
Where to watch The Big Short?
The Big Short is available to rent for just £2.49 or buy and download for just £4.99. You can view the film on the following streaming platforms:
Mckay is excellent at leading audiences through the realities of the US housing market crash in 2008, creating a film filled with quick wit, satire and mockery of those who are supposed to be making responsible decisions on their customer’s behalf.
Lessons Learned
The Big Short provides an essential lesson in understanding market complexities and the importance of questioning conventional wisdom. It shows how a small group of investors saw opportunities others overlooked, teaching us the importance of doing your research, being cautious of groupthink, and remaining vigilant when dealing with financial matters.
The movie also highlights the devastating impact of corporate greed on society, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in business.
The Social Network
The Social Network is a 2010 film that dramatises the origins of one of the most popular social media networks – Facebook. The movie follows then-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and tells how the idea for Facebook was first conceptualised and became one of the world’s biggest social media networks.
This movie is excellent at depicting the reality of starting a business, how any business venture is often challenged, and those who claim a monopoly when the idea becomes successful. With a talented cast starring Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Jesse Eisenberg, it’s clear why this is one of the most phenomenal business movies ever created.
Where to watch The Social Network?
The social network is available on Netflix, or you can rent it for just £3.49. The movie is available to rent or buy on the following streaming platforms:
This movie gives us an insight into the mind of Mark Zuckerberg, and it is so interesting to see how far the social media network has come, now becoming a platform for social media marketing and evolving into a Metaverse that is beyond what anyone thought to be its initial capabilities.
Lessons Learned
The Social Network teaches the value of innovation and adaptability. Mark Zuckerberg’s story shows that creating something genuinely revolutionary often involves taking risks and making difficult decisions. It also reveals the challenges that arise when business and personal relationships intersect.
The film reminds us of the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries while pursuing ambitious goals and the costs of scaling a business quickly.
Lord of War
This 2005 film, written and directed by the talented Andrew Niccol, tells the story of a charismatic arms dealer, played by Nicolas Cage, who is confronted with the morality of his job. While Cage’s character, Yuri Orlov, is fictional, the person the movie is based on is not. The film loosely illustrates the life of Viktor Bout, a real-world international warlord.
This film excels at portraying serious topics and turning them into satirical biopics. With a talented cast that includes Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, and Jared Leto, it’s a must-see action-packed thriller that shows the ugly underbelly of international crime and shady business deals.
Where to watch Lord of War?
Lord of War is now available to watch on Netflix, but you can also rent or buy it on the following streaming platforms:
This film has to be one of the most exciting business movies. With satirical lines like, “I sell to every army except for the Salvation Army”, it’s a shocking depiction of top-level international crime and the business world that is unfortunately associated with war.
Lessons Learned
Lord of War presents a powerful lesson on the moral implications of business and personal responsibility. The film illustrates how profits in specific industries, such as arms dealing, can be earned at the expense of ethical considerations.
It teaches that business decisions have consequences beyond financial success and that entrepreneurs should consider the broader impact of their actions on the world.
The Aviator
business movies
This 2004 film, directed by the talented Martin Scorsese, tells the life story of Howard Hughes, an American innovator who was highly intelligent and transformed the aircraft industry.
Leonardo Di Caprio brings life to the biopic, perfectly dramatising the truth behind the legendary man and illustrating his mental health battles with germaphobia and OCD tendencies.
The film also showcases how Howard Hughes was met with a public relations crisis during his career and the optimistic expansion of the aircraft industry. Despite his challenges, Howard Hughes was determined, eventually becoming one of his time’s most influential and wealthiest men.
Where to watch The Aviator?
You can rent The Aviator on streaming platforms for as little as £2.49.
This has to be one of Scorsese’s best business movies. He does an excellent job of capturing the roaring 20s era and dramatising the realities of product marketing. The talented cast of Leonardo Di Caprio, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, and Cate Blanchett brings life to the story of the legend that is Howard Hughes, a classic biopic executed in classic Scorsese fashion.
Lesson Learned
The Aviator demonstrates that visionary leadership and resilience can lead to extraordinary achievements, even when faced with personal struggles like mental health challenges. Howard Hughes’ journey shows that innovation and ambition often go hand in hand with personal sacrifice.
The film also teaches that public relations crises are inevitable in business, but how you handle them can define your legacy.
Babylon
business movies
Babylon is a new comedic depiction of early Hollywood, dramatising the indulgent and decadent lifestyle that ran rampant in the 1920s show business era. While the movie is extravagant, it well depicts the realities of getting a movie produced, especially in Hollywood, where it rings true: ” It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.”
Where to watch Babylon?
Babylon is currently showing in cinemas, but it is available for pre-release on the following streaming platforms:
With a fantastic cast starring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva, it’s set to be one of the best business movies of the year, showcasing perfectly how “they’re ain’t no business like show business”.
Lesson Learned
Babylon highlights the darker side of ambition, particularly in Hollywood. It teaches that success and indulgence may seem appealing but come with a price.
The film reminds us that the entertainment industry’s business practices are often driven by exploitation and that authenticity and integrity can sometimes be sacrificed for fame and fortune.
Thank you for smoking
Thank You for Smoking is a 2005 black comedy that satirically dramatises the fictional character Nick Naylor. The film is based on the 1994 novel by Christopher Buckley, which follows the tobacco lobbyist as he confronts the morality of his role in promoting the consumption of cancer-causing tobacco products.
Thank You for Smoking does a great job of showing the major challenge of tobacco lobbying in the 1990s. It’s a job that throws the moral compass out the window, which raises the question: Is this still happening today? Truthfully, lobbying in governments is still a modern concern for the public.
Where to watch Thank you for Smoking?
Thank You for Smoking is available to rent for as little as £3.49 on the following streaming platforms:
This great business movie, starring Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright, and Maria Bello, features a talented cast and shows the dark side of political business.
Lesson Learned
Thank You for Smoking teaches the power of persuasion and manipulation in business. The film follows Nick Naylor, a tobacco lobbyist, who expertly defends the indefensible through clever arguments.
It shows that the ability to sell an idea, no matter how morally questionable, is a powerful skill. However, the film also illustrates the ethical dilemma when your profession contradicts your values, reminding us to be mindful of the moral choices we make in business.
The Founder
business movies
The Founder is a 2016 film that traces the origins of one of the world’s most popular fast food chains – McDonald’s. The film tells the story of how Ray Kroc met brothers Mac Donald and Dick Donald, and after being impressed with their fast-paced burger restaurant, he saw an opportunity to build a franchise.
Despite being the founders and creators of McDonald’s, the brothers are betrayed by Ray Kroc due to his scheming and machiavellian ways. This film is the perfect lesson for budding entrepreneurs and serves as a warning to who you get into business with.
Where to watch The Founder?
This film is included on your Amazon Prime if you have an account; otherwise, you can rent it for as little as £2.49 on the following streaming platforms:
With a cast starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, and John Carroll Lynch, this true-story film is expertly dramatised and includes many unbelievable twists and turns.
Lesson Learned
The Founder teaches the importance of recognising opportunity and understanding business scalability. Ray Kroc’s journey with McDonald’s reveals that success isn’t always about innovation but recognising what works and scaling it.
However, it is also a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and ethical compromises in business relationships. Kroc’s relentless pursuit of success at the expense of the founders shows the dangers of ignoring integrity and loyalty.
Burnt
business movies
The inspirational 2016 film Burnt finishes off the list. It follows a Michelin-starred chef who loses it all and attempts to regain his credibility and name in the restaurant business.
The film stars Bradley Cooper, who perfectly portrays the hamartia and redeeming qualities of Adam Jones. Although it is not based on a true story, it is still an incredibly inspirational film, especially for those who have hit rock bottom and know that the only way is up.
Where to watch Burnt?
Burnt is currently available to watch on Netflix, and you can also rent the movie starting at just £2.49 from the following streaming platforms:
Burnt highlights the importance of second chances and personal redemption. The story of chef Adam Jones reminds us that failure doesn’t define us and that it’s possible to rebuild after hitting rock bottom. The film also stresses the importance of trust and leadership in a team-oriented business environment, showing that great success often requires skill and the ability to inspire and work well with others.
Best Business Movies
Forget spreadsheets and board meetings – get your business fix with this thrilling and inspiring film list! From edge-of-your-seat crime capers to true stories that will leave you cheering, these diverse movies capture the heart and soul of entrepreneurship. Dive into the journeys of individuals driven by ambition, facing down challenges, and ultimately achieving triumph in the exhilarating business world. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be entertained and motivated by these must-watch gems! if we have missed any of the Best Business or Best Entrepreneur Movies from our list, please let us know in the comments below. To wrap up – here are a few more movies to consider:
Tech Innovators:
Startup.com (2001): As you mentioned, this documentary offers a raw and unscripted look at a tech startup’s rollercoaster ride, capturing the highs and lows of innovation. Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999): Witness the iconic rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, exploring their contrasting leadership styles and the birth of tech giants Apple and Microsoft.
Underdogs and Disruptors:
Moneyball (2011): As you mentioned, this film illustrates how defying conventional wisdom and embracing data-driven strategies can lead to success, even in established industries like baseball. Flash of Genius (2008): This heartwarming story showcases the perseverance of an individual inventor battling a corporate giant, highlighting the courage and determination often needed to fight for innovative ideas.
Beyond Success:
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019): As you suggest, this documentary explores the darker side of entrepreneurship, exposing the potential pitfalls of ambition and unchecked power. The Pursuit of Happyness (2008): This uplifting film is a testament to overcoming adversity and the unwavering determination to achieve entrepreneurial dreams.
Classics:
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): This heartwarming tale reminds us that entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial success but about community, purpose, and making a positive impact.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971): While fantastical, Willy Wonka’s story offers insights into creativity, innovation, and the importance of staying true to your vision.
Office Space (1999): A comedic look at the corporate world, this film highlights the entrepreneurial spirit that can spark even within seemingly mundane jobs.
Modern Gems:
The Founder (2016): Explore the controversial beginnings of McDonald’s and Ray Kroc’s relentless pursuit of building a fast-food empire.
Jerry Maguire (1996): This film emphasizes the importance of integrity, building genuine relationships, and staying true to your values in the cutthroat world of sports management.
Chef (2014): A feel-good story about a chef starting his food truck, showcasing the passion, adaptability, and resilience required to overcome setbacks and forge your path.
International Flavors:
Amelie (2001): This French film celebrates small acts of kindness and entrepreneurship with a whimsical touch, showing how small-scale initiatives can create positive change.
Lagaan (2001): An Indian sports drama set in colonial India, this film highlights the power of community, collaboration, and innovation in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001): This Mexican road movie explores the themes of youth, entrepreneurship, and navigating the complexities of adulthood with a touch of humour and adventure.
Documentaries:
Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011): Witness a renowned sushi chef’s dedication and pursuit of perfection, showcasing the passion and commitment required to excel in any field.
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005): Learn from the cautionary tale of Enron’s rise and fall, highlighting the dangers of greed, corruption, and ignoring ethical boundaries.
Free Solo (2018): This Oscar-winning documentary follows Alex Honnold’s attempt to free solo climb El Capitan, showcasing the power of dedication, mental strength, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Whether you seek inspiration from rags-to-riches stories, cautionary tales of ambition, or the grit of underdog entrepreneurs, these movies offer valuable insights into the exciting and challenging world of building a business. So, grab some popcorn, get ready to be entertained, and perhaps even draw inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey!
If you’re still interested in hearing more about the business world, check out this article on the best business TV shows and the best business podcasts to listen to the stories from some of the most significant business moguls and how they made their mark in their industry.
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