Movies have the ability to inspire, educate, and entertain individuals. Regarding business, Hollywood has produced some incredible films about corporate power struggles, entrepreneurship, and professionals’ difficulties. These movies provide valuable insights for those interested in commerce, whether aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned businesspeople, or simply curious about the field.
Here are some Best Hollywood movies for business enthusiasts:
Best Hollywood Movies for Business Enthusiasts
Netflix vs. the World
Netflix is a highly disruptive company that has become a case study on resilience. The company started as a DVD rental service in 1997, and despite facing numerous technological advancements, it has managed to become a giant in the streaming industry today. In fact, you may be using Netflix to watch the movies and documentaries on this list.
The documentary “Netflix vs. the World” showcases the entrepreneurial spirit that reshaped the entertainment industry and brought Netflix to the top. From early struggles to fantastic innovation, the documentary highlights the importance of adaptability in the face of technological shifts.
Watching this documentary can provide valuable insights into how to stay ahead in the dynamic business landscape.
Becoming Warren Buffett
This documentary explores the life of Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most famous investors worldwide. It offers a glimpse into his mind and how he transformed from a child obsessed with numbers and ambitions in Nebraska to becoming one of the wealthiest people on earth. Buffett’s journey is a testimony to the significance of patience, wisdom, and a long-term perspective in the competitive realm of finance and business, and it provides a valuable lesson for fellow entrepreneurs.
The Pixar Story
Pixar, the renowned animation studio, is celebrated for its exceptional use of creativity and imagination in business. This film takes viewers on a captivating journey behind the scenes of Pixar, showcasing their groundbreaking contributions to the world of animation and the creation of iconic characters. “The Pixar Story” is a must-watch for entrepreneurs interested in film, entertainment, and the transformative impact of pioneering industry advancements.
Banking on Bitcoin
This documentary is about the emergence of Bitcoin, a groundbreaking invention with the potential to disrupt traditional financial systems. It provides aspiring entrepreneurs with valuable insights into the evolving realm of financial technology and its opportunities for innovation. By showcasing the individuals shaping the impact of this technology on our lives, the film effectively demonstrates how technology can revolutionize the financial landscape.
WeWork: Or the Making and Breaking of a $47 Billion Unicorn
Whether this documentary is on a list of movies that inspire entrepreneurship is debatable but It tells the story of WeWork’s founder, Adam Neumann, showing his rise and dramatic fall. While you may not want to follow Neumann’s path, you will still learn valuable lessons about entrepreneurship from this film. WeWork’s story warns about the dangers of expanding too quickly without a strong foundation. It emphasizes the importance of being genuine, adaptable, and making ethical choices in business. Aspiring entrepreneurs can gain insights from these lessons.
The Godfather (1972)
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. While not directly about business, the themes of power, loyalty, and strategy resonate with corporate dynamics.
Also Read: 30 Best Mafia Shows on Netflix: A Comprehensive Guide
12 Angry Men (1957)
A jury in a murder trial grapples with a single skeptical member who forces them to carefully consider evidence before reaching a verdict. This film highlights negotiation, persuasion, and decision-making.
Also Read: 9 Money Lessons from Movies For Financial Investment
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
An angel shows a frustrated businessman what life would have been like if he had never existed. This heartwarming classic emphasizes the impact of individual actions on others.
Casablanca (1942)
A negative expatriate American cafe owner decides whether to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis. The film touches on sacrifice, ethics, and love in challenging circumstances.
Forrest Gump (1994)
The life of an Alabama man with a low IQ unfolds against the backdrop of historical events. Forrest’s journey includes business ventures, investments, and unexpected success.
The Social Network (2010)
The story of Facebook’s creation by Mark Zuckerberg and the following legal battles. It explores ambition, innovation, and the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Real estate salesmen compete ruthlessly to secure leads and close deals. The film portrays the cutthroat world of sales, motivation, and desperation.
Moneyball (2011)
Based on a true story, the film follows the Oakland Athletics’ unconventional approach to building a competitive baseball team using data analytics. It’s a lesson in innovation and risk-taking.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
A struggling salesman faces homelessness while pursuing an unpaid internship at a brokerage firm. Will Smith’s performance captures resilience, determination, and the American dream.
Fyre Festival
Fyre is a documentary about a young entrepreneur and fraud named Billy McFarland and his failed Fyre Festival in 2017. The festival was doomed from the beginning mainly due to bad planning and mismanagement of funds.
This is a great entrepreneur movie because it highlights that planning is the key to everything. But more importantly, it shows that it’s not enough to have the desire and passion to achieve something great – you need to work hard and smartly to succeed.
The Founder
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
A biographical movie about McDonald’s rise as one of the biggest businesses in the gastronomy world.
Salesman Ray Croc joined the McDonald’s brothers, stole their idea, and took all the credit for the restaurant’s expansion without ever paying them their royalty. The lesson—be careful who you get in bed with.
Steve Jobs
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
This biopic on Apple’s founder tells the behind-the-scenes story of the iconic entrepreneur and his struggles to the top.
Also, important shots from Steve’s personal life are shown and the obstacles he overcame to build the brand we all know.
Released in: 2015
Steve Jobs revolves around Job’s ideas and the decisions he had to make to create Apple and take it to the top.
This is one of those entrepreneur movies anyone can learn something from, even if you have years of experience running a business. Taking a sneak peek into Job’s mind can be educational and insightful, so give this movie a chance.
The Social Network
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
The Social Network is the ultimate story about Facebook and its founder. It shows Mark Zuckerberg and how he brought to life his idea of building a social media platform.
Soon afterward, his project got substantial financial backing, and all of a sudden, Facebook was ‘live’ worldwide.
However, it wasn’t all roses on Mark’s journey – the movie also shows Mark’s struggles and lawsuits from his once-friend and first investor, Eduardo Saverin.
Released in: 2010
Related topics: Zuckerberg’s creative approach is fascinating to watch and analyze—you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of Silicon Valley’s technological world.
The movie also shows that even large corporations often have small and struggling beginnings, and it can be quite inspiring for young entrepreneurs to see that for themselves.
The Wolf of Wall Street
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Released in: 2013
The Wolf Of Wall Street is one of those entrepreneur movies that will keep you glued to the screen. What’s a better way to learn about business mistakes to avoid than watching the catastrophic mistakes Jordan Belfort made?
This movie is based on his real-life story, which tells how, from a promising broker, he got himself into the world of too many drugs, too many lies, and a devastating feud with US authorities. Of course, his success is not excluded, but ultimately, he was remembered for his wrongdoings, proving once again that business choices can define your life, so always choose carefully.
One of the movie’s most exciting moments is the cold-calling process. It’s shown with passion, dedication, and belief in the great idea.
Also, keeping your employees satisfied by doing whatever makes them happy is another lesson you can take from this movie – but set some boundaries. Otherwise, you may dig yourself a hole.
The Big Short
Released in: 2015
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
What happens when one man finds out about the housing market crash before it even occurs? He wouldn’t dare to use that for personal profit… or would he?
If you like dramatic business movies, this one is a must-watch. This Oscar winner is about the story of the 2007 financial crisis in a way you wouldn’t expect.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll have even more fun watching it – it’s every bit intriguing, and educational at the same time. As a future founder, that should be the part that will catch your eye the most.
Related topics: Everything you’ll hear in this movie is as legit as it gets, especially the economic terms.
It would be like finding out what happens on Wall Street before you make any investment, and as a future investor and entrepreneur, you should be familiar with these things before spinning a dime in the stock market.
Also Read: The Best Brazilian Shows on Netflix: A Binge-Worthy Guide
Pirates of Silicon Valley
Released in: 1997
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
You’re probably reading this article from a Windows or Mac computer—that’s the size of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates’ influence.
This movie is about their work, their brilliant minds, the challenges they faced, and the betrayals they encountered in the business world.
It’s one of the best business movies for learning how to think like an innovator and protect your ideas from business sharks. If you’re a tech geek, you’ll love this movie.
Any founder-to-be can learn so much from this movie.
Starting from enthusiastic young innovators and the sacrifices they made to achieve their goals, we move on to developing the mindset of a businessman and the realization that sometimes things won’t go as planned.
Also, if you want to know how great minds are built from a young age, this is the movie for you.
The Corporation
Released in: 2003
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
The Corporation is unlike any other business movies on this list.
It elaborates on a topic like no other movie before—what would happen if corporations were people? Do they know how to distinguish between the good and the bad?
For starters, it’s a documentary on corporate America. The movie shows the other side of the business world, the one that’s much darker and not at all fun to watch or live – but it’s here to stay.
Multiple big shots have a chance to tell their side of the story in front of the camera, and some of them might grow on you. But the question remains – are we living as full consumers, or have the big companies made us one?
The corporate world is presented as a psychopathic character—selfish, ruthless, and driven only by the desire to have more of everything—possessions, money, resources, and power.
It’s an excellent entrepreneur movie to think about the influence of capitalism on today’s corporate values, but it’s also great to question your beliefs.
American Hustle
Released in: 2013
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Inspired by a true story in the late 70s, American Hustle is a crime story that will keep you attentive from start to finish. A divergent movie that picks on multiple topics, the story is conveyed through vibrant humor, delivering a lesson worth its weight in gold. American Hustle is about the consequences of past mistakes and the price any of the movie’s characters must pay to rectify them.
Casino
Released in: 1995
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
What are you willing to do to achieve your goals? That’s the question that will pop into your head once you watch this movie.
Casino is an epic drama that follows the life of a gambler, working alongside the Mafia, who manages a casino in Las Vegas. It perfectly represents what greed, power, and money can do to a man.
It also shows how thin the line is between leading a decent life and letting all of the above consume you and put you on the road to perdition.
Glengarry Glen Ross
Released in: 1992
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Based on the award-winning play by the same name, Glengarry Glen Ross is one of the most-watched business movies.
It shows the life of four real estate agents and their problems while working under pressure for their new trainer.
All four of them are forced to use their knowledge and expertise to overcome the current events and keep their job intact during a difficult sales period.
Boiler Room
Released in: 2000
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
If you want to know the answer to the popular question, “How do you earn big money from nothing?” then this movie is for you. Boiler Room is based on Stratton Oakmont, a stock trading company created by Jordan Belfort.
It shows the ambitions and decisions made by young future founders and their obsession to reach the top.
Like many business movies, Boiler Room warns all people involved in business of any kind.
You can easily be blinded by the lifestyle of the rich and famous, so stick to your moral code to avoid that. In addition, entrepreneurs can learn plenty of cold-calling tactics for sales.
Jerry Maguire
Released in: 1996
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Sports agents have it hard going for them – they need to be pros at negotiating better deals for their clients while also constantly searching for the next big thing.
Jerry Maguire gives a very insightful perspective on what it takes to be a sports agent, but with an added twist – what to do when you get fired from your agency and decide to start over, this time with more dignity and righteousness?
This movie is about business for anyone looking to get out of a rut. It’s packed with advice that can help anyone in the business world.
Related topics: There’s more to life than just making money—it’s about building your life from scratch! If you’re an entrepreneur who has found yourself a bit trapped in the money world without any nourishment for your soul, this movie will be an eye-opener.
Startup.com
Released in: 2001
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
Sometimes described as one of the most heart-wrenching movies for entrepreneurs, Startup.com tells the story of the rise and fall of one dot-com company.
Two high-school friends merge business ideas only to find out that building a company when the Internet was a new thing wasn’t easy at all.
If you watch it carefully, Startup.com can turn out to be the lesson for every entrepreneur – think twice before going into business with someone you know, and don’t trust the crowd – trust your instincts.
Related topics: The one thing to take from Startup.com is the effect money, greed, and power can have on relationships.
The movie goes into full detail on whether material ownership is all that matters in the end, even if you lose the one friend who stayed beside you all the time.
The Aviator
Released in: 2004
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Being a genius is not easy, and this movie portrays that as clearly as possible. The movie is based on the story of Howard Hughes, the American business magnate, pilot, and filmmaker who loved to take risks during his lifetime.
The Aviator tells the story of a businessman who has trouble finding meaning in life beyond money and business opportunities while struggling to maintain his mental health.
This business movie is not just about making smart or risky business decisions – it’s about how our mental health can affect and, in some cases, even define our success or even failure.
It’s an excellent way to learn how to deal with it if you ever struggle with personal matters.
As an entrepreneur, it’s important to recognize which business decisions are smart and which ones are foolish. This movie presents that information in a way that will make you rethink your current decisions.
Some ideas, as crazy or undoable as they might seem at first, might turn out to be a jackpot – the only way to bring these to fruition is to have an unwavering belief in them.
Remember, these movies offer more than entertainment—they provide valuable lessons and perspectives that can enhance your understanding of business and human behavior. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let Hollywood teach you a thing or two about the corporate world!
