You’ve got the drive and the passion for building your business. But some days, the fire in your belly needs a little stoking. What better way than some inspiration from the silver screen? The movies are full of stories of visionaries, rule-breakers, and underdogs who build empires through grit and determination.
When your motivation needs a boost, check out one of these top business movies we have compiled for you. You’ll come away fired up and ready to crush your goals. Your thoughts are welcome in the comments below:
The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network is a must-watch for any entrepreneur. This film depicts the founding of Facebook and the resulting legal and personal drama surrounding its creation.
Mark Zuckerberg starts Facebook as a Harvard undergrad to get revenge on an ex-girlfriend. Little does he know he’s creating what will become a global social media empire. The movie shows Zuckerberg assembling his team, moving to Silicon Valley, and navigating betrayal and backstabbing along the way.
Wall Street (1987)
Wall Street is a must-watch for any aspiring tycoon. This Oliver Stone film starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen provides a glimpse into the cutthroat world of finance. Douglas plays Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider who takes ambitious stockbroker Bud Fox (Sheen) under his wing.
Gekko lives by the motto “greed is good” and teaches Fox the tricks of insider trading. At first, Fox revels in the money, power, and lavish lifestyle that comes with bending the rules. But soon, his illegal antics and Gekko’s shady dealings weigh on his conscience.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
One of the most iconic films for entrepreneurs is Jerry Maguire. This 1996 film starring Tom Cruise explores the life of a sports agent who has an epiphany about his unethical practices and decides to start his own agency.
Jerry Maguire struggles with finding meaning and purpose in his work, which many entrepreneurs can relate to. His “mission statement” to do fewer clients and provide more personal service inspires him to break away and build something better. However, his idealism is tested when only one client and one co-worker follow him.
Office Space (1999)
Office Space is a very funny cult classic comedy film that satirically tackles life in a typical 1990s software company. As an entrepreneur, this movie is a must-watch because it hilariously captures many of the annoyances and frustrations of office life that you’ll likely encounter.
The story follows Peter Gibbons, a programmer who hates his job and decides to rebel against his awful boss and the consultants trying to downsize his department. Nearly any employee stuck in a cubicle scheme can relate to Peter’s angst and lack of motivation. The obnoxious office atmosphere, annoying coworkers, and mindless tasks will seem all too familiar.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a man who invests his life savings in portable bone density scanners that he has trouble selling. As bills mount and creditors close in, Chris and his young son are evicted from their apartment. With no place to go, they struggle to find shelter each night, all while Chris continues to pursue a position as a stockbroker to turn their fortunes around.
This heart-wrenching film shows the harsh realities of life for those in poverty. As an entrepreneur, it serves as a sobering reminder of the immense challenges that people face, through no fault of their own, in trying to achieve their dreams. At times, Chris’ plight seems utterly hopeless. Yet through sheer determination and perseverance, he is able to overcome immense struggles to find success.
Catch Me if You Can (2002)
Catch Me If You Can is a classic based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, one of the most successful con men in history. As a teenager in the 1960s, Abagnale cashed millions of dollars worth of forged checks while impersonating an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the precocious Abagnale, who ran away from home at 16 and proceeded to forge checks worth millions of dollars, all before turning 21. Tom Hanks plays the FBI agent hot on his trail, in a cat-and-mouse game across multiple countries and identities. This film provides a glimpse into the mind of a master manipulator and scam artist, though Abagnale’s crimes were non-violent and he caused no direct physical harm.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump is a classic and inspirational film that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The story follows Forrest Gump, a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama who witnesses and influences some of the most important events of the latter 20th century in the U.S.
Although Forrest isn’t the typical entrepreneur, he displays an entrepreneurial spirit. Despite his lower IQ and others doubting him, Forrest perseveres through many challenges and setbacks in his life with a positive attitude.
Boiler Room (2000)
Boiler Room, which stars Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck, provides an entertaining glimpse into the world of illegal stockbrokers in the late 90s.
For an entrepreneur, this fast-talking film highlights some important lessons about business ethics and the temptation of get-rich-quick schemes. The movie centers around Seth Davis, a college dropout running an illegal casino from his apartment. He gets recruited to work as a stockbroker for a “pump and dump” firm, aggressively selling worthless stocks to unsuspecting buyers.
The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short is a biographical dramedy-crime film directed, co-written, and produced by Adam McKay. Based on the 2010 book The Big Short by Michael Lewis, the film tells the story of the build-up of the United States housing bubble during the mid-2000s and the subsequent financial crisis of 2007–2008.
This movie provides insight into the shady practices of big banks and Wall Street that led to the financial crisis. It follows a group of people who predicted the crisis and bet against the big banks. They made a fortune while the global economy tanked. The story is told through the perspective of these contrarian investors who saw what the big banks refused to: the real estate market was a bubble waiting to burst.
Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
This film depicts the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in the early days of the PC revolution. Set in 1970s Silicon Valley, it provides insight into the personalities and events that shaped the start of the tech industry.
The film opens with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as young outsiders interested in electronics and pranks. After seeing the Altair 8800 computer kit, they’re inspired to design their own PC. As most of us know, they went on to found Apple Computer (Apple 1) in 1976 followed by the hugely successful Apple II.
There we have it, our list of 10 best business movies. What do you think about our picks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: