7 Best Business Movies Every Entrepreneur Should See
While many of us sit down to watch a movie to be entertained, we can also find inspiration in certain movies. For budding entrepreneurs, several great movies can provide insight into leadership, strategies and personal growth.
When it comes to the best business movies, they should inspire anyone seeking to become an entrepreneur to understand what it takes to develop ideas and inspire others. In some cases, movies for entrepreneurs should also show the downside of hubris and presumption.
Whether it’s a heartwarming tale of overcoming the odds, a thought-provoking biopic, or an inside view into the darker side of business, these movies about business success are sure to inform and entertain. Which films about entrepreneurship do you think should make the list?
1. The Wolf of Wall Street
This movie is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who used his natural talent for sales to rise to Wall Street fame and fortune – but not without a cost. The movie is engrossing, fast-paced, and very funny at times, with Leonardo DiCaprio putting in a wonderfully manic performance as Belfort.
What We Can Learn From Jordan Belfort
When it comes to movies that teach business lessons, The Wolf of Wall Street offers both positive ideas and potential warnings. On one hand, Belfort is a man who thinks big, knows what he wants, and doesn't stop until he gets it. He also fosters a culture where his staff feel appreciated and can communicate with him, which in turn increases company loyalty. In contrast, the movie cautions against acting impulsively and taking too many risks for instant gratification rather than developing strategies for long-term gain. It also warns about creating a work culture that acts immorally and illegally, which leads to Belfort’s downfall.
2. The Social Network
This film tells the tale of how one of the most influential companies was created: Facebook. As a young and successful business owner in the tech industry, Mark Zuckerberg quickly became a high-profile public figure. The movie follows Zuckerberg from his early days as an entrepreneur to his eventual success with the Facebook brand.
What We Can Learn From Mark Zuckerberg
While The Social Network tells a fictionalised story of Mark Zuckerberg's life, there are several lessons to be learned from his character's journey. Part of Facebook's success is down to Zuckerberg's understanding of his audience and the development of a social network with elements that appealed to them. The film highlights the importance of taking action and having the confidence to see projects through, but also the risks of not looking after business partnerships and the legal fallout that may follow from breakups.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
This movie portrays the true story of Chris Gardner and his experience of being homeless while caring for his young son. It is Gardner’s spirit and resourcefulness that help him persevere, eventually becoming a successful CEO. A tale that is both heartwarming and inspiring, this is a must-see motivational movie for entrepreneurs.
What We Can Learn From Chris Gardner
One of the lessons from this movie, which makes it unique among films about entrepreneurship, is that it shows how things can get worse before they get better. Gardner went through extreme hardships, and the odds were stacked against him, but he persevered and eventually found success. In addition, it shows the importance of staying true to yourself and not letting others discourage you from your goals.
4. Citizen Kane
A true classic, Citizen Kane is the first feature film of acclaimed director Orson Welles. It chronicles the legacy of Charles Foster Kane, a character based on real-life media mogul William Randolph Hearst.
What We Can Learn From Charles Foster Kane
Among movies that teach business lessons, Citizen Kane acts as a cautionary tale about losing your principles and personal relationships in the pursuit of success. While Kane is ambitious and achieves success in his life, he finds he can never truly feel fulfilled, as he turns his back on his friends, his business partners, and even his values. In the end, Kane becomes a powerful but isolated and lonely figure, underscoring the importance of maintaining personal well-being while in pursuit of success.
5. The Big Short
Released in 2015, The Big Short is a great movie to see if you want to understand the American credit and housing bubble collapse of the 2000s. In his role as hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum, Steve Carell’s comedic presence simmers, lending the somewhat heavy subject matter of the film some relief in humour.
What We Can Learn From Mark Baum
The movie shows the risk of chasing trends, as well as the potential fallout that can occur when taking a gamble on a volatile market. In the film, few believe that US house prices could fall, and even so-called experts were ignoring potential warning signs. The lesson here is to always do your research and know what you are getting into rather than relying on the consensus to influence your decisions.
6. Steve Jobs
This biographical drama explores the life of one of the greatest businessmen of all time: Steve Jobs. The film focuses on Jobs’ experience related to three major product releases: the Apple Macintosh, the NeXT Computer and the iMac G3.
What We Can Learn From Steve Jobs
Whatever his skills were in the tech industry, Steve Jobs was, first and foremost, a brilliant marketer. He was focused on every minute detail of his products and of the company, and he worked to ensure that everything Apple produced appealed to the needs and desires of his customer base. The movie also shows the importance of teaming with other big dreamers to achieve success, as Jobs did with Steve Wozniak.
7. Jerry Maguire
It’s difficult to think of this movie without conjuring its famous line, “Show me the money!” However, this film is much more than a catchy quote – it’s a romantic comedy and business drama wrapped in one. Jerry Maguire tells the story of a man who loses his high-powered job as a sports agent following a moral epiphany.
What We Can Learn From Jerry Maguire
When it comes to motivational movies for entrepreneurs, this is one of the best. When Maguire loses his job, he reaches a low point in his life. However, he perseveres and finds success with the help of those who stick by him through the dark times. One of the top entrepreneur films of all time, the movie shows the importance of forging personal relationships with clients and employees and how it leads to better morale and stronger outcomes.
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FAQ
What is the best entrepreneur movie?
Many films about entrepreneurship could fit this title. Among the most well-regarded are Jerry Maguire, Citizen Kane, The Social Network and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Which movie is about a rich entrepreneur?
Based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, Citizen Kane is a movie about an entrepreneur who achieves wealth and success at the cost of his own happiness and fulfilment. Steve Jobs and The Social Network follow the lives of Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, respectively, as they turn their ideas into successful businesses.
What does Elon Musk say about entrepreneurship?
Currently reputed to be the richest man in the world, Elon Musk has talked about the importance of pursuing your dreams with passion and the importance of innovation to create a better future. He has said, "I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary," as well as "When something is important enough, you do it, even if the odds are not in your favour."
What did Mark Zuckerberg say about entrepreneurship?
Mark Zuckerberg has talked openly about the importance of setting goals, taking risks, and innovating with the times by learning new skills. He has said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk." And also, "If you actually do something you love, it’s a lot easier and takes on a lot more purpose."
What did Steve Jobs say about entrepreneurship?
Steve Jobs believed innovation and teamwork were keys to success. He said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower" and that "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
What lessons can movies teach about entrepreneurship?
Movies for startup founders frequently emphasise that passion and hard work can lead to success. A recurring theme is that often success can take a while, and while risks may be necessary for long-term gain, short-term risks for instant gratification should be avoided. A clear message emerges about the danger of forsaking values, ethics, and even relationships in favour of attaining wealth and power.
