50 best Movies for Entrepreneurs: Business, Leadership & Ethics

50 best movies for entrepreneurs and business owners that offer valuable lessons in startups, leadership, finance, marketing, and business ethics. From The Social Network to The Big Short, these films showcase real-world business challenges, innovation, and success stories.

50 best movies for entrepreneurs and business owners

The Social Network (2010)

• Lesson: The story of Facebook’s creation and the business decisions that shaped it.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The power of networking and innovation in business.
  • Legal battles in startups and protecting intellectual property.
  • The importance of scaling and adaptability.

The Founder (2016)

• Lesson: How Ray Kroc transformed McDonald’s into a fast-food empire.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Franchising and scaling a business successfully.
  • Persistence and spotting opportunities in existing markets.
  • The ethics of business takeovers.

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)

• Lesson: Chronicles the rivalry between Steve Jobs (Apple) and Bill Gates (Microsoft).
• Key Takeaways:
  • The competitive nature of tech startups.
  • How ideas and execution matter more than just innovation.
  • Legal and ethical issues in software development.

Joy (2015)

• Lesson: The true story of Joy Mangano, an inventor and entrepreneur.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Resilience and overcoming financial struggles.
  • Innovation in consumer products and marketing strategies.
  • The challenges of running a business as a solo founder.

Steve Jobs (2015)

• Lesson: A deep dive into the mind of Apple’s visionary leader.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Product perfection and user experience matter.
  • Leadership in tech startups.
  • The importance of branding and storytelling in marketing.

Startup.com (2001) [Documentary]

• Lesson: Chronicles the rise and fall of GovWorks.com, a dot-com startup.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The highs and lows of startup life.
  • Fundraising and venture capital challenges.
  • The importance of good management and partnerships.

Something Ventured (2011) [Documentary]

• Lesson: The history of venture capital in Silicon Valley.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The role of venture capitalists in shaping major companies.
  • Risk-taking and investment strategies for startups.
  • How to pitch and secure funding.

Inside Bill’s Brain (2019) [Netflix]

• Lesson: A look at Bill Gates’ mindset and approach to problem-solving.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The power of strategic thinking in business.
  • How to use philanthropy for long-term impact.
  • The importance of lifelong learning and adaptability.

Halt and Catch Fire (TV Series, 2014-2017)

• Lesson: Fictionalized drama about the early days of personal computing.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Disrupting an industry with new technology.
  • Building and managing a startup team.
  • The struggles of competing with industry giants.

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019) [Documentary]

• Lesson: The rise and fall of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The dangers of over-promising and under-delivering.
  • Why ethics and transparency are crucial in startups.
  • Investors’ due diligence before funding a company.

Sales, Marketing, and Branding

These movies and TV shows provide valuable insights into sales, marketing, branding, and consumer psychology. Entrepreneurs, marketers, and business professionals can learn critical lessons from these stories.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

• Lesson: The rise and fall of Jordan Belfort’s stockbroking empire.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Sales psychology and high-pressure selling.
  • The motivational power of leadership.
  • The dangers of greed and unethical business practices.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

• Lesson: A powerful drama about the high-pressure world of real estate sales.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Persuasion and negotiation skills in sales.
  • Surviving competition in the corporate world.
  • The impact of stress and unethical tactics in business.

Boiler Room (2000)

• Lesson: A young stockbroker gets caught in an unethical firm.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Cold calling and closing deals effectively.
  • Understanding sales strategies and the power of persuasion.
  • Why business ethics matter in long-term success.

Mad Men (TV Series, 2007-2015)

• Lesson: A deep dive into advertising, branding, and marketing psychology.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Storytelling and brand positioning in advertising.
  • Understanding consumer psychology and desires.
  • The importance of personal branding and networking.

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

• Lesson: A satirical look at public relations and persuasion techniques.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The power of framing arguments to influence opinions.
  • How spin and public relations shape industries.
  • Crisis management and handling tough questions in business.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

• Lesson: The art of showmanship, entertainment, and brand building.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Creating customer experiences that drive loyalty.
  • The importance of storytelling in branding.
  • Reinventing an industry through innovation.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) [Bollywood]

• Lesson: A salesman starts an ethical business in a competitive industry.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Customer service and relationship-building in sales.
  • Why ethics in business lead to long-term success.
  • Entrepreneurial resilience in a competitive market.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

• Lesson: The fashion industry, leadership, and branding.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Personal branding and reputation management.
  • Surviving in a high-pressure corporate environment.
  • The power of brand perception in consumer behavior.

Lord of War (2005)

• Lesson: The business of arms dealing and global trade.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understanding supply and demand in business.
  • The power of negotiation in high-stakes sales.
  • Ethical dilemmas in business decisions.

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

• Lesson: The rise of Coco Chanel and the creation of a luxury brand.
• Key Takeaways:
• Breaking industry norms to build a unique brand.
  • Luxury branding and market positioning.
  • How fashion and business intersect in brand creation.
  • Finance, Economics, and Investing

The Big Short (2015)

• Lesson: Explains how a few investors predicted the 2008 financial crisis.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understanding economic bubbles and financial markets.
  • The importance of risk management and due diligence.
  • How complex financial instruments (like mortgage-backed securities) work.

Margin Call (2011)

• Lesson: A 24-hour inside look at an investment bank before the market crash.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Crisis management and quick decision-making in finance.
  • The ethics of financial markets and corporate greed.
  • How financial institutions manage (or fail to manage) risk.

Too Big to Fail (2011)

• Lesson: Behind-the-scenes of government intervention in the 2008 crisis.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How major banks and governments handle financial crises.
  • The role of policy-making in economic stability.
  • The impact of corporate decisions on the economy.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) [Documentary]

• Lesson: The rise and fall of Enron, one of the biggest corporate frauds.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Business ethics and corporate accountability.
  • How manipulated financial statements led to a massive scandal.
  • Lessons on transparency and leadership integrity.

The China Hustle (2017) [Documentary]

• Lesson: A deep dive into fraudulent Chinese companies scamming U.S. investors.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The importance of due diligence before investing.
  • How financial frauds operate in global markets.
  • Lessons for investors on identifying red flags.

Wall Street (1987)

• Lesson: Explores corporate greed and stock market manipulation.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The risks of insider trading.
  • How ambition can lead to ethical dilemmas.
  • Understanding the dynamics of stockbroking and business takeovers.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

• Lesson: A sequel to Wall Street, reflecting on the financial crisis and greed.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and financial corruption.
  • The role of government bailouts in economic stability.
  • Long-term investment strategies vs. short-term greed.

Rogue Trader (1999)

• Lesson: The true story of Nick Leeson, who caused the collapse of Barings Bank.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Risk management in financial markets.
  • The dangers of speculative trading.
  • Why internal controls in financial institutions matter.

The Ascent of Money (2008) [Documentary]

• Lesson: A historical perspective on money, banking, and financial systems.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How money, debt, and financial markets evolved.
  • Lessons from past economic crises.
  • Understanding global finance from a broader perspective.

Arbitrage (2012)

• Lesson: A hedge fund manager must cover up financial fraud to save his empire.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Ethical dilemmas in finance.
  • How corporate fraud can snowball into bigger risks.
  • Crisis management in high-stakes business deals.
  • Leadership and Resilience

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

• Lesson: The battle between Ford and Ferrari for dominance in the racing world.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Competitive strategy and innovation in business.
  • The importance of determination and teamwork.
  • Risk-taking to achieve greatness.

Up in the Air (2009)

• Lesson: A corporate downsizer rethinks his approach to work and life.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Leadership in uncertain business environments.
  • The impact of corporate downsizing and layoffs.
  • Understanding work-life balance in leadership.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

• Lesson: A film about corporate takeovers and business strategies.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Handling leadership changes in companies.
  • Business innovation and power struggles.
  • The impact of media influence on public perception.

The Aviator (2004)

• Lesson: The life of Howard Hughes, a business magnate and aviation pioneer.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Visionary leadership and risk-taking.
  • The cost of innovation and obsession.
  • How mental health impacts business leaders.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

• Lesson: A mathematician’s struggle with schizophrenia and his impact on economics.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Overcoming challenges and resilience.
  • How intellectual brilliance can shape industries.
  • The impact of mental strength on business success.

Barbarians at the Gate (1993)

• Lesson: A dramatized account of a corporate takeover.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Hostile takeovers and corporate buyouts.
  • The importance of leadership in financial decisions.
  • High-stakes negotiation strategies.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

• Lesson: A rags-to-riches story of resilience and destiny.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Overcoming adversity with determination.
  • Luck and preparation in success.
  • How life experiences shape business acumen.

The Intern (2015)

• Lesson: A retired executive joins a startup as an intern and mentors young leaders.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The value of mentorship in business.
  • Adapting to changing industries.
  • Leadership at all stages of life.

Guru (2007) [Bollywood]

• Lesson: Loosely based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani, founder of Reliance Industries.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Visionary leadership and entrepreneurship.
  • Scaling a business from scratch.
  • Overcoming skepticism and challenges in the business world.

The Banker (2020)

• Lesson: The true story of two African-American entrepreneurs who fight racial barriers in finance.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Entrepreneurship in a challenging environment.
  • Overcoming racial and systemic barriers in business.
  • Financial literacy and wealth-building strategies.

Business Ethics and Failures

This section covers movies and documentaries that highlight business ethics, corporate responsibility, and failures that offer crucial lessons for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

• Lesson: Based on the true story of Frank Abagnale, a master con artist.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Thinking outside the box in business.
  • The importance of credibility and ethics in business.
  • How personal branding and persuasion skills can shape success.

Secret Millionaire (TV Series)

• Lesson: Millionaires go undercover to experience life in poverty and give back.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Understanding real-life struggles as an entrepreneur.
  • The importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • How giving back can enhance business ethics.

Becoming Warren Buffett (2017) [Documentary]

• Lesson: Explores the life and investing philosophy of Warren Buffett.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Long-term investment strategies.
  • The value of integrity and patience in business.
  • How living simply can lead to financial success.

American Factory (2019) [Documentary]

• Lesson: Examines the cultural and ethical challenges in corporate takeovers.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How globalization affects workers and businesses.
  • Challenges of managing a multinational company.
  • The importance of corporate responsibility in labor rights.

Fyre Festival (2019) [Documentary]

• Lesson: The disastrous Fyre Festival scam, marketed as a luxury event.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The dangers of over-promising and under-delivering.
  • The power of influencer marketing and its risks.
  • Why transparency and planning are crucial for startups.

The Big Kahuna (1999)

• Lesson: A film about salesmanship, networking, and corporate politics.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The art of negotiation and persuasion.
  • How personal values can clash with business interests.
  • The importance of trust in business deals.

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Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)

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• Lesson: The true story of Preston Tucker, an entrepreneur who challenged the automobile industry.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The struggles of innovation in a monopolized industry.
  • Why powerful competitors often resist change.
  • The importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.

The Corporation (2003) [Documentary]

• Lesson: A deep dive into corporate greed, ethics, and responsibility.
• Key Takeaways:
  • How businesses impact society and the environment.
  • The need for corporate accountability.
  • Balancing profit-making with ethical leadership.

Rogue Trader (1999)

• Lesson: The true story of Nick Leeson, a trader who caused the collapse of Barings Bank.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The dangers of high-risk financial decisions.
  • How a lack of oversight can lead to corporate failure.
  • Why integrity and transparency matter in finance.

Steve Jobs: One Last Thing (2011) [Documentary]

• Lesson: A documentary on Steve Jobs’ leadership, vision, and impact.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The mindset of a visionary entrepreneur.
  • Balancing innovation with business ethics.
  • How personal philosophy shapes business success.

Final Thoughts:

These movies and documentaries offer invaluable business lessons in ethics, corporate responsibility, and resilience. Understanding past failures and ethical dilemmas can help entrepreneurs and business owners make better decisions, build trust, and create sustainable success.

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