10 Must-Watch Business Movies for Entrepreneurs

Introduction

Learning need not be so boring… Business related movies are made with inspiration from the real world and characters. Movies about business success can be both inspirational and educational. 

So, if you’re looking to learn some business lessons or just hear a great story, here is a list of 30 business-related movies for you.

Do you know that our brain can process visuals in just 13 milliseconds faster than processing a piece of auditory information? 

Why Watch Business Movies?

Here’s why you should consider watching business movies or movies about business success as a learning resource. 

1. Real-World Insights – Business movies often depict real-life stories and events, providing a realistic view of the business world. 
2. Inspiration – Seeing how entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve their goals can inspire you to pursue your own business ambitions. 
3. Learning Opportunities – Great business movies offer lessons on various aspects of business, from finance and marketing to leadership and innovation. 
4. Ethical Considerations – Business movies serve as reminders of the importance of integrity and ethical practices in business.
5. Entertainment with Purpose – Few studies have stated that nearly 65% of people prefer visual learning. Business movies combine entertainment with education, making learning about business concepts enjoyable and engaging.

Top 10 Movies for Business Owners 

I was amazed to know that over 60% of business movies are based on true events. Nothing can teach us better than real-life experiences, right?

Out of the endless movies available, here is a list of the top 10 business movies, and let’s see what business lessons each movie has to offer. 

1. Wall Street (1987)

Directed by – William Oliver Stone

IMDb Ratings – 7.3

Rotten Tomatoes – 79%

“Man looks in the abyss, there’s nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.”

Have you ever wanted to make it big in life? That’s exactly what Bud Fox, the protagonist of this business movie, dreams of in Wall Street. 

He is young and really willing to do everything to reach success and become rich. And suddenly he gets the chance of a lifetime… working under Gordon Gekko, a ruthless, ultra-successful corporate raider who plays by his own rules.

At first, Bud is living the life of his dreams. But later he realizes that success doesn’t last longer when it’s built on shortcuts and shady tactics. 

The same man who lifted him up became his worst enemy. Now, Bud isn’t just fighting for his career instead he’s fighting for his soul. 

Watch the movie to know what happens to Bud! 

Business Lesson from Wall Street:

1. Greed can make you rich, but it can also bring you downfall.
2. Integrity builds lasting success.
3. Not all mentors are worth following. So choose your mentor wisely.

The wrong mentor can slow your journey, but the right one can change everything.
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2. Jerry Maguire (1996)

Directed by – Cameron Crowe

IMDb Ratings – 7.3

Rotten Tomatoes – 85%

“Help me, Help You!”

Jerry Maguire has everything. Money, success, and a high-profile career. But later he realizes that it’s not enough. 

He is a top sports agent who has everything. One day, he has a crisis of conscience. He is tired of the greed-driven industry. At work, he writes a bold mission statement about valuing people over profits. 

And, he gets fired as a result. 

Through struggles, heartbreak, and an unforgettable “Show me the money!” moment, Jerry discovers what truly matters which are relationships, integrity, and purpose-driven success.

Business Lesson from Jerry Maguire:

1. Success is about the people you serve not just money. 
2. Facing rejection will open doors to something more meaningful.
3. Invest in building relationships.

3. Boiler Room (2000)

Directed by – Ben Younger

IMDb Ratings – 7

Rotten Tomatoes – 66%

“Anybody tells you that money is the root of all evil doesn’t have any.”

Everybody is tempted to try the get-rich-quick methods and so does Seth Davis… 

The main character of this business related movie is a college dropout. He is recruited by J.T. Marlin, a shady brokerage firm promising young men wealth, power, and success.

At first, everything went super well… high-energy sales calls, fast commissions, and a lifestyle change.

After some time he realizes that something isn’t right. The firm isn’t just aggressive but a scam. 

Now the question is, “Will he continue being rich, or will he do what’s right?”

Business Lesson from Boiler Room:

1. Selling is a powerful skill that has to be used ethically.
2. Selling is not manipulation but solving real problems.
3. In business, there are no huge profits overnight. It takes a lot of hard work, trust and credibility to succeed.

4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Directed by – Gabriele Muccino

IMDb Ratings – 8

Rotten Tomatoes – 67%

This part of my life… this part right here? This is called “happyness.”

I believe that this movie is one of almost everyone’s personal favourites. 

Chris Gardner lost his job, savings, and home while raising a child alone. The main character of this movie is a struggling salesman who fights through homelessness and endless rejection to land a career in finance.

But he has grit, sleepless nights, and unwavering belief… with all his might he pushes through every setback. 

The moment he finally gets hired at a top brokerage firm? You will need your tissues with you. 

This movie is so wholesome and it teaches that no matter how hard life gets, you should never give up. 

Business Lesson from the Pursuit of Happyness:

1. The ones who make it in life are those who refuse to quit.
2. The protagonist learns, adjusts, and keeps knocking on doors. Take failures as an opportunity to learn. 
3. Passion always beats qualifications. He didn’t have a finance degree. But he dared to outwork everyone.

5. The Social Network (2010)

Directed by – David Fincher

IMDb Ratings – 7.8

Rotten Tomatoes – 96%

“We lived on farms, and then we lived in cities, and now we are going to live on the internet.”

It’s the inspiring story of a college dropout who builds a website in his dorm room and turns it into a billion-dollar empire. 

But this movie is more than just Facebook’s origin story. It shows us the power of innovation, the impact of betrayal, and the cost of ambition.

Mark Zuckerberg didn’t wait for permission. He saw an opportunity, moved fast, and changed the way the world connects. But as his platform, Facebook, grows, conflict grows along with it.

The movie leaves you wondering if it was worth it going through so much…

Business Lesson from The Social Network:

1. Ideas are worthless without action. If you don’t move fast, someone else will.
2. If you solve a problem, money and success follow. 
3. Sometimes success comes at a price. Broken friendships, ethics and integrity.

6. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Directed by – Martin Scorsese

IMDb Ratings – 8.2

Rotten Tomatoes – 79%

“The only thing standing between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.”

Jordan Belfort is so rich. He had money, yachts, mansions, and a team of brokers who could sell anything to anyone. 

But his empire wasn’t built on value, instead, it was built on lies, manipulation, and a lot of illegal activity.

Even though it’s thrilling at the moment when the stakes get higher, the lifestyle goes out of control… on top of lies and manipulation, now drugs, fraud, and FBI investigations. 

The movie is a cautionary tale about greed and excess. And it teaches how important a positive and good workplace culture and ethics are. 

Business Lesson from The Wolf of Wall Street:

1. Mastering sales is a much-needed skill for business owners. Even though Jordan was wrong, he knew how to sell, and that’s why people followed him.
2. If easy success comes to you, ask yourself, “Is it sustainable?”
3. In business, reputation is everything, and once it’s gone, you will never gain it back. Ethics is everything.

7. Steve Jobs (2015)

Directed by – Alex Gibney

IMDb Ratings – 6.9

Rotten Tomatoes – 74%

“Musicians play their instruments. I play the orchestra.”

This movie shows more Steve Jobs more than just a tech genius. It explores his mind, the human behind the Apple’s greatest launches. 

The story is so raw that it didn’t hide his flaws and mistakes. His arrogance, perfectionism, and difficult personality were described so beautifully.  

He didn’t just sell computers. He sold ideas. He is a true believer of pushing limits. This led him create products people didn’t even know they needed. His idea of refusing to settle for mediocrity is both appreciated and criticised. 

But the truth is this. Love him or hate him, we can never ignore him.

Business Lesson from Steve Jobs:

1. Great businesses change the way people think instead of just selling products. 
2. Excellence isn’t in the big moments. It’s in the smallest ones. Pay attention to even the smallest details.
3. Failure is not final if we keep evolving.

8. The Big Short (2015)

Directed by – Adam McKay

IMDb Ratings – 7.8

Rotten Tomatoes – 89%

“I have a feeling, in a few years people are going to be doing what they always do when the economy tanks. They will be blaming immigrants and poor people.”

Did you know that, in 2008, the world economy crashed? 

Many people lost their homes and jobs. But a handful of outsiders saw it coming and bet against the system. This movie is about them. 

More than just a finance movie, it’s a wake-up call. The movie explains the fact that the smartest people are not always the loudest in a room. 

Business Lesson from The Big Short:

1. Just because “everyone” believes something doesn’t mean it’s right. 
2. Always look beyond the surface. 
3. Acting on an opportunity is always the best than just seeing it.

Opportunities mean nothing unless you act on them.
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9. The Intern (2015)

Directed by – Nancy Meyers

IMDb Ratings – 7.1

Rotten Tomatoes – 60%

“The key is to keep moving.”

The main character if this movie is a 70-year-old widower. And he takes an internship at a fashion startup. 

His boss is skeptical about him. All she this is, “What could an old guy possibly bring to a digital-first company?”

And it turns out that he brings a lot. He isn’t just a great worker; he’s wise. 

He mentors the employees, supports his boss during tough moments, and proves that real experience matters a lot.

Business Lesson from The Intern:

1. Leadership is about taking care of the people, your team, who help you build it.
2. Bringing diverse perspectives can help you a lot.
3. No matter you are young or old, growth never stops. 

10. The Founder (2016)

Directed by – John Lee Hancock

IMDb Ratings – 7.2

Rotten Tomatoes – 80%

“Speed. That’s the name of the game.”

Are you also one of the people who thins that Ray Kroc was the founder of McDonald’s?

He wasn’t actually the founder but the man who turned it into a global empire. 

This movie tells the story of how Kroc took a small burger joint run by the McDonald brothers and transformed it into the biggest fast-food chain in history.

His methods? Not always ethical. 

He saw the potential, outmaneuvered the original owners, and took control of the brand. 

The movie leaves you with a thought, “Does success justify everything?”

Business Lesson from The Founder:

1. The best entrepreneurs always see how to scale.
2. You don’t have to do everything in your business but always have control over everything.
3. Growth matters, but integrity matters more.

Business movies on Amazon Prime 

1. Inside Job (2010)
2. The Big Short (2015)
3. Joy (2015)
4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
5. The Social Network (2010)
6. War Dogs (2016)
7. Jobs (2013)
8. Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) 
9. Wall Street (1987)
10. The Intern (2015)
11. Moneyball (2011)
12. Band Baaja Baaraat (2010) 
13. Money Monster (2016)
14. Air (2023)
15. The Gentlemen (2019) 
16. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) 
17. Steve Jobs (2015)
18. Equity (2016)
19. Chef (20140
20. Jerry Maguire (1996)
21. The Aviator (2004)
22. August (2008)
23. The Burial (2023)
24. Like a Boss (2020)
25. The Boss (2016)
26. Erin Brockovich (2000)
27. Risky Business (1983)
28. Boiler Room (2000)
29. Thank You for Smoking (2005)
30. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)
31. The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)
32. Entourage (2015)
33. Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
34. Family Business (1989)
35. The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) 
36. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
37. The Kitchen (2019)
38. The Informant! (2009)
39. The Dilemma (2011)
40. Barbershop (2002)
41. The Secret of My Success (1987)
42. Office Space (1999)
43. Big Business (1988)
44. The Associate (1986) 
45. Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)

Business movies on Netflix 

1. The Great Hack (2019)
2. Pain Hustlers (2023)
3. The social network (2010)
4. Upstarts (2019)
5. The intern (2015)
6. Money Ball (2011)
7. The boy who harnessed the wind (2019)
8. Made in China (2019)
9. The Godfather (1972)
10. Money Monster (2016)
11. High Flying Bird (2019)
12. Guru (2010)
13. Fyre (2019)
14. Tony Robbins: I’m not your guru (2016)
15. The Midas Touch (2013)
16. Like a boss (2020)
17. Erin Brockovich (2000)
18. Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed (2021)
19. Lionheart (2018)
20. Jerry Maguire (1996)
21. Ibiza (2018)
22. American Factory (2019)

Business movies on Hotstar 

1. Thank You for Smoking (2005)
2. Wall Street (1987)

Bollywood Business Movies

1. Baazaar (2018)
2. Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009)
3. Guru (2007)
4. Badmaash Company (2010)
5. Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
6. Corporate (2006)
7. Sui Dhaaga (2018)
8. Upstarts (2019)
9. Businessman (2012)
10. Made in China (2019)
11. Mitron (2018)
12. Jodi Breakers (2012)
13. Baazigar (1993)
14. Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005)
15. Karobaar (2000)
16. Manzil (1979)

Hollywood Business Movies 

1. Inside Job (2010)
2. Margin Call (2011)
3. Joy (2015)
4. The Founder (2016)
5. The Aviator (2004)
6. Jerry Maguire (1996)
7. Chef (2014) 
8. Entourage (2015)
9. Molly’s Game (2017)
10. Pretty Woman (1990)
11. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
12. Taking Care of Business (1990)
13. POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (2011)
14. Hollywood Banker (2014)
15. Show Business (2016)
16. Show Business at War (1943)

Inspirational Movies for Business Owners 

1. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
2. The Greatest Showman (2017)
3. Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
4. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
5. Startup.com (2001)
6. Jobs (2013)
7. Forrest Gump (1994)
8. Office Space (1999)
9. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
10. Whiplash (2014)
11. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
12. Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
13. Up in the Air (2009)
14. Arbitrage (2012)
15. Working Girl (1988)
16. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
17. American Gangster (2007)
18. Barbarians at the Gate (1993)

Conclusion 

Did you find a favourite business movie on the list? Maybe a movie that resonated with your own experiences or aspirations?

They’re sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration and practical lessons. And who knows? The next big business idea or strategy might just come from something you see on screen. 

Happy watching, and may these movies about business success inspire your entrepreneurial journey!