If you’re like most entrepreneurs I coach, you probably love learning, but don’t always have time to read heavy books. That’s where business documentaries and business movies become your secret weapon.
If you are thinking, “Why are business documentaries so important to learn entrepreneurship?”
Because…
| – They’re real. – They’re raw. – And they show you what happens behind the scenes in companies, boardrooms, and billion-dollar empires. |
Whether you prefer Netflix, Amazon Prime business documentaries, YouTube, or Hotstar, the right documentary can shift how you think about money, ethics, leadership, risk-taking, and innovation.
And because 2026 will demand sharper thinking, faster decisions, and stronger business ethics from entrepreneurs, I’ve handpicked the 13 best business documentaries that every MSME business owner should watch this year.
Some are powerful business ethics documentaries. Some are legendary business-related documentaries about failure, resilience, or comeback stories.
Ready?
Let’s dive into the top business documentaries to watch in 2026. And trust me, you’ll find at least one that changes how you think about business forever.
Here are the best 13 business documentaries categorised by where you can watch them…
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Director: Jeff Orlowski
Why every entrepreneur MUST watch it?
Because you’re competing for your customer’s attention, and this documentary shows exactly how attention is controlled, manipulated, and monetised.
It exposes the psychology behind notifications, feeds, algorithms, and behaviour triggers.
Big takeaway:
If you understand human behaviour, you can influence buying behaviour.
| Unknown fact! Several ex-employees in the film helped build the addiction loops they now warn against. |
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Why do business owners love it?
This isn’t about Microsoft.
It’s about how Bill Gates THINKS… How he breaks problems, follows data, learns fast, and makes high-leverage decisions.
Big takeaway:
Most entrepreneurs work hard. Gates works systematically.
| Unknown fact! The director said Bill Gates rarely gives emotional access, but this documentary captured it accidentally during a casual conversation. |
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Director: Various
Why does it matter for entrepreneurs?
Unethical business practices can destroy even billion-dollar companies.
This series shows how shortcuts, corruption, and greed ruin brands, and how transparency builds longevity.
Big takeaway:
Reputation is a currency.
| Unknown fact! The investigative team uncovered evidence that triggered real-world legal action. |
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Director: Charles Ferguson
Why should you watch it?
It dissects the 2008 financial crash in a way that shows how poor leadership, blind trust, and wrong incentives can collapse entire industries.
Big takeaway:
Finance is decisions, discipline, and responsibility.
| Unknown fact! Many top CEOs refused to appear because the questions were too direct. |
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Director: Manuel H. Martin
Why is it gold for business owners?
Pep Guardiola is basically a CEO running a high-performance team.
You’ll learn…
Big takeaway:
High standards + high support = high performance.
| Unknown fact! Guardiola allowed cameras inside tactical rooms [something unheard of in world football]. |
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Director: Vala Halldorsdottir, Sesselja Vilhjalmsdottir
Why does it help MSMEs?
You hear raw, honest stories from founders who built Vimeo, Dropbox, SoundCloud, and more.
Not polished. Not scripted. Real.
Big takeaway:
Every successful entrepreneur was clueless in the beginning. They always learn by doing.
| Unknown fact! This documentary was made by two founders who struggled themselves and wanted answers. |
IMDb Rating: N/A (Documentary Series)
Director: Arto Koskinen
Why should business owners watch this?
Nokia had everything, from brand, customers to market share, and still lost.
This documentary shows the exact moments they ignored innovation, feedback, and technology shifts.
Big takeaway:
Success makes you comfortable. Comfort kills companies.
| Unknown fact! Nokia engineers had built a smartphone before Apple. Leadership killed it. |
IMDb Rating: N/A
Why is it worth your time?
This documentary shows how Jeff Bezos built Amazon using long-term thinking, frugality, and unbelievable customer obsession.
Big takeaway:
Compete on convenience, not price.
| Unknown fact! Amazon’s desk-from-a-door idea wasn’t symbolism. They genuinely couldn’t afford new furniture. |
IMDb Rating: N/A
Why do business owners watch it repeatedly?
Because Musk’s mindset forces you to think bigger.
Whether you like him or not, understanding his unreasonable goals helps you reset your own thinking.
Big takeaway:
Constraints are optional.
| Unknown fact! Musk agreed to the documentary only if the team could keep up with his insane schedule. |
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Director: Alex Gibney
Why should entrepreneurs see it?
Elizabeth Holmes created a billion-dollar illusion, and this business documentary reveals how hype, secrecy, and overconfidence can blind even top investors.
Big takeaway:
A great story cannot replace a great product.
| Unknown fact! Some Theranos interviews were leaked by whistleblowers who risked their careers. |
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Director: Patrick Reams, Ruan Magan
Why is this a must-watch?
It captures Rockefeller, Ford, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie and their ambition, rivalry, systems, and mindset.
If you want a masterclass in market domination, this is it.
Big takeaway:
Your competitors define you, but your vision differentiates you.
| Unknown fact! The show used private letters and diaries that had never been seen before. |
Where to watch: Netflix/YouTube
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Director: David Gelb
Why you’ll love it?
Jiro shows what mastery looks like [discipline, consistency, and extreme attention to detail].
Big takeaway:
Your brand becomes premium when your process becomes world-class.
| Unknown fact! Jiro still hand-checks every ingredient, even in his 90s. |
Where to watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Director: John Lee Hancock
Why every MSME must watch it?
Ray Kroc’s journey shows how systems can beat talent, and how McDonald’s became a real-estate business disguised as a fast-food chain.
Big takeaway:
Great businesses scale with systems, not superheroes.
| Unknown fact! The documentary uses original McDonald’s training manuals from the 1950s. |
Business documentaries aren’t just entertainment. They’re a shortcut to decades of business lessons.
If you want to become a sharper thinker, a better leader, and a more strategic entrepreneur, make these 13 business documentaries your playlist for 2026.
If you enjoyed this list, check out my full library of blogs and business resources… You’ll find deep dives, case studies, strategies, and simple frameworks you can apply immediately.
Start with The Social Dilemma, The Founder, and Inside Bill’s Brain. They’re simple, story-driven, and packed with practical business lessons.
Founders love The Men Who Built America, The Rise and Fall of Nokia, and Jiro Dreams of Sushi because they show mindset, discipline, and real decision-making.
Yes! The Story of Amazon, Dirty Money, and The Founder help MSMEs learn pricing, customer obsession, ethics, systems, and scaling.
You’ll find many great business documentaries on YouTube, including case studies on Amazon, Tesla, Nokia, and business journeys.
None can destroy iron, but its own rust can! Likewise, none can destroy a person, but their own mindset can.
Former chairperson of the Tata Group
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