Being an entrepreneur is not always easy. It’s a journey filled with challenges, obstacles and self-doubt but it is also amazingly rewarding.
An important part of being a successful entrepreneur is finding ways to motivate yourself even when things get difficult as well as managing to find a balance between work and rest in order to recharge effectively; and that’s where inspirational movies come in, they are a great way to relax and motivate yourself at the same time.
In this article, we’ll go over a list of 100 movies entrepreneurs can learn from while having a good time with the important people in their life. Let’s begin with #1…
1- The Pursuit of Hapyness
This is a powerful movie based on the true story of Chris Gardner to become a stock broker against many difficulties while taking care of his young son. A beautiful movie by Italian director Gabriele Muccino where Will Smith’s powerful performance will remind entrepreneurs about the importance of believing in their dreams and being persistent even when things get really difficult.
Here’s the trailer of a classic about the possibilities of human potential:
2- The Social Network
A dramatic story about the ups and downs of starting a business and the motivations behind the endeavour. Although it was probably overdramatized, it tells the story of Facebook’s start with a brilliant script by Aaron Sorkin and a masterful soundtrack by Nine Inch Nail’s Trent Reznor. A good story to remind entrepreneurs about the importance of thinking big and having a clear vision from the beginning.
Take a look at the trailer over here:
By the way, here’s a list with the Top 17 Books for Entrepreneurs: Top Books for Entrepreneurs
3- Steve Jobs
Based on Walter Isaacson’s remarkable biography, Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of Steve Jobs is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. It’s a reminder about passion and focus every entrepreneur can learn from. An invitation to follow your passion and Think Different. If you haven’t read the book yet, make sure you take a good look at this movie. By the way, you can ind a list with quotes from Steve Jobs over here: Quotes from Steve
Here’s the theatrical trailer:
4- The Godfather
Considered as one of the best movies of all time, this family and business drama showcases the importance of strategic thinking in business and creating an effective team to defeat the competition. With astonishing performances by Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, the Godfather continues to be a classic worth watching over and over again. Although it’s a story that revolves around crime, there are solid business principles as well as motivational insights to be learned; including timeless marketing principles such as “I’ll make him an offer the can’t refuse.”
Here’s a clip with the movie’s trailer:
5- Rocky
An inspirational story about seizing opportunities and doing your best to be ready when you get a chance to succeed. This story about an amateur boxer who never had a shot at the title has motivated generations to workout and get ahead in life. Certainly a reminder about the importance of focus, perseverance and endurance worth watching.
6- Jerry Maguire
“Show Me the Money!” That’s what this movie is all about! Jerry is a driven sports agent who decides to start a business on his own, only to discover the challenges that come along the journey. Unquestionably an inspirational movie with remarkable performances by Cuba Gooding Jr. and the one and only Tom Cruise.
Here’s the movie’s trailer:
7- Invictus
“How do we inspire ourselves to greatness, when nothing else will do?” that’s the key question of the story, a question asked by Nelson Mandela, portrayed wonderfully by the talented Morgan Freeman, to Francois Pienaar, the captain of South Africa’s National Rugby team played by the charismatic Matt Damon. This is a movie about the true nature of the human spirit that will invite entrepreneurs reconsider what’s possible through teamwork.
Here’s a quick look:
8- Shawshank Redemption
A touching story about friendship, teamwork and never losing hope of sharing a cold coconut in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Tim Robbin’s character is an example of planning, execution and hard work every entrepreneur can learn from.
Here’s a glimpse of this beautiful movie:
9- Moneyball
Finding creative solutions with the resources that are available is a core principle every entrepreneur must internalize. This thought provoking film based on true events shows us the journey of 2 men who changed baseball using statistics and counterintuitive thinking.
10- Wall Street
Business is about getting things done, but also about finding balance and staying true to your principles. This is a dramatic story that reminds us about the importance of being driven, but also keeping things real and not letting ambition take control. It’s a great film with powerful performances by Michael Douglas and a deceivingly young Charlie Sheen.
Here’s a quick look:
11- Good Will Hunting
It’s all about believing in yourself, that’s what this insightful story is truly about. One of Robin Williams’ most engaging performances and Matt Damon’s breakthrough role as a gifted and tormented genius who is afraid of his own potential. A powerful film by director Gus Van Sant about following your intuition and trusting yourself. Here’s the film’s trailer:
12- Wolf of Wall Street
This is an entertaining story about ambition and greed where Leonardo DiCaprio follows Martin Scorceses’s lead on a wild ride of excess and unpredictability. A lot can be learned about determination and focus, but also about making sure you stay in control along the journey.
Take a look at the trailer over here:
13- The Aviator
Before Elon Musk, Howard Hughes made headlines with his outrageous entrepreneurial ventures decades ago. With outstanding performances by Leo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett, this remarkable movie based on Hughe’s life has a lot to offer to entrepreneurs who can learn about the importance of having a clear vision and the ability to take calculated risks.
Here’s the theatrical trailer:
14- Citizen Kane
Considered as one of the best movies of all time, this classic of cinema released in 1941 continues to surprise viewers of all ages. A cryptic story about the meaning of a successful business man’s last word and the story of his life according to those around him. Perseverance, focus and thoroughness are only a few of the important traits entrepreneurs can learn from Charles Forster Kane’s journey.
Here’s the trailer of this masterpiece:
15- Rudy
Leading with the example is all about conquering your fears and taking action. Rudy is a film about the true story of Dan Ruettiger, a young boy who gave everything on Notredame’s football field in spite of not having the stereotypical physical attributes of a football player. It’s an inspirational story that will remind entrepreneurs about the importance of believing in oneself against all odds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm0pTMbDaMI
16- Unbroken
The human spirit knows no limits, and there are times when we must keep going even when there’s no hope. That’s what this thought-provoking film based on the life of former olympic athlete Louis Zamperini invites us to consider as we review the harsh times he endured as a war prisoner. In business, there are times when entrepreneurs must keep going when things become really difficult and this movie is a great opportunity to be inspired by the human potential.
Here’s the trailer of this beautiful movie:
17- Glengarry Glen Ross
“Always be closing!” it’s the mythical phrase from this classic about sales and determination where Alec Baldwin plays the iconic Blake, the ruthless leader of a sales team who nobody wants to disappoint.
Take a quick look at this classic’s trailer over here:
18- Pirates of Silicon Valley
This is the story behind the device I’m using to write this article and the device you are using to read it. The birth of personal computing (including today’s handheld devices) was a titanic battle between two giants of technology known as Gates and Jobs who motivated each other to accomplish great things for mankind.
Here’s a sample, take a look:
19- Gladiator
Being an entrepreneur requires strength and determination, and this epic story about a soldier of the Roman Empire who ends up becoming an enslaved gladiator is a classic guaranteed to awaken the warrior inside every entrepreneur at heart. Russell Crowe’s performance won him an academy award in 2001 for this exhilarating cinematographic journey.
Here’s the trailer so you get a better idea of the film’s style:
20- The King’s Speech
Being a successful entrepreneur is often a matter of conquering your own fears and moving past obstacles.
In this heartwarming story, Colin Firth plays the future King George VI (he won the Academy Award for this performance) and tells the story of how he managed to challenge his speech impediment to inspire Britain in times of war in spite of his own fears and limitations with the help of an unorthodox Australian speech language therapist played by Geoffrey Rush.
Here’s a glimpse of the film:
21- The Game
A successful businessman finds himself trapped in a real-life game that gets out of control and makes him realize what’s truly important in life.
22- Forrest Gump
A naive young man shares the story of his life while sitting on a bench, and we get to learn from his innocence and determination to go after his goals. A valuable lesson entrepreneurs must never forget. Tom Hanks performance is a tour de force worth witnessing.
23- Erin Brockovich
A young woman’s determination to find justice for a group of families showcases Julia Robert’s Academy Award winning performance, and the true value of determination both on-screen and off-screen.
24- Chef
This is the story of a chef with a difficult temper and a son who happens to be a natural marketing genius. A fun journey of self-discovery and growth for a man who finds himself while sharing his passion for good food with the world. An enjoyable journey every entrepreneur can enjoy and relate to.
25- Secretariat
A story of overcoming the status quo and managing to achieve what seems impossible out of willpower and determination. This short trailer will give you a better idea of how a determined woman managed to create a horse racing legend.
26- Joy
Based on the real-life journey of the entrepreneur who created the miracle-mop and the challenges she had to endure to make her dreams come true. Here’s a clip that will tell you more about the movie:
27- The Call of the Entrepreneur
This films shares the stories of three entrepreneurs and the difficulties they encounter as they go along. Here’s more about the film:
28- The Greatest Showman
The birth of show business is portrayed in this wonderful musical where Hugh Jackman plays P.T. Barnum’s visionary journey.
29- Remember the Titans
In business, team work is fundamental to be successful and this compelling story about a football team of young men who manage to work together in spite of the apparent limitations of the time, is a classic where Denzel Washington has managed to inspire entrepreneurs around the globe.
30- Cinderella Man
Perseverance is the key to making things work, as shown in this powerful story about overcoming adversities where Russell Crowe plays a boxer who manages to rise to glory in times of the Great Depression.
Now, let’s review the rest of the list…
31- The Merchant of Venice
32- Limitless
33- Interstellar
34- Dead Poets Society
35- The Great Debaters
36- Catch Me If You Can
37- Slumdog Millionaire
38- We are Marshall
39- E-Dreams
40- Braveheart
41- Rush
42- Man on wire
43- Burnt
44- Million Dollar Arm
45- Rocket Singh
46- Apollo 13
47- McFarland, USA
48- The Company Men
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pie66GR63Fc
49- The Hudsucker Proxy
50- War Dogs
51- The intern
52- The Founder
53- Cocktail
54- Gung Ho
55- Primer
56- Boiler Room
57- Margin Call
58- The Internship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdnoqCViqUo
59- 8 Mile
60- Trading Places
61- A Bronx Tale
62- Nightcrawler
63- Wild
64- Begin Again
65- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
66- Baby Boom
67- Tommy Boy
68- Barbarians at the Gate
69- The First $20million is Always the Hardest
70- Tucker: The Man and His Dream
71- Flash of Genius
72- Office Space
73- Other People’s Money
74- The Color of Money
75- Gattaca
76- Lemonade Stories
77- Michael Clayton
78- Lord of War
79- The Billionaire
80- Up In the Air
81- October Sky
82- The Usual Suspects
83- Thank You For Smoking
84- The Devil Wears Prada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDSwAxlNhc
85- The Rainmaker
86- Prefontaine
87- Rogue Trader
88- My Cousin Vinnie
89- Coach Carter
90- The Revenant
91- Saving Private Ryan
92- Swimming With Sharks
93- Twelve Angry Men
94- Working Girl
95- How To Get Ahead In Advertising
96- The Player
97- Big Night
The last three films on this list are about finding balance between working and family life.
98- Click
99- Family Man
100- A Good Year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pebd1DN8nok
Which ones are your favorite movies for entrepreneurs? Which movies would you add to this list? Please share it in the comments section.
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