What is one surprising movie every entrepreneur should watch and why?
1. Office Space
“This is a true story: I quit my only corporate job the day after I saw this movie and have since founded 14 companies. This movie will remind entrepreneurs in those tough moments how lucky they are to guide their own life and control their own fate.”
– Andrea Lake, Sticker Junkie
2. The Pursuit of Happyness
“This true rags-to-riches story of Chris Gardner being homeless, raising a young son and working an internship as a stockbroker to try to secure a full-time position is pretty remarkable. He went on to make millions and support many charities and social causes. It goes to show you that your past and your current situations never determine your future.”
– Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World
3. Flash of Genius
“An inventor named Robert Kearns creates a wiper blade mechanism that is adopted by every auto company and becomes a standard on all cars. Kearns doesn’t receive the credit he is due, and he fights them for it. Entrepreneurs should watch because it shows how important it is to protect your ideas.”
– Brett Farmiloe, Digital Marketing Agency
4. Startup.com
“”Startup.com” recounts the rise and eventual collapse of the dot-com industry. It’s a must-see for any entrepreneur who wants a real-world look at what it’s like to get into the realm of small business.”
– Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance
5. Moneyball
“In “Moneyball,” Billy Beane’s staff looks at different solutions for replacing key players lost to free agency. Beane focuses on the larger picture: winning. He finds that even on a tight budget, if you focus on solving the larger problem at hand and play to your strengths, instead of trying to emulate the competition, you can find a way to win.”
– Nick Friedman, College Hunks Hauling Junk and College Hunks Moving
6. Never Say Never
“While stuck on a plane for 15 hours, I was forced to watch Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.” I rolled my eyes a little when it came on, but by the end of the movie I was genuinely excited for him when he sold out the Garden. The movie did a great job illustrating some of the struggle, hardship, & time it took for what the general public typically see as just “overnight success.”
– W. Michael Hsu, DeepSky
7. Boiler Room
“”Boiler Room” is a movie every entrepreneur must watch. It deals with the very real possibility of encountering moral dilemmas in your business dealings and how they’re dealt with (or how not to deal with them). It’s a reminder of how far the sheer pursuit of wealth can easily go very wrong. It is also a great flick with an all-star cast and a storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
– Jay Wu, A Forever Recovery
8. Life of Pi
“If you are starting a business, you are about to embark on a journey where you’ll get thrown lots of challenges. It’s how you approach them that will make a difference. “Life of Pi” exemplifies this.”
– Panos Panay, Sonicbids
9. Glengarry Glen Ross
“Whether it’s investors, customers or employees, there’s nothing more important to a startup than sales. The desperation, desire and the general tone of “Glengarry Glen Ross” should also resonate with entrepreneurs trying to get their businesses off the ground. Truth be told, entrepreneurs often more resemble salesmen trying to hustle for a buck than Fortune 500 CEOs.”
– Erik Severinghaus, SimpleRelevance
10. Pirates of Silicon Valley
“This was a fairly obscure made-for-TV movie about the beginnings of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Based on the book “Fire in the Valley,” it’s a fun look at how they both started and the relationship/rivalry that developed with lots of great one-liners. It was made back in 1999 before the iPod and iPhone became part of Americana. This movie always gets my entrepreneurial juices flowing. “
– Rishi Narayan, Underground Printing
11. The Social Network
“”The Social Network” was cliche but actually really good and inspiring. It shows you how hard it is to succeed and all the hurdles you have to overcome. It also teaches you that people will come and go and how to maintain control.”
– Trace Cohen, Launch.it
12. Pay It Forward
“My mentors’ mentors guided them without expecting anything in return, so they pay it forward to me. In turn, I pay it forward to the random people I meet in hopes that it makes their life better and they do the same for others. Let’s all pay it forward, like the movie suggests. “
– Shahzil (Shaz) Amin, Blue Track Media
13. Hugo
“This critically acclaimed Martin Scorsese film is set in Paris in the 1930s. Although its story isn’t about business, its theme serves as the core entrepreneurial story. At its core, “Hugo” is about finding your true passion and running with it against all odds. It is the true story of entrepreneurship in its most basic form. “
– James Simpson, GoldFire Studios
14. Jerry Maguire
“I’m watching this movie; who’s coming with me? It’s a great movie about how to be true to yourself in business and how to prioritize your life. It’s also a great lesson in the ups and downs inherent in entrepreneurship. Every entrepreneur knows what Jerry felt like when he lost Cush as a client. Resilience is a vital part of entrepreneurship.”
15. Wag the Dog
“It’s an old Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro flick, and it teaches you about the power of perception. It’s about learning to control the way the world views your brand – as an individual and as a team. “
– Benish Shah, Vicaire NY
16. The Secret
“Based off of a best-selling novel, “The Secret” teaches entrepreneurs how to use the Law of Attraction to create positive outcomes in their lives. With the simple idea that thoughts become things, the movie takes founders through the lives of famous and successful people who abide by the Law, bringing to light the self-fulfilling prophecies of thinking positively and thinking pessimistically.”
– Heidi Allstop, Spill
Photo Credits
The YEC | Nomadic Lass
