You’ve heard of the Industrial Revolution, well, this is the era of the Entrepreneurship Revolution.
Entrepreneurship is one of the more budding industries, but even so, many people fall off the wagon quickly. There are many rough patches along the way and many just want to give up when it gets too tough.
But I believe that perseverance does pay off in the long run. All you need is a change in perspective and a desire to achieve what you want to achieve.
And a great way to get into that motivated mindset is with a motivational movie!
You are going to need daily motivation to help you overcome all of the obstacles you will face in this line of work.
And sometimes, it just gets so hard to even finish off a single day. That’s when you need inspiration.
Movies have been, and still are, a source of inspiration for many. Movies have the power to challenge our limits, push our understandings, and invoke powerful emotions.
In short: Movies can help you become a better entrepreneur!
Related:
Top Motivational Movies Every Entrepreneur MUST Watch For A Dose Of Inspiration
1. Nightcrawler (2014)
I just finished watching this movie, and the first thing I did after watching it was start writing this post.
Nightcrawler is a movie for people with great vision.
This movie is little brutal, but Jake Gyllenhaal’s acting will keep you engaged. It’s about a struggling guy who is looking for a job but can’t find one. Instead, he finds a window of opportunity after witnessing a crime and decides to become a crime journalist.
This movie will teach you that with a little persuasion and drive, anyone can become anything. It will teach you how focusing on, and improving, your positive attributes will make you limitless.
Go watch this movie, and then come back and tell me you aren’t inspired. It’s not possible.
And without giving away any spoilers, here’s the last line of the movie:
2. The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network was a Hollywood blockbuster.
It was based on the fairy-tale rise of Mark Zuckerberg and his startup – Facebook.
The Social Network remains a top choice for inspiration because of its deft storytelling and brilliant background score.
This is a good movie on learning how to take your dreams and turn them into reality.
The movie also teaches us a lot on how to scale a company from a dorm room to the most successful social media platform the world has ever seen!
Although the accuracy of this movie has been questioned, it doesn’t matter, it is a great source of inspiration for all entrepreneurs.
Here is one of the best lines from the movie:
3. Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Pirates of Silicon Valley is another well-crafted movie covering the successes of Bill Gates’s Microsoft and Steve Jobs’s Apple.
Both were no doubt “great pirates” and this movie does a great job of detailing that. The movie is a take on the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates from the very early days.
Noah Wyle did a great job of portraying young Steve Jobs in this made-for-television movie.
And Anthony Michale Hall does a great Bill Gates. Here’s one of his quotes:
4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Yes, it’s spelled like that.
This is one of my favorite motivational movies, and one of the best movies ever on never giving up.
Will Smith’s amazing portrayal of Chris Gardner will give you goosebumps.
This is a movie based on Chris’s memoirs. It was a best-selling book and then became a blockbuster movie.
It adds in a gripping sense of reality that you don’t find in a lot of cheesy Hollywood movies.
The movie features a powerful, yet simple message:
- Never give up.
Here’s a great line:
5. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
How could we leave out this one!?
It’s one of IMDB’s all-time top 10 movies.
Here’s the story:
Two imprisoned men bond over a period of many years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency. The protagonist Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) manages to make the best out of a very bad situation (being imprisoned for a false murder). Through perseverance, he manages to achieve more than he ever thought possible.
Morgan Freeman plays the other main character, and their chemistry is unmatchable.
During one of their earliest conversations, Andy says:
6. Forrest Gump (1994)
This is a beautiful story about a simple man with good intentions, who accidentally becomes a phenomenal success just by living his the life he feels is right.
He wins medals, becomes a professional ping-pong player, takes up running, owns a huge shrimping company, and inspires people all across the country.
The story revolves around the simple nature of Forrest (Tom Hanks) and how he proves that you don’t have to be a genius to achieve something. All you have to do is try.
My favorite quote from the movie:
7. Moneyball (2011)
This movie is about the Oakland Athletics and its general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt).
The team is an underdog and is losing a lot of money. All of their star players have been picked up by bigger teams. Now, Billy needs to look at how to create a winning team without the kind of talent that money can buy.
This movie shows how entrepreneurs can take an innovative approach to an existing way of doing business, and beat out the competition with little to no money.
Here’s a great line:
8. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather is another one of IMDB’s all-time top 10 movies, and it’s also one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.
This is a story about the growth of a small family business and the fighting off of the opposition. The business changes through time until it finally becomes the largest organized crime syndicate in New York City.
The father and son who run the operation show what it takes to get to the top and stay there.
It’s a great watch for those who want to learn how to stay on the top. Note: Don’t do anything illegal, just find some inspiration in these shrewd business operators.
And I know you won’t be able to resist from tweeting this line:
9. Wall Street (1987)
This a movie about business and greed.
The story is about an ambitious young stockbroker, Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen).
He has and does everything in his power to succeed, even if that means a little insider trading. Insider trading is a highly reprehensible and punishable crime, and yet, he has no fear. He meets with Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas) and starts doing business with the motto “greed is good”.
You don’t have to succumb to greed to draw inspiration from this movie.
Here’s a great line:
10. Rocky (1976)
This is the classic underdog story.
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is given the chance to fight the heavyweight champ. He has an opportunity to make a better life for himself by going head to head with the challenge.
This movie teaches a lot about the competitive spirit, and will inspire you to get up and beat your competition (hopefully not literally!).
Always remember this truth:
11. Jerry McGuire (1996)
This is a classic movie (based on a true story) that shows just what it takes to stay at the top.
The protagonist (Tom Cruise) is faced with rejection and people keep turning their backs on him while he takes big leaps of faith. Slowly, he identifies the best road for him to follow, and ultimately ends up being successful in both business and life.
Here’s a little-known quote from this movie (written on a sign in a locker room):
12. Startup.com (2001)
Startup.com is an excellent documentary about the internet gold rush of the late 1990’s.
This documentary has all the necessary ingredients to learn a few great lessons about the internet bubble. A rise in competition, lifelong friendships on the line, and do-or-die ambitions all combine to form a deadly cocktail for an internet startup.
Here’s a warning sign that things aren’t going great:
13. Something Ventured (2011)
If you happen to be an entrepreneur looking forward to exploring the VC avenue, this documentary has some great insight.
Something Ventured is a documentary based on the perspective of the first venture capitalists in Silicon Valley.
It’s a really great way of looking at how things get funded, and what’s on the line for big time investors. It’s also a great look at how to be brave and push through innovative ideas in a market that always likes to be complacent.
For any entrepreneur or investor:
14. Boiler Room (2000)
Although this movie is most likely inspired by the original Wall Street, there are few great salesman tips to inspire you here!
Let this movie guide you to find that inner business spirit.
It’s a total must-watch to get you motivated. Also, it’ll help you stay true to your spirit and not become morally corrupt.
One great line to remember:
15. Office Space (1999)
Raise your hand if you hate work!
If you’ve ever hated an office job, Office Space is definitely a movie for you.
This movie will help inspire you to get out of that awful 9 to 5 lifestyle. This is such a motivating movie…
It’s about a guy who just can’t stand going to work anymore. Instead of being fired, he gets promoted, but his bitterness about his job comes back to cause him trouble.
Seriously amazing movie.
Here’s a great line:
Bonus: Ctrl+Alt+Compete (2011)
Ctrl+Alt+Compete is a documentary movie with some of the most up-to-date insights into the modern startup industry.
Here you can take a look into the highs, the lows, and the harsh realities of the startup world. This movie is a reality check on the illusions of the startup industry in general.
Here’s a line about investing:
Movies for Motivation
Apart from these movies, any of the TED videos are highly recommended, and will give you much that needed push to start and finish up anything.
Another movie that I highly recommend you check out is “The Secret”. This movie will not only help you build a positive outlook, it will change your perspective and will help you live a meaningful and happy life.
This is my list of inspirational movies, and I’m sure there are many more movies which have motivated you. Share those movies with me in the comments. What do you watch when you need that extra inspirational kick?
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75 comments on “Top 15 Motivational Movies Every Entrepreneur MUST Watch”
Awesome collections. I also watched some of them like social networking. I am an internet marketer.
Hi Srikanth AN. i read your post. many point in this post i like very much. thanks for sharing such kind of post with us.
Hello Rana, you are very much welcome.
Srikanth, those are some of my favorite movies- the best is Jerry Maguire, seen it many times. I also loved Wall St and Forrest Gump. I’ve yet to see the Pirates of Silicon Valley or Something Ventures, they will be on my to do list. Thanks for sharing these.
Jerry Maguire is good but The pirates of silicon valley is the best. I have seen it many times again and yet never get bored. The story of Apple, Microsoft and their fierce rivalry is awe inspiring!
I know you are best blogger from India and you article is also best ššš
Very Good collection of movies for entrepreneurs. Let me confess here, only few were known to me. Thanks for posting this list. Keep it up
Hello Rakesh,
Thank you for your comment. Very glad that you find this post useful.
I seen The pursuit of happyness sometime back and I really love this movie. I’m going to try watching one or two of the shared movies in this weekend.
Now that’s what i call innovative thinking. There’s certainly great minds on this blog. Pursuit of Happiness and Shawshank Redemption where really inspiring
Hey Srikant,
Pursuit of happiness and wall street….awesom… i m doing full time job in a borking firm and dont know about other…. when i m depress i think my self in place of will of pursuit and my boss as douglas of wall street….. brother it gives tremendous confidence in this bad scenario of market… really
Nice of you to share a list of inspiring movies. I don’t know if you have watched it or not but October Sky truly deserves a place in the list.
Hey where is Jobs 2013?
I am so thankful to you for sharing such a great leagends movies . All are so insperitional
and motivational movies.. One who loose there inner faith and strength must watch all and boost-up yourself.
Wow awesome list, watched The Social network.
Downloading Pirates of silicon valley.
Please make a list of Bank Robbery movies like #NOWYOUSEEME
“The Internship” is also the great and inspirational movie.
You missed “Rocket Singh” in this collection:)
Now thatās what i call innovative thinking. Thereās certainly great minds on this blog. Pursuit of Happiness and Shawshank Redemption where really inspiring
Hello Akhil,
Thank you for your comment. Glad that you find this article useful.
Rocky and GodFather? I dont think so
Hi Srikant,
This is an interesting post. The list of the movies have revived the memories. I have watched the movie ‘The pursuit of happyness (2006)’ thrice. Its definitely a heart touching movie and also very inspirational. Thanks for the post.!!!
Hello Sayyed,
Yes, The Pursuit of Happyness is one great inspirational movie ever made! Extremely glad that you find this article useful.
nice collection of motivational movies, all of those movies are awesome
but my favorite is Top Secret, a motivational movie from Thailand š
Hello Alvi,
Thank you for your comment. Also thanks to you for sharing an inspirational movie for the community here to catch up with.
Hi Srikanth AN. I read your post the collection are really awesome. Forest Gump and Pursuit of Happiness are the best. They are mine personal favorite. . I will try looking for more of your collections.
Hello Kamal,
Yes, those two are among the best movies ever made in Hollywood. Thank you for your comment. Glad that you find this article useful.
Nice collection buddy thanks for sharing with us . Goosebump sharted in my stomach after watching these trailers. Specially for Ctrl-alt-compete (2011)
Hello Nikhil,
Thank you for your comment. Glad that you find this article useful.
Hey srikanth,
Really awesome collection you create here. Ultimate way to make funny thing in this blogosphere. so keep it up.
Most worst thing is that i didn’t see a single movie among them. si, i’m going to see some of them.
Thanks.
Anubhav
Hello Anubhav,
These are some great movies for Entrepreneurs and bloggers alike. You must find time to cherish some of these best movies.
did anybody mention ‘Ingenious’? how could a separate the movie from entrepreneurship!!!!!!!
Hello Musa,
Yes, the ‘Ingenious’ is one great movie for entrepreneurs. Thank you for including the movie through the comment section.
You can also include some Bollywood movies like Iqbal, Rocket singh salesman of the year, Guru.. BTW thanks for the list which i was finding to watch š
Hello Mayank,
Yes, those are some amazing inspirational movies for Bollywood fans. Would be doing a post on the same sometime soon. Thank you for your comment.
The Wolf of Wall street and Rush are also awesome inspirational movies that deserves a place in the list anyway great list! Have watched most of them!
Hello Deependra,
Yes, definitely The Wolf of Wall Street and Rush are two great movies, directed wonderfully. Thanks for your comment. Glad you find this article useful.
Thanks for this wonderful list of movies.Mr Harsh u r my true inspiration.Sir i am also making sports and technology based blogging website i have given the name above.Kindly please guide me.I will wait for your reply.
Hey, this is a great list and I Have watched 90% movie on this list and the last one I watched is Nightcrawler and its really nice.
Hey Tanmoy,
Yes, the Nightcrawler is an amazing must-watch movie. Glad that you find this list interesting.
The list of movies mentioned by you is very interesting. All the movies which are listed is still followed by the masses. Thank you for the information…
Nice post.. What I believe that reading books or watching movies may help up to some extent or help you stay motivated, but qualities of business comes from inner self. Focus, dynamism, planning can be the key factors. How can we forget rags to riches stories of our nation.
Hello Twinkle,
Yes, definitely, Business and Entrepreneurship are something related to innate abilities. But the impact of books and movies should never be underestimated. We represent a large part of what we read and what we watch. How we choose to spend our free time says a lot about us. Thank you for your comment.
I got bored.. doing all kind of things for my blog.. and i taught of seeing any movie…
and while i’m searching. for inspirational movies/ videos .. i found this article..
this is very interesting.. i didn’t saw few movies from this list..
“The Social Network ” i almost saw this movie for 5 times.. very nice movie..
and for now i’ll see these movies.. š
Hello Shiva,
Yes, The social network is definitely one great inspirational movie for Entrepreneurs. Glad that you find this article useful.
Great, I also love Rocky. Look at his eye make me more energy. Practice and never give up with belief of winning game then you will succeed. I like the movie The Real Steal. Also talk about the boxing but the robot did the job. However, robot is only the great machine, they can not replace human’s determination, energy and motivation to win any thing in life. Great to watch it.
Cheers.
Hello Srikanth, thanks for your good listing here. Really good and motivational movies for business person. Going to check them one by one. Again thanks a lot
Happy Friday
Cheers
Hello Tonmoy,
Really glad that you find this article useful.
Brilliant List thank you, Its is the perfect order. The pursuit of happyness is a great film its most probably my favourite
Hey Sri,
Thanks for sharing this brilliant list. These were amazing. I think now I have to plan for these movies.
Nice movie collection, I also watched most of them. I think u should add the jobs(2013) based on steve jobs, it is quite motivating
Brilliant list, I have seen most of these movies back in 2014-15. I think you should add “The intern” (2015). The movies is worth to be mentioned in this list.
These are all good movie I watched 10 movies as you listed in this post. they are really Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
U must add: the wolf of wall Street! awesome movie for entrepreneurs!
I think it is similar to wall street right?
It is much different than wall street. Crazy movie.
Awesome you should watch “the internship” fellas. really a great inspiring movie. go check it out quick. it was released in 2015. I really loved the movie. One more movie you should watch “Spare parts” also released in 2015 is based on real story. watch them , get hooked, i’m telling ya’ll.
Not a movie lover though but love watching love films only. I love india love movies because of their awesome music. I will check all these out soon. Have a nice day!
All of these have male protagonists which is sort of a bummer for female entrepreneurs. Other than Joy, which I just watched and loved, any suggestions for movies with female protagonists?
Hey Hojo,
Two movies which I can think of are The Blind Side and Erin Brockovich. Both Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts were phenomenal.
excellent list. One movie that I thing has to be on the list is “American gangster” starring Denzel washington. The movie is all about capitalism (the title is misleading). One of the recent releases “joy” starring jennifer lawrence is also a very good entrepreneur film.
You have piled in a great list here. Yeah, I have come across some of the movies but never watched. Should be truly inspirational to watch.
Thanks for the list man
“The pursuit of happiness (2006)” is best motivation movie which i have ever seen. and i have not seen some of movies from above given list.. surly i will watch soon..
Thank You so much, sir. I was searching for movies like these, and you had compiled them on a single page. š
Social Network and The Pursuit of Happyness are epic movies. I suggest you see Jennifer Lawerence’s JOY, is also inspirational movie.
I feel so young after going through this post lol. I don’t know like more than half of these movies. I’ve got work ahead.
I can preach for Nightcrawler. Awesome movie seriously.
Indian inspirational movies?
Guru
Chak de India
3 idiots
Swadesh
Iqbal
Not many though
Nightcrawler is my favorite. Deserved first place.
Hi, Very good to read your post its nice. I have watching some of that movies š
Great list! I would add ‘The Founder’. It”s a movie about Ray Kroc, the founder of McDomalds. Awesome movie.
I just finished “nightcrawler”, I got the idea that anyone can reach wherever he wants if he insisted it and worked hard to get it .
But actually I didn’t understand one thing and it is ; the crime journalist was stealing before he became a journalist, but he never got what he deserved for stealing , and in the last scenes of the movie he could’ve just handed the criminals faces, which he pictured, to the police , but he didn’t.. so he could get a crime scene and so he could have something to film . There some innocent people died just so he can film !, I know it is all just acting .. But what I am saying that he did something that he should’ve not done , and he never got punished for what he did …
So the movie showes that it is okay to steal , lie, and do bad things to fillfull you dream ?!
I don’t support this idea at all.
If I was wrong about some idea , I would like to know your opinion& why.
“So the movie showes that it is okay to steal , lie, and do bad things to fillfull you dream ?!”
I wouldn’t say it shows it is alright. It is just a fact of life that some people get away with terrible things. But yeh it’s not an idea that should be supported š (at least publically…)
I bealive that the idea for the movie was that he was ready to do whatever it takes to be successful. The main character was indeed indifferent about other people and as he said in the movie ”You see, it’s not i dont know how to deal with people. I just dont like them.” In my opinion, the fact that the character did extreme sociopathic actions made the movie brilliant.
You have written a great list of motivational movies of all times.i watched ”The Social Network” and it gives a clear view of Mark Zuckerberg suttrgling life and story behind Facebook.But you can add some movies from Bollywood industry too just like Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and Guru.
it was nice list i have watched some of them.
the one movie that I like is not in this list
1. peacefull of warrior
2. the shack
3. animation turbo
4. (animation) inside out
5. animation ( baby boss)
Nightcrawler was a brilliant movie and thanks for recommending it. I am a little confused why you would put class it as an inspirational entrepreneur movie. For me, the movie is really about media distortion and ethics. I can see that he was an opportunist and dedicated to what he was doing. But if there is a link to entrepreneurship, it would be that you should build an ethical business and an engaged team.