50 movies every entrepreneur should watch

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch

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How to Be Warren Buffett, The Social Network and Hunger for Power are among the titles that every entrepreneur should watch. Check out!

This list contains movies every entrepreneur should watch at least once to get to know the history of successful companies, understand a theory or two about the business world and even assimilate what not to do in your own projects according to the financial market. 

For example, you might get an idea of ​​how Wall Street works, learn more about the history of some popular founders and investors or find out how famous criminals managed to get where they are before everything was discovered and generated financial crises. 

Check out the films and documentaries below that address various aspects related to administration, management and entrepreneurship and be surprised by the twists and turns – whether they lead to success or failure. 

Fyre Festival – Fiasco in the Caribbean (2019)

Original title: Fyre 

7,2 on IMDb | 93% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix

Fyre Festival – Fiasco in the Caribbean is a documentary about hundreds of people who were attracted by the promise of experiencing the full experience of a luxurious festival in the Bahamas, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. 

They bought packages ranging from $10 to $100 that included first-class accommodations, musical performances, exquisite cuisine and a promising schedule of activities. However, when these people arrived at the place, they found a land under construction and some tents. Soon, they were stranded in a deserted place with unstable conditions and fluctuating weather changes.

The Fyre Festival is a classic example of the importance of planning and managing a project. Going forward with a plan knowing it will fail to deliver can trigger a domino effect of financial and reputational damage in the business world.

How to Be Warren Buffett (2017)

Original title: Becoming Warren Buffett

7,5 on IMDB 

Where to see: HBO Max

This documentary highlights the progress of a humble boy from Nebraska, United States, and his journey to become one of the most respected men in the world and consolidate his entrepreneurial career. With never-before-seen footage and home videos of his life, Warren Buffett allows viewers to get to know him deeper and understand his philosophy of life beyond money.

Investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett is considered one of the most brilliant businessmen of all time precisely because he achieved an intellectual and financial status of great relevance and still did not set aside his beliefs and moral notion. 

As soon as capital ceases to be the biggest problem, the entrepreneur's focus can be directed towards goals and objectives that put profit in second place to raise the company's values ​​and missions in the face of society. 

Hunger for Power (2016)

Original title: The Founder

7,2 on IMDb | 80% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Em Hunger for Power we follow the story of the largest fast-food chain ever created. In the film, salesman Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) discovers a restaurant run by the McDonald brothers in Southern California in the late 1950s.

Dazzled by the structured dynamics in the kitchen, with the speed and potential of the venture, the ambitious Kroc does everything to take control of the business, then transforming the place into a billionaire empire in the food sector and in the financial market. 

Dogs of War (2016)

Original title: War Dogs

7,1 on IMDb | 61% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max/Prime Video

Em Dogs of War, during the war in Iraq, a young man offers his childhood friend the chance to earn a lot of money, but for that he would need to become an international arms dealer. In this venture, the duo gets a contract worth 300 million dollars to supply weapons to the Afghan military, but they had no idea that they were closing deals with very dangerous and powerful people. 

This feature film starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller reinforces the importance of field research in the sector and investigating the history of companies and possible partnerships and customers, regardless of what you think you know about the subject. Also, in business, you need to know what competitors are doing in their strategies and whether the value of what you are offering to succeed in the financial market is equivalent. 

Generation Startup (2016)

6,2 on IMDb | 71% on Rotten Tomatoes

In the plot, we follow six newly formed friends who leave college with one goal in mind: to set up a startup in Detroit, in the United States. For a little over a year, the group faces all imaginable and unimaginable challenges with the aim of achieving this dream in the entrepreneurship career.

GenerationStartup is a film that outlines the formula for entrepreneurship in America, explores the points needed to build a startup and the possible outcomes.

Steve Jobs (2015)

7,2 on IMDb | 85% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Prime Video or Apple TV

The biographical film about Steve Jobs, the famous founder of Apple, highlights crucial moments in his life, from the launch of the first Macintosh, in 1984, and the creation of NeXT Inc, to the revolutionary project of the iMac. 

In addition, facts from Jobs' personal life are also covered, as well as the obstacles he had to face to build one of the most famous electronics and software brands that exist.

Joy: The Name of Success (2015)

Original title: Joy

6,6 on IMDb | 60% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

In the plot, Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence) is a brilliant young woman, but her personal life is extremely complicated. Divorced and a mother of two, she lives with her parents and ex-husband, who lives in the basement. Her mother, who lives upstairs and spends all day watching soap operas, shares the space with her father, despite the fact that they have been divorced for 17 years. Creative since childhood, Joy invents a miracle cleaning mop that becomes a sales phenomenon and makes her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the United States.

The film shows Joy's rise to success and the obstacles faced in the midst of financial and personal crises that still haven't shaken her determination to achieve her goals. 

The Big Short (2015)

Original title: T

7,8 on IMDb | 89% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

What happens when a man unravels and diagnoses the collapse of the monopoly bank before the crisis even happens?

In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry (Christian Bale) realizes that a series of loans made for the real estate market are at risk of default. He then decides to bet against the market by investing more than a billion dollars from his investors. His actions attract the attention of broker Jared Vennet (Ryan Gosling), who sees the opportunity and starts offering it to his clients. Together, these men make a fortune by taking advantage of the American economic meltdown.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Original title: The Wolf of Wall Street

8,2 on IMDb | 80% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Em the wolf of Wall Street, based on a true story, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an ambitious stockbroker who creates a true empire, getting rich quickly, but illegally. He and his friends delve into the world of excess, but their illicit methods draw the attention of the police. So, with that in mind, what better way to learn about entrepreneurial and business mistakes to avoid than to look at the bad choices and catastrophic situations that Belfort himself made? 

Of course, the success he achieved should not be forgotten, but at the end of the day Jordan Belfort was remembered for his mistakes, proving that you can't be too careful when dealing with finances and business.

Hustle (2013)

Original title: American Hustle

7,2 on IMDb | 92% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Inspired by a true story that happened in the late 1970s, Cheating accompanies Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a big con who works with his partner and lover Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams). The two are forced to collaborate with Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), an FBI agent who infiltrates Rosenfeld into the mafia world. 

At the same time, the trio also gets involved in the country's politics, through the candidate Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner). The plans seem to work, until Irving's wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), appears and changes the rules of the game. “American Hustle” basically portrays the consequences of the characters' past mistakes and the price they have to pay to correct them.

The Startup Kids (2012)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Interesting documentary to outline an entrepreneurial career with startups (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

6,6 on IMDB 

The Startup Kids is a documentary about young network entrepreneurs around the world. The founders of Vimeo, Soundcloud, Dropbox and other sites discuss what it takes to create a startup and the obstacles that can appear in the business world. 

In addition, the documentary brings important personalities from the technological scene to share work experiences with young entrepreneurs with brilliant and transformative ideas.

Margin Call – The Day Before the End (2011)

Original title: margin Call

7,1 on IMDb | 87% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Prime Video

In the plot, cuts in Wall Street make one of the fired employees leave behind a pen drive with data on the risk of bankruptcy of his company. Then, a series of financial and moral decisions push the lives of everyone involved towards the abyss.

Based on the financial crisis of 2008, the film is set in a 24 hour period where everything starts to fall apart and somehow people are trying their best to get some out of it. So the focus is not on profits and finances per se, but on how business owners and employees deal with a huge diversion of routes, needing to put strategic thinking into play.

The Man Who Changed the Game (2011)

Original title: moneyball

7,6 on IMDb | 94% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix/Globoplay

The Man Who Changed the Game tells the story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager of the Oakland Athletics who seeks an innovative approach to attract new players to the team, keeping in mind the low budget available. Joining forces with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand, Beane sets out to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits players that scouts have labeled as not good enough, but who actually have the potential to win the game.

No Limits (2011)

Original title: Limitless

7,4 on IMDb | 69% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: balloon play

On the premise of No BoundariesFacing unemployment and rejection from his girlfriend, writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) becomes convinced he has no future. But everything changes when an old friend gives him a drug that improves mental abilities. Addicted to this untested chemistry, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and catches the eye of a tycoon intent on using him to make his fortune. But dire side effects and dwindling supplies of the drug threaten Eddie's meltdown at any moment. This is a feature film that unites science with the business world.

Something Ventured (2011)

7,0 on IMDB

Something Ventured is a documentary that tells the story of investors and the emergence of American venture capital in the mid-1960th century. It includes interviews with prominent subject matter experts from the 1970s, 1980s and XNUMXs, most of whom are founders of companies such as Apple, Intel, Cisco, etc. 

Plus, footage and conversations reveal behind-the-scenes stories, shedding light on how some of these popular companies managed to scale and expand their businesses.

Too Big To Fail (2011)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Scene from the movie “Too Big To Fail” (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: Too Big to Fail

7,3 on IMDb | 77% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Too Big to Break is another movie that every entrepreneur should definitely watch. In it, financial leaders spring into action when the US economy threatens to collapse in the year 2008.

This feature film teaches a lot about the importance of learning how to prepare for the worst. In the case of entrepreneurs, in the business world, it is important to develop a strategic sense to foresee exits in financial crises.

The Social Network (2010)

Original title: The Social Network

7,8 on IMDb | 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix/HBO Max

Based on a true story, on a fall night in 2003, Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), Harvard student and computer genius, begins work on a new concept that eventually becomes a global social network known as Facebook. Six years and 500 million friends later, Zuckerberg becomes the youngest billionaire in history with the success of his social network. However, its unprecedented rise brings legal and personal complications.

The creation of Facebook is a great example to show that large companies often have very difficult and restricted beginnings, without much investment or support. But with vision and the right tactics, that could change. 

Inside Job (2010)

Original title: Inside Job

8,2 on IMDb | 98% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on YouTube, Apple TV and Prime Video

At this point, it is already noticeable that the 2008 crisis is a very strong object of study for entrepreneurs and everything that revolves around what happened can be analyzed as a great learning experience. That's because the global financial crisis that happened in 2008 caused the loss of millions of jobs and homes and plunged the United States into a deep economic recession. 

Here, Matt Damon narrates a documentary that provides a detailed analysis of the elements that led to the collapse and identifies key players in the financial and political world. Meanwhile, director Charles Ferguson conducts many interviews and traces the history of the United States, China, Iceland and other world financial markets.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

Original title: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

6,2 on IMDb | 55% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

In the plot, the protagonist Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) is once again in the spotlight, but this time he tries to rebuild his company and fortune – alongside his future son-in-law. He uses some unconventional and morally wrong methods to fight his rivals and enemies, and with his background in the business world, this could turn out to be a big mistake.

Invictus (2009)

7,3 on IMDb | 76% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Inspired by the true story of Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman. After the end of apartheid, the newly elected president leads a South Africa that remains racially and economically divided. He believes he can unify the nation through the universal language of sport. For this, Mandela joined forces with François Pienaar (Matt Damon), captain of the rugby team, promoting the unity of South Africans in favor of the local team in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Coco, Before Chanel (2009)

Original title: Coco Before Chanel

6,7 on IMDb | 64% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video

In the biographical drama, Coco Chanel (Audrey Tautou) was a humble young woman with a talent for sewing and worked as a singer in a bar. Her life changes when she becomes an heir's lover and fashion adviser. Tired of the flowery hats, tight corsets and yards of ribbon that define women's fashion, Coco uses her lover's clothes as a starting point to create an elegant and sophisticated women's line that takes her to the top of Parisian couture in the business world. .

The Blind Side (2009)

Original title: The Blind Side

7,6 on IMDb | 66% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max/Prime Video

Yet another heavyweight sports drama based on a true story. In this, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is a young black man, the son of an addicted mother who has nowhere to live. With a good vocation for sports, one day he is spotted by the family of Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), walking towards the school stadium to sleep away from the rain. When invited to spend a night at the home of millionaires, Michael has no idea that day would change his life forever. With the help of his new family and a dedicated tutor, he realizes his potential as a student and football player.

Used Cars, Crazy Dealers! (2009)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Every entrepreneur should watch “Used Cars, Crazy Salesmen!” (Image: Letterboxd)

Original title: The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

5,7 on IMDb | 27% on Rotten Tomatoes

Em Used Cars, Crazy Salesmen!, Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) is famous for his extraordinary gift at selling cars. Together with his companions, he secures a big sale in the business world. But an accident that occurred during the celebration of this feat caused Ready to leave the business. 

Until one day he receives a call from a friend, who asks him to help him save his business from bankruptcy. Peter Selleck (Rob Riggle) has just three days to clear inventory at a car dealership. Ready accepts the challenge and, in this way, has a new team under his command.

Collateral Reaction (2008)

Original title: August

5,3x on IMDb | 36% on Rotten Tomatoes

It can't be easy running a business and having a balanced social life, but Tom Sterling (Josh Hartnett) seems to balance it very well. Until everything starts to fall apart, customers start to withdraw and the company starts to lose money. Once you fall, the cost of getting up is much higher. 

With that, in side reaction Sterling's company is hit by the technology bubble of 2001 and he is forced to ask for a loan from his brother, with whom he does not have a good relationship. Tom soon realizes that people close to him also need help. 

Genius Play (2008)

Original title: Flash of genius

7,0 on IMDb | 61% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Apple TV

In the premise, college professor and inventor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) develops an intermittent windshield wiper, and he believes his wife, children, and he won't have to worry about money for the rest of their lives. Despite the invention being a success among the big automakers in Detroit in the 1960s, Robert is forced to leave the scene. So he takes legal action against the auto industry.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Original title: The Devil Wears Prada

6,9 on IMDb | 75% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

In the premise, hopeful new graduate Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has big dreams and will work at the renowned fashion magazine “Runway”. Her function is to be an assistant to the diabolical Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Andy does not feel well in the tense environment of the newsroom and questions his ability to continue working with Miranda.

This film is the definition that the means justify the ends. It shows how far people are capable of going to achieve success and the highest possible positions, without scruples or fear of the highly competitive market. At the same time, it presents characters who are victims of this toxic environment and the dilemma that lies between giving up or trying to deal with honestly achieving their dreams.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Original title: The Pursuit of Happiness

8,0 on IMDb | 67% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix/HBO Max/Star+

Looking for happiness is a true story based on the life of a homeless salesman, Christopher Gardner, and his son. In the plot, Gardner (Will Smith) faces serious financial problems and his wife, Linda (Thandiwe Newton), decides to leave. Now alone, he needs to take care of Christopher (Jaden Smith), his five-year-old son. 

Chris tries to use his skills as a salesman to get a better job, but he only gets an unpaid internship. Their financial problems cannot wait for a promotion and they end up evicted. So father and son sleep in shelters or wherever they find refuge, hoping that better days will come.

The Lord of Arms (2005)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Scene from “The Lord of Weapons” (Image: IMDb)

Original title: Lord of war

7,6 on IMDb | 61% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Prime Video

In the story, an incorruptible Interpol agent pursues an arms dealer named Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), who became a millionaire by taking advantage of the end of the Cold War, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of international terrorism to do business everywhere. of the world.

Coach Carter: Train for Life (2005)

Original title: Coach Carter

7,3 on IMDb | 64% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix / Telecine

In the story set in 1999, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, accepting to become the coach of the basketball team to get him in shape. With a lot of discipline and tough rules, he manages to make the team win. But when the players' grades start to drop, Carter closes the gym and stops the championship.

The coach is criticized by the players and their parents, but he is determined to make the youngsters winners both at school and on the court. This sports drama plot is a good example of what the right person, at the right time, with the right resources can bring to crisis management. 

Thanks for Smoking (2005)

Original title: Thank you for Smoking

7,5 on IMDb | 86% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

In the story, as a spokesman for the big cigarette companies, Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) makes a living defending the rights of smokers. But he begins to question his role as a father as his son takes an interest in his profession.

thanks for smoking presents all the dilemmas and challenges that entrepreneurs face daily when faced with choices. It is necessary to consider personal beliefs, demands from the financial market and the business world, in addition to concern for one's own image. The big question is: how to make everyone happy without losing a penny?

All for the Money (2005)

Original title: Two for the Money

6,2 on IMDb | 22% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

In the plot, Brandon Lang (Matthew McConaughey) is a former student league football player who hopes to play in the professionals. He receives a proposal from Walter Abrams (Al Pacino), a gambler who believes in Brandon's talent to discover the winning team of the games.

However, once the money starts rolling in and the ambition starts to grow, a downward spiral ensues. All for Money is an interesting film that shows the dark side of gambling, but also the consequences of bad business decisions guided by impulsive intentions for luxury and power. 

The Aviator (2004)

Original title: The Aviator

7,5 on IMDb | 86% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on YouTube / Google Play Movies & TV / Apple TV / Prime Video

After receiving his father's inheritance, Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) began to invest in the film industry and helped the career of big names in Hollywood. Despite his success and wealth, the aviation pioneer suffered from depression and crippling phobias.

In other words, The Aviator is about an entrepreneur who struggles to find meaning in life beyond money, the financial market and opportunities in the business world, while struggling to keep his mental health in check.

The Corporation (2003)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Documentary about the dark side of the business world (Image: MUBI)

8,0 on IMDb | 89% on Rotten Tomatoes

In this documentary, based on the controversial decision of the American Supreme Court to consider that a company can be judged as a person, the powers of large corporations in today's business world are reviewed.

Exploitation of cheap labor in the Third World and the devastation of the environment, for example, are some of the many facts explored. For this, the film features interviews with presidents of corporations such as Nike, Shell and IBM, as well as sociologist Noam Chomsky, economist Milton Friedman and filmmaker Michael Moore.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Original title: Catch Me If You Can

8,1 on IMDb | 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix/Paramount+

Based on a true story, in Arrest me if I'm able, Frank Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) has worked as a doctor, lawyer and copilot, all before he turned 18. Master in the art of disguise, he takes advantage of his skills to live life as he wants and practice millionaire scams, which make him become the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States at just 17 years old. But on his trail is FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), who uses all means at his disposal to find and capture him, even though Frank always shows himself one step ahead. 

This feature film opens up the world of high-class crime through one of history's most popular crooks. Here is that old moral of ethics and principles. If Abagnale used his skills in the business world honestly, he would set an example in the career of entrepreneurship.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Scene from “A Beautiful Mind” with Russell Crowe (Image: IMDb)

Original title: A Beautiful Mind

8,2 on IMDb | 74% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies and Prime Video

Em A brilliant mind, John Forbes Nash Jr. (Russell Crowe) is recognized as a math genius at the age of 21. He accepts a job that will change his life overnight, mainly because in parallel he has to deal with the first signs of schizophrenia. This is a film outside the curve on the list, but its importance remains for showing the battles to achieve the goals and its trajectory to reach the Nobel Prize.

Startup.com (2001)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Documentary about the financial crises that led a startup to bankruptcy (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

7,1 on IMDb | 93% on Rotten Tomatoes

In this documentary, two high school friends unite their business ideas only to discover that building a company when the Internet was new to the financial market would not be easy. Directed by Chris Hegedus and Jehane Noujaim, this event is about the creation and bankruptcy of the company govWorks.com during the years 1999 and 2000.

Erin Brockovich, A Woman of Talent (2000)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Scene from “Erin Brockovich, A Woman of Talent” (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: Erin Brockovich

7,4 on IMDb | 85% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: balloon play

Based on a true story, in the feature film Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is a mother of three who works at a small law firm. Upon discovering that the water in a desert town is being contaminated and spreading disease among its inhabitants, she convinces her boss to let her investigate the case. Erin uses all of her natural strengths, from her smooth, convincing speech to her physical attributes, to convince the townspeople to cooperate with her, landing her a $333 million lawsuit.

That is, what was meant to be a generic story about class struggle ends up escalating into a bigger battle against a large corporation that is directly affecting the lives of a population.

The First Million (2000)

Original title: Boiler Room

7,0 on IMDb | 66% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on Apple TV or Prime Video

The First Million is based on Stratton Oakmont, a stock trading company created by Jordan Belfort. In the synopsis, young people in their twenties become millionaires overnight.

This happens because acting as extremely aggressive brokers in a somewhat suspicious stockbroker, they convince innocent people by phone to buy, invest and undertake with luxury artifacts.

How to Drive Your Boss Crazy (1999)

Original title: Office Space

7,6 on IMDb | 80% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

In the synopsis, the grumpy Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) hates his job at a software company. His therapist dies in the middle of a hypnosis session and leaves him in a state of total satisfaction. He refuses to work overtime, plays on his desk, and unwittingly lands two consultants who speed up his promotion. Peter and his friends discover that the company is about to make cuts and decide to plot revenge against the company. Chaos.

Although the story has a comic narrative arc, it also brings up relevant themes related to the work environment. Among them is bosses' approach and communication in response to employees' dedication to proving a point. 

The Fraud (1999)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
In “The Fraud” Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor) makes deals that lead to financial crises in the company (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: Rogue Trader

6,4 on IMDb | 30% on Rotten Tomatoes

in the plot of The Fraud, Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor) is a young British man who works at investment bank Barings. He is sent to Singapore, where he takes advantage of the market and makes risky deals, causing one of the oldest financial institutions to go bankrupt.

Any Given Sunday (1999)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Entrepreneurial careers and sports management are topics addressed in “Any Given Sunday” (Image: IMDb)

Original title: Any GivenSunday

6,9 on IMDb | 52% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

any given sunday, like some other films on the list, is directly related to the sports universe and how the business world applies in managing a team, possible crises and personal life itself.

In the synopsis of the plot, four years ago, the Miami Sharks, coach Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), was at the top. Now, the team faces many difficulties, which leaves Damato in a complicated situation, especially with Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), the young president and co-owner of the team. Off the field, he suffers from a failed marriage and estranged children.

Computer Pirates: Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Every entrepreneur should watch “The Computer Pirates: Pirates of Silicon Valley” (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: Pirates of Silicon Valley

7,2 on IMDb | 89% on Rotten Tomatoes

Until Steve Jobs and Bill Gates consolidated themselves in the technological world and presented their ideas and creations, information technology was a distant concept, which was not part of the universe of common people. The two, still students, led a revolution that integrated computers into our daily lives. That said, Computer Pirates: Pirates of Silicon Valley is a film about their work, their brilliant minds, the challenges they faced and the betrayals they encountered in the business world.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

7,7 on IMDb | 88% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

Donnie Brasco tells the true story of an FBI agent, Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp), who infiltrates the local mafia after being placed under the protection of Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), one of America's biggest mobsters.

The relationship between the two makes them inseparable accomplices, making Lefty an active and knowledgeable member of the Bonano family's criminal world. For the next seven years, Joe's life has only one goal: to unmask the dark and bloody world of the mafia.

Jerry Maguire – The Big Turn (1996)

Original title: Jerry Maguire

7,3 on IMDb | 84% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max/Paramount+

In the film, Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a sports agent who makes the mistake of saying what he thinks and therefore finds himself abandoned by all his clients, except for football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Maguire's personal life also begins to disintegrate as he is torn between love and finance amid the business world that urges people to prioritize the need for money and power.

Casino (1995)

8,2 on IMDb | 79% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Prime Video / Telecine

It is good to constantly highlight the good old phrase “friends, friends, business aside”. It's not always a good idea to mix your personal life with the professional and Casino is an example to prove the saying.

In the feature film set in the early 1970s, mobster Sam Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is tasked with running a casino in Las Vegas. Initially, he and his friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), with violent tendencies, manage to transform the gambling house into a true empire. But Sam has a weakness: he falls in love with and marries the beautiful Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone), a former prostitute still linked to a crook. As the years pass, Ace's fortune dwindles, and he questions whether these two cronies were the real cause of his decline.

Success at Any Price (1992)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
“Success at Any Price” is one of the great movies every entrepreneur should watch (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: GlengarryGlen Ross

7,7 on IMDb | 95% on Rotten Tomatoes

Based on a play of the same name, Success at Any Price it shows capitalism in America as brutal and greedy competition in the financial market and the business world. In the film, four realtors struggle to survive in an unstable economy in the midst of a difficult and high-pressure routine.

The Good Companions (1990)

Original title: Goodfellas

8,7 on IMDb | 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: HBO Max

In the history of The Good Companions, based on the book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, a young man grows up in the mafia and works hard to rise among his peers. He appreciates the life of money and luxury, but doesn't care about the horror it causes in other people's lives. Unfortunately, drug addiction and a few mistakes finally derail his climb to the top of the business world.

Wall Street: Power and Greed (1987)

Original title: Wall Street

7,3 on IMDb | 79% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Star +

Set in 1985, Wall Street: Power and Greed follows an ambitious young stockbroker who makes direct contact with the billionaire investor he idolizes most. Then, thanks to his lack of scruples, the boy manages to be hired by the businessman. The results in relation to the financial market are great, but your personal life starts to go downhill.

As the name suggests, Wall Street is a clear representation of what many people are capable of doing to reach the top of their goals. The film serves as a valuable lesson and a warning about how ambitions can affect a person and lead him down illegal paths.

The Secret of My Success (1987)

50 movies every entrepreneur should watch
Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) follows alternative means to chart his entrepreneurial career (Image: Rotten Tomatoes)

Original title: The Secret of My Success$s

6,5 on IMDb | 48% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video

Fresh college graduate Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) travels from Kansas to New York to start working at a new job. However, when Brantley arrives, he finds that his position has been dropped. In this, he is forced to accept a job with his uncle Howard Prescott (Richard Jordan), who became president of the company after getting married. Brantley starts working delivering mail, but quickly rises through the ranks when he starts pretending he's an executive.

This is a classic comedy film about the corporate world that encompasses various aspects of the business routine and focuses a lot on Brantley's tricks in getting ahead in life, as the young man walks the path to be successful without working hard, but in a smart way.

The Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974 and 1990)

Original title: The Godfather Trilogy

First Film: 9,2 on IMDb | 97% on Rotten Tomatoes

Second film: 9,0 on IMDb | 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

Third film: 7,6 on IMDb | 67% on Rotten Tomatoes

Where to see: Netflix / Prime Video

One of the most famous blockbuster trilogies of all time is a classic example of the rise and fall of an entire empire. He shows that, in one way or another, everything in life is related to negotiations and naturally for every decision there is a consequence. They are timeless films about reputation, power and choices.

See also other features

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Sources: Fallory, IMDb e Rotten Tomatoes

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (23 / 05 / 23)


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