“The true entrepreneur is a doer. Not a dreamer.” – Nolan Bushnell
True it is!!
The life of an entrepreneur is hard. It is full of risks and struggles. Agree?
A million obstacles stand in your way if you are the one. You need to keep marching forward even when you know about the harsh realities that lie ahead. That’s the spirit of entrepreneurship!
The hardships of the journey towards entrepreneurial success are endless. They can either break you or make you. You need to learn to stay strong and focused.
Don’t you feel sometimes that you are missing or need some inspirational kick to get going?
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” — Jim Rohn
What can be better than a motivation coming in a package of entertainment, a movie?
Yes, the movie. The movies that not only push you to step forward & start but also to finish up everything started.
Here, I have listed some powerful motivational movies that are sure to give you goosebumps. Every entrepreneur or businessman must watch these top ten movies for entrepreneurs for an extra motivational kick. Also, you will learn the importance of hard work, passion, good attitude and strong work ethics in the pursuit of success and happiness.
List Of Top 10 Movies Every Entrepreneur Should Watch
1. The Godfather
Actors: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Year: 1972
Depicting a healthy business dynamic, The Godfather is one of the most inspiring movies in the domain.
It is one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time and has 9.2 rating on IMDB.
The Godfather is a great watch for all young entrepreneurs who aim high. The movie gives lessons on optimism, hard work, strategy, efficiency and competitive approach.
Although taking notes of illegal activities is not recommended, I would suggest you focus on how the duo of father and son is dedicated to staying on top as the crime syndicate in New York City.
2. Wall Street
Actors: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Oliver Stone
Director: Oliver Stone
Year: 1987
Without a second thought, Wall Street is one of the best entrepreneurial movies of all time.
It is a story of a young and ambitious man whose mind is inclined towards a glamorous lifestyle that accompanies wealth with it. Lured by the charm of this lifestyle, Bud Fox, the protagonist, does everything that is illegal to become filthy rich just like Gekko, a corporate raider.
Intertwined in the ruthless consequences followed by unethical decisions he made, Bud Fox realizes what he has got himself into. He tries to make amends but couldn’t save his sinking career.
Being rich and famous is not everything. Not, at least at the cost of your own self. Just do what you love and is right and the money will follow. Moral of the story!
3. Office Space
Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Mike Judge
Director: Mike Judge
Year: 1999
Aspiring entrepreneurs, Office Space is one of the best movies for you. This late 90’s film is a satirical comedy based on the corporate culture of the 1990s.
Since you are the one who hates office job and awful 9-to-5 working shifts, this movie could be a real treat to your soul.
It is a story about a modern cubicle-dweller for who petty bureaucracy, structure, and monotony of work seem like death to him.
The story progresses in the direction how Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) gets out of a desk job and lives up to his desires. His refreshing outlook on life is really motivating for the young talent like you.
You cannot afford to miss this one, trust me!
4. Pirates of Silicon Valley
Actors: Noah Wyle, Anthony Michael Hall
Director: Martyn Burke
Year: 1999
An ultimate must-watch movie for entrepreneurs. Perfectly showcasing the rise of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, Pirates of Silicon Valley is a movie to learn a lot from.
The movie provides various interesting takes on business management and lives of the founders of Microsoft and Apple. It covers triumphs of both the empires and rivalry between the two.
The story also teaches that one should believe in himself and his dreams. No matter if you have hundreds of competitors, what matters is the execution and how well you do it.
Can you think of any better inspiration than the world’s two biggest tycoons, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? Because I can’t.
5. The Social Network
Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake
Director: David Fincher
Year: 2010
Did you know, The Social Network was a blockbuster hit with 7.7 rating on IMDB in 2010?
Inspired by the real life story of world’s youngest billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg, this movie has influenced many to pursue their dreams with full dedication.
The story revolves around a Harvard student who launches the most popular social-media network of the world in spite of facing multiple challenges.
From an entrepreneur’s point of view, you can learn how you can make your startup succeed with flexibility, devotion and business visionary.
Mark Zuckerberg’s journey is quite inspiring and every entrepreneur should learn from his experiences.
6. Startup.com
Actors: Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, Tom Herman
Director: Chris Hegedus, Jehane Noujaim
Year: 2001
Startup.com is an excellent 2001 documentary film that is based on the rise and fall of the real-life startup GovWorks.
I strongly recommend every businessman to watch this movie for lessons on finances, capital raising, growth management, team building and management skills.
Watch the film today to check out how mismanagement and internal power struggles can lead to the disastrous thrashing of a business. Be warned!
7. Glengarry Glen Ross
Actors: Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin
Director: James Foley
Year: 1992
Every road to success is not paved with a straight and easy path. That’s what this movie will teach you.
Based on an award-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross depicts the plight of real estate salespeople during a tumultuous sales season.
The movie has set a great example for young entrepreneurs to help them with sales customer relationship management, management tactics, stress management, negotiations & deal closings and survival tactics. Believe it or not, this movie is shown to aspiring salespeople across the globe to make them learn how to sell and what not to do.
8. The Pursuit of Happyness
Actors: Will Smith, Jaden Smith
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Year: 2006
The Pursuit of Happyness is one of the most motivational and overwhelming movies of all time.
The concept of ‘Never give up’ is the true spirit of the film.
Based on the true story of Chris Gardner, an American Entrepreneur, this unconventional movie is the roller coaster of emotions.
It is about the struggle of a homeless salesman who lives up to his son each day waiting for a ray of hope. In his quest for his dream, he faces many challenges yet he never gives up.
The story line proves that even the slightest of hope could one day open the windows of opportunity.
Hard work, sacrifice, and passion are the other major takeaways for every entrepreneur.
9. The Aviator
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett
Director: Martin Scorsese
Year: 2004
The Aviator is an inspiring story of Texas tycoon, Howard Hughes, who is the hotshot pilot and a successful film producer. As per the book Howard Hughes: The Secret Life, this troubled man is history’s greatest undiagnosed sufferer from the obsessive-compulsive disorder that lands him in difficulties throughout his life.
In the movie, you shall witness the flashes of excitement, fear, and foreboding on the young billionaire’s face portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio.
He has everything; heedless ambition, talent, early success and tempestuous romances. And as they say, everything comes with the price. In his case, everything came at the cost of the darkest period of his lifetime. The period that lasted for twenty years.
Watch this epic biographical drama film to find out how he deals with his psychological struggle and becomes a successful aviation magnate.
10. Boiler Room
Actors: Giovanni Ribisi, Ben Affleck
Director: Ben Younger
Year: 2000
What would you do if you ever get stuck in the dilemma of money, greed, morals, and legality? Never thought about it, have you? Before you get yourself into any of the related complications, you need to understand what these things are and how can they affect you and your business.
Boiler Room is a total worth watch movie to understand the fine line between morality and legality. It is a movie for entrepreneurs as it leaves a very important life lesson behind. It teaches you the true meaning and struggle between right and wrong, greed and money and legality and morality in a business.
Inspired by the original Wall Street, the movie depicts few great salesman tips as well.
This film is a cautionary tale about the journey of a college dropout who aims to earn a name in the stock industry. In doing so, he does some things that he shouldn’t have done and makes us question ourselves – is it worth to take morally questionable decisions for the sake of success?
What do you recommend?
I bet, you will never be disappointed in watching these business movies over and over again.
Keep in mind, you will win. May be not immediately, but absolutely and definitely.
So, this was my list of motivational movies for entrepreneurs. I am pretty sure there must be others that inspired you.
Share those movies with me and the world in the comments below.
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