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Everyone needs to kick back once in a while and relax. Yes, even entrepreneurs! We know you are busy and don’t have time to engage in frivolous activities. But what if we told you, you could watch a movie and get inspired for your business at the same time?
This approach has lately been gaining a lot of traction. It’s a brilliant strategy for companies and startups alike to organize movie sessions for the whole team now and then (quite a few from this list!) to get everyone pumped up and ready to go. The idea is to take a break while still being in ‘the zone’ where the real action happens. And there is an immediate resource, soap2day, where you can find your favorite movies online for free.
Whether you are just venturing out as an entrepreneur or have established a footing, these movies will help you jog your brain and will add value to your business resume:
1. The Social Network
This movie is a dramatization of Mark Zuckerberg’s life and how he created Facebook. Directed by David Fincher it delves into the life of Mark at Harvard, the creation of Facebook and the legal troubles he encountered after being sued by two brothers and his own best friend.
We have all heard the success stories of huge companies but often tend to forget that they always have humble beginnings. So if you are impatient about making it big, watch this movie to remind yourself that every big start-up started with next to nothing.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
Based on the life of Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street follows his extreme success quickly followed by the ultimate crash as an entrepreneur.
The story revolves around Jordan’s firm ‘Stratton Oakmont’ and shows how he successfully ran scams by engaging in penny stock trading and securities scams. However, his shenanigans soon put him on the FBI’s radar and led to his downfall.
The movie boasts of a brilliant cast with academy award winner Leonardo DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey, and much-loved actors Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie.
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this movie is a tale of caution for every entrepreneur. It shows you how not to get sucked in by greed and be empathetic to the people your industry is serving.
3. The Pursuit of Happyness
Another based on a true story movie that should be watched by everyone alike whether you are an entrepreneur or not. Based on the life of entrepreneur Chris Gardner’s, The Pursuit of Happyness delves into his year-long struggle while trying to make it big.
This inspiring story shows Gardner’s life as a homeless person while he cares for his son as a single father. He finally scores a 6-month unpaid internship as a stockbroker, where he gives his all to rise in spite of his grueling living conditions.
Will Smith’s portrayal of Gardner has been hugely applauded and even went on to earn him an Oscar nomination.
Watch this movie and take inspiration from the life of Chris Gardner. It shows how an entrepreneur is never a slave to their circumstances.
4. Pirates of Silicon Valley
This movie is based on the real-life rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates between 1971–1997. Adapted from the book, ‘Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer’, Pirates of Silicon Valley came out in 1999.
Although the movie ends with Gates gaining the upper hand, Jobs went on to be extremely successful in later years.
Not only is this movie insightful but it shows how healthy competition can push an entrepreneur to be their best selves.
5. Startup.com
A must-watch documentary movie which gives the viewer an insight into the period of 1994 to 2000 when internet companies started becoming more and more common.
It shows how even a promising startup, like GovWorks, can fail if mismanaged. The movie excellently shows how toxic internal politics can not only ruin friendships but take your company down with it.
6. Wall Street
Who doesn’t identify the famous “Greed is good” speech in this movie?
This is the movie that earned Michael Douglas an academy award for his portrayal of the charismatic Gordon Gekko.
The movie beautifully shows how greed can be fatal by showing the protagonist, Bud Fox getting caught up in the world of insider trading.
7. Glengarry Glenn Ross
Adapted from an award-winning play, the movie shows the life of real estate salespeople during a particularly busy sales season.
The movie is perfect to understand how to operate in high-pressure environments. Success demands diligence and this movie portrays that perfectly.
Glengarry Glenn Ross has been so successful that it has since been used to train real-life salesmen as well.
8. The Big Short
Adapted from Michael Lewis’ book, ‘The Big Short’, the movie shows how three individuals predicted and profited from the American financial crisis of 2007-08.
The three stories run parallel to each other and give the movie a fast-paced feel. Starring the ever so perfect Christian Bale and Steve Carell, the movie is a pioneer in unconventional techniques to explain financial jargons like collateralized debt obligations and subprime mortgages.
The movie shows how to have faith in your capabilities while also depicting how taking risks can be profitable.
9. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
Remember Instagram celebrities promoting this great music festival called Fyre? Everyone who was anyone on Instagram was riding the tide posting about the greatest music festival ever being organized by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule. However, this “luxury music festival” never happened!
This movie divulges into the mystery behind Fyre! It tells the story of MacFarland who had a history of starting fraudulent business ventures.
This documentary by Netflix shows how people who came to attend the festival were stranded on the island, and how a Bahamian restaurateur had to spend $50,000 out of her pocket to pay her staff who were preparing and serving meals to the stranded festival-goers.
However, the woman made the money back by creating a GoFundMe page thanks to her popularity caused by the documentary.
Entrepreneurs should watch it to hammer it down in their brains to never promise something that you cannot deliver. It serves as a cautionary tale to first invest in your product rather than spending all your funds in marketing and advertising.
10. The Aviator
Based on the life of the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, the movie follows the story of how he became a famous businessman and successful film director in spite of suffering from severe OCD.
Directed by Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio portraying Howard Hughes, it is a must-watch.
The movie shows how you can overcome the hardest of situations and emerge successfully. Take inspiration from the story of Hughes and go on to build your empire!
Conclusion
Find inspiration in these 10 movies as an entrepreneur:
The Social Network
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Pursuit of Happyness
Pirates of Silicon Valley
Startup.com
Wall Street
Glengarry Glenn Ross
The Big Short
Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened
The Aviator
