Entrepreneurship is a challenging and rewarding journey that requires passion, perseverance, and creativity. Many entrepreneurs face obstacles and failures along the way, but they also achieve success and make a positive impact on the world. If you are looking for some inspiration and entertainment, you might enjoy watching some of the best movies and series about startups and entrepreneurs. These stories show the highs and lows of building a business, the lessons learned, and the strategies and tactics used by some of the most innovative and influential founders and leaders. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or just a curious viewer, you will find something to relate to and learn from in these movies and series.
Here are 16 of the best titles that you can stream on various platforms:
1. The Social Network (2010):
This film illustrates the creation of Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg, showcasing the legal and personal challenges he faced on the path to establishing one of the world’s most influential social networks. It’s available for streaming on Netflix.
2. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006):
Based on a true story, this movie follows Chris Gardner, a homeless single father who, despite numerous obstacles, becomes a successful stockbroker. You can catch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
3. Steve Jobs (2015):
Depicting the life of Apple’s visionary co-founder, Steve Jobs, this film highlights pivotal moments in his career, including the launches of the Macintosh, NeXT computer, and iMac. Watch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
4. The Founder (2016):
Portraying Ray Kroc’s journey from a struggling salesman to transforming a small burger stand into McDonald’s, this movie explores the conflicts he had with the original owners. Find it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
5. Joy (2015):
Inspired by the life of Joy Mangano, this film portrays her rise to becoming a self-made millionaire through inventing products like the Miracle Mop. Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
6. Pain Hustlers (2023):
Based on the true story of Liza Drake, a single mom caught up in a Florida pharmaceutical company’s criminal conspiracy involving a powerful new painkiller. Directed by David Yates and starring Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, and Catherine O’Hara, you can view it on Netflix.
7. Air (2023):
A biographical sports drama directed by Ben Affleck, it narrates the true events surrounding the origin of Air Jordan, a basketball shoeline. The film features a Nike employee seeking a business deal with rookie player Michael Jordan, starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis. It’s available on Netflix.
8. Jobs (2013):
This movie explores the life of Steve Jobs, focusing on his journey in co-founding Apple and his impact on the tech industry. You can find it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
9. The Big Short (2015):
This movie delves into the 2007-2008 financial crisis and the events leading up to it, featuring a group of investors who predicted the collapse of the housing market. You can watch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
10. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013):
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who engaged in corrupt activities on Wall Street. It’s available for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
11. The Playlist (Series):
Is a Netflix docu-drama series inspired by the book “Spotify Untold” by Sven Carlsson and Jonas Leijonhufvud. Directed by Per-Olav Sørensen, it premiered on October 13, 2022. The show offers a fictionalized account of Spotify’s inception and early struggles. It centers around Daniel Ek, an aspiring entrepreneur who, amid the battle between music industry giants and piracy, envisions an innovative solution.
12. WeCrashed (2022):
It delves into the rise and fall of WeWork, a co-working space provider, and its charismatic but controversial co-founder, Adam Neumann. The show explores the high-flying ambitions, questionable business practices, and ultimate downfall of a company that once epitomized the modern startup dream.
13. Super Pumped (2022):
This series is based on the book by Mike Isaac. It narrates the chaotic events surrounding Uber’s ascent, led by its co-founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick. The series provides a deep dive into the controversies, power struggles, and cultural shifts within the tech giant.
14. The Dropout (2022):
Is an american biographical series that chronicles the captivating story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. The series explores the meteoric rise and subsequent downfall of Holmes, who claimed to revolutionize the healthcare industry with a groundbreaking blood-testing technology. However, the company faced allegations of fraud and deception.
15. General Magic (2018):
Is a documentary film that reflects on the failed startup General Magic, considered a precursor to modern smartphones. The documentary explores the company’s ambitious vision and the challenges faced by its visionary team as they attempted to create a handheld device that would revolutionize communication.
16. The Billion Dollar Code (2022):
Is a German film that revolves around the rise of the software company SAP and the legal battles it faced with Oracle. The movie provides insights into the competitive world of software development, corporate espionage, and the enormous financial stakes involved in the tech industry.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or simply a curious viewer, these films offer a rich tapestry of experiences, highlighting the resilience and determination that characterize entrepreneurial journeys. We invite you to immerse yourself in these compelling stories and discover the motivation they provide, reminding you that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth and innovation!