Movies can be a great source of motivation. Through the use of imagery and dialogue, we become entranced by the magic of cinematography, and hope to be transported to different times or dimensions. Often, movies work this kind of magic on us, sometimes to a lesser degree, but nonetheless, they can prove to be a valuable tool in helping us realize our greatest potential.
We anticipate that it will hold our attention, making it less likely for us to abandon it as we may do with a book. A movie can also be re-watched, each viewing providing a renewed source of inspiration. Presented here are eleven movies that we believe can assist you in your journey to becoming an entrepreneur. These are films that deliver profound messages, showcase exceptional performances, and possess the potential to be of significant benefit in achieving your entrepreneurial aspirations.
- Rocky (1976)
- Alive (1993)
- The Natural (1984)
- Jerry Maguire (1996)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Boiler Room (2000)
- Steve Jobs (2015)
- The Aviator (2004)
- Creed (2015)
- Moneyball (2011)
- The Founder (2016)
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Rocky (1976)
Rating: PG
We believe Rocky is a great movie about overcoming odds to become the greatest version of yourself. The film has spawned a number of sequels, in addition to the Creed series. At the start, we find Rocky Balboa training to become a professional boxer and is getting ready for a bout at a nearby boxing club. He is determined to make his mark in the world of boxing. Most of this film, which won the 1976 Oscars for Best Picture, takes place in Philadelphia, which an excellent backdrop for the tough and grime that Rocky would overcome as he dreams of making it big. What else can Rocky tell us about business and how we can become better at anything? The overarching message here is that persistence pays, and no matter what the odds, you can still make it.
Memorable Quote: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” – Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)
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2.
Alive (1993)
Rating: R
Alive tells the story of the Uruguayan national soccer team after their crash in the Andes Mountains. Throughout the film, we are witness to one of the greatest stories about perseverance and fighting through almost impossible odds. While there is some loss of life in the film, we think that it can serve as a testament to realism. Realizing what we can and cannot do is a priority that must hold front and center. The team also comes up with numerous ways of trying to survive. This can be applied to business. Whenever the tough gets tough, we need to find optimal ways of recovering so that our bottom line is not affected.
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3.
The Natural (1984)
Rating: PG
The Natural is not only a motivational film, but it is inspirational. It is not based on any particular person who lived in history, but rather is a fantasy story about a man who one day awakens to physical prowess. He signs for a baseball team despite his advanced age, and experiences enormous success, far more beyond what anyone could imagine. So the lesson here is that sometimes we have less faith in ourselves than we should. We all have superpowers. And not the psychic, reading the tarot kind, but rather the power to be much better than what we think we are. And this can be applied to business. Don’t think that you’re less capable or talented than your competition. While you must respect their abilities, know that you too have it within you to do great things for yourself and your clientele. Have faith. Because the sky is the limit.
Memorable Quote: “I believe we have two lives, the life we learn with and the life we live with after that.” – Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford)
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4.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Rating: R
Jerry Maguire tells the story of a sports agent who one day has an epiphany about fairness and sports, and pens a letter to his firm. After being promptly fired, he gets together with others, including a single mother, to form his own company. This is a movie that can teach you many valuable lessons about coming back following a setback. It can also teach us about the value of teamwork and persistence.
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5.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Rating: R
The Shawshank Redemption is a melodramatic film based on the novella by Stephen King. One may not think of this movie as beneficial to entrepreneurs. The more we delve into the story, however, the more we realize that it is the story of grits and grime, and how anything that at first seems impossible, can be done or overcome if only one has the will and determination. Prisoner Andy Dufresne faced great odds locked up. So what does he do? He hatches up a plan to escape, and in the most unusual manner: He carves a hole from his cell into the wall and out to freedom. There are a number of messages we can all learn from this film whether or not we’re entrepreneurs, the best of which is to never give up.
Memorable Quote: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” – Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins)
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6.
Boiler Room (2000)
Rating: R
Boiler Room tells the story of a college dropout wants to live to his father’s high standards, and applies for work at a high-end brokerage firm. He is hired, though in time things take a turn for the worst, and he finds himself involved in a precarious situation. While this film contains elements of crime, and we do not encourage you to commit crime, it can teach us many valuable lessons. The protagonist of this film is someone who decided to forego formal education. This tells us that he is not too concerned about a regular education. How many successful people have gone on to achieve great things without a formal education? This film is also filled with lots of twists and turns, and can teach us that sometimes things are not what they seem, which can be useful to business in our relations with others, vendors, and clients.
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7.
Steve Jobs (2015)
Rating: R
Steve Jobs was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time, achieving success beyond most of our wildest dreams. Tragically, he left this earth all to early, in his fifties, though his legacy will endure. This is an autobiographical film that covers his life from early until the end. It is rife with messages about persistence, education, and the pursuit of goals. One of Steve Jobs’ best traits was innovation. He was able to come up with great ideas, and this can teach us a whole lot about the value of planning and brainstorming and coming up with ideas.
Memorable Quote: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
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8.
The Aviator
Rating: PG-13
The Aviator is a 2004 biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. The movie tells the story of Howard Hughes, a wealthy businessman, inventor, and aviator, who became one of the most influential figures in the history of aviation and filmmaking. The film begins in the late 1920s, when Hughes is just starting out in the aviation industry, and follows his rise to fame and fortune as he develops new aircraft and breaks speed records. Along the way, he also becomes involved in the film industry, producing and directing several successful movies. As Hughes’ success grows, so too do his personal struggles. He battles obsessive-compulsive disorder, struggles to maintain relationships with the women in his life, and becomes embroiled in political scandals. The film also depicts Hughes’ battles with other aviation companies, particularly Pan Am and its owner, Juan Trippe, as he fights to establish his own airline.
Memorable Quote: “Don’t tell me I can’t do it; don’t tell me it can’t be done!”
– Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio)
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9.
Creed (2015)
Rating: PG-13
Creed follows on the heels of the successes and popularity of the rocky franchise. Directed by Stallone, who also wrote the screenplay, this heartwarming film will delight and motivate with its overarching messages of determination and persistence. Stallone was 68 during the filming of Creed, but nonetheless exudes youthfulness and vigor as he coaches his young protege to stardom. Creed itself would go on to experience success as a sequel, and a third film in the series to be released in 2023. Not only is this a film and important messages, but it is a beautifully made film with excellent cinematography and some full of tension. Watch this film for a dose of inspiration, you may even decide to put it on repeat.
“One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” – Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)
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10.
Moneyball (2011)
Rating: PG-13
Moneyball is a 2011 sports drama based on the true story of Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The movie explores Beane’s unconventional approach to building a winning team using data-driven analytics and statistical analysis. It’s a great example of how innovation and creativity can lead to success in any industry, even in a traditional and established field like professional sports.
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11.
The Founder (2016)
Rating: PG-13
The Founder is a great movie for entrepreneurs who are looking for inspiration and valuable lessons on how to turn an idea into a successful business. It tells the story of Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a global fast-food empire. The movie portrays his journey from a struggling milkshake machine salesman to a business tycoon, and how Kroc seized the opportunity to franchise the McDonald’s concept. The movie highlights the importance of persistence, hard work, and a willingness to take risks in entrepreneurship. It also offers insights into the challenges of scaling a business and the importance of making strategic decisions that align with your goals and vision.
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Final Thoughts – The Ultimate Movie List for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
We hope that you find this list useful in your efforts to become an entrepreneur. Feel free to comment below on the above films, or recommend ones that you found helpful in your pursuit of success as an entrepreneur. The messages in these films are rich in lessons, and can teach us things about us we never knew. So enjoy, keep watching other great movies and these on repeat, and good luck.