Entrepreneur movies can be a great source of inspiration for aspiring businesspeople, as they showcase the struggles and triumphs of real and fictional entrepreneurs. A large population of our nation is still unaware of what startups are and how they work, and even if they do know it, they do not understand the harsh reality behind building revolutionary products. The startup ecosystem looks extremely lucrative and attractive from the outside, but on the inside, things are completely opposite. Such complex topics become easy to explain through movies, documentaries, and shows, thus serving as a source of entertainment and learning at the same time.
These films often explore the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face as they try to bring their ideas to life, and they can provide valuable lessons about perseverance, innovation, and the importance of taking calculated risks. Whether you are a young aspiring entrepreneur or a pre-existing business owner, these movies will not only entertain you but also inspire and intrigue you to dream and work hard.
Following are the 5 best entrepreneurial movies of all time:
Pirates of Silicon Valley
"Pirates of Silicon Valley" is a 1999 made-for-television movie that chronicles the rise of Apple and Microsoft during the personal computer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. The film was directed by Martyn Burke and stars Noah Wyle as Steve Jobs and Anthony Michael Hall as Bill Gates.
The movie received positive reviews for its portrayal of the early days of the tech industry and the complex relationships between the key players in the development of the personal computer. Wyle and Hall both received praise for their performances as Jobs and Gates, respectively, and the film was widely considered to be a well-written and engaging depiction of the early days of the tech industry.
One of the strengths of "Pirates of Silicon Valley" is its attention to historical detail. The film does an excellent job of capturing the look and feel of the 1970s and 1980s, and it provides a fascinating look at the early days of Apple and Microsoft. The film also does a good job of exploring the complex relationship between Jobs and Gates, and it offers a nuanced portrayal of both men.
"Pirates of Silicon Valley" is a highly recommended film for anyone interested in the history of the tech industry or in the lives of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The film does an excellent job of motivating all aspiring entrepreneurs while also teaching valuable business lessons that geniuses like Gates and Jobs adopted in their business philosophies, from simple sales to complex sales, product market fit to design obsession, and funding to profitability, you will learn all startup lessons in detail.
The movie also highlights the impact that these companies have had on modern technology and the world we live in today. It showcases the importance of innovation, determination, and perseverance in the world of business and can serve as a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in their respective industries.
The Pursuit of Happiness
"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on the life of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes a successful stockbroker despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges. The film stars Will Smith as Chris Gardner and Jaden Smith as his son, Christopher Jr.
The film follows Chris Gardner's journey as he tries to provide for his son while struggling to make ends meet. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including homelessness and being rejected for a stockbroker internship, Chris never gives up and eventually lands a job at a prestigious brokerage firm.
It is a great family movie, showing a beautiful and invaluable father-son relationship. This movie is a great source of inspiration for not only aspiring business owners but also for children and adults who dare to dream big.
The film teaches golden life lessons: Gardner (Will Smith) never gave up, even when things seemed impossible. He kept trying and pushing through difficult circumstances with indispensable persistence and consistency, and eventually, his hard work paid off.
Through this movie, the viewers would also realize the value of education and self-improvement. Gardner invested time and money into improving his knowledge and skills, which helped him stand out in the competitive world of finance. Teaching how continuing to learn and grow can help you stay competitive and achieve success in your career.
Will Smith gives an excellent performance as Chris, capturing the character's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. His portrayal of the father-son relationship with his on-screen son, Jaden Smith, is also heartwarming and genuine.
The film is based on a true story and does a great job at conveying the struggles and challenges that Chris faced in his pursuit of happiness. It's a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of the human spirit and serves as an inspiration to never give up on your dreams.
Overall, The Pursuit of Happyness is a well-acted, heartwarming, and inspiring film that is a must-see for anyone looking for a feel-good movie with a powerful message.
JOBS
"JOBS" is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Joshua Michael Stern and written by Matthew Whitely. It stars Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, and follows his journey from college dropout to one of the most successful and influential figures in the tech industry.
The movie covers key events in Jobs' life, including the founding and growth of Apple, the development of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, and his eventual departure from the company. It also touches on his personal relationships and struggles, including his strained relationship with his daughter and his battle with pancreatic cancer.
"JOBS" received mixed reviews upon its release and was criticized for its simplification of Apple's history and its portrayal of Steve Jobs. Despite this, it was a commercial success and helped introduce the story of Steve Jobs to a wider audience. Some critics have pointed out that the movie oversimplifies the history of Apple and downplays the contributions of other individuals who played a key role in the company's success. The movie also takes some artistic liberties with certain events and timelines.
There are certain valuable and timeless business lessons that viewers could learn from this movie, such as the importance of vision and focus: Steve Jobs was known for his ability to see the bigger picture and focus on the long-term goals of his company. He was willing to take risks and make tough decisions in order to achieve his vision for Apple. As an entrepreneur, it is important to have a clear vision and focus on your long-term goals, even if that means making difficult decisions in the short term.
Steve Jobs faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his career, but he never gave up. He always stayed true to his vision and was able to persevere through difficult times, thus highlighting the value of resilience and persistence in life. Steve Jobs was known for being a demanding boss, but he also understood the importance of teamwork and surrounding himself with talented individuals who could help bring his vision to life. As an entrepreneur, it is important to cultivate a strong team of talented individuals who can help you achieve your goals.
Overall, "Jobs" is a decent portrayal of the life of Steve Jobs and provides some valuable insight into the early days of Apple and the tech industry.
The Social Network
"The Social Network" is a 2010 drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. The film tells the story of the creation of the social networking website Facebook and the legal battles that ensued.
"The Social Network" is a well-made and engaging film that tells an interesting and important story about the early days of the internet. The film is anchored by strong performances from Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg's business partner and co-founder of Facebook. The screenplay by Aaron Sorkin is sharp and intelligent, and the direction by David Fincher is sleek and stylish.
One of the standout aspects of "The Social Network" is its depiction of the cutthroat and highly competitive world of tech startups. The film presents a nuanced and complex portrayal of Zuckerberg and the other characters, showing both their strengths and flaws. The film also does a good job of exploring the legal battles that surrounded the creation of Facebook and the tensions and rivalries that arose between the various parties involved.
The film is a great source of knowledge and entertainment for startup enthusiasts, as the viewers get to witness the rise of one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, Zuckerberg, and the reality of Silicon Valley startups.
The Founder
"The Founder" is a biographical drama film that tells the story of the rise of the fast food chain McDonald's. The film is directed by John Lee Hancock and stars Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald's into a global franchise.
The film is an excellent depiction of Ray Croc’s persistence, perseverance, and sheer will, which helped him create a massive empire. The film begins in 1954, when Kroc is a struggling salesman trying to make a living selling milkshake mixers. The film follows Kroc as he discovers the McDonald's business model and works to expand the franchise across the country, eventually turning it into a multi-billion dollar business. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges, including disputes with the McDonald brothers over the direction of the company and allegations of fraud and embezzlement. The film keeps the viewers hooked and engaged, all thanks to superior acting, cinematography, and a stupendous screenplay.
It has received positive reviews from critics for its acting, direction, and writing. Many praised Michael Keaton's performance as Kroc, as well as the film's depiction of the business dealings and legal battles that shaped the early history of McDonald's. However, some critics criticized the film for taking creative liberties with the true story and portraying Kroc in a more sympathetic light than some accounts of the McDonald's story.
