Besides reading books, you can also fill mellow evenings with a good film. Here are some recommended films (including picks by Entrepreneur magazine) that every business owner could watch: there is something to learn from each of them. The recurring themes are entrepreneurship, growth, finance, leadership, strategy and marketing.
Films that teach and inspire…
Flamin’ Hot (2023)Flamin’ Hot, 2023)
An inspiring biographical drama telling the story of Richard Montañez, who, while working as a janitor, revolutionised the world of Frito-Lay snacks with spicy products rooted in his Mexican heritage. The film shows how he helped turn the snacks into a global pop-culture phenomenon, offering a detailed look at a true success story.
“Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy (2017)“
The book Think and Grow Rich is the result of Napoleon Hill’s 25 years of research and his interviews with the 500 most successful people of the early 20th century. In 1937 Hill shared his conclusions with the world, and the book became an instant classic. Over the past 80 years this timeless book has created more wealth than any other resource in history. Hill’s 13 principles of success are an evergreen concept: the material is as relevant today as it was in 1937.
The filmmakers’ aim is to bring Hill’s powerful message to the world (again): “Anyone can succeed, regardless of their circumstances. Human potential cannot be predicted by age, race, gender, education, wealth or any other perceived advantage or disadvantage.”
Freedom Writers (2007)Freedom Writers, 2007)
A film based on a true story about a young teacher who is handed a class with practically no trust in it. The students come from very different backgrounds and their daily life is full of tension, fear and an “us vs them” mindset. Why watch it? Because it is a very clear example of how culture changes when simple rules, consistency and room for honest feedback appear. The film reminds us that people do not start “working well” on command. They start to function when they feel heard and when the system supports rather than pushes.If there´s a will, there´s a way!”
Eddie the Eagle (2016)
A comic yet warm and gripping true story of unshakeable optimism and an unbending will to chase a dream, whatever obstacles life rolls onto the path. The film’s hero is Eddie Edwards, who at the 1988 Calgary Olympics enjoyed almost as much popularity as Matti Nykänen, crowned triple Olympic champion at those same games.
His place, however, was not at the Olympics!
The reasons for their popularity were different: one was the world’s best ski jumper, the other by far the world’s worst. But that did not make Edwards’ road to the Olympics a carefree stroll. On the contrary: it demanded enormous determination and a stubborn disregard for what the whole world had tried to make clear to the young man all his life. His place was not at the Olympics!
Or was it?
Luckily, Eddie was not a man to cast aside his childhood’s biggest dream lightly… A winding, thorny journey towards Calgary begins, during which Eddie repeatedly has to pick himself up, knock the snow off his suit and climb back up the ski jump tower. On that journey every bit of support counts, and the turning point comes when Eddie (almost literally) collides with the former ski jumping prodigy Bronson Peary, who currently occupies himself mainly with hopping from one bar to the next…
Victoria & Abdul (2017)
A story that took place 100 years ago, yet remained a hidden chapter of history until recently. In a humorous, warm way it speaks about serious and still-relevant global topics: religious and racial tolerance, the clash of cultures and all-conquering human love. A thought for entrepreneurs: What’s the point? It’s about service! In other words, what is the entrepreneur’s role in serving others? What useful things can you offer?
Films about entrepreneurship…
The Founder (2016)
A superb example of how genius and a genius product alone are not enough to survive in the market. A true story many have held up as an example, including Michael E. Gerber in his book The E-Myth and at his seminars, where he said of Ray Kroc very aptly: “Ray Kroc didn’t found McDonald’s, he found it!” Who wouldn’t want a net worth of $600 million? That is what Ray Kroc was estimated to be worth when he passed away in 1984! Ray Kroc didn´t found McDonald’s, he found it!
Steve Jobs (2015)
An American biographical drama directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin, based on Sorkin’s interviews. The film is structured in three parts covering 14 years (1984–1998) in the life of personal computing innovator and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, each act taking place right before the launch of a key product: the Apple Macintosh, the NeXT computer and the iMac.
Also worth watching is the documentary “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)”. “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine (2015)” (dokumentaal)
There are several films about Steve Jobs. See also “Steve Jobs (2013)”: “Steve Jobs (2013)“:
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
A 2005 documentary about one of the biggest business scandals in American history, the fall of Enron Corporation. Educational, and a glimpse of how extensive corruption in a large company can become. The more entertaining The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron (2003) covers the same story. Both are well worth watching! The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron
Boiler Room (2000)
An exciting story of a college dropout who, trying to live up to his father’s high standards, finds work as a broker at a suburban investment firm that puts him on the fast track to success. But the job may not be as respectable as it first seemed. Jim Young’s (Ben Affleck) words should give any entrepreneur something to think about: “There is no such thing as a no-sale call. A sale is made on every call you make. Either you sell the client some stock, or he sells you a reason he can’t. Either way, a sale is made. The only question is: who is going to close? You or him?”
Wall Street
A 1987 film starring Charlie Sheen. His character Bud Fox is an ambitious stockbroker living by the mantra “greed is good”. Besides offering a taste of different financial topics, it is a good example of where greed and a glamorous lifestyle can lead, and how easily everything can spin out of control.
“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
In this film based on a true story, “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
“Joy”(2015)
A wild story of one family across four generations, centred on a girl who grows into an enterprising woman, builds a business dynasty and becomes the matriarch of her family. Betrayal, treachery, lost innocence and the scars left by love pave Joy’s (Jennifer Lawrence) road in this emotional dramedy, where allies become adversaries and adversaries become allies, both inside the family and beyond. At the centre of it all, Joy endures thanks to her inner strength and wild imagination.
Rogue Trader
This 1999 film tells the true story of a Barings Bank employee who single-handedly managed to bankrupt the bank. It shows how people can mistakenly believe that money makes them irreplaceable.
Startup.com
A 2001 documentary about the rise and fall of the startup GovWorks, which raised 60 million dollars from Hearst Interactive Media, KKR and a New York investment fund. Besides being a true story, the film shows how friendship can come under fire because of business relations.
Thank You For Smoking (2005) 2005)
The film is about tobacco industry spokesman and lobbyist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), who promotes smoking and manages to talk the industry out of trouble in even the most hopeless situations. A very good film for anyone needing inspiration on how to get out of complicated situations, how corporate communication works, and what PR and successful negotiations look like.
Glengarry Glen Ross
A 1992 film about four real estate agents whose lives are turned upside down when the new management announces that all but two of them will be fired. The only way to keep their jobs is to take part in the contest launched by the management and win it. A good example of manipulation and competitiveness.
How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
See This 1989 film is about a man trying to come up with a catchy slogan for an anti-pimple cream. Although the film was not a big hit when it reached cinemas, it found its audience years later, and deservedly so. A good example of creative problem solving, and of how work can become an obsession.
Films that broaden your understanding…
12 Angry Men (1957)
A 1957 film about how 12 jurors decide one man’s fate. The viewer discovers how the psychology of group behaviour works, how a group is led, and what consequences different values bring.
Based on this film, the Russian film “12” was made in 2007. “12”
Office Space (1999)
A 1999 comedy about a software company and the working relationships that develop there.
Catch Me If You Can kui suudad (Catch Me If You Can, 2002)
A true story about Frank Abagnale, the youngest man ever to make the FBI’s most-wanted list. From a business point of view, the film shows how creativity helps you out of a difficult spot, and how to succeed against all odds.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) 2006)
The story of a young woman, Andy Sachs, who wants to work as a journalist and, by a twist of fate, ends up at Runway magazine, run by the iron-handed Miranda Priestly. A motivating film showing that hard work pays off in the end and success is worth the effort.
The Godfather trilogy (The Godfather, Part II, Part III)
Not only are these among the best films of all time, for an entrepreneur they are also good examples of how important it is to build strong business networks, and how much human relationships matter.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
A psychological thriller about New York’s most famous criminals who end up in the same police line-up. Its recurring themes are leadership, power and influence, and long-term business strategy.
Lord of War (2005) 2005)
Starring Nicolas Cage. The film is about the Ukrainian arms dealer Yuri Orlov, who built an international arms business. Moral questions aside, it is worth watching for how willpower helps achieve success, with a few lessons about growing client loyalty and successful negotiation on the side.
Patch Adams (1998, peaosas Robin Williams)
Patch Adams is an extraordinary doctor who considers laughter the best medicine and is ready to put even his career at risk to make his patients laugh.
Do you think another good film belongs on the list? Let us know! Anna meile sellest teada!
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