10 Movies Every Entrepreneur Needs to Watch

No one ever said being an entrepreneur
would be easy. A million obstacles seem to
stand in the way each and every day. The
naysayers and budget woes can be enough
for the average person to start waving the
white flag.
But you are not an average person: You’re
an entrepreneur. That means that even
when times are tough, you’re still going to
march forward.
Yet when this whole entrepreneur thing
becomes overwhelming, take a break and
look for some much needed motivation.
And what better way to find inspiration than
watching movies ?
Whether it’s a heartwarming adventure,
irreverent comedy or thought-provoking
documentary, a film can inspire and
motivate a weary business owner.
With that in mind, here are 10 movies that
every entrepreneur needs to watch:

1. The Social Network: It was no surprise
that The Social Network was a blockbuster
when it was released in 2010. After all,
everyone wanted to see how Mark
Zuckerberg became transformed from a
Harvard student to launching the most
popular social-media network in the world.

Why watch it? Never mind if this was
overdramatized. The film gives viewers a
better understanding of how to make a
startup succeed by exhibiting such
qualities as being flexible and resilient.
Every time I watch this movie it motivates
me to be a better entrepreneur.

2. Glengarry Glen Ross: Based on David
Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, this
film explores the cutthroat world of Chicago
real estate. Glengarry Glen Ross takes a
closer look at the lies and betrayals people
endure just to succeed in business.

Why watch it? Unfortunately, the business
world can be brutal, something you’ll learn
even as a salesperson. This 1992 film
illustrates just how vicious it can be.

3. Pirates of Silicon Valley: This was a
made-for-TV movie released in 1999 that
covers the early days of the country's
leading technology hub and the eventual
rise of both Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The
documentary-style movie provides an
interesting take on the lives of the founders
of Microsoft and Apple.

Why watch it? Entrepreneurs are still
looking for inspiration from these two
iconic “pirates.” It definitely provides
pointers to learn from.

4. Citizen Kane: Even if you’re not an
entrepreneur, watch Orson Welles’ 1941
masterpiece. The film revolves around the
life of a fictitious Charles Foster Kane, a
newspaper tycoon loosely based on
William Randolph Hearst and his quest for
fortune and power. In the end, however,
Kane comes to understand what’s really
important in life.

Why watch it? While launching a successful
business is a goal of every entrepreneur,
it’s not the only goal in life.

5. The Pursuit of Happyness: Based on the
true story of Chris Gardner, this 2006 Will
Smith vehicle is one of the most
heartwarming and motivational films for
entrepreneurs. If you’re not moved by
watching Chris and his son struggle to
follow a dream, then I am truly puzzled.

Why watch it? Even though he became
homeless and struggled to provide for his
son, Chris never gave up on his dream.
That passion and sacrifice is something
every entrepreneur should be willing to
embrace.

6. Moneyball : You don’t have to be a
baseball fan to enjoy Brad Pitt’s portrayal
of Billy Beane, the general manager of the
Oakland A’s. Because the team didn't have
the finances to spend on players, Beane
had to discover a unique way to compete.

Why watch it? Beane had to be innovative.
And that’s one of the most-well known
traits of entrepreneurs: figuring out how to
make something better. Also, Beane never
listened to the naysayers and never backed
down from his vision.

7. Rocky : This is another film that
everyone has to watch at least once.
Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in this
ultimate underdog tale of Rocky Balboa
going the distance with boxing heavyweight
champion Apollo Creed.

Why watch it? Even when the world tells
you that you'll never have a chance to
succeed, keep fighting. That competitive
spirit can take you a long way. And I dare
you to listen to the classic score from Bill
Conti and not become motivated.

8. Wall Street: In 1987, director Oliver
Stone made Gordon Gekko (Michael
Douglas) one of the most infamous
characters in cinema history with his motto
“greed is good.” The film centers on the
illegal and unethical decisions made by
Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) to become filthy
rich like Gekko, a corporate raider.

What watch it? Don’t sell yourself out just
for the sake of money. Remember, being an
entrepreneur isn’t just about becoming rich
and famous.

9. Jerry Maguire : The protagonist, Jerry
Maguire (Tom Cruise), had it all: a great
career, lots of friends and a beautiful
fiancé. One day, however, he has an
epiphany: Sports agents shouldn’t just be
looking at the money scenes but how to
take care of their clients. Jerry loses
everything and goes on journey to regain
everything he’s lost.

Why watch it? When you’re following your
dream, everything else will fall into place
both professionally and personally. Jerry
Maguire eventually learns this valuable
lesson.

10. Office Space : This 1999 comedy from
Mike Judge focuses on Peter Gibbons (Ron
Livingston), who eventually discovers how
much he hates sitting inside a cubicle
taking orders from his creepy boss Bill
Lumbergh (Gary Cole).

Why watch it? Every entrepreneur hates
working for someone else and will even
sometimes go to extremes to get fired: I'm
not condoning that you embezzle, though:
it could result in jail time.

I'm sure I missed a couple. What movie do
you think every entrepreneur has to watch?