The following are arguably the Top 5 Movies for Entrepreneurial Inspiration:
Social Network
I didn’t really go out on a limb with this one, as the release of this movie likely resulted in many wannabe entrepreneurs quitting their jobs to chase their dream. That being said, it certainly deserves to be here. The story of Mark Zuckerberg and his quick rise to internet stardom is a must see.
Jerry McGuire
What’s a movie list without something from the 90’s starring Tom Cruise? Maybe this is viewed more of a sports movie; however, Jerry McGuire, a famous sports agent, quit his job like many of us crazy entrepreneurs to pursue a passion and a vision not accepted by the mainstream. Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character, Rod Tidwell infamously yells the phrase ‘show me the money.’ We are all hoping for the same thing.
Layer Cake
Daniel Craig plays a hard working entrepreneur looking to make enough money to step away from the game…. the cocaine game. He shows us how to climb the ladder in the industry; hence the name , Layer Cake. I am also a big fan of Sienna Miller, who can also be found in another entrepreneurial movie, Burnt, starring Bradley Cooper.
The Aviator
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the obsessive business tycoon, Howard Hughes. He literally put it all on the line gambling millions in the filmmaking and aviation business while constantly battling his own demons. At times tough to watch, this movie shows the exaggerated rollercoaster ride of an entrepreneur, depicting what it’s like to hit rock bottom and stand on top of the world. Steve Jobs We are talking about the Michael Fassbender, and not the Ashton Kutcher variety. This movie gives a very realist view of the life of Steve Jobs as he navigates life as an entrepreneur, innovator, leader, and father. One of the greatest visionaries of our time, Jobs was by no means perfect, but he expected perfection from everyone around him.*As a side note, I must say that Ashton Kutcher is killing it in the ‘real life’ world of startups having investing in companies like Uber, AirBnB and Spotify early on.
Honorable Mention - Silicon Valley
Despite being hilarious, you can actually learn a lot from this over exagereated portrait of a startup. I left it off the list solely because it is a show on HBO and not actually a movie. The third season, just started on Sunday and I strongly recommend it. There are not many great shows dedicated to the entrepreneur, and the few others that have tried, have failed. I tried watching the show, Betas… don’t.
Honorable Mention – The Men Who Built America
A four part series and the greatest mini series you will ever watch as an entrepreneur. It is the story of the pillars of today’s America; Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbuilt, and JP Morgan. It took me numerous references before I gave it a chance. Don’t wait.
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