Top 20 Business Movies of all Time
Table of Contents
Top 20 business-themed movies of all time, showcasing various aspects of the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and finance.
Here are brief descriptions of each business movie:
1. The Social Network (2010)
The story of Facebook’s creation, focusing on Mark Zuckerberg’s rise to success and the legal battles over ownership and intellectual property. The film explores ambition, betrayal, and the price of success in the tech world.
2. Wall Street (1987)
A classic portrayal of greed in the financial sector, featuring Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) whose mantra “Greed is good” epitomizes the excess of the 1980s. The film critiques the corrupting influence of money in corporate America.
3. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Based on the real-life story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, this film depicts his rise and fall in the finance world, filled with outrageous behavior, fraud, and excess. It’s a wild ride through Wall Street’s morally bankrupt underworld.
4. The Big Short (2015)
An insightful look at the 2008 financial crisis, told through the eyes of a few investors who saw the collapse coming. The film explains complex financial instruments with humor and drama, showing how greed and ignorance led to the meltdown.
5. Jerry Maguire (1996)
A sports agent’s moral crisis leads him to leave his high-powered firm and start his own agency. The film focuses on relationships, loyalty, and the business side of sports, famously featuring the line “Show me the money!”
6. Moneyball (2011)
Based on the true story of how data analytics revolutionized baseball management, this film follows Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) as he uses unconventional methods to build a competitive team on a budget.
7. The Founder (2016)
The rise of McDonald’s is chronicled through Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman who turns the small restaurant into a global empire, exploring ambition, innovation, and the darker side of corporate success.
8. Office Space (1999)
A satirical look at corporate culture, Office Space follows an office worker who experiences workplace frustration and dissatisfaction, offering a humorous critique of the cubicle-driven, soul-crushing world of 1990s office life.
9. Boiler Room (2000)
A look at high-pressure sales tactics used in a shady brokerage firm, where young employees are pushed to deceive clients for profit. It explores themes of ambition, greed, and the moral pitfalls of the finance world.
10. Erin Brockovich (2000)
The true story of a legal assistant who takes on a powerful corporation, PG&E, for poisoning the local water supply. The film highlights corporate negligence, environmental justice, and the power of one individual to make a difference.
11. Inside Job (2010)
A documentary that investigates the causes of the 2008 financial crisis, examining the role of Wall Street, government policies, and corporate greed in leading to the economic meltdown. It offers a thorough look at the systemic corruption in global finance.
12. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
A gripping portrayal of real estate salesmen under intense pressure to close deals. Based on David Mamet’s play, it shows the cutthroat nature of sales and the desperation of employees trying to survive in a ruthless business world.
13. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Based on a true story, The Pursuit of Happyness follows a struggling salesman (Will Smith) as he overcomes homelessness to secure a better life for himself and his son, illustrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
14. Steve Jobs (2015)
A biographical drama focusing on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, this film delves into his genius, personal struggles, and complex personality, exploring his impact on technology and entrepreneurship.
15. Thank You for Smoking (2005)
A satirical look at the tobacco industry’s public relations strategies, following a smooth-talking spokesman who defends smoking despite the health risks. The film offers a humorous critique of corporate spin and ethical challenges.
16. Joy (2015)
The inspiring story of Joy Mangano, a self-made entrepreneur who creates a successful business empire by inventing the Miracle Mop. The film focuses on her determination and creativity, as well as the challenges of balancing family and business.
17. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
A documentary about the rise and fall of Enron, exploring the corporate corruption that led to one of the biggest scandals in business history. It highlights the greed and dishonesty that fueled the company’s collapse.
18. The Intern (2015)
A senior intern (Robert De Niro) at a fast-growing online fashion retailer becomes a valuable mentor to the company’s young CEO (Anne Hathaway), blending humor with lessons about leadership, entrepreneurship, and intergenerational work dynamics.
19. American Psycho (2000)
A darkly comedic critique of consumerism and corporate culture in the 1980s, this psychological thriller follows Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker with a sinister double life, examining the emptiness of material success.
20. Trading Places (1983)
A comedic exploration of wealth disparity, Trading Places follows a wealthy commodities broker and a streetwise con artist who switch places as part of a bet between two millionaires. The film critiques class, privilege, and the corporate world with humor and social commentary.
