There’s a stack of unread books on your shelf, but you feel like something other than reading right now. Instead, you’d prefer to watch a movie or TV series that could broaden your business horizons. Oh, you don’t know what to choose? I got you. Here you have my bucket list of 68 movies and series for entrepreneurs.

Movies and series for entrepreneurs – my criteria

Recently, I’ve had some extra time to catch up on lighter forms of entertainment. I’ve decided to share the most interesting business-related content I’ve come across on the big screen. These films have not only broadened my business horizons but also entertained me thoroughly.

I’ve categorized them into several groups. Each entry includes its length, Trailer, year of production, and a short description I authored—so you can choose the films or series that interest you the most. Remember, a good documentary can teach you more than an average business book, so although fictional films dominate the list, it also includes some excellent documentaries that will surely enlighten you about various aspects of business.

This list is not exhaustive—it features only the items I find interesting and valuable. Out of respect for my audience, I won’t include low-quality films about business, though I’ve seen quite a few. Not all of these are entirely about business from start to finish. Still, every movie or series mentioned here can teach you something worthwhile about business. I won’t inflate the length of this list unnecessarily. Suppose the negotiation strategy used by the protagonist of “The Shawshank Redemption” against the prison guards was effective. In that case, it doesn’t mean the movie should be on this list.

From the entertainment business to startups, gambling, and finance, the films and series I’ve selected cover a wide range of business-related topics. This variety ensures there’s something for everyone, regardless of your specific business interests.

Feature Movies for Entrepreneurs

  1. Gold – 2016, 121 min
    The film follows the story of a bankrupt businessman, Kenny Wells, and adventurer, Michael Acosta, who embark on a gold-seeking expedition in the Indonesian jungle. They soon discover that many others are also interested in gold—the main characters face rivals, including the Indonesian authorities, other prospectors, and the CIA. The gold market and treasure hunting are fascinating topics, and I’m surprised there are so few films about them (another would be “Into the Blue,” which is on the edge of this genre).
  2. House of Gucci – 2021, 158 min
    Based on a true story, this film tells the story of Maurizio Gucci’s ex-wife—the grandson of the famous fashion designer and Founder of the Gucci brand. The film boasts a stellar cast, excellent set design, and costumes, making it a feast for the eyes and also a hard lesson in multi-generational family business dynamics. Interestingly, shortly after the events in the movie, the company was up for sale. Still, Bernard Arnault decided not to buy it. Due to this mistake, his biggest competitor survived.
  3. Cruella – 2021, 134 min Trailer
    The infamous character Cruella de Vil is likely known to everyone (especially parents). The movie explores the early life of this iconic character. It showcases creative ways to compete in the high-end fashion industry.
  4. A Good Year – 2006, 117 min Trailer
    Russell Crowe plays an entrepreneur who unexpectedly inherits a vineyard in Provence and discovers an entirely different lifestyle. Every time I watch this film, I want to own a vineyard in Provence. After checking vineyard prices, however, I realize I should get back to work, as that time, to put it mildly, hasn’t come yet.
  5. Erin Brockovich – 2000, 131 min Trailer
    It is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, an American activist whose efforts led to the largest settlement in U.S. history related to environmental contamination. Interestingly, Ms. Brockovich is still actively advocating today.
  6. The Social Network – 2010, 120 min Trailer
    The story of the creation of Facebook takes us back to 2003 in a student town at Harvard, where a young Mark Zuckerberg is inspired to create a website that becomes the foundation for the world’s most well-known social media platform. Although much of the film isn’t entirely accurate, it’s a great watch. For example, Travis Kalanick (the Founder and CEO of Uber) was also present at the meeting with Sean Parker, but the script… didn’t have room for him.
  7. Air – 2023, 94 min Trailer
    Based on a true story, this movie covers the surprising collaboration between then-up-and-coming basketball player Michael Jordan and Nike’s newly formed basketball division. Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck (who also directs), and Jason Bateman.
  8. Any Given Sunday – 1999, 162 min Trailer
    Al Pacino stars as a football coach in this Oliver Stone-directed film, which shows the life of a team playing a sport that, from a Polish perspective, might seem incomprehensible. It features a remarkable performance by Cameron Diaz and probably the best halftime speech in film history. I never understood the appeal of wealthy people buying sports teams—this film helped clarify that mystery for me.
  9. MoneyBall – 2011, 133 min Trailer
    A story about how computer analysis helps improve results—in this case, of a struggling baseball club. New coach Billy Beane, with the help of a young economist, develops a revolutionary program that allows his team to turn around its fortunes. It is an excellent adaptation of Michael Lewis’s book. It is starring Brad Pitt.
  10. Jerry Maguire – 1996, 139 min Trailer
    Jerry Maguire has respect, an excellent salary, and a beautiful girlfriend. Suddenly, it all changes, giving Jerry the opportunity to reevaluate his values and start his own company in line with them—brilliant performances by Renée Zellweger, Tom Cruise, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
  11. The Big Short – 2015, 130 min Trailer
    The behind-the-scenes story of the 2008 global financial crisis features a star-studded cast, including Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell (beloved by fans of “The Office”)—an excellent adaptation of Michael Lewis’s book and a classic of financial cinema practically from day one.
  12. Margin Call – 2011, 107 min Trailer
    It’s the best film about financial crises on this list. Jeremy Irons, Kevin Spacey (before his downfall), Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci gave phenomenal performances.
  13. The Aviator – 2004, 170 min Trailer
    Martin Scorsese’s film depicts the best years of Howard Hughes’s life, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio. Hughes was a fascinating figure: a narcissist and megalomaniac, the son of a wealthy oilman, a cinema lover, and an aviation enthusiast.
  14. Jobs – 2013, 128 min Trailer
    A journey through the life of one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the world—Steve Jobs. It covers the foundation of Apple in a garage, his removal from his own company, and his eventual return, leading Apple to the top. This one is considered the weaker of the two films about Jobs.
  15. Steve Jobs – 2015, 122 min Trailer
    The second, better film about Steve Jobs is on this list. Interestingly, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for “Steve Jobs.” He also won an Academy Award for “The Social Network,” another film listed here. This film showcases three critical moments in Jobs’s career: the launch of the Macintosh (1984), the first NeXT computers (1988), and the iMac (1998)—a solid performance by Michael Fassbender.
  16. There Will Be Blood – 2007, 158 min Trailer
    It is an Oscar-winning film portraying the struggle between a ruthless entrepreneur, his adopted son, who aims to build an oil empire, and a young local preacher. The story unfolds in a small American town where Daniel Plainview—the aforementioned businessman—discovers oil deposits.
  17. The Founder – 2016, 115 min Trailer
    “The Founder” tells the story of McDonald’s—a humble local restaurant run by two McDonald brothers, standing out with surprisingly short service times. Their efficiency caught the attention of Ray Kroc, an entrepreneur who had not yet found success but had never stopped dreaming of fortune. The film details the results of their collaboration. Spoiler alert: by the end, everyone has gained weight.
  18. The Intern – 2015, 121 min Trailer
    A tired retiree decides to return to working life in an unusual way—by becoming an intern at a fashion website. This is a pleasant film starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway.
  19. Thank You for Smoking – 2005, 92 min Trailer
    The main character—a smooth-talking and cynical PR specialist—is hired by a tobacco company, where his job is to improve the public perception of smoking. He’s pretty successful until he realizes the impact his professional choices have on his teenage son.
  20. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ – 2005, 117 min Trailer
    This is 50 Cent’s acting debut. He plays the role of Marcus, a rapper recounting the dramatic story of his life, which is, in reality, a biography of 50 Cent himself. It’s an excellent portrayal of the economics of the drug trade.
  21. Lincoln Lawyer – 2011, 118 min Trailer
    Attorney Mick Haller has a peculiar way of taking on clients—from the back seat of a black Lincoln limousine. It’s no surprise, considering his clients are small-time and mid-level criminals. Mick doesn’t seem to mind—until he starts working with a young man from a wealthy family accused of assaulting an escort, and the case quickly spirals out of control.
  22. Closed Circuit – 2013, 108 min Trailer
    A Polish film based on actual events tells the story of three entrepreneurs accused of criminal activity due to a scheme concocted by corrupt officials. It’s a strict watch, especially if you have an “entrepreneurial sensitivity.”
  23. The Pursuit of Happyness – 2006, 117 min Trailer
    A man in a suit steps out of a Ferrari in front of an office building. The main character, played by Will Smith, asks: “Two questions. What do you do, and how do you do it?” “I’m a stockbroker,” the man replies. And so begins the journey of a single parent and entrepreneur who decides to change his life after a string of failures—a rare modern example of a film with a structure rooted in Greek drama. Beautiful cinema.
  24. Glengarry Glen Ross – 1992, 100 min Trailer
    It is a film about the competition for leads (yes, that’s right, leads!) between four real estate salespeople, each fighting to keep their jobs. It stars Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, and Alec Baldwin. It’s a legendary movie. The fact that Pacino was nominated for an Oscar for a supporting role instead of Baldwin marked the beginning of a downhill slide for the American Film Academy. Baldwin’s eight-minute monologue raised two generations of salespeople.
  25. The Wolf of Wall Street – 2013, 180 min Trailer
    A classic. The phenomenal lead performance by Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the titular Wolf of Wall Street—a hugely successful broker whose grandiose professional and private moves eventually attract the attention of the FBI. It’s worth noting that this is a true story. Pay attention to the New Zealand emcee in the final scene.
  26. Wall Street – 1987, 126 min Trailer
    As can be seen from this list, Wall Street captivates filmmakers. This 1987 film follows a young stockbroker under the wing of Gordon Gekko—a true financial shark. Oliver Stone, with the help of Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, and Michael Douglas, aimed to warn America about the evils of capitalism. He succeeded so well that it had the opposite effect, and for many years, Gekko became a role model for young finance sharks.
  27. Boiler Room – 2000, 120 min Trailer
    It is a drama about a fictional character, Seth Davids, who starts working for a shady investment firm lured by the promise of high earnings and Wall Street status. The FBI soon takes an interest in the company. Although the firm is similar to Stratton Oakmont, known from another movie in this list (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), it’s not the same. It’s worth watching, if only for the brilliant scenes of meetings and phone calls.
  28. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – 2010, 133 min Trailer
    This is the second installment of the story above. This time, Gordon Gekko, being in a different stage of his life, seeks reconciliation with his daughter, attempting to befriend her fiancé—a young stockbroker played by Shia LaBeouf. It turns out that there’s more at stake than just mending family bonds.
  29. Rogue Trader – 1999, 101 min Trailer
    A single man brings down the most prestigious British bank—Barings. Ewan McGregor, playing the role of Nick Leeson, is a broker with a peculiar life motto, which aptly describes the story told in “Rogue Trader”: “Stock trading is like madness in a giant casino…”
  30. Trading Places – 1983, 116 min Trailer
    A classic. Two businessmen decide to test in practice whether human success is shaped more by a person’s predispositions or by the environment they grew up in. As part of the experiment, they orchestrate a situation where a promising businessman and a petty thief switch places. Starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd.
  31. In Good Company – 2013, 143 min Trailer
    The life of a longtime advertising manager gets turned upside down when his new boss is a twenty-something who starts dating his daughter—a curious portrait of the media industry in crisis and corporate America.
  32. Lord of War – 2005, 123 min Trailer
    Nicolas Cage plays a character inspired by Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer. The film brilliantly depicts the dynamics of the arms trade and its connections to politics and intelligence agencies, featuring standout performances by Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, and Jared Leto. Interestingly, Viktor Bout was released after serving 10 out of his 25-year sentence as part of a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap for Brittney Griner in the winter of 2022.
  33. We Are Your Friends – 2015, 96 min Trailer
    A young DJ works tirelessly to create a hit that will launch him to the top of the charts. He encounters James, a seasoned and famous DJ, who decides to help him achieve stardom… and face harsh reality. Jon Bernthal’s performance is particularly compelling—it feels like the screenwriters wrote the role while watching Grant Cardone’s speeches.
  34. The Gambler – 2014, 111 min Trailer
    An English literature professor and a compulsive gambler must face the consequences of his debts to a dangerous loan shark. He also begins a romance with one of his students.
  35. Rounders – 1998, 121 min Trailer
    It is the story of a young gambler who decides to quit his addiction—but not for long. To make matters worse, his friend owes a gangster a staggering $20,000, which is a fortune for a student.
  36. 21 – 2008, 123 min Trailer
    Based on a true story, the film follows a group of students who use their mathematical skills to take over Las Vegas casinos, winning millions of dollars and infuriating the casino owners.
  37. Two For The Money – 2005, 123 min Trailer
    Al Pacino, Matthew McConaughey, and Rene Russo star in a film about a gambling business specializing in sports betting. It’s a story about how far one can go when going “all in” every time.
  38. Ocean’s Eleven: Risky Business – 2001, 116 min Trailer
    The titular Ocean has just been released from prison and is already planning a heist targeting three of Las Vegas’s biggest casinos. To make his plan work, he needs to assemble a strong team.
  39. The Company Men – 2010, 109 min Trailer
    Receiving a layoff notice is never easy—especially for men holding senior corporate positions and accustomed to high earnings. This film tells the story of three men who suddenly find themselves forced to confront a life drastically different from what they were used to.
  40. Ford vs. Ferrari (Le Mans ’66) – 2019, 152 min Trailer
    Christian Bale, Matt Damon, and Jon Bernthal star in this film about Ford and Ferrari’s competition to win the 24-hour race at Le Mans. It is highly recommended for fans of Lee Iacocca and motorsports.
  41. The Promised Land – 1974, 179 min Trailer
    A film directed by Andrzej Wajda tells the story of three friends who dream of great fortune. To fulfill their dreams, they jointly open a factory in Łódź. Fifty years ago, one could write (and act out!) a line like: “If I have nothing, you have nothing, and you have nothing. Together, we have enough to open a great factory.”

TV Series for Entrepreneurs:

  1. WeCrashed – 1 Season, 2022, about 60 min per episode Trailer
    Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway play Adam and Rebekah Neumann, the founders of WeWork. It is a brilliantly told and acted story of a company and investment behaviors that was a textbook example of the “Zero Interest Rate Phenomena.”
  2. Industry – 2 Seasons, 2019-2020, about 60 min per episode Trailer
    Twenty-somethings compete for a few positions at a top investment bank in London. Youth and great ambitions clash with the rigid hierarchy of a long-established bank; all served with a side of amorality. Particularly noteworthy is Nathan Micay’s optimistic soundtrack.
  3. The Bear – 1 Season, 2021, about 45 min per episode Trailer
    A young chef inherits a family business along with a team of employees who are anything but cooperative. This highly emotional series is about food, frenetic work, and difficult relationships between colleagues. Whenever I feel like returning to work during a long vacation, I watch this series—the pace strongly resembles what I experienced as a CEO.
  4. Lincoln Lawyer – 1 Season, ongoing Trailer
    The Lincoln Lawyer also received a series adaptation. In this version, he resumes his career, starting with a murder case.
  5. Suits – 9 Seasons, 2011-2019, about 42 min per episode Trailer
    For many, it is a cult series that tells the story of Mike Ross—a con artist with a photographic memory pretending to have graduated from Harvard to land a job at a law firm—and Harvey Specter, the charismatic lawyer who takes young Mike under his wing.
  6. Ozark – 4 Seasons, 2017-2022, about 60 min per episode Trailer
    An accountant finds himself in trouble when it turns out that his business partner is cheating Mexican drug cartels. With a gun to his head, he devises a survival strategy, leading him to relocate with his family to the Ozarks, where his task is to launder $500 million.
  7. Halt and Catch Fire – 4 Seasons, 2014-2017, about 45-60 min per episode Trailer
    The main character, Joe MacMillan, quits his corporate job and joins a small computer company, planning to launch an affordable yet functional personal computer according to his design. The series perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of building a startup.
  8. Silicon Valley – 6 Seasons, 2014-2019, about 30 min per episode Trailer
    Full of ironic humor, the series tells the story of IT specialists living in Silicon Valley. We follow the story of a newly minted startup founder and a young millionaire who lets people live in his house in exchange for shares in the projects conceived there. Since the consultants on the show include Marc Pincus, Dick Costolo, Aileen Lee, Kara Swisher, and Roger McNamee, startup enthusiasts will feel right at home (albeit in a haunted one).
  9. House of Lies – 5 Seasons, 2012-2016, about 28-58 min per episode Trailer
    The story revolves around a group of business consultants with not-so-pure intentions. The main character, Marty Kaan, and his team strive to outmaneuver rival consulting firms.
  10. Mad Men – 7 Seasons, 2007-2015, about 45-60 min per episode Trailer
    This cult series about a man working at an advertising agency showcases 1960s New York and the world of advertising at the time. Throughout the episodes, the protagonist, Donald Draper, implements ad campaigns for products ranging from slimming belts and cigarettes to political campaigns. There’s plenty of alcohol, sexism, and period-accurate details.
  11. Billions – 7 Seasons, 2016-present, about 50-60 min per episode Trailer
    “Billions” tells the story of a hedge fund tycoon pursued by a prosecutor. In the background: modern American elites, enormous wealth, and power. It is an excellent watch. I was shocked that the same screenwriters did a poor job with the series about Uber.
  12. Succession – 4 Seasons, 2018-2023, about 60 min per episode Trailer
    The story revolves around a power struggle between a father and his children and among siblings in a family that controls a global media conglomerate. The number of intrigues we witness throughout the seasons has led some to compare the series to a business version of Game of Thrones.
  13. Moscow Noir – 1 Season, 2018, about 42-45 min per episode Trailer
    The main character is a Swedish-born investment banker living in 1990s Moscow who doesn’t always play fair. He gets involved in shady deals with oligarchs and politicians to boost his career. The series is based on a collection of stories of the same name.
  14. Soundtrack (The Playlist) – 1 Season, 2019, about 45 min per episode Trailer
    It is a story about the revolution in the music industry brought about by the first legal streaming platform. It is loosely based on the story of Spotify, but it’s hard to call it purely biographical. It is notable for its unique narrative, told from the perspectives of the Founder, an artist, a lawyer, a partner, a record company, and the first programmer.
  15. Lakers: Winning Time – 2 Seasons, 2022-2023, about 60 min per episode Trailer
    Set in the 1980s in Los Angeles, a novice in the real estate business trades his portfolio for a controlling stake in a basketball team that needs restructuring. It is a brilliant show, and I highly recommend it for fans of the NBA, basketball, and sports marketing.
  16. Tulsa King – 2 Seasons, 2022, about 42 min per episode
    Sylvester Stallone plays an older mobster coming out of prison after a 25-year-long sentence. He doesn’t get a parade—instead, a new capo tells him to go and set up a mafia operation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many business lessons about building early teams.

Documentaries – movies and series for entrepreneurs:

  1. Inside Job – 2010, 109 min
    The global economic crisis of 2008 deprived millions of people of their livelihoods, causing losses of over 20 trillion dollars. The film documents the course of events and the causes of the crisis.
  2. The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley – 2019, 119 min
    This is the story of Elizabeth Holmes, a fraudster and supposed inventor of a test that could perform up to 200 analyses from a single drop of blood, making her the youngest self-made billionaire. When it was discovered that the test didn’t deliver the promised results, investors fled, and in 2022, Holmes was sentenced to 11 years in prison for fraud against investors, doctors, and patients.
  3. Icahn: The Restless Billionaire – 2017, 87 min
    This is the story of the famous American investor Carl Icahn, whose fortune was estimated by Forbes at 14 billion dollars in 2020.
  4. Becoming Warren Buffett – 2017, 90 min
    This documentary paints a portrait of a man who has long remained at the top of the world’s richest people lists. Warren Buffett is known to everyone even remotely interested in business—and to many who aren’t interested at all. The film features conversations with him, as well as with his closest friends and collaborators.
  5. Trump: The American Dream – 2017, 64 min
    Friends, collaborators, and critics talk about the former U.S. president and successful businessman.
  6. Madoff: Made Off with America – 2016, 240 min (Miniseries)
    This is the story of the creator of what was, until recently, the largest Ponzi scheme in Wall Street’s history, which defrauded around 13,500 individual investors and organizations.
  7. Something Ventured – 2011, 84 min
    This is a film showcasing the stories of venture capital investors who played a role in the founding of companies like Apple, Intel, Cisco, and Atari. The documentary features interviews with leading American venture capitalists from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
  8. Sex, Lies, and Money: The Story of Pornhub – 2020, 82 min
    A journey through the successes and scandals accompanying the growth of the adult website Pornhub. Interestingly, the film premiered almost simultaneously with the acquisition of the platform by a fund called (no joke) “Ethical Capital Partners.”
  9. General Magic – 2018, 93 min
    General Magic was a spin-off from Apple that attempted to create what was essentially the first smartphone in the early 1990s. They gathered a phenomenal team of engineers, raised a lot of money from investors, and… failed to deliver anything spectacular (which didn’t prevent the company from going public). The company made many technological breakthroughs but couldn’t turn them into a product that appealed to the public. This is a classic startup story.
  10. Startup.com – 2001, 107 min
    Available only in English, this documentary tells the dramatic story of the founders of govWorks during the bursting of the dot-com bubble. It is described on Rotten Tomatoes as “More than just a look at the rise and fall of the new economy. At its core, the film is a story of a friendship tested to its limits.” It is an interesting portrait of the internet bubble bursting.
  11. Triumph of the Nerds – 1996, 165 min
    The documentary traces the development of personal computers in the United States from World War II to 1995. It features interviews with Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates, and Bill Atkinson.