The Greatest Business Movies Ever Made Ranked

Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as the business biopic. Since the 1970’s, the genre has produced memorable movies. Whether it’s Wall Street stockbrokers, gangsters or social network founders, the genre has made several strong characters. Given the sheer number of films in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best business movies which deserve to be celebrated.

1. The Godfather

Gangsters are grand figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. I remember forming a bond with a grandfather that was fascinated with the dark business of gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour. An offer that he simply couldn’t refuse, my grandfather loved gangsters that shaped his worldviews. Through his lifelong love of gangsters, my grandfather inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the business of gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour as powerfully as “The Godfather”. Ever since its release in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest business movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Coppola used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the dark business of gangsters facing despair. Coppola has always excelled using low-key lighting to capture the grim lives of criminals in movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Godfather”. For instance, the scene in which Michael Corleone commits his first murder transforming into a gangster after killing enemies in a restaurant is one of the greatest moments of the business genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Marlon Brando, who embodies a don mafioso facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” my favourite business film of all-time is its message. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a strong message about the strong bonds between gangsters in families which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about gangsters given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made bold movies earning rave reviews.

2. The Social Network

Friendships are fragile relationships that often face hardships. I remember developing friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We enjoyed playing soccer creating bonds with each other. However, all of a sudden our bond came to a closure. No longer the friend I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my struggle forming friendships on social networks as powerfully as “The Social Network”. Released in 2010, David Fincher’s movie captured the formation of the social network organization Facebook. Fincher has an aptitude for creating a strong atmosphere in his movies, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo breaks Mark’s laptop after discovering his shares have been lowered is one of the greatest moments of the business genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who captured the personality of a renowned social network founder. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a business masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a famous social network organization, it’s a fantastic reminder about a genre that deserves celebration.

3. The Pursuit of Happiness

Fathers are powerful figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I can remember, I have always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. I appreciated sacrifices he has made to ensure my pursuit of happiness. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that ensured my pursuit of happiness, I adored “The Pursuit of Happiness”. Released in 2006, Gabriele Muccino’s movie captured dedicated fathers working hard to ensure children’s happiness. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Pursuit of Happiness” stand out is its emotional impact. Muccino uses breathtaking montages to capture a father working hard to provide for his family. For instance, the scene in which Chris receives the joyous news that he has been hired is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Will Smith, who embodies a hard-working father struggling to manage a business. Ultimately, what makes “The Pursuit of Happiness” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Chris’ pursuit of happiness, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies contributing awareness of sacrifices made by parents in business.

4. Margin Call

The financial crisis is a frightening disaster that always fascinated by teacher. I remember an accounting teacher interested in a financial disaster that changed the world forever. He would often educate students about factors that caused the economy to deteriorate in 2008. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved to recall the economy’s downfall, I adored “Margin Call”. Released in 2011, J.C. Chandor’s movie captured factors leading to the financial crisis. Unlike most movies in the business genre, what makes “Margin Call” stand out is its sharp dialogue. Chandor uses witty dialogue to capture the crash of the economy. For instance, the scene in which Sullivan discovers evidence of the financial crisis on his computer causing trauma is one of the best moments of the business genre. At the centre of the movie is a magnificent performance by Kevin Spacey, who proves how great of an actor he was before his career was destroyed by sexual assault controversies. Ultimately, what makes “Margin Call” a business masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crisis which would resonate with everyone. A grim depiction of factors leading towards the economy’s sad downfall, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a grand genre that hasn’t lost ability to enthral manufacturing timeless films that are easy to recall.

5. The Wolf of Wall Street

Stockbrokers that engage in criminal behaviour have always fascinated my brother. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a brother that loved stockbrokers causing damage. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a brother that was fascinated with a stockbrokers. He would admire stockbrokers that got away with felonies without a price to pay. As someone treasuring a brother fascinated with Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the life of renowned Wall Street stockbroker Jordan Belfort. Scorsese uses sharp humour to capture the life of a stockbroker. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort delivers an inspirational speech motivating his employees to become champions in America is one of the greatest moments of the business genre. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a stockbroker that committed crimes years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a business masterpiece is its message. The film captures the threatening consequences businesses experience when they are affected by crime. Nearly 40 years after Jordan Belfort committed crimes on Wall Street, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has achieved a great feat by manufacturing timeless movies viewers consider a treat.

6. Up in the Air

Travelling affects the lives of families. I recall with nostalgia the time when my father moved to Saudi Arabia. Long distance became a barrier that prevented us from spending time together. His pursuit of career put our relationship up in the iar. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father pursuing his career, I loved “Up in the Air”. Released in 2009, Jason Reitman’s movie captured travelling businessmen. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Up in the Air” stand out is its realism. Reitman uses sharp dialogue to create a business movie that’s realistic. Assisted by George Clooney who is extraordinary in the lead role, Reitman created a realistic business movie. An unforgettable portrait of businessmen up in the air, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured rare movies about which audiences care.

7. There Will be Blood

Greed can affect abilities of businessmen to succeed. Several years ago, I witnessed a friend with greed struggle to open a sports business causing sorrow. Affecting his happiness, greed impacted my friend’s ability to succeed. As someone haunted by a greedy friend that faced bad blood, I loved “There Will Be Blood”. Released in 2007, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about oil businessmen. Anderson used breathtaking visuals to demonstrate greedy businessmen driven towards the brink of insanity. Assisted by Daniel Day-Lewis who is extraordinary in the lead role, Anderson created a powerful portrait of greedy businessmen. As precious as the oil sought by Daniel Plainview, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured timeless films which audiences value.

8. Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is an iconic entrepreneur that has always inspired me. Through his passion, intellect and relentless drive, he introduced the world to technology. Following his heartbreaking passing in 2011, Jobs’ ideas inspire individuals to this day. As someone treasuring an entrepreneur that did his jobs effectively, I adored “Steve Jobs”. Released in 2015, Danny Boyle’s movie honoured the legendary legacy of Apple’s founder. Boyle used an innovative three-act structure to capture the life of a legendary entrepreneur. Assisted by Michael Fassbender who is exceptional in the lead role, Boyle honoured an iconic inventor. A spectacular tribute towards a legendary entrepreneur doing his jobs effectively that designed technology, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies which audiences love dearly.

9. BlackBerry

Few smartphones in history fell out of popularity like the BlackBerry. Created in 1984, the BlackBerry was a phone that people would adore. However, in 2008 the BlackBerry lost its popularity following the introduction of the iPhone. In 2023, Matt Johnson honoured the legendary smartphone in his movie “BlackBerry”. Unlike most movies in the business genre, what makes “BlackBerry” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Johnson used captivating montages to capture the detailed downfall of a smartphone that lost popularity. Assisted by Glenn Howerton who is exceptional in the lead role, Johnson celebrated a smartphone that fell out of fashion. As precious as the BlackBerry phone, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated genre that has blown audiences away making timeless movies that are in a league of their own.

10. Air

Few footwear companies have built a history as strong as Nike.  In 1984, the company formed a business partnership with an athlete to create shoes people adore. Forming a partnership with basketball player Michael Jordan, the company designed shoes earning recognition. In 2023, Ben Affleck honoured the footwear company in his movie “Air”. Affleck showcased his strengths by using montages to honour Nike’s legacy. Assisted by Matt Damon who is amazing in the lead role, Affleck honoured Nike’s legacy. Although “Air” falls short of the greatest business movies , it showcased the appeal of the genre. As precious as Nike’s shoes, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost abilities to manufacture films making headline news which I will forever treasure for motivating my passion of writing movie reviews.