Not many characters attract audiences to theatres like entrepreneurs. 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 Social Network
Friendships are relationships facing hardships. I remember forming friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We would enjoy playing soccer creating bonds with each other. However, our short bond came to tragic closures. No longer the big friend I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Years later, I lost all touch with a friend on social networks that I once used to treasure. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the hard work it takes to maintain friendships on a social network as powerfully as “The Social Network”. Ever since its release in 2010, David Fincher’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about entrepreneurs. With the greatest film of his career, Fincher used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the formation of a famous social network organization. Fincher has always had an aptitude for using low-key lighting in his movies to build tension, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop after his shares in social media are lowered is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who portrays a renowned entrepreneur that formed one of the world’s greatest social network companies. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” my favourite entrepreneur film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about entrepreneurs that are targeted towards a small audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. Nearly 20 years after the formation of a social network organization that changed online communication, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which deserve celebration.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
Stockbrokers engaging in criminal behaviour always fascinated my father. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that loved stockbrokers causing damage. Drawn to Wall Street, he would always speak fondly about stockbrokers seeking to accomplish a feat. As someone treasuring memories of a father that loved entrepreneurs on Wall Street, I adored “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Martin Scorsese’s movie captured the life of renowned stockbroker Jordan Belfort. With the most entertaining film of his career, Scorsese used innovative techniques to capture a stockbroker committing crimes causing despair. Scorsese has always had an aptitude for using montages in his movies, and “The Wolf of Wall Street” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Jordan Belfort delivers a motivational speech to his employees facing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrays a stockbroker that achieved fame years ago. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crime which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after Jordan Belfort committed shocking crimes on Wall Street, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has achieved a great feat manufacturing timeless movies viewers consider a treat.
3. 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 open a successful sports business. As someone haunted by a friend with greed that faced bad blood, I appreciated “There Will be Blood”. Released in 2007, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie captured the life of a greedy oil entrepreneur. Anderson has always had an aptitude for making movies about businessmen, and “There Will be Blood” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Anderson effectively used symbolism of oil to capture a greedy entrepreneur facing turmoil. For instance, the scene in which Daniel Plainview beats up Eli in a bowling alley causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays a greedy oil prospector. Ultimately, what makes “There Will be Blood” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about consequences of greed which would resonate with everyone. As precious as oil sought by Daniel Plainview, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which audiences value.
4. The Pursuit of Happiness
Fathers shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have always shared bonds with my father. A role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. I appreciate sacrifices he has made in business in order to ensure my pursuit of happiness. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father in the pursuit of happiness, I adored “The Pursuit of Happiness”. Released in 2006, Gabriele Muccino’s movie captured dedicated fathers. Muccino uses captivating montages to capture a father working hard in business to ensure his son’s happiness. For instance, the final scene in which Chris receives the joyous news that he has been hired for his job by a renowned company in media is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Will Smith, who embodied a father seeking to ensure his son’s bright future. 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 produced commemorated movies contributing towards awareness of sacrifices made by parents in business.
5. Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is a legendary entrepreneur that my friend always loved dearly. In high school, I formed a strong friendship with a kid that adored an entrepreneur he considered to be cool. A huge fan of Apple, he would always praise an entrepreneur he considered inspirational. Obsessed with the iPhone, he would love to discuss a well-known businessman in a league of his own. In 2015, Danny Boyle honoured the entrepreneur that did his jobs effectively in his movie “Steve Jobs”. Boyle used captivating montages capturing an entrepreneur under intense pressure to deliver a successful product launch. For instance, the scene in which Steve Jobs throws a temper tantrum getting angry at employees when technology faces a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Michael Fassbender, who embodied the larger-than-life nature of Apple’s founder. Ultimately, what makes “Steve Jobs” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Apple to appreciate it. A spectacular tribute towards a successful entrepreneur that designed a phone that changed the world forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies audiences treasure.
6. Margin Call
It’s not easy to make an entertaining movie about the financial crisis. A complicated subject matter, movies about the financial crisis rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has often struggled capturing the economy’s downfall, it’s worth praising “Margin Call”. Released in 2011, J.C. Chandor’s movie offered a captivating portrait of the financial crisis. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Margin Call” stand out is its exposition. Chander uses intelligent exposition to capture an economic disaster that caused tension. Assisted by Kevin Spacey who is amazing in the lead role, Chandor created a portrait of the financial crisis that’s compelling. A grim depiction of the economy’s downfall, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost capability to enthral making timeless films that are easy to recall.
7. House of Gucci
When it comes to the world’s greatest fashion companies, it’s worth discussing Gucci. Formed in the 1920’s, Gucci is a successful fashion company that seemed to have a bright destiny. However, crime scandals destroyed the company forever. In 2021, Ridley Scott captured the fashion company’s downfall in his movie “House of Gucci”. Unlike most movies about entrepreneurs, what makes “House of Gucci” stand out is its depiction of family. Scott uses captivating non-linear storytelling to honour a real-life fashion business company. Assisted by Adam Driver who is amazing in the lead role, Scott honoured a legendary fashion company. Nearly 30 years following the downfall of a famous fashion empire that experienced criminal scandals which were dire, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies audiences admire.
8. The Devil Wears Prada
Bosses are powerful figures that shape employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that treated employees in a poor manner. Despite her demanding nature, she was a person I grew up to treasure. As someone treasuring fond memories of a devilish manager with charisma, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie depicted demanding managers of fashion companies. Frankel used captivating montages to capture a cruel fashion manager controlling employees. Assisted by Meryl Streep who is superb in the lead role, Frankel honoured entrepreneurs in the fashion industry today. A dazzling depiction of devilish fashion managers with charisma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies which attract audiences to the Cinema.
9. BlackBerry
BlackBerry is a famous smartphone that fell out of popularity. Created in 1984, the BlackBerry was a phone that people would adore. However, in 2008 the phone suddenly lost its popularity following the introduction of the iPhone. In 2023, Matt Johnson captured the downfall of the famous smartphone company in his movie “BlackBerry”. Unlike most movies in the 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 genre that has blown audiences away making timeless movies that are in a league of their own.
10. Air
Nike is a legendary company that built a strong legacy. In 1984, the company formed a partnership with an athlete to create shoes people adore. Forming a partnership with Michael Jordan, the company designed shoes earning recognition. In 2023, Ben Affleck honoured Nike in his movie “Air”. Affleck used montages capturing the creation of a shoe. Assisted by Matt Damon who is superb in the lead role, Affleck honoured Nike. Although I’m a fan of the movie, it falls short of the best movies. It lacks depth of the best films about business. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as Nike’s footwear, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured rare movies capturing the burden entrepreneurs bear which I will forever treasure for motivating my long-lasting love for filmmaking about which I deeply care.
The Film Buff 