My Favourite Films About Business

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 Godfather

Gangsters are grand figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that was a huge fan of gangsters causing damage. He was fascinated with the grim stories of gangsters that sought to become somebodies in neighbourhoods full of nobodies that shaped his identity. Through his lifelong love of gangsters, my grandfather gave me a great appreciation for figures I have grown to value. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how the strong businesses formed by brothers can be destroyed in dark gangster families 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 film ever made about businessmen. In arguably the greatest gangster movie ever made in cinematic history, Coppola did an extraordinary job of adapting a book about gangsters on the big-screen. Coppola is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at creating stunning films about brothers facing danger, and “The Godfather” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Michael Corleone negotiates with his brothers seeking to prepare for his first murder causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Al Pacino, who transformed into a powerful don giving his family dreams to follow. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” my favourite film about businessmen of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about gangsters given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about complex businesses earning rave reviews.

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 an undeniable treat.

3. The Social Network

Facebook is a legendary social networking company that my cousin always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a cousin that adored the company which changed social media. A huge fan of Facebook, he would always praise ambitious founders of a company that changed his outlook. He would often yearn to see the social media company depicted in Cinema. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the ambitious entrepreneurs that formed the social network in his movie “The Social Network”. Fincher used captivating non-linear storytelling capturing the ambitious entrepreneurs that formed a company which revolutionized social networking. For instance, the scene in which Mark is accused by the twins of stealing their idea for Facebook causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodied the ambitious founder of a social network. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a company that changed social media, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre manufacturing commemorated movies commonly attracting audiences towards Cinema.

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 modern-day business.

5. Jerry Maguire

Ambition is a characteristic needed to succeed in the sales profession. I remember a friend in school that sought to become a successful sales agent with commitment. An ambitious person, he was determined to overcome obstacles in a profession that was dangerous. As someone treasuring fond memories of an ambitious friend I grew up to admire, I appreciated “Jerry Maguire”. Released in 1996, Cameron Crowe’s movie depicted ambitious sales agents facing adversity. Crowe has often excelled at making movies about ambition putting lives in danger, and “Jerry Maguire” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Crowe used captivating dramatic monologues capturing an ambitious sales agent seeking success. For instance, the scene in which Jerry has an enthusiastic phone call with Rod about football causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Tom Cruise, who portrayed a sales agent facing issues. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” a classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about sales agents, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as phones used by Jerry Maguire, it’s a riveting reminder of a great genre that has made bold movies that audiences admire.

6. The White Tiger

Businessmen with big ambitions are common in India. India has built an image of being a country where businessmen often possess ambition to escape poverty causing damage. The role that ambition plays in lives of businessmen in India that face disaster is beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing poverty housekeepers in India are facing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers facing poverty in India, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing great movies attracting audiences towards Cinema.

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 commonly value.

8. The Great Gatsby

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about businessmen, it’s worth discussing The Great Gatsby. Ever since its publication in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book has become a classic. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann did a great job of adapting the book in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Great Gatsby” stand out is its depiction of the 1920’s. Luhrmann uses voice-over narration to capture the life of a mysterious businessman overcoming poverty in the 1920’s. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is amazing in the lead role, Luhrmann honours an iconic book published years ago. A great adaptation of a famous book about businessmen that are mysterious, it’s a magnificent reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured bold movies which audiences consider extremely precious.

9. BlackBerry

BlackBerry is a legendary smartphone company that fell out of popularity. 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 undeniable own.

10. The Big Short

The financial crisis is a tricky subject to depict in movies. Since the 2008 downfall, it’s tough to depict a crisis that’s hard to recall. In 2015, Adam McKay did an admirable job of depicting the big crisis in his movie “The Big Short”. McKay used montages to capture a financial crisis that’s frightening. Assisted by Christian Bale who is amazing in the lead role, McKay recreated the crisis with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s celebrity cameos to explain finance have tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 20 years after the financial crisis impacted the economy, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured great movies about businessmen with personality which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.