Currently there are over 4,000 movies available on Netflix. Nevertheless, it can be hard to find some good business- and entrepreneurship-focused films within this massive catalogue.
Are you looking for some exciting business movies to inspire and entertain you? In this article we’re introducing you to 15 of the best business and startup movies that are currently available on Netflix. From biopics to fictionalized accounts of real events, these films offer a wide range of perspectives on what it takes to succeed in the world of business.
The Founder
An American biographical drama about Ray Kroc, the man who transformed McDonald’s from a small family-run hamburger chain into a global fast food empire. The film traces the early history of McDonald’s, starting with the story of the original founders, brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald, who developed a revolutionary fast food system in the 1950s. It then follows the involvement of Kroc, a traveling salesman who saw the potential in the McDonald’s system and convinced the brothers to allow him to franchise their restaurants. Kroc eventually took over the company and expanded it into a multi-billion dollar business, but at the cost of his relationship with the McDonald brothers and his own personal integrity.
The Social Network
This movie tells the story of the creation of Facebook and the legal battles that ensued after its co-founder Mark Zuckerberg was accused of stealing the idea from his former classmates. The film follows Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates Facebook in 2004 while studying at Harvard University. The movie also explores the legal disputes that arose between Zuckerberg and his former business partners and friends, Eduardo Saverin (played by Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (played by Armie Hammer and Josh Pence). “The Social Network” received widespread critical acclaim and was a big commercial success. It was nominated for several awards, including eight Academy Awards, and won three, including Best Adapted Screenplay.
Fyre – The greates Party that never happened
A documentary film about the Fyre Festival, a failed music festival that was supposed to take place on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma in April and May 2017. The event was marketed as a luxury music festival with top-tier musical acts and luxurious accommodations, but it quickly turned into a disaster as attendees arrived to find a chaotic and poorly organized event with inadequate food, shelter, and other basic necessities. The film, released in 2019, explores the background and events leading up to the festival, as well as the aftermath and the legal consequences for the organizers. It features interviews with former employees, contractors, and attendees, as well as footage of the event itself and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the planning process.
Joy
An American biographical comedy-drama about Joy Mangano, a self-made millionaire who invented the Miracle Mop. The film follows Joy’s life from childhood to adulthood, as she struggles to overcome various challenges and setbacks to achieve success and build a business empire. The movie also stars Robert De Niro as Joy’s father, Edgar, and Bradley Cooper as Neil Walker, a struggling executive who helps Joy launch her business. “Joy” was inspired by the true story of Joy Mangano, who became a successful entrepreneur despite facing numerous obstacles and challenges. It was a commercial and critical success upon its release, and Jennifer Lawrence received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Joy.
The Great Hack
A documentary film about the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the political consulting firm harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their knowledge or consent, and used it to influence political campaigns around the world. The documentary explores the impact of the scandal on politics, privacy, and the role of technology in society, and features interviews with key figures involved in the story, including former Cambridge Analytica employees, whistleblowers, and journalists. The film was directed by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, and was released on Netflix in July 2019. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
The Pursuit of Happyness
An American biographical drama film starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son (played by Smith’s real-life son Jaden Smith) while trying to build a better life for himself. Based on a true story, the film follows Gardner’s journey as he tries to overcome numerous challenges and setbacks, including financial struggles, homelessness, and discrimination, while also trying to provide for his son and pursue his dream of becoming a stockbroker. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Gardner eventually achieves his goal and becomes a successful financial executive. “The Pursuit of Happyness” was a critical and commercial success upon its release and received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for Will Smith’s performance.
Jobs
A biographical drama movie which is featuring Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., and chronicles the early years of his career, from his days as a college dropout to the launch of the Macintosh computer in 1984. The film follows Jobs as he co-founders Apple with Steve Wozniak (played by Josh Gad) and becomes involved in the personal computer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. It also explores his relationships with key figures in his life, including his business partner, his family, and his colleagues at Apple. “Jobs” received mixed reviews upon its release and was a commercial disappointment. However, Ashton Kutcher’s performance as Steve Jobs received some praise from critics.
The Big Short
A biographical comedy-drama movie based on the 2010 book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” by Michael Lewis and tells the story of a group of investors who profited from the housing market crash of the late 2000s by betting against the mortgage market. The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt as the main characters. “The Big Short” was a critical and commercial success upon its release and received numerous accolades, including five Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Christian Bale’s performance. It was praised for its portrayal of the events leading up to the housing market crash and its explanation of complex financial concepts in a way that was accessible to a wide audience.
The Intern
A comedy-drama movie starring Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who becomes an intern at a successful e-commerce company run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). The film follows Ben as he adjusts to his new role as an intern and becomes friends with his younger colleagues, including Jules. Along the way, he offers guidance and support to Jules, who is struggling to balance the demands of her career and her personal life, and helps her realize the importance of work-life balance. “The Intern” was well-received by critics and was a commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its charming performances and its heartwarming portrayal of the relationship between Ben and Jules.
The Wolf of Wall Street
A biographical crime/comedy film based on the memoir of Jordan Belfort. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, a New York stockbroker who becomes involved in corrupt and fraudulent activities in the 1990s. The film follows Belfort’s rise to success as a stock broker and his subsequent fall from grace, as he becomes involved in securities fraud and money laundering. It also explores his relationships with his colleagues, his family, and the authorities, and depicts the excesses and excesses of the Wall Street culture of the time. “The Wolf of Wall Street” was a critical and commercial success upon its release and received numerous accolades, including five Academy Award nominations. It was praised for its performances, especially DiCaprio’s portrayal of Belfort, and its depiction of the corrupt and decadent world of Wall Street.
Boiler Room
A business/drama movie about a young man named Seth Davis who becomes involved in a questionable, high-pressure stock brokerage firm called J.T. Marlin, which recruits college students to sell overpriced stocks to unsuspecting investors. As Seth becomes more involved in the firm and its sketchy business practices, he begins to question the ethics of his actions and the consequences of his involvement. The film also explores Seth’s relationships with his colleagues, his family, and his girlfriend, and the impact that the firm has on their lives. “Boiler Room” received generally positive reviews upon its release and was a commercial success. It was praised for its performances and its depiction of the cutthroat world of high-pressure sales.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
An adventure comedy-drama directed by Ben Stiller and starring Stiller as the titular character, Walter Mitty. The movie is based on the 1939 short story of the same name by James Thurber and tells the story of Mitty, a daydreaming magazine employee who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and adventure after his job and his personal life are threatened. The film follows Mitty as he travels to various locations around the world, including Greenland, Iceland, and Afghanistan, in search of a missing negative for a photograph that he believes will be the cover of the final print issue of Life magazine. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters and challenges, and learns to embrace his true potential and live in the present.
Startup.com
A documentary film about the rise and fall of the internet startup company govWorks.com. The film follows the experiences of co-founders Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman as they try to build and scale their company, which aimed to provide an online platform for government services, during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. “Startup.com” chronicles the challenges and setbacks faced by the founders, including financial and management issues, as well as the impact of the dot-com bubble burst on their company. It also explores the personal and professional relationships between Tuzman and Herman and the effect that the demands of running a startup had on their friendship. The film is considered a classic of the dot-com era and a cautionary tale about the risks and challenges of starting a business.
The Circle
A techno-thriller based on Eggers’ 2013 novel of the same name. The film stars Emma Watson as Mae Holland, a young woman who lands a job at a powerful and influential technology company called The Circle. The film follows Mae as she becomes more and more involved in the company and its products, including a new social media platform that allows users to share all aspects of their lives online. As Mae’s involvement with The Circle deepens, she begins to question the ethics and consequences of the company’s actions and the impact that its products have on society. “The Circle” received mixed reviews upon its release and was a commercial disappointment. However, it was praised for its performances, especially Watson’s portrayal of Mae, and its exploration of themes related to privacy, surveillance, and the role of technology in society.
The Hustle
A crime comedy film directed by Chris Addison and starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as two con artists who team up to take down a tech mogul. The movie follows the two characters as they try to pull off a series of elaborate scams and schemes in order to get revenge on the wealthy businessman who wronged them. The film also features a supporting cast that includes Alex Sharp, Ingrid Oliver, and Dean Norris. “The Hustle” was released in theaters in February 2020 and received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of Hathaway and Wilson and the film’s entertaining and amusing plot.