Watch how dreamers in films battle odds to build empires.
It’s not a cakewalk to be a startup founder. You find yourself buried under the weight of responsibilities, striving to turn your startup into a profitable venture. This leaves little time for relaxation, as your primary task is propelling your startup’s profits ever higher. As a result, you feel lonely and heavily burnt out.
When inspiration is lacking, it’s not the end of the world. If you ever feel like you’re repeatedly pulling the wrong card out of the deck, it might be time to pause and reflect. Why not turn to the cinema for some encouragement? Consider watching one of these five films that feature entrepreneurs like you. They might just rekindle your motivation.
1. The Social Network (2010)
“You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.”
Image by Sony Pictures
The Social Network, directed by auteur David Fincher, tracks the rise of Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) from a Harvard undergrad and programming prodigy to the founder of Facebook, one of the original social media platforms. Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s book The Accidental Billionaires and written by Aaron Sorkin, the film delves into the themes of ambition, betrayal and the moral complexity of success in the tech world.
Starting in Zuckerberg’s early programming days in his Harvard dorm room in 2003, the film follows the meteoric rise of Facebook. As the platform’s popularity soars, Zuckerberg encounters personal and legal challenges, including a funding crisis, lawsuits from the Winklevoss twins, who claim he stole their idea, and Eduardo Saverin, who is pushed out of the company despite being a co-founder.
From this film, entrepreneurs can learn about the power of perseverance—no hurdle is too big if you have the determination to reach the finish line. Life’s ups and downs, and the joy of achieving something that no one else could, are all part of the entrepreneurial journey. When possible, turn off your phone and sit down to watch the journey of a 21st-century entrepreneur and innovator, Mark Zuckerberg.
2. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
“Walk that walk and go forward all the time. Don’t just talk that talk, walk it and go forward. Also, the walk didn’t have to be long strides; baby steps counted too. Go forward.”
Image by Sony Pictures
Directed by Gabriele Muccino, The Pursuit of Happyness is a moving drama about a father and son enduring the toughest of times. It’s based on the life of Christopher Paul Gardner (portrayed by Will Smith), an American businessman and motivational speaker who experiences homelessness and profound poverty.
Despite these challenges, Gardner remains undeterred, his spirit unbowed as he borrows money for basic necessities like cab fare. His commitment to a better future for himself and his son drives him to pursue an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, a move that eventually leads to his success and financial stability.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll likely connect deeply with the film, particularly for those who have bootstrapped their startups, only to find themselves teetering on the brink of financial collapse time and again. In the face of overwhelming odds and frequent setbacks, Gardner’s story is one that proves resilience, persistence and hard work never go in vain. As he eloquently puts it, “Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you can’t do something.”
3. Moneyball (2011)
“I hate losing more than I even wanna win. And there’s a difference.”
Image by Sony Pictures
Moneyball, directed by Bennett Miller and based on Michael Lewis’s 2003 book of the same name, recounts the story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and its general manager Billy Beane. The film highlights the human capacity for adaptation and the courage to challenge established norms and conventional wisdom.
Brad Pitt stars as Beane, who is tasked with assembling a competitive baseball team on a shoestring budget after losing key players to free agency. In a bold move, Beane took the help of Peter Brand, a Yale economics graduate, to apply sabermetrics—an empirical analysis of baseball using statistics. This innovative strategy dramatically outperforms the traditional methods of player recruitment and team assembly.
Billy Beane’s portrayal in Moneyball is that of a transformative figure who changed the game of baseball through data analytics. Instead of viewing constraints, such as budget limitations, as obstacles, he sees them as opportunities to innovate and think creatively. Beane’s journey exemplifies how there’s always an opportunity waiting to be seized. The real question it poses to entrepreneurs is whether they are ready to grab that opportunity and use it to change the world or simply let it pass by.
4. Steve Jobs (2015)
“I would rather gamble on our vision than make a ‘me, too’ product.”
Image by Universal Pictures
Steve Jobs is a 2015 biographical drama directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin. The film takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution, painting an intimate portrait of the brilliant yet complex Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender.
The film is structured three pivotal moments in tech history—the Macintosh in 1984, NeXT in 1988 and the iMac in 1998—while exploring Jobs’ complex relationships with his co-founder Steve Wozniak, former Apple CEO John Sculley and daughter Lisa Brennan-Jobs.
The narrative captures the immense pressures and ethical dilemmas that Jobs faced, which highlights how his visionary decisions often isolated him from colleagues and loved ones. Entrepreneurs watching this film will see a reflection of their own potential journeys, understanding that innovation isn’t just about bright ideas but also about making tough decisions that may not always be popular.
“Think Differently”, Apple’s renowned motto, encapsulates Steve Jobs’ philosophy and is portrayed as an essential attribute for any entrepreneur. The movie is a compelling reminder that true innovation requires resilience and a willingness to change the status quo.
5. Joy (2015)
“When you’re hiding, you’re safe. Because people can’t see you. But, the funny thing about hiding is, you’re even hidden from yourself.”
Image by 20th Century Fox
Joy deserves a spot on this list. This 2015 American biographical comedy-drama, directed by David O. Russell and starring Jennifer Lawrence, tells the inspiring story of Joy Mangano, a real-life self-made millionaire who invented the Miracle Mop among other household products.
The film portrays Joy, a divorced mother of two children who has no hope and is stuck in a dead-end job with her entire family—including her ex-husband—relying heavily on her. Her journey takes a pivotal turn when an Italian millionaire invests in her innovative mop design, setting her on a path that could lead to stardom or financial ruin.
In the harsh world of business, Joy confronts betrayal, treachery and personal setbacks. As she rises to become a formidable leader of her family and enterprise, alliances shift—friends become foes and enemies become unexpected allies. For entrepreneurs, Joy’s narrative offers profound lessons on innovation, the courage to take risks and the tenacity needed to navigate the unpredictable waters of business. Sometimes, a successful venture is all about trusting one’s instincts and adapting to new challenges—an invaluable set of insights for anyone looking to disrupt industries and impact the world positively.
Final thoughts
Films are often thrilling rides, but some do more than just feed your imagination. The five movies listed here are rooted in the real-life experiences of innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs who transformed their dreams into reality through perseverance and the courage to dream big. If you’re an entrepreneur, these films might just be the motivation you need to keep pushing forward, despite the odds.
Also read:
- Top 5 VFX Tools Behind Billion-Dollar Movies
- Oscar Winning Film Encanto Teaches Us 7 Business Lessons
- What Are the Negative Impacts of AI on the Film Industry?
- First Film Ever Written and Directed by AI: The Safe Zone
Header image from Freepik
