The 25 Most Inspirational Movies for Entrepreneurs

• Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: The Social Network on IMDb

Mark Zuckerberg goes from coding in a dorm room to founding Facebook, showing us that even messy friendships and legal battles can’t stop a billion dollar idea. If you’ve ever dreamt of turning a side hustle into a global empire, this movie will make you want to fire up your laptop and reach for the stars.

• Actors: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Steve Jobs on IMDb

This intense, behind the scenes look at Apple co-founder Steve Jobs proves that vision, leadership, and just a pinch of chaos can change the world. For entrepreneurs, it’s a crash course in chasing perfection, taking risks, and occasionally driving your team a little nuts.

• Actors: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: Moneyball on IMDb

Billy Beane shakes up baseball by ditching tradition and embracing data to build a winning team on a shoestring budget. Entrepreneurs will love how it champions the power of innovation and reminds us that sometimes, breaking the rules is the only way to play.

• Actors: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: The Pursuit of Happyness on IMDb
• Streaming FREE on Tubi

Chris Gardner’s inspiring true story follows his journey from homelessness to landing a high stakes job as a stockbroker, proving that grit and determination can defy any odds. For entrepreneurs, it’s a tear jerking reminder that the hustle is worth it, even when it means sleeping in subway bathrooms along the way.

• Actors: Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: The Founder on IMDb
• Streaming FREE on Tubi

Ray Kroc takes a small burger joint and flips it into the global phenomenon known as McDonald’s, showing the power of persistence and big picture thinking (even if it’s not always pretty). Entrepreneurs will find this a fascinating guide on scaling businesses, and a reminder to read the fine print on contracts.

• Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: Joy on IMDb

This inventive story of Joy Mangano’s rise to fame with her Miracle Mop proves that even the humblest ideas can clean up big profits. Entrepreneurs will love the mix of creativity, resilience, and handling family drama while conquering the world of home goods.

• Actors: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Chef on IMDb

When a renowned chef ditches his restaurant job to start a food truck, he rediscovers his passion for cooking and entrepreneurship. This film is a reminder for entrepreneurs that sometimes starting over and going small can be the path to your success.

• Actors: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: The Intern on IMDb

A retired businessman joins a startup as a senior intern and ends up mentoring the young founder, offering wisdom and friendship. For entrepreneurs, it’s a fun lesson in the value of intergenerational collaboration and that you’re never too old to reinvent yourself.

• Actors: Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Boiler Room on IMDb

A young man gets caught up in the fast-paced world of stock brokerage, showing the allure and danger of ambition unchecked. For entrepreneurs, it’s a cautionary tale about the cost of cutting corners and the importance of integrity in the pursuit of success.

• Actors: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Erin Brockovich on IMDb

Erin Brockovich takes on a powerful corporation in a fight for justice, proving that one determined person can make a massive impact. She turns a seemingly impossible case into a groundbreaking win, showing that sometimes, it’s not about the business you’re in but the heart you put into it.

• Actors: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Ludacris
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Hustle & Flow on IMDb

A Memphis pimp strives to launch a rap career against all odds, blending talent with ambition in a gritty hustle to rise from the streets. It’s a lesson in using your talents to create your own brand and overcome obstacles, no matter how many setbacks you face.

• Actors: Arthur Rock, Tom Perkins, and Don Valentine
• MPAA Rating: Not Rated
• Link: Something Ventured on IMDb

This documentary explores the early days of venture capitalists who helped build some of the most iconic companies of Silicon Valley, including Apple and Intel. It’s a fascinating peek into how investment, innovation, and vision come together to change industries forever.

• Actors: Richard Dreyfuss, Micheline Lanctôt, Jack Warden
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz on IMDb

Duddy Kravitz, a young man from a poor family, uses his ambition and wit to carve out his own success, often pushing moral boundaries to achieve his dreams. It’s an insightful journey into the relentless pursuit of success, showing the sacrifices and ethical dilemmas that come with chasing big ambitions.

• Actors: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Trading Places on IMDb

A wealthy commodities broker and a street hustler have their lives swapped as part of a bet by two rich men, showing how quickly fortune can change in the world of finance. Entrepreneurs will find the film both hilarious and eye opening, demonstrating how social status, education, and luck can sometimes have a bigger role in success than skill or merit.

• Actors: Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Working Girl on IMDb

Tess McGill, a secretary in a corporate office, climbs the corporate ladder by using her brains and her boldness after seizing an opportunity that others overlook. This film offers a delightful lesson for entrepreneurs about the power of taking risks, believing in yourself, and seizing the opportunities others might dismiss.

• Actors: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Molly’s Game on IMDb

Molly Bloom, a former Olympic skier, gets caught up in running high stakes underground poker games for Hollywood elite, ultimately rising to the top before facing serious legal challenges. Somtimes taking risks, making tough decisions, and trusting your instincts can turn you into a business powerhouse, just be sure to avoid getting tangled up in the legal red tape.

• Actors: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Link: Julie & Julia on IMDb

Julie Powell, inspired by Julia Child’s cookbook, embarks on a year long culinary journey, blogging her way through every recipe, which leads to a transformative career change. This heartwarming film reminds entrepreneurs that persistence, creativity, and following your passions can lead to unexpected opportunities and success.

• Actors: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin
• MPAA Rating: R
• Link: Sunshine Cleaning on IMDb
• Streaming FREE on Tubi

Two sisters start a crime scene cleaning business to make ends meet, learning the ropes of entrepreneurship while navigating their messy personal lives. Entrepreneurs will relate to how they face challenges, find unexpected opportunities, and grow their business from the ground up, no matter how unconventional it may seem.

• Actors: Diane Keaton, Sam Shepard, Harold Ramis
• MPAA Rating: PG
• Link: Baby Boom on IMDb

A high powered executive’s life changes when she unexpectedly becomes the guardian of a baby, leading her to leave the corporate world and start a baby food business. This comedy is a charming reminder for entrepreneurs that sometimes life’s biggest challenges (like parenthood) can spark the most rewarding business ventures.

• Actors: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church
• MPAA Rating: PG
• Link: We Bought a Zoo on IMDb

A widowed father buys a run down zoo and works to restore it, bringing a community together in the process. This movie shows how a little bit of courage (and a lot of heart) can turn an idea into a thriving business.