Best Movies For Entrepreneurs: 25 Inspiring Movies and TV Shows Entrepreneurs Must See
At The Growth Operative, we believe inspiration fuels action. Day in and day out, we’re constantly motivating one another with the talents, creativity, and ideas flowing through our team. But we also draw deeply from the world around us- whether it’s fashion, music, art, theatre, film, or TV.
In fact, TGO’s own CEO is no stranger to building with inspiration. He founded SpiritHoods- a wildly successful, cruelty-free faux fur brand that’s proudly PETA-approved. Born from a love of design and a deep connection to the animal kingdom, SpiritHoods became a global movement, proving that businesses can be both stylish and ethical. That same philosophy of drawing inspiration from nature and culture continues to shape the work we do at TGO.
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a rollercoaster of long nights, high stakes, unexpected failures- and yes, thrilling wins. But when you’re in the grind, sometimes the best motivation doesn’t come from a podcast, a book, or a webinar. Sometimes it comes from sinking into your couch, hitting play, and watching someone else (real or fictional) fight for their vision against all odds.
Stories, in all their forms, have the power to ignite something inside us, push us through challenges, and remind us why we started in the first place.
That’s why we put together this list of films and TV shows that have inspired and motivated us throughout the years. These aren’t just good stories- they’re lessons in resilience, creativity, vision, and determination. They’re also tales that capture the spirit of entrepreneurship- the hustle, the setbacks, the comebacks, and the boldness to dream bigger.
These aren’t just movies and shows you’ll watch once and forget. These are classics we go back to time and time again when we need a reminder of what’s possible. Think of this as your entrepreneur moves & TV Show watchlist- a cinematic checklist to fuel your journey, keep you motivated, and inspire your next big move.
True Stories of Triumph - The Best Entrepreneur Movies & T.V. Shows
When real people beat impossible odds.
1. The Pursuit of Happyness – Will Smith delivers a powerhouse performance as Chris Gardner, a father who battles homelessness while chasing his dream of becoming a stockbroker. Proof that unshakable persistence can turn the darkest days into triumph.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video
2. Joy – Jennifer Lawrence shines as Joy Mangano, who turns her Miracle Mop into a QVC empire. A reminder that innovation often starts at home with a simple problem and a bold solution.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
3. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker – Octavia Spencer brings fire and resilience to the role of America’s first self-made female millionaire. A story about breaking barriers and lifting others up along the way.
Where to watch: Netflix
4. The Billionaire – This Thai film stars Pachara Chirathivat as Itthipat Kulapongvanich, who went from gamer and dropout to the seaweed snack king. A bold example that unconventional paths can lead to massive success.
Where to watch: Amazon, YouTube
5. Erin Brockovich – Julia Roberts (in an Oscar-winning role) proves that guts and determination can take down corporate giants. A masterclass in standing up for what’s right.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV
6. Flash of Genius – Greg Kinnear plays Robert Kearns, the inventor who fought the auto industry for credit on his intermittent windshield wiper. A story about protecting your vision when the world tries to take it away.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Visionaries & Industry Disruptors
Dreamers who changed the way we live, work, and connect.
7. The Founder – Michael Keaton transforms into Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a global brand. A study in scale, persistence, and the cost of ambition.
Where to watch: Available to stream on Netflix (with ads) or rent/buy via Amazon Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home
8. Steve Jobs – Michael Fassbender embodies the Apple visionary in this bold retelling of the man behind the iPhone. It’s about passion, obsession, and changing the world through design.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home; also available on HBO Max depending on your region
9. The Social Network – With Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, this fast-paced drama captures the messy, brilliant birth of Facebook. A story of ambition, vision, and the fallout of breaking the mold.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, or Spectrum On Demand- but not available for free streaming currently. It’s also streaming on HBO Max in select regions.
10. Moneyball – Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill show how data revolutionized baseball. An inspiring lesson in challenging tradition and winning through innovation.
Where to watch: Stream on AMC or Philo, and available to rent/buy via Amazon Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home.
11. Tucker: The Man and His Dream – Jeff Bridges stars as Preston Tucker, who dared to challenge the auto industry with a revolutionary car. A tale of visionaries who dream big despite massive opposition.
Where to watch: Streaming on Starz (via Apple TV Channel, Roku, Amazon channels) and Philo. Also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Fandango at Home, and streaming free on Plex.
12. The Aviator – Leonardo DiCaprio takes flight as Howard Hughes, the eccentric genius who transformed aviation and film. A story of big dreams, bigger risks, and the thin line between brilliance and obsession.
Where to watch: Streaming on Hulu, Paramount+, and fuboTV. You can also rent or buy via Amazon Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home, and even stream for free via Kanopy if available.
Modern Startup & Reinvention Stories
From reinvention to rebirth, these show the power of starting fresh.
13. Chef – Jon Favreau writes, directs, and stars as a chef who reinvents his career through a food truck. A warm, funny reminder that passion projects can become thriving businesses.
Where to watch: Streaming via Starz (Apple TV Channel) and Tubi TV also rent or buy on Amazon Video or Fandango at Home
14. Jerry Maguire – Tom Cruise stars as a sports agent who risks it all to build a new kind of agency built on integrity. “Show me the money” becomes “show me the values.”
Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max, available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home
15. October Sky – Jake Gyllenhaal plays a small-town kid obsessed with rockets. A powerful reminder that curiosity and determination can take you further than your circumstances.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Spectrum On Demand, streaming on Prime Video in select regions
16. Girlboss (TV) – Britt Robertson brings sass and grit to the role of Sophia Amoruso, who built the fashion brand Nasty Gal from scratch. It’s about hustling, failing, and finding your voice.
Where to watch: Streaming exclusively on Netflix.
17. StartUp (TV) – Adam Brody and Martin Freeman star in this gritty drama about launching a digital currency. A high-stakes story of risk, reward, and resilience.
Where to watch: Streaming on Crackle.
Satire & Startup Culture Lessons
Sometimes you need to laugh at the madness while learning from it.
18. Silicon Valley (TV) – Featuring Thomas Middleditch and Kumail Nanjiani, this hilarious HBO series nails the highs and lows of startup culture. You’ll laugh, cringe, and nod along if you’ve ever built something from scratch.
Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max.
19. WeCrashed (TV) – Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway star as Adam and Rebekah Neumann, the visionary (and volatile) leaders of WeWork. A cautionary yet inspiring look at storytelling, vision, and knowing when ambition goes too far.
Where to watch: Streaming on Apple TV+.
Docuseries & Reality for Entrepreneurs
Real people, real pitches, real lessons.
20. Shark Tank (TV) – Watch Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, and other “sharks” evaluate real pitches from entrepreneurs. Every episode is a masterclass in confidence, selling, and negotiation.
Where to watch: Streaming on Hulu and ABC’s official site.
21. Dragon’s Den (TV) – The original UK version of Shark Tank, with Peter Jones and other fierce investors. Grittier, sharper, and packed with lessons in courage and preparation.
Where to watch: Streaming on BBC iPlayer (UK) or various international platforms.
22. Undercover Billionaire (TV) – Entrepreneurs like Glenn Stearns start with $100 and a deadline to build a million-dollar business. Proof that resourcefulness beats resources every time.
Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max.
23. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (TV) – A Netflix docuseries that humanizes Bill Gates and his mission-driven problem-solving. Inspiring for entrepreneurs who want to scale impact globally.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix.
24. Becoming Warren Buffett – An intimate documentary on Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors of all time. Inspires with humility, discipline, and a lifelong learning mindset.
Where to watch: Streaming on HBO Max.
25. Dirty Money (TV) – Featuring real investigative stories on corporate greed and corruption. While not uplifting in the traditional sense, it challenges entrepreneurs to build ethically and transparently.
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix.
Final Thoughts: Your Entrepreneurial Binge-List
Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about spreadsheets, strategy, or the next big pitch- it’s about stamina, resilience, and vision. And sometimes, the best fuel doesn’t come from a boardroom or a business plan- it comes from stories. Stories of people who had nothing but a dream and the will to chase it. Stories of visionaries who disrupted entire industries. Stories that remind us that failure isn’t final, and persistence always pays off.
Every film and show on this list carries that spark: whether it’s Chris Gardner sleeping in subway bathrooms while never giving up on his son in The Pursuit of Happyness, or Sophia Marlowe in Girlboss hustling her way from eBay listings to a fashion empire. These aren’t just movies or TV shows- they’re lessons in courage, grit, and belief.
At The Growth Operative (TGO), we live by that same philosophy. We’re inspired daily by the talents around us, and we pull wisdom from every corner of culture- whether it’s fashion, art, music, or film. And just like these stories, we believe entrepreneurship is about more than success; it’s about creating impact, lifting others up, and daring to do what others say can’t be done.
So here’s our challenge to you:
Use this list as your entrepreneurial watchlist and checklist. Bookmark it. Share it with your team. Schedule a movie night with your co-founders or colleagues when you need a boost. Watch one whenever the grind feels too heavy, or you need a reminder that the impossible is often just the beginning.
Got the spark- now need the strategy? Work with The Growth Operative to take your business from concept to thriving brand.
Because the stories we watch inspire the stories we live. And your entrepreneurial journey is the next great one waiting to be told.