Movies for Entrepreneuers

Movies for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs and entrepreneur-wanna-be’s should watch movies. Some movies are better than others. Some movies are made for entrepreneurs.

Here is a sampling of movies that entrepreneurs can enjoy and learn from.


Cool Hand Luke (1967) – an old movie starring a very young looking Paul Newman. This movie illustrates the potential of dogged determination and points out the foolishness of effort without a purpose. Warning for entrepreneurs – don’t be like Cool Hand Luke. Read the post about Cool Hand Luke.


Rocky (1976) – Sylvester Stallone is the quintessential entrepreneur in this movie. It is about the underdog believing in himself, with a vision to win and willing to give what it takes to win. Sly Stallone’s story of how he wrote and captured the lead in this movie is another powerful inspiration for entrepreneurs.


The Sting (1973) – featuring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the two “con artists” who plot to score a big sting on the big guy. It is cute, folksy and illustrates the importance of teamwork, planning and managing the details. A few twists show that things are not always what they seem to be.


Wall Street (1987) – Michael Douglas as the evil business man, Charlie Sheen as the impressionable budding entrepreneur and Martin Sheen as the union leader and caring father to Charlie Sheen.

The most memorable line from this movie is Michael Douglas’s “Greed is good.” It’s a great line and it captures a lot of truth. Greed is a powerful emotion that drives business growth and buying decisions. However, most entrepreneurs are not motivated by greed alone. It is the thrill of the game that drives them.


The Prestige (2006) – Hugh Jackman and Christen Bale as competing magicians on both a personal and professional level jolt viewers on the extremes to which they are willing to go to be better than the competition. The several twists in this movie is entertaining and a good reminder to entrepreneurs that you must keep thinking beyond the current perception. David Bowie plays a convincing Tesla. It’s the best movie that I have seen lately.

Note to entrepreneurs: Watch this movie and ask yourself, “How far are you willing to go to beat your competition?”


Crazy People (1990) – Dudley Moore is the overworked and overstressed advertising executive who takes some time off by resting at a sanitarium for the insane. He rediscovers his passion for marketing by taping into the insane minds of his inmates. He asks them to write creative ads and his ad agency suddenly notices him again.

This movie points out how crazy the ad business is and how profitable it is to be crazy. If you don’t like four letter words don’t watch this movie.

George Torok
Host of Business in Motion
Marketing Specialist
Creative Facilitator