Inspiring Films About Entrepreneurs

Description: Chris Gardner's real-life story of overcoming homelessness to become a successful stockbroker is a powerful narrative of determination and entrepreneurship. It's about never giving up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles.

Fact: Will Smith's son, Jaden, played his on-screen son. The film's title misspells "happiness" intentionally, reflecting a typo in a mural seen in the movie.

Description: While focusing on the excesses of Jordan Belfort, this film also highlights the entrepreneurial drive to succeed in the financial world, albeit through unethical means, providing a cautionary tale of ambition gone awry.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines. The film was initially rated NC-17 due to its content but was edited to receive an R rating.

Description: Billy Beane's use of statistical analysis to build a competitive baseball team is a unique take on entrepreneurship, showing how innovation can disrupt traditional industries.

Fact: The film was adapted from Michael Lewis's book. Brad Pitt was involved in the production and helped choose the director, Bennett Miller.

Description: This film delves into the creation of Facebook, capturing the essence of entrepreneurship through Mark Zuckerberg's journey from a Harvard student to a tech mogul. It's a tale of innovation, betrayal, and the complexities of business partnerships.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to capture the actors' real-time aging. Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay in just six months.

Description: This film tells the story of several investors who bet against the U.S. housing market, showcasing a different kind of entrepreneurial spirit - one that sees opportunity in crisis and challenges the status quo.

Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial terms. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning Best Adapted Screenplay.

Description: While not strictly about starting a business, this film explores the dynamics of entrepreneurship through the lens of a senior intern at a fast-growing startup, offering insights into modern business culture and mentorship.

Fact: Robert De Niro learned to drive for the film, as he had never driven before. The film was shot in New York City, showcasing the city's startup scene.

Description: Based on the life of Joy Mangano, this film showcases her journey from a struggling single mother to a successful entrepreneur with her invention of the Miracle Mop. It's a story of resilience, creativity, and the American Dream.

Fact: Jennifer Lawrence did not use a stunt double for the scenes where she was cleaning with the mop. The film was inspired by Mangano's life but is not a strict biography.

Description: Ray Kroc's story of turning McDonald's into a global empire is a testament to the power of vision and relentless pursuit. This film explores the ethics of business and the transformation of a small-scale operation into a worldwide phenomenon.

Fact: The film was shot at the original McDonald's location in San Bernardino, California. Michael Keaton gained weight for the role to portray Kroc's aging.

Description: This documentary follows the rise and fall of a dot-com startup, GovWorks, offering an unfiltered look at the entrepreneurial process, the highs of success, and the lows of failure.

Fact: The film was shot over two years, capturing real-time events. It was one of the first documentaries to focus on the internet startup culture.

Description: Robert Kearns' invention of the intermittent windshield wiper and his subsequent legal battle with the auto industry is a story of innovation, perseverance, and the fight for recognition in the entrepreneurial world.

Fact: The film was shot in Canada, standing in for Detroit. Greg Kinnear gained weight to portray Kearns' aging.