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Best business movies that show the real corporate world

Explore the cutthroat world of commerce and ambition with our selection of top-tier business movies. From Wall Street dramas to startup sagas, these films offer captivating insights into the pursuit of success.

The Big Short
Wall Street
Glengarry Glen Ross

Business movies offer a fascinating window into the complex, often ruthless, landscape of capitalism. Unlike typical dramas, these films frequently delve into the high-stakes world of finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate power struggles.

Think of the adrenaline-fueled trading floors depicted in films like The Wolf of Wall Street or Boiler Room, showcasing the intense pressure and ethical compromises often faced by those chasing wealth. Or consider the genesis of modern tech giants as seen in The Social Network, highlighting the innovation, betrayal, and legal battles that can accompany groundbreaking ideas.

The genre isn't just about high finance; it also explores the human element of work, from the existential dread of corporate life in Office Space to the inspiring journey of perseverance in The Pursuit of Happyness. These movies often feature sharp dialogue, compelling characters driven by ambition, and plots that can be as gripping as any thriller, proving that spreadsheets and boardrooms can be just as dramatic as car chases and explosions.

They serve not only as entertainment but also as cautionary tales and case studies, reflecting societal attitudes towards wealth, power, and success across different eras.

13. The Intern (2015)

The Intern is a charming and feel-good comedy starring Robert De Niro as a 70-year-old widower who becomes a senior intern at an online fashion company founded by Anne Hathaway's character. De Niro brings his immense charm and wisdom to the role, offering a refreshing perspective on work, mentorship, and intergenerational relationships. The film explores themes of ageism, the challenges of balancing work and personal life, and the value of experience. It's a warm and optimistic story that proves you're never too old to start something new.

The Intern

12. Up in the Air (2009)

Up in the Air stars George Clooney as a corporate downsizing expert who travels the country firing people. His detached and minimalist lifestyle is challenged when he meets a fellow traveler and a young, ambitious efficiency expert who wants to implement a more impersonal method of firing. The film offers a poignant and often humorous look at the human cost of corporate restructuring and the search for meaning in a transient world. Clooney delivers a charismatic performance, and the film raises interesting questions about connection, responsibility, and the impact of our work on our lives.

Up in the Air

11. Jerry Maguire (1996)

Cameron Crowe's Jerry Maguire is a film that blends romantic comedy with a sharp look at the world of sports agents. Tom Cruise stars as Jerry Maguire, a successful sports agent who has an epiphany and decides to start his own agency based on principles of honesty and personal connection. The film is famous for its quotable lines, including "Show me the money!" and "You complete me." It's a story about finding your integrity, the challenges of building a business from the ground up, and the importance of genuine relationships in a competitive world. Cuba Gooding Jr. won an Oscar for his energetic performance as one of Jerry's clients.

Jerry Maguire

10. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Inspired by a true story, The Pursuit of Happyness is a moving and inspirational drama about a struggling salesman, Chris Gardner, who faces homelessness while trying to build a better life for himself and his young son. Will Smith gives a powerful and heartfelt performance as Gardner, capturing his determination, resilience, and unwavering hope in the face of overwhelming adversity. It's a story about perseverance, the importance of never giving up on your dreams, and the deep bond between a father and son. Prepare to be moved by this touching and uplifting film.

The Pursuit of Happyness

9. Moneyball (2011)

Based on the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their general manager Billy Beane, Moneyball is a captivating film about innovation and challenging the status quo. Brad Pitt delivers a fantastic performance as Beane, who uses sabermetrics, a data-driven approach, to build a competitive team with a limited budget. The film is not just about baseball; it's about finding unconventional solutions to complex problems and the courage to go against traditional thinking. It's an inspiring story about believing in your methods and proving the doubters wrong, with sharp writing and compelling characters.

Moneyball

8. Margin Call (2011)

Margin Call is a tense and intelligent drama that takes place over a 24-hour period at a fictional investment bank on the brink of the 2008 financial crisis. With an impressive ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, and Stanley Tucci, the film provides a sobering look at the decisions made by those at the top during a moment of unprecedented financial turmoil. It's a film driven by dialogue and performances, offering a realistic portrayal of the fear, uncertainty, and moral dilemmas faced by the people who saw the writing on the wall. A smart and thought-provoking film about the consequences of unchecked risk.

Margin Call

7. Boiler Room (2000)

Boiler Room offers a glimpse into the fast-paced and often unethical world of cold-calling and pump-and-dump schemes. Giovanni Ribisi stars as a young man who drops out of college to join a brokerage firm, only to discover that its success is built on deception and manipulation. The film features early performances from Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck and provides a gritty look at the allure of easy money and the moral compromises that come with it. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting caught up in get-rich-quick schemes and the importance of integrity in business.

Boiler Room

6. Office Space (1999)

Mike Judge's Office Space is a beloved cult classic that perfectly captures the soul-crushing monotony of corporate life. This satirical comedy follows a group of disgruntled office workers who hatch a plan to rebel against their tyrannical bosses and the absurdities of their jobs. With its dry wit and relatable characters, Office Space resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped in a cubicle. Jennifer Aniston, Ron Livingston, and Stephen Root deliver hilariously deadpan performances. It's a film that finds the humor in the mundane and offers a cathartic escape from the daily grind.

Office Space

5. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Mamet, Glengarry Glen Ross is a masterclass in sharp dialogue and intense performances. Set in a high-pressure real estate office, the film follows a group of desperate salesmen who are given a challenge: sell or be fired. The cast is incredible, featuring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and Kevin Spacey. This movie is all about the cutthroat world of sales, the pressure to perform, and the lengths to which people will go to survive. It's a raw and unflinching look at the dark side of the American Dream.

Glengarry Glen Ross

4. Wall Street (1987)

Oliver Stone's Wall Street is a classic cautionary tale about the seductive power of greed. Michael Douglas won an Academy Award for his iconic portrayal of Gordon Gekko, the ruthless corporate raider whose mantra "Greed is good" became a cultural touchstone. The film follows a young, ambitious stockbroker, played by Charlie Sheen, who is drawn into Gekko's world of insider trading and unethical practices. It's a sharp and insightful look at the excesses of the 1980s financial world and the moral compromises that people are willing to make for wealth and power. A must-watch for anyone interested in the darker side of business.

Wall Street

3. The Big Short (2015)

Adam McKay's The Big Short takes a complex and often confusing subject – the 2008 financial crisis – and makes it accessible and even entertaining. With a star-studded cast including Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, and Brad Pitt, the film follows a group of outsiders who predicted the housing market collapse and decided to bet against it. What makes this movie so unique is its use of quirky and often hilarious techniques to explain complicated financial jargon, like having Margot Robbie in a bathtub explain subprime mortgages. It's a smart, funny, and ultimately infuriating look at the greed and negligence that led to a global economic meltdown.

The Big Short

2. The Social Network (2010)

David Fincher's The Social Network is a fascinating look at the creation of Facebook and the complex relationships behind its founding. Aaron Sorkin's sharp, witty screenplay crackles with energy, and the performances, particularly Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg and Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, are outstanding. It's a story about innovation, ambition, and the sometimes-brutal reality of turning a groundbreaking idea into a global phenomenon. The film masterfully weaves together different timelines and perspectives, keeping you completely engrossed from start to finish. It's not just a tech story; it's a human story about friendship, betrayal, and the price of success.

The Social Network

1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio team up once again for this wild ride into the world of excess and corruption on Wall Street. Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street is a darkly comedic and often shocking portrayal of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of wealth at any cost. It's a film that doesn't pull any punches, and DiCaprio gives a truly fearless performance as the charismatic and utterly amoral stockbroker. Prepare for a high-energy, visually stunning, and utterly unforgettable cinematic experience that will leave you questioning just how far some people will go for a dollar.

The Wolf of Wall Street

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