20 Inspiring Films & Series About Business, Money & Founders

Lights, Camera, Profit!

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Running a business can feel like a never‑ending episode of Billions—except you don’t get to roll the credits when HMRC comes knocking.  When you do grab some down‑time, why not mix kick‑back with a little know‑how?  These twenty films and TV series are packed with lessons on grit, growth and the occasional spectacular flop—perfect fodder for sparking fresh ideas (or at least filling the small‑talk gap at networking events).

Quick tip: Spot a theme that mirrors your own challenges and jot down a takeaway. Tomorrow, brew a cuppa and ask, “How can I use that in my business?”

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Silicon Valley & Start‑Up Stories

1. The Social Network (2010)

• What it’s about – The messy birth of Facebook.
• Why watch – A masterclass in founder disputes, IP battles and lightning‑speed scaling.
• Stream on – Netflix / Amazon Prime (availability varies).

2. The Founder (2016)

• Ray Kroc turns a family burger bar into McDonald’s—and shows how franchising, funding and a pinch of ruthlessness can rocket growth.

3. Air (2023)

• Nike’s audacious gamble on a rookie named Michael Jordan.  Brilliant for anyone needing a reminder that bold branding can change the game.

4. BlackBerry (2023)

• From market domination to oblivion: a cautionary tale of resting on past success.  (Fun fact: it’s actually directed by Matt Johnson—ignore earlier online rumours!)

5. WeCrashed (2022, limited series)

• The spectacular rise and implosion of WeWork.  Lessons in valuation hype—and the danger of cult‑of‑personality leadership.

6. Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber (2022)

• More start‑up rocket fuel and regulatory turbulence than you can shake a surge‑priced ride at.

7. Startup.com (2001, documentary)

• Dot‑com optimism meets brutal reality.  Still painfully relevant for today’s founders.

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Money, Markets & Mega‑Deals

8. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

• Greed on steroids.  Watch for the sales psychology; ignore the yacht.

9. The Big Short (2015)

• How a handful of analysts saw the 2008 crash coming—and cashed in.  Great primer on due diligence and risk.

10. Moneyball (2011)

• Baseball analytics = business data strategy.  Swap bats for spreadsheets and you’re golden.

11. Inside Job (2010, documentary)

• Oscar‑winning deep dive into the financial crisis.  Eye‑opening for anyone who thinks regulation is just red tape.

12. Billions (2016‑2023, series)

• Hedge‑fund chess matches and compliance cat‑and‑mouse games—served with razor‑sharp dialogue.

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Get help with your mega-deal making business HERE

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Inventors, Visionaries & Product Geniuses

13. Jobs (2013) and Steve Jobs (2015)

• Two angles on the Apple co‑founder: one biopic, one backstage drama.  Common thread? Relentless focus on user experience.

14. Joy (2015)

• From mop inventorship to QVC queen.  Perfect if cash‑flow juggling has you down—perseverance pays.

15. House of Gucci (2021)

• Fashion, family feuds and fatal boardroom politics.  Brand equity matters—but so does governance.

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Reality Checks & Pitch‑Perfect Lessons

16. Dragons’ Den (2005‑present)

• Fast‑fire pitching, equity bartering and the odd “I’m out.”  Grab insight into valuations and investor psychology—minus the sweaty palms.

17. The Apprentice UK (2005‑present)

• Weekly tasks that prove execution beats ideas alone.  Bonus: Lord Sugar’s one‑liners for the office water‑cooler.

18. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019, documentary)

• Marketing hype with zero substance = disaster.  A must‑see for social‑media savvy founders.

19. Breaking Bad (2008‑2013)

• Not exactly best practice, but a gripping lesson in pricing, supply chains and (ahem) risk management.

20. Succession (2018‑2023)

• Media‑empire power plays.  If you’re planning family succession, watch and then call us before Christmas dinner turns ugly.

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How to Use This Watch‑List

1. Pick a theme – funding, leadership, data, ethics…
2. Watch with intent – note one actionable insight.
3. Chat to your accountant – yes, really.  Turning cinematic inspiration into profit often needs smart tax planning.

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Over to You

Which title lit the biggest spark?  Pop your favourite (or one we’ve missed) in the comments or tag us on LinkedIn.  And if you’re busy scripting the next chapter of your own business story, remember—

Blue Rocket Accounting is here to keep your numbers blockbuster‑ready.  Need jargon‑free advice on cash‑flow, payroll or taking investment?  Give us a call and let’s roll the cameras on your growth.

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Happy streaming—and profitable plotting!

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