Which business movies do you watch over and over? My top 10 business movies that I can watch on a loop, include comedies and dramas. Some are realistic, while others are feel-good movies that inspire, rather than teach actual lessons.

1. The Godfather, Part II (1974): this is my favorite in the Godfather trilogy. It’s about business, loyalty, and about consequences (at least from my perspective). The Godfather Part II also resonates with me, because I believe in loyalty. It’s worth watching for all the quotes/tweets that you can get out of it. My favorite quote: “My father taught me many things … keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

2. Baby Boom(1987):  forget the adorable baby. One of the best movies depicting a woman in leadership, facing the typical obstacles of motherhood. After choosing to become a mother to a long-lost relative orphaned child, J.C. Wiatt builds a business from scratch, ultimately having the option to be acquired by her former employer. This movie is perfect when you need inspiration on your creating and managing your startup.

3. The Secret of My Success (1987): another movie perfect for getting motivated about your career. Brantley Foster played by Michael J. Fox plays an ambitious upstart who gets ahead by sleeping with his aunt. Sounds creepy, but it works. Being the good guy, who takes initiative, he eventually becomes CEO. It’s a feel-good ending for the up and coming knowledge workers, who aspire to run a company.

4. The Godfather(1972): it’s also about defining moments, those moments, when one decision or act can change everything for you. “Go the mattresses…” “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Need I say more?

5. In Good Company(2004): Dennis Quaid’s character is seasoned and graceful, as he’s demoted after a corporate takeover. Quaid must report to a younger boss, Topher Grace, who’s inexperienced, a little arrogant, frankly Grace’s character is a corporate fool. However, by movie’s end, Quaid returns to power, as he graciously offers to mentor Grace, who wants to find what he really wants to do. I like the realism of movie. It’s sucks to be demoted, but it was encouraging to see Quaid’s character handle it as a seasoned professional.

6. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992): sales is hard. Managing sales is a tough job, but doing sales? You couldn’t pay me enough to be a sales person. This film depicts how sales people handle stress differently. My description doesn’t give it justice. Alec Baldwin is a genius in this movie. He’s creepy and scary, but effective.

7. Wall Street(1987): a great movie that compares and contrasts a father and son’s values. Moral of the story for me was “there are no short cuts” in life or in managing your career. Just because you have a vision of  yourself, know where you want to be, it doesn’t mean that you deserve to be there sooner, than you’re supposed to. We all have to pay our dues. We can’t rush success like Wall Street’s tragic character. In the end, hopefully you’ll decide to do the right thing, like this movie teaches.

8. Trading Places(1983): rags to riches stories are always fun. Or in Dan Aykroyd’s case, from riches to rags to riches. Another movie teaching us to treat people with respect, because if we don’t, we may get our comeuppance.

9. Office Space(1999): Cubes. I hate cubes. This movie perfectly depicts cubeland. I resigned from a job because my employer moved to a new location, only to put is in new cubes that were 1/3 smaller than our old ones. Seriously, I did this because I hate cubes.

10. Antitrust(2001): There aren’t many movies about the technology industry, so it was great watching a fictional story in my industry.

After doing some research, I found four other Top 10 business movie lists. While three out of the four sites chose the Citizen Kane, I enjoy comedies like Baby Boom, The Secret of My Succe$s, Trading Places, and Office Space. Here are the Forbes, Askmen.com, Inc. blog, and Meryl Notes for your reference.

Forbes The Ten Greatest Business Movies by Dan Ackman, 12.16.02

1. Citizen Kane (RKO Radio Pictures, 1941)
2. The Godfather: Part II (Paramount, 1974)
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (RKO Radio Pictures, 1946)
4. The Godfather (Paramount, 1972)
5. Network (MGM-United Artists, 1976)
6. The Insider (Touchstone Pictures, 1999)
7. Glengarry Glen Ross (New Line Cinema, 1992)
8. Wall Street (20th Century Fox, 1987)
9. Tin Men (Touchstone Pictures, 1987)
10. Modern Times (United Artists, 1936)

Askmen.com Best Business Movies Ever By Ash Karbasfrooshan

1. Citizen Kane (1941)
2. Wall Street (1987)
3. Trading Places (1983)
4. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
5. Jerry Maguire (1996)
6. Barbarians at the Gate (1993)
7. Goodfellas (1990)
8. Pirates of Silicon Valley (2000)
9. Clerks (1994)
10. Boiler Room (2000)

Inc. Blog Top 10 Business Movies Posted by Laura Rich

1. The Aviator
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
3. Citizen Kane
4. Wall Street
5. Tucker: The Man and His Dream
6. Glengarry Glen Ross
7. What Women Want
8. Working Girl
9. The Hudsucker Proxy
10. The Insider

Meryl’s Notes 10 Best Business Movies

1. Wall Street
2. It’s a Wonderful Life
3. Nine to Five
4. Shall We Dance?
5. All About Eve
6. Disclosure
7. Woman of the Year and Adam’s Rib
8. Stand and Deliver
9. Philadelphia
10. Erin Brockovich
11. Office Space

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