15 Documentaries All Entrepreneurs Should Watch

Documentaries are the walkthrough of an individual’s life in order to perceive the insight of how things work in real life and impart some values and suggestions for you to grow into a better person.

Entrepreneurs are always seeking ideas and inspiration to work better so, watching some insightful documentary might intrigue brilliant ideas and push one to work harder and better. There are many documentaries available on Google, and it’s tough to sort the best one to watch. Don’t lose your sweat, as we have brought the 15 Best Documentaries that are a must-watch for every entrepreneur.

15 Best Documentaries for Entrepreneurs and Businessmen

1. Inside Job (2010)

• Directed by – Charles Ferguson.
• IMDb Ratings – 8.2/10

Inside Job narrates and analyses the financial recession of the United States in 2008 that led to thousands of people being bankrupt, unemployed, and nomads. Exploring all the reasons, people responsible, and an in-depth scrutinizing the ‘crisis’ that led to a loss of more than 20 trillion dollars. The documentary splendidly explains all the corrupt policies that were adopted by the politicians, professors, financial management, and rating firms to compete with monopoly money provided by the failed economic system.

2. Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview (2012)

• Directed by – Paul Sen.
• IMDb Ratings – 8/10

The uncut and unedited interview of Steve Jobs in 1995 has inspired thousands to become insightful and innovative entrepreneurs. This interview was recorded when he was still the CEO of his own smaller company NeXT, after 2 years he would sell his interim to Apple. Later on, he became the permanent CEO of Apple Inc. and saved the company from the brink of bankruptcy. In this documentary, he discussed all the prospects about investment, fame, and how he planned to do things with a million paycheck.

3. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

• Directed by – David Gelb.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.9/10

This documentary is rather a heartwarming one about the sushi chef, Jiro Ono, and his love for making sushi. He works meticulously all day even at his age to strive for perfection in his delicacy. Considered to be the world’s greatest sushi chef, he had started from a normal restaurant to be a three-star sushi-only restaurant and attracts customers from all over the world. Dedication is important!

4. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates (2019)

• Directed by – Davis Guggenheim.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.9/10

It is a three-part documentary of Bill Gates about how he is planning to use his resources for sanitation, eradication of polio, and exploration to come up with climate change solutions. It shows how diligent he is and at the same time eventful. One of the best documentaries that aspire to change the world with their thinking.

5. American Experience: Henry Ford (2013)

• Directed by – Sarah Colt.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.8/10

Henry Ford, the eldest son of his family was meant to be a farmer but he was always driven by his mechanical mindset of building a horseless carriage for masses. Although his first companies failed, he got his breakthrough by building model T. From rags to riches it is one of the best documentaries for entrepreneurs who seek inspiration to work harder and better.

Recommended Read: Top Psychological Thrillers on Netflix.

6. Food, Inc. (2008)

• Directed by – Robert Kenner.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.8/10

Robert Kenner made this an informatory one, where he documents that dairy products have an insane impact on our food chain. He also explored animal processed food industries and how dairy products are used almost everywhere. There are added interviews from common people to food experts and their views on this increase and dependence. It also sends a powerful message about how animals are exploited for food.

7. Walt: The Man Behind the Myth (2001)

• Directed by – Jean-Pierre Isbouts.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.7/10

It is an evergreen documentary about the man behind who brought the famous Mickey Mouse into existence, Walt. The mastermind animator has his documentary filled with ups and downs he faced throughout his life and how he overcame them. The journey from a simple American boy who liked movies to be the one animating some of the greatest of all times shows perseverance is a major key to success. The members of his family narrate how hard he worked to strive and despite his failures worked his way up and never let go of his ideas.

I still cry watching Bambi.

8. Becoming Warren Buffett (2017)

• Directed by – Peter Kunhardt, Brian Oakes.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.6/10

Warren Buffett was a good-natured kid who had a knack for being his own boss. This documentary shows us the journey of how a simple boy from Nebraska became one of the most successful, richest, and respected individuals in the world. The story is simple yet very inspiring and fascinating. The focus of the story is his view of everything and it is somewhat moving and bring a smile to your face.

9. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

• Directed by – Alex Gibney.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.6/10

This documentary won’t inspire you but surely give you guidelines for not becoming like the Enron Corporation. The two characters – Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling carry on their scheming and fraudulent activities that led to their own bankruptcy. They resort to all means even at the expense of an average person in order to be in their high-paying job. Things went downhill because of their arrogance and greed, the most despicable characters one shouldn’t have.

10. Outfoxed (2004)

• Directed by – Robert Greenwald.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.5/10

Outfoxed is a political documentary where it presented the owner of Fox News Channel, Rupert Murdoch (who is also a business tycoon), and his biased promotion of right-wing views. This was done to highlight how he pressurized the journalists in favor of the right-wing because he had the authority and power.

Recommended Read: Most Expensive NFTs Sold Till Date

11. American Factory (2019)

• Directed by – Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.4/10

One of the brilliant documentaries, American Factory presented the conflict of two separate nationalities (Chinese and American) and how they incorporated within the same roof to work in a glass factory. It is not so rough as it sounds, in simpler words it is exploring the United States through the eyes of Chinese factory staff. It’s a unique documentary about how business and formalities work native and abroad.

12. Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon (2013)

• Directed by – Mike Myers, Beth Aala.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.4/10

A fascinating documentary about the lovable and fascinating Manager of numerous stars, Shep Gordon. It gives an exclusive look at his life how he managed to get in the business and managed stars like Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, chef Emeril Lagasse and many more. Also, we get an exclusive look at what he did and how things work in this business.

13. Fyre (2019)

• Directed by – Chris Smith.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.2/10

An overview documentary about the internet sensation – Fraud cases! As we all know how much it has grown in recent times, this film will show how a Fyre Music Festival fraud happened in 2017. It was uncovered by their social media partner and submitted to Vice for its publication.

14. The Call of The Entrepreneur (2007)

• Directed by – Simon Scionka.
• IMDb Ratings – 7.2/10

This documentary contains three main ideas of breakthrough from nothing to a spot where he can call out their own company. It is a perfect blend of stories that will inspire and make you think about how we can do something we dearly wish and work hard for. The three characters are absolutely distinctive and stories that will surely move your mind. A must-watch for all entrepreneurs.

15. Something Ventured (2011)

• Directed by – Dan Geller, Dayna Goldfine.
• IMDb Ratings – 7/10

Something Ventured is an interesting documentary about some of the multinational companies like Apple, Cisco, Intel, Google, Genetech, and Atari that revolutionized technology advancement and how they work and what are the reasons that led to being the Ventured capitalists in the twentieth century. Also, sneak peeks at some of the reasons behind naming the company so.

FAQs on Documentaries for Entrepreneurs