Movies That Every MBA Needs to See

For MBA students and business professionals alike, movies can provide more than just entertainment—they can offer valuable lessons on leadership, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of running a business. While academic texts and case studies are vital components of an MBA curriculum, certain films also provide insights into business practices and offer real-world examples of how theories and concepts are applied in dynamic environments. Whether it's the high-stakes world of finance, the cutthroat corporate sector, or the innovative world of entrepreneurship, many movies provide valuable learning opportunities for aspiring business leaders.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of movies that every MBA student should see. These films cover a wide range of business topics and offer key takeaways for developing leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial acumen.

1. The Social Network (2010)

Overview: Directed by David Fincher, "The Social Network" chronicles the rise of Facebook, from its inception in a Harvard dorm room to its transformation into a global tech giant. The film focuses on the personal and professional challenges faced by Mark Zuckerberg and his co-founders as they navigate the complexities of building a business and handling competition, legal disputes, and ethical dilemmas.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship: The movie emphasizes the importance of innovation and the relentless drive to scale a startup.

• Leadership & Conflict: The internal conflicts within the founding team highlight the challenges of leadership, managing relationships, and protecting intellectual property.

• Legal Challenges: It also serves as a reminder of the potential legal hurdles faced by businesses, especially those involving intellectual property and partnerships.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Entrepreneurship	Innovate, act quickly, and think big
Leadership & Conflict	Team dynamics and internal leadership struggles
Legal Considerations	The importance of legal agreements and IP protection

2. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Overview: Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street" tells the story of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who rises to immense wealth and power by engaging in unethical practices. While the film glorifies Belfort’s success, it also highlights the dangers of greed, fraud, and unethical decision-making in business.

Key Takeaways:

• Ethics and Leadership: The movie serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unethical behavior, including the collapse of businesses and personal downfall.

• Sales and Marketing: Belfort’s aggressive sales tactics offer insights into high-pressure sales environments, while showcasing the power of persuasion and charisma in business.

• Risk Management: The film also illustrates the risks associated with financial markets and the importance of ethical standards in maintaining a sustainable business model.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Ethics in Business	Avoiding unethical practices and the consequences of fraud
Sales & Persuasion	The power of salesmanship and client relations
Risk Management	Recognizing the risks in financial markets and investments

3. Moneyball (2011)

Overview: Based on the true story of how the Oakland Athletics’ general manager Billy Beane used data analytics to build a competitive baseball team on a small budget, "Moneyball" is a powerful tale about innovation, leadership, and challenging traditional business practices. The movie focuses on the use of statistics and data-driven decision-making in sports, offering valuable lessons for MBA students.

Key Takeaways:

• Data-Driven Decision-Making: "Moneyball" teaches the importance of using data to make informed decisions, challenging conventional wisdom in business practices.

• Innovation in Leadership: The film highlights the role of leadership in introducing innovation and transforming an industry that is resistant to change.

• Risk & Uncertainty: Beane’s decision to embrace unconventional methods demonstrates the role of calculated risks in achieving success.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Data Analytics	Making decisions based on data, not tradition or gut feelings
Leadership & Innovation	Challenging the status quo and leading teams through change
Risk Management	Taking risks with innovative approaches to achieve success

4. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Overview: Starring Will Smith, "The Pursuit of Happyness" is the inspiring story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who fights against personal and financial hardship to eventually become a successful stockbroker. The film is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the determination to overcome adversity in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Key Takeaways:

• Perseverance and Resilience: The movie emphasizes the importance of persistence, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

• Entrepreneurship and Sacrifice: Gardner’s journey underscores the sacrifices that entrepreneurs often make in the early stages of their careers, especially when launching new ventures.

• Networking and Opportunity: The film also highlights the significance of networking, mentorship, and recognizing opportunities to advance in one’s career.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Perseverance	The importance of staying determined in the face of adversity
Entrepreneurship	Sacrifices needed to pursue entrepreneurial ventures
Networking	The value of building relationships and seizing opportunities

5. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Overview: "Glengarry Glen Ross," based on the play by David Mamet, offers a deep dive into the world of high-pressure real estate sales. The film is famous for its sharp dialogue and exploration of aggressive sales tactics, manipulation, and office politics, as four real estate salesmen struggle to make their quotas.

Key Takeaways:

• Sales Techniques: The movie offers a raw portrayal of the cutthroat nature of sales, with characters using aggressive tactics to close deals.

• Motivation and Competition: The film highlights the psychological factors behind competition and motivation in a high-pressure environment.

• Ethics in Sales: "Glengarry Glen Ross" serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical challenges in sales and the potential cost of sacrificing integrity for success.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Sales Techniques	High-pressure tactics and their impact on success and morale
Motivation	The role of motivation in a competitive work environment
Ethics in Sales	The ethical dilemmas and consequences of aggressive sales

6. The Founder (2016)

Overview: "The Founder," starring Michael Keaton, tells the story of Ray Kroc and how he turned a small fast-food restaurant, McDonald’s, into a global empire. The film explores Kroc’s entrepreneurial journey, from his initial involvement with the McDonald brothers to the eventual creation of a massive fast-food chain.

Key Takeaways:

• Franchising and Expansion: The film highlights the power of franchising as a growth model and the importance of scalability in business.

• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Kroc’s dealings with the McDonald brothers emphasize negotiation tactics, conflict resolution, and the challenges of managing business relationships.

• Business Strategy: "The Founder" illustrates the importance of innovation and strategic vision in transforming a small business into a global success.

Topic Covered	Key Business Lessons
Franchising	The benefits and challenges of scaling a business through franchising
Negotiation	The art of negotiation and resolving business conflicts
Strategy	The importance of long-term strategy in scaling a business

Movies offer more than just entertainment—they can serve as insightful case studies that explore complex business topics, ethical dilemmas, and leadership challenges. For MBA students, watching these films provides valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, sales, strategy, and management. Each movie discussed above provides a unique perspective on business, helping MBA students sharpen their understanding of the real-world applications of the theories and frameworks they study in class.

Here’s a quick overview of the key takeaways from the movies discussed:

Movie	Key Business Lessons
The Social Network	Innovation, leadership conflict, and legal considerations
The Wolf of Wall Street	Ethics, salesmanship, and risk management
Moneyball	Data analytics, leadership, and calculated risks
The Pursuit of Happyness	Perseverance, entrepreneurship, and networking
Glengarry Glen Ross	Sales techniques, motivation, and ethics
The Founder	Franchising, negotiation, and long-term business strategy