When you're in the mood for a refreshing 'productive pause,' here's a bunch of enjoyable and insightful movies that'll give you something to think about.

We've curated a list of ten must-watch films that will entertain you and provide insightful lessons on investment. Be ready to take in some valuable financial wisdom while enjoying some popcorn.

So, sit back, relax, and let the show begin. Here are the ten movies every investor and founder should watch:

10 Movies for Investors

• The Big Short (2015)

This Academy Award-winning film tells the story of the 2008 financial crisis in a way that is both informative and entertaining.

The film follows a group of investors who bet against the housing market, predicting it would soon collapse. They were right, and their story offers valuable lessons about the risks and rewards of investing.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Wall Street (1987)

"Wall Street" is a classic Oliver Stone film from 1987 that features a timeless "Greed is Good" speech by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) and offers a critical commentary on the potential moral pitfalls in finance.

As an investor, this movie serves as a reminder to maintain ethical standards while pursuing financial growth.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Moneyball (2011)

This film is based on the true story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their general manager, Billy Beane. Beane used data and analytics to build a winning team on a tight budget. The film shows how important it is to use data to make informed decisions, especially in investing.

It's a great watch for investors as it emphasizes the importance of using data and analytics in decision-making, a key aspect of successful investing.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)

“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” is a 2005 documentary film that goes into the details of the scandalous collapse of the Enron company. For investors, it’s a cautionary tale about corporate fraud and the importance of due diligence.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Inside Job (2010)

"Inside Job," a 2010 Oscar-winning documentary on Netflix, comprehensively examines the 2008 global financial meltdown.

Investors need to understand the complexities of the modern financial industry and the systemic corruption that can plague it.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Steve Jobs (2015)

This biopic is about the life and career of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. Jobs was a visionary leader who changed the way we use technology. The film shows how his creativity and determination helped him to build one of the most successful companies in the world.

Investors can learn much from Jobs' story, including the importance of thinking big and taking risks.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Trading Places (1983)

"Trading Places" is a 1983 comedy available on Hulu. This film humorously illustrates the concept of commodity trading.

For investors, it's a light-hearted reminder of the unpredictable nature of the stock market and the impact of information asymmetry on trading.

• Margin Call (2011)

Last but not least, "Margin Call" is a 2011 drama on Amazon Prime that depicts the early stages of the 2008 financial crisis.

As an investor, this intense film will reinforce the importance of risk management in your investment strategies.

• Fyre – The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019)

A documentary film about the Fyre Festival, a failed music festival that was supposed to take place on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma in April and May 2017.

The event was marketed as a luxury music festival with top-tier musical acts and accommodations, but it quickly became a disaster. It features interviews with former employees, contractors, and attendees, footage of the event, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the planning process.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Something Ventured (2011)

Apple. Intel. Genentech. Atari. Google. Cisco. Stratospheric successes with high stakes all around. Something Ventured uncovers the ups and downs of the building of some of the greatest companies of the twentieth century and the hidden dramas behind some of the most famous names in business.

The movie is available on Apple TV.

10 Movies for Founders

• The Social Dilemma (2020)

This documentary explores the dark side of social media and its impact on society. It features interviews with former executives and engineers from major tech companies, who discuss the addictive nature of social media platforms and the algorithms that manipulate users' behavior.

The film raises important questions about the ethics of social media and its impact on our lives. It also serves as a wake-up call for viewers, urging them to critically examine their relationship with social media and consider the broader societal consequences.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• The Founder (2016)

This film is about the rise of McDonald's, one of the most successful fast-food chains in the world.

The film follows Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman who saw the potential in McDonald's and helped to turn it into a global empire. The film shows how hard work, determination, and a bit of luck can lead to entrepreneurial success.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

This film is a dark comedy about the cutthroat world of real estate sales.

It follows a group of salesmen desperate to close deals to avoid being fired. The film shows the high-stakes sales world and the pressure that salespeople face. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from this film, including the importance of persistence and resilience.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)

This film tells the story of the early days of Apple Computer and Microsoft. It follows the two co-founders of Apple, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft.

The film shows the rivalry between the two companies and the drive and ambition of their founders. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot from this film, including the importance of innovation and competition.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Startup.com (2001)

This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of a dot-com company. It follows the company's founders trying to build a successful business during the dot-com bubble.

The film shows the challenges and setbacks that entrepreneurs face, as well as the excitement and potential rewards of success.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Mad Man (1960)

The Mad Men movie, set in the 1960s, tells the story of Don Draper, an advertising executive at Sterling Cooper. Mad Men has been praised for accurately depicting the Mad Men era.

The Mad Men movie can show founders and entrepreneurs a quick overview of what it means to run an actual business.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This film is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman who eventually became a successful stockbroker.

The film shows Gardner's determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is an inspiring story for entrepreneurs who are facing challenges in their businesses.

The movie is available on Netflix.

• The Intern (2015)

This comedy-drama film tells the story of Ben Whittaker, a retired widower who takes an internship at a start-up company.

The film shows how Whittaker's experience and wisdom can be valuable to a young company. It is a reminder that entrepreneurs should be open to learning from others, regardless of age or background.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• Chasing Unicorns (2020)

“Chasing Unicorns” is a fun and semi-satirical narrative feature about a female founder trying to make it a male-dominated tech world, from Europe to Silicon Valley.

Based on real-life stories of European startups, “Chasing Unicorns” follows Õie, a young bookkeeper from a small town, who by accident stumbles into the tech scene of her home country, Estonia.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime.

• The Great Hack (2019)

A documentary film about the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the political consulting firm harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their knowledge or consent and used it to influence political campaigns worldwide.

The movie is available on Netflix.

Upcoming movies we are excited about

Roaring Tigers of Europe (December 2023)

The first documentary movie about the Romanian startup ecosystem, produced by start-up.ro and Videocorp. The documentary will bring together the key people who built the ecosystem and are pushing it forward.

Romania may not be a regional leader yet, but it has been named the “tiger of CEE,” and the growth is accelerating. So, stay tuned for an exciting movie coming in December 2023.

If we’ve missed any entertaining or thought-provoking movies, or you want to debate over the takeaways, feel free to share your thoughts with us across our social media channels.