Are you a business owner?
Or
Do you want to start your own business?
But not sure where to start or how to improve your current business?
Don’t worry my friend.
There are thousands of entrepreneurs like you who are struggling with similar thoughts.
The good news is, that documentary filmmakers have heard your thoughts and have come up with some of the best documentaries for business.
These documentaries not only showcase successful businesses but also the journey that these businesses took to reach where they are today.
So if you want to start or improve your business, here are some of the best documentaries for business that you must watch.
5 Best Documentaries For Business
We have watched more than 100 documentaries for business to bring you the best ones. These documentaries cover different aspects of entrepreneurship, from startups to established corporations.
They also showcase various industries, including technology, retail, and finance. So let’s dive into the list of the top 5 best documentaries for business:
#1. Startup.com
Do you remember the dot-com boom of the late 90s and early 2000s? If not, Startup.com will take you back in time to understand what it was all about. This documentary follows the journey of GovWorks, a startup founded by childhood friends Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman.
It showcases their highs and lows as they try to build an e-government platform. Startup.com is a must-watch for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, especially during the dot-com era.
Our team watched the documentary and felt like we were part of the journey. It highlights the challenges of running a startup, including managing finances and dealing with conflicts between co-founders.
So, we have decided to include this documentary as our top pick for the best documentaries for business.
What To Learn From It?
The most important lesson from this documentary is the importance of communication and trust among co-founders. The downfall of GovWorks was mainly due to conflicts between Tuzman and Herman, which led to the company’s failure.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
Where To Watch: Youtube
#2. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
While searching for the best documentaries for business, we started to see the name ‘Enron’ popping up on multiple lists. And after watching it, we understood why.
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is a riveting documentary that exposes one of the biggest corporate scandals in history. It follows the rise and fall of Enron Corporation, an energy trading company that committed massive fraud and went bankrupt in 2001.
The documentary is based on the book of the same name and features interviews with former Enron employees, executives, and journalists who uncovered the scandal. It also showcases how greed, corruption, and unethical practices can lead to a company’s downfall.
What To Learn From It?
This documentary teaches us about corporate culture and ethics. It highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in running a business. It also shows how unchecked greed and fraudulent practices can destroy a company.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
#3. The Startup Kids
If you’re looking to be inspired by young entrepreneurs, then The Startup Kids is the perfect documentary for you. It follows the journeys of young tech entrepreneurs from Europe and the United States who have successfully built their startups.
The documentary features interviews with founders of popular companies such as Dropbox, Vimeo, Soundcloud, and more. It showcases how these young entrepreneurs started with an idea and turned it into a successful business.
What To Learn From It?
The Startup Kids highlights the importance of innovation, determination, and hard work in building a successful business. It also showcases the potential of young entrepreneurs to disrupt industries and create something new.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Youtube
#4. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates
It is one of the best documentaries for business and technology. Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates gives an insight into the mind of one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, Bill Gates.
The three-part documentary series follows Gates’ personal life, his work with Microsoft, and his philanthropic efforts through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It also features interviews with Gates himself, as well as friends, family, and colleagues.
What To Learn From It?
Inside Bill’s Brain showcases the dedication, hard work, and strategic thinking of Bill Gates that led to his success. It also highlights the importance of giving back to society and using one’s wealth for the greater good.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
Where To Watch: Netflix
#4. Dirty Money
It is another masterpiece you can watch on Netflix. Dirty Money is a six-part documentary series that exposes various corporate scandals, corruption, and fraud.
While watching this documentary, our team noticed that it showcases real-life examples of what can go wrong in the corporate world. It covers topics like pharmaceutical greed, money laundering, and corrupt business practices.
So if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this series will help you understand the traps and pitfalls to avoid in business.
What To Learn From It?
Dirty Money teaches us about corporate greed, corruption, and unethical practices. It also shows how unchecked capitalism can lead to devastating consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Where To Watch: Netflix
#5. Betting on Zero
If you are into MLM companies, then you must watch Betting on Zero. This documentary exposes the dark side of multi-level marketing (MLM) and the controversial nutrition company, Herbalife.
In this film, you will see how the company uses deceptive recruitment strategies and targets vulnerable individuals to join their business. It also uncovers the truth about Herbalife’s allegedly fraudulent business practices.
As one of our team members was associated with MLM in the past, we found this documentary eye-opening and insightful.
So, if you are also thinking of joining an MLM company, we highly recommend watching this documentary first.
What To Learn From It?
Betting on Zero teaches us about the dangers of MLM companies and their deceptive practices. It also highlights the importance of doing thorough research before investing time and money into any business opportunity.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
FAQs
We know there are some questions that might pop up in your mind while watching these documentaries. So, we have prepared a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand more about these best documentaries for business.
Q: Are these documentaries only for entrepreneurs?
A: No, these documentaries are suitable for anyone interested in the corporate world and entrepreneurship. They offer valuable insights and lessons for everyone.
Q: Can I watch these documentaries with my family?
A: While some of the documentaries may contain mature themes, most are suitable for a wide audience. We recommend checking the parental guidance ratings before watching.
Q: Are these documentaries biased towards certain companies or individuals?
A: These documentaries aim to provide an objective and factual account of real-life events. However, they may have a particular perspective based on the filmmaker’s research and interviews.
Q: Can I watch these documentaries for free?
A: Some of the documentaries are available to watch for free on streaming platforms like YouTube. However, others may require a subscription or rental fee.
Conclusion
We hope this list of best documentaries for business will inspire and educate you enough to take on the world of entrepreneurship. All the films have their unique take on the corporate world and offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
So, we request you to please take some time from your busy schedule and watch these documentaries. You never know, they might just be the motivation you need to start your own business or make positive changes to an existing one.
Do you have any doubts or suggestions?
Please feel free to comment below. We would love to hear your thoughts.
