5 Documentaries Every Entrepreneur Should Watch

Vegging out on the sofa in front of a mind-numbing film might feel like relaxation, but in reality it’s probably doing nothing for you. Watching ordinary people make drama out of ordinary things is neither inspirational nor aspirational, and yet it’s the premise of most films and series.

What if you limited your consumption of Netflix to inspiring films or documentaries? What if you learned from the top of their game and the best in their class about how to lead, train and win big? How much could you expand your mind by filling it with only material from world-class performers in every field? What if you relaxed and decompressed while conditioning your mind that you were capable of more?

I asked ambitious entrepreneurs to recommend films and documentaries that had exactly this effect. They shared the programs that inspire them to level up their game and here are the top five.

Becoming Warren Buffet

For aspiring billionaires out there, who better to learn from than Warren Buffet, billionaire and longtime CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, whose methods have been studied by many looking to emulate his success? Ani Naqvi, CEO of the Ultimate Results Group recommends the 2017 documentary Becoming Warren Buffet because, “for me, Buffet is one of the most endearing and likeable entrepreneurs out there.” Naqvi said the documentary gives an insight into “him as a person, which goes far deeper than just his business acumen,” adding that, “This is more than a documentary about investing, it actually gave me an insight into how to be a better leader and stay true to my purpose”.

Becoming Warren Buffet covers Buffet’s philosophy of life and approach to business, which Naqvi said proves, “he is an excellent role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and this is a great introduction to the realities of starting a business and the journey to becoming an investor.” Getting up close and personal with one of the greatest investing minds out there can’t be a bad use of a few hours.

Undercover Billionaire

Another way to learn about “how successful entrepreneurs think and deal with problems,” according to executive coach Jim Harshaw of The Harshaw Group, is to watch Undercover Billionaire. “It opens your mind to what’s possible,” said Harshaw, who said this show “explores the inner workings of the minds of highly successful entrepreneurs, exposing their vulnerabilities and demonstrating that they are real people who have fears and doubts.”

Harshaw has personally benefited from consuming this show, during a time when he felt plateaued in his own business. “Undercover Billionaire helped me rethink what was possible and have greater ambitions,” he said. As a result of this new level of thinking, “I find myself operating at a higher level and earning more money because of it.” Watch how successful people think and operate to mirror these techniques in your own proceedings. You might be seeing the results for years to come.

Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates

Another example of watching a successful entrepreneur in action comes from entrepreneur Iti Malken’s recommendation of the 2019 documentary, Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates. “It shows how important habits have on our success,” said Malken, who added that the documentary “inspired me to look closely at my own habits and daily routine and see how I could improve my work/life balance by introducing more white space into my schedule.”

Habits, routine and saving space for thinking big were some of the takeaways from this documentary for Malken, as well as, “understanding the role Melissa Gates’ played in Bill’s success, both with Microsoft and their philanthropic work” which he said “gave me an understanding of how important a supportive partnership is for success in business, even if they are no longer married.” Studying Bill Gates via this documentary brings actionable tips that any entrepreneur could incorporate.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

A fantastically titled documentary recommended by entrepreneurs Ian Wright from Merchant Machine and fashion photographer Adam Brazier was Jiro Dreams of Sushi, which Wright said is “a must-see documentary for any entrepreneur” that will make you, “feel inspired about continually honing your craft” and Brazier deemed a great display of, “the passion and dedication required to achieve excellence in any field.” The film covers the life and work of Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master, who has three Michelin stars and whose tiny sushi restaurant in Tokyo is one of the most sought-after dining destinations in the world.

“This film is not only a celebration of Ono’s success, but also a valuable lesson in the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving goals,” said Brazier, as well as success factors such as, “passion, dedication, and attention to detail.” Brazier added that as an entrepreneur it’s normal to want to try everything and start new projects, but the film, “reminds me to focus on my craft and not just do other things because I could do them.” The film had a similar effect for Wright, whose business focus switched from, “being about short-term thinking to a journey of continuous improvement and creating outstanding products.” Try to be just a little bit better each day, and over time this compounds to incredible business success that’s true to your passion and purpose.

The Founder

If you’re facing a challenging time in your business, learning from someone who overcame rejection to succeed might be exactly what’s needed to get you through. Andrés Berte from Connex Digital recommends The Founder, the biographical film (not strictly a documentary) about the humble beginnings of McDonalds, to understand how entrepreneurs can overcome adversity and find their biggest ideas while hustling. “I enjoyed The Founder because it shows how hard entrepreneurship can be, and how the most impactful ideas may not be sexy,” he said. “It helped me realize that simply understanding the fundamentals of business is key.”

In The Founder, the turning point for Ray Kroc was, “understanding that owning the land on which a franchise sat was key to exerting control and standardizing the customer experience, which ended up being what McDonalds became famous for.” An unlikely message in a popular story that might get your head spinning with ideas.

Recognizing that entrepreneurship can be a challenging journey, but remembering to stay true to your purpose, create good habits, dream bigger with your plans while focusing on the long term are feelings these documentaries will inspire in ambitious entrepreneurs who watch them. Whatever path you’re on right now, you don’t have to walk it alone. Get inside the minds and lives of people who have walked the walk and come out the other side.