12 Best Movies About Careers That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Movies About Careers

If you’re looking for a good career-related movie, check out these. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the top professional and job-related movies.

When it comes to attaining your professional goals, movies can provide you with motivation and inspiration. Even when you’re not thrilled with your job, they can provide some perspective. You can obtain some career inspiration and motivation by watching some of the top career films on this list.

No worries, we won’t spill the beans!

1. Up in the Air (2009)

Up in the Air (2009)

A corporate downsizing expert named Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) stars in a romantic comedy called Up in the Air. Bingham’s job entails terminating people. During the trip, Ryan discovers that he has a new romantic rival.

The significance of the client is clearly demonstrated in Up in the Air, a must-see for anyone working in a customer-facing position. A colleague of Ryan’s has suggested that he cut costs by conducting layoffs via video conference rather than in person, but Ryan is unconvinced. Video conferencing would not fulfill the customer’s needs because firing is such a delicate matter. Customers-focused workers can benefit greatly from a slew of other important lessons learned in this course.

Many critics praised the film. In Entertainment Weekly, Owen Gleiberman referred to it as a “rare and glittering jewel of a film.”

2. Exam (2009)

Exam follows eight job applicants as they compete for a position at a large firm. Candidates are brought into an examination room and given one question to answer. To ensure that the question is answered in a timely manner, the candidates are given a time limit of 80 minutes to do so.

Candidates who want the job must work quickly to learn what is required of them in order to land it.

Exam is a “smartly planned, tautly performed psychological thriller,” according to Variety’s Lael Loewenstein.

Many lessons may be learned from Exam by job seekers, one of which is the significance of paying attention to the smallest of details. It can be devastating to overlook little nuances when it comes to solving problems and accomplishing goals.

3. A Family Man (2016)

A Family Man (2016)

It’s a story about a headhunter, Dane (Gerard Butler), vying for leadership of their organization against his opponent. In the midst of emotional and professional conflicts, Dane must select one or the other.

Finding a work-life balance is an important issue explored in the film. Additional takeaways for professionals include the necessity of focusing on what is genuinely essential.

4. Office Space (1999)

The plot of Office Space revolves around three disgruntled and uninspired employees who decide to strike against their employer, a software company.

It’s important to have a job that you enjoy, according to Office Space. In the movie, you’ll likely be able to identify with the characters if you’re dissatisfied at work.

For managers, the film provides a crucial lesson: Employees require positive work environments and the resources they need to succeed.

5. Baby Boom (1987)

Baby Boom (1987)

Diane Keaton stars as New York businesswoman J.C. Wiatt in Baby Boom, a romantic comedy about prioritizing work above family. J. C. Wiatt loses her career and her relationship when she unexpectedly becomes the guardian of a baby girl following the death of a relative.

The Baby Boomers have taught us the value of being able to switch up our job duties at any time. J.C. Wiatt uses her new situation to her advantage rather than ending her life. We may all benefit from this ability to adjust to change.

Critics were mostly pleased with the flick. Diane Keaton received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her work in the picture.

6. The Intern (2015)

The Intern, starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, is a comedy-drama. Older man Ben Whittaker applies to be an intern for an online fashion site because he is fed up with retirement. Will he be able to hold his own against the next generation of pros?

Professionals can benefit from The Intern’s career advice, particularly the significance of a work-life equilibrium.

Manohla Dargis, writing in The New York Times, says that The Intern is “frothy, playful, homogenous, routinely annoying, and typically very irresistible.”

7. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

It is based on Jordan Belfort’s life, in which he becomes a stockbroker and then scams his way to wealth.

We can learn a lot about Jordan Belfort’s abilities that allowed him to be successful even if he eventually loses everything and goes to prison. His abilities in these areas include his capacity to inspire others and to communicate effectively with others.

The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey, was hailed by Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle as ‘the best and most fun American picture to be released this year’.

8. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

After losing everything, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) accepts an unpaid internship in the film Pursuit of Happyness. For Chris, every day is a battle. After his wife breaks up with him, he loses his job, and he’s forced to move out of his apartment. Despite this, he refuses to accept failure and is steadfast in his desire to succeed.

The book The Pursuit of Happyness emphasizes the value of tenacity and steadfastness in both our professional and private life. In the end, the moral of the story is to never, ever give up on your dreams, especially your career ambitions.

9. Legally Blonde (2001)

Legally Blonde (2001)

Following the breakup of her long-term relationship, Elle (Reese Witherspoon) decides to attend Harvard Law School. To get him back, Elle enrolls, but she quickly learns that she’s more than just a gorgeous face.

Legally Blonde is a must-see for everyone with ambitious job aspirations. The movie serves as a timely reminder that anything is achievable if you put in the effort and have the correct attitude.

10. Dead Poets Society (1989)

To inspire his students to achieve their ambitions, John Keating (Robin Williams) teaches his students to read poetry and encourages them to write their own.

Jobseekers and professionals can learn leadership principles from the film Dead Poets Society. Considering the film’s depiction of a single man’s ability to affect the lives of thousands, this is a given.

The critical response to Dead Poets Society has been overwhelmingly good. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay for this film.

11. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Andy (Anne Hathaway) is an aspiring journalist who is hired as an assistant to Miranda (Meryl Streep), one of New York’s most prominent magazine editors, in The Devil Wears Prada. Even though she’s just landed a great job, Andy begins to doubt her ability to survive Miranda’s humiliation and abuse.

The Devil Wears Prada has excellent lessons for both managers and subordinates.

12. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Glengarry Real estate salespeople are the focus of Glen Ross’s story. Things get difficult when the corporation holds a contest and declares that all salesmen except for the two best performers would be fired at the end of the week.

Glengarry Glen Ross emphasizes the need of having well-defined professional objectives. Additionally, it provides a wealth of helpful sales advice.

Richard Corliss in his Times review called the film, starring Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin, as ‘a photo-essay, filmed in mortuary closeup, on the difficulties most people have convincing themselves that what they do counts’.