Buzz
Corporations are legally recognized as people, a notion solidified by the Supreme Court in 2010 when it affirmed their First Amendment rights. This idea resonates deeply, as our lives are so intertwined with brands that our connections to corporations often rival those with real individuals. Why not celebrate this relationship through biopics?
Biopics have been a cornerstone of cinema since 1900, with Georges Méliès’ portrayal of Joan of Arc marking an early example. The corporate biopic, focusing on the ascent or decline of companies and their leaders, has emerged as a compelling sub-genre. As AI advances and corporations dominate our existence, these films offer a glimpse into a future where human individuality may fade—though the movies themselves remain thoroughly engaging.
The Founder (2016)
The business: McDonald’s Corporation
The Founder chronicles the journey of Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), the man behind the global expansion of McDonald’s, rather than its original founders, whom Kroc effectively sidelined. The film cleverly leaves it up to the audience to decide whether Kroc is a hero or a villain. While the McDonald’s brothers (Nick Offerman and John Carroll Lynch) lacked the vision to grow their small restaurant into a worldwide phenomenon, the movie highlights the cultural significance and intrigue of this corporate evolution. It underscores the idea that American capitalism breeds success but not necessarily heroes.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Social Network (2010)
Where to stream: Digital rental
Guru (2007)
The business: Reliance Industries
This biopic tells the story of Gurukant Desai and his company, Shakti Corporation, which are clear parallels to Reliance Industries and its founder, Dhirubhai Ambani. Starting from humble beginnings in a small Indian village, Guru builds an empire in the polyester industry, eventually dominating India’s business landscape. While the film is masterfully crafted and engaging, its portrayal of the ethical controversies surrounding Guru/Ambani as mere consequences of navigating a corrupt system feels less than persuasive.
Where to stream: Netflix
Joy (2015)
The business: Clean Boss (also, infomercials)
Jennifer Lawrence received an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Joy Mangano, the innovative mind behind the Miracle Mop. The film follows Mangano’s journey from a struggling airline booking agent supporting her family to becoming a successful entrepreneur through her inventions and partnerships with QVC and HSN. Lawrence delivers a standout performance in this inspiring film, which offers a refreshing contrast to the male-dominated narratives often seen in stories of American business triumphs.
Where to stream: Freevee
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The business: Gardner Rich & Co
While Chris Gardner’s company may not have the same level of global recognition as others on this list, his journey is undeniably one of the most inspiring. Will Smith portrays Gardner, who endured homelessness in San Francisco before securing a position at a brokerage firm. This opportunity eventually led him to establish his own multimillion-dollar company, which he later sold in 2006.
Where to stream: Netflix
Tetris (2023)
The business: The Tetris Company
The tale of Tetris stands apart from other business films and video game origin stories. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, a Dutch/Indonesian developer who discovered Tetris at the 1988 Consumer Electronic Show. The game, created by a programmer at the Soviet state-owned ELORG, had its distribution rights tangled among British publishers and Nintendo. The film captures Rogers navigating the complex, Cold War-era international video game market, all while evading the watchful eyes of the KGB.
Where to stream: Apple TV+
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The business: Stratton Oakmont, Inc.
Martin Scorsese’s cinematic tribute to the drug-fueled extravagance of 1980s capitalism (a stark contrast to today’s stimulant-driven excess) features Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort. Belfort built Stratton Oakmont on his knack for pump-and-dump schemes—not the risqué activities of the time (though those are also depicted), but the practice of inflating penny stock prices through deception and selling them at a profit. The film captures his meteoric rise and inevitable downfall.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Paramount+
Citizen Kane (1941)
The business: Hearst Communications
Even less subtle than Guru, Citizen Kane takes creative liberties with the life of William Randolph Hearst (renamed Charles Foster Kane) and merges his story with those of other media tycoons of the time. The film meticulously traces the ascent of Hearst Communications, albeit with a fictional twist. Beginning with the acquisition of the small San Francisco Daily Examiner, Hearst expanded its reach dramatically through sensationalism, faux populism, and strategic talent acquisition. The famous quote, “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war,” is reimagined as “You provide the prose poems, I’ll provide the war,” reflecting the transition from yellow journalism to today’s headline-driven media landscape.
Where to stream: HBO Max
BlackBerry (2023)
The business: BlackBerry, of course.
Though not yet released, this film has already garnered rave reviews at the Berlin International Film Festival. Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton star in the story of the once-dominant BlackBerry, which faded into obscurity after being overshadowed by the iPhone.
Where to stream: TBD
Air (2023)
The business: Nike, Inc. and the Air Jordan
Initially, the concept of a film centered on the creation of the Air Jordan sneaker, with Michael Jordan playing a minor role, was hard to grasp. However, the story truly revolves around Sonny Vaccaro (portrayed by Ben Affleck) and Nike founder Phil Knight (Matt Damon), who were on the brink of closing Nike’s basketball division before devising a plan to recruit Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player in history.
Where to stream: Not available yet, but since Amazon financed the film and intended it as a Prime original, it’s likely to debut on the platform soon.
