Most people watch movies to escape the real world, especially as a way to unwind after work. But some of the best movies can actually inspire us to be better at our jobs.

To be great at our daily jobs we sometimes require not only research and dedication but inspiration as well. Very often, in order to find it, we refer to case studies, TED-talks, business literature, seminars and courses. Though, sometimes, the best way to change the perspective on things is to search for new knowledge and insights in sources, not directly related to the marketing and business domain. Movies perfectly serve this purpose. Good films supply viewers with concentrated insights, which otherwise would require hours of tough thought process to be reached. So, being avid movie lovers, we went through a good bunch of articles and came up with this list, which will allow you to have a good time and get some valuable insights about marketing, sales or business in general.

The Social Network

The Social Network tells the gripping origin story of a website that moved tectonic plates in the digital marketing world -- Facebook. As a marketer, it’s fascinating to get an inside look at what inspired the creation of Facebook, the founders’ thought processes when they built it, the steps they took to develop it, and all the ups and downs Facebook experienced as it evolved into the social media giant it is today. From its humble yet promising beginnings to its rapid growth, The Social Network shows you that Facebook’s rise to tech stardom wasn’t void of any obstacles.

Moneyball

In 2002, the Oakland A’s won the most games in baseball, highlighted by a 20 game winning streak that broke an American League record. They also had the third lowest payroll in the Major Leagues. In an industry dominated by teams with enormous payrolls, how did the A’s become the best in baseball? They made data-driven decisions.

In this sense, baseball and marketing have a lot in common. Before data drove key decision making, intuition did. Then, when a few brave trailblazers nominated data as its replacement, a tidal wave of backlash came crashing down on them. But data proved itself worthy, and it has become the most crucial component in the decision-making process for both industries.

Boiler Room

A film where Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel are young and wearing funny suits. Though, it’s not the only benefit of this movie. It tells a story of young stock traders, who can sell everything, even things that don’t exist. It’s a very motivational piece explaining how to stay strong in front of any challenges, and why sometimes aggressive business methods bring enormous benefits. Boiler Room is definitely a must-watch for all sales specialists, especially those struggling to make cold calling great again.

The Wolf of Wall Street

It’s definitely a smart choice if you want to learn about the dubious nature of insane business success. On the one hand, it can lift you and your company somewhere high in the clouds. On the other hand, it’s very easy to get misled by the feeling of omnipotence and make mistakes that will destroy your business, career, and life. Putting aside all those insane parties, expensive cars and tons of cash depicted on the screen, this movie contains a lot of insights about teamwork, negotiation tactics, and reputation/brand management.

By Miriam Gagino