When it comes to career growth, we all need a little inspiration from time to time. But if you don't have the energy for yet another self-help book, why not try a film? 

A movie can provide a unique point of view on what it takes to succeed and how to ignite that spark of ambition.

Whether you're looking for an uplifting story or an authentic account of struggles and successes, there is no shortage of films that can inspire you. 

To help you find your next motivator, I've put together this list of nine must-see films for boosting career growth and inspiration. 

From true stories to fiction, each movie has something special to offer that will fire up your ambition. So pop some popcorn and get ready to be inspired!

The Intern

The Intern is a beautiful movie that stars Robert De Niro as a 70-year-old widower who signs up to become a senior intern at an online fashion site run by Anne Hathaway’s character. 

This film is arguably Nancy Meyers' best in over a decade and her expertise shines through each scene.

The Intern centers around the struggles of demanding careers and the impact they have on personal lives, while also touching on the topics of aging, loneliness, and the importance of friendship. 

It's an inspiring story that dives deep into these issues in a humorous way, making it an enjoyable and meaningful watch.

The Social Network

When it comes to career growth and inspiration, there are plenty of movies out there to watch. One of the most important ones of the last decade is The Social Network. Released in 2010, it was directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ang Lee and was based on the book The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick. 

The movie follows the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder, and CEO of Facebook, as he navigates his way through creating one of the most successful companies in history.

What makes this movie so important is that it highlights how people can take their ambition and turn it into success. 

It also shows how persistence and hard work can help you reach your goals and succeed in your career.

 Whether you're looking for advice in pursuing your dreams or just want to be inspired by a success story, then The Social Network is a must-see for any aspiring professional.

Jerry Maguire

The third must-see movie for career growth and inspiration is the classic Jerry Maguire. 

This 1996 American romantic comedy-drama sports film follows the story of an ambitious sports agent, played by Tom Cruise, who suddenly has a crisis of conscience.

The success of the film clearly lies in the understanding that ambition isn’t necessarily just about money, but about living a meaningful life in pursuit of your goals and values. As Jerry himself says, “The key to this life is you have to be true to yourself".

Jerry's journey deeply resonates with viewers, as he struggles with creating a career that aligns with his own ethical compass and principles. 

It’s a powerful reminder that it's important to find how your skills and passions can lead you where you want to go - even if sometimes that means taking risks or going against the grain.

Exam Movie

Number Four in our list of films is Exam. This psychological thriller has high production values and is a modern morality tale in the guise of a sci-fi-tinged thriller.

Exam tells the story of an unnamed group of applicants who are made to take part in an exam they know nothing about, and have only eighty minutes to complete. With no idea what the parameters or stakes are, they are forced into testing their creativity, intelligence and morals until one candidate cracks under the pressure.

This claustrophobic, futuristic drama has an intriguing premise that sheds light on today's corporate rat race environment and explores self-competitiveness among peers in terms of career growth and success. 

It does this without resorting to flashy special effects or sensationalism but instead uses minimalistic sets dialog-driven plot.

That said, Exam is definitely worth watching for its raw examination of how far one can go by playing a game where everyone else seeks their own selfish gains at the expense of others.

The Devil Wears Prada

Coming in at number five is another fashion-based movie that is sure to get your creative juices flowing and help you fight for career growth, The Devil Wears Prada.

This movie is a unique mix of caustic satire of the fashion world and a cautionary melodrama.

It follows the story of the inexperienced Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) as she lands an unlikely job working for the notorious Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), a powerful, successful, and intimidating fashion magazine editor who commands the attention of everyone she meets.

Throughout her time working with Miranda, Andy learns valuable lessons about keeping her dreams alive in the world of corporate life. She learns to stand up for herself, take charge of her career path and never sell out on her dreams. 

This movie is full of tension between Andy’s personal ambitions and her newfound respect for her peers in fashion journalism. By watching this movie, you can gain perspective into how an intern can overcome their fear of their superiors and learn how to navigate their career path with resilience.

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a powerful 2006 drama, inspired by Chris Gardner's autobiography, and starring Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden. 

It tells the emotionally wrenching story of Gardner's battle to overcome poverty and homelessness while struggling to provide a better future for his son.

This inspiring film teaches us that true happiness is built by pursuing smaller moments of joy in life, rather than looking for grand successes. Moreover, it provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on how our decisions propel our lives forward. 

With his resilience, Gardner shows us that everything he goes through is part of an important process in climbing up the ladder towards success.

Will Smith gives an Oscar-nominated performance that adds life to Gardner’s struggles and triumphs, making the film unforgettable and truly inspiring. The Pursuit of Happyness deserves its place as one of the best movies for career growth and inspiration.

Hidden Figures

If you’re looking for a movie to get you inspired, we recommend checking out “Hidden Figures,” which is based on the true story of three African-American mathematicians at NASA. 

The incredible performances by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae really help to bring the story to life.

The film was released in 2017 and was even nominated for three Academy Awards—Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer). 

It follows the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson—three black women who worked as mathematicians in segregated facilities with no recognition from their peers or from history books.

These women persevered against obstacles—both personally and professionally—and their courage earned them a place in history as hidden figures.

It's an inspiring movie that shows how education, commitment and hard work can lead to big successes.

The Founder

The eighth movie to check out is The Founder. This 2016 American biographical drama stars Michael Keaton as businessman Ray Kroc, and depicts the story of Kroc's creation of the McDonald's fast food chain.

In the movie, Kroc portrays a passionate entrepreneur who is determined to make something out of nothing, even when all odds are against him. It is a great watch if you are feeling inspired or motivated to start your own biz, and shows how dedication, hard work, and ingenuity can take you further than you ever expected.

The Founder may also be useful if you'd like to learn more about management principles and franchising strategies. 

The main character is constantly looking for ways to improve his business model and scale it nationwide - that alone is lessons enough for those looking for inspiration!

Conclusion

By watching some of these movies, or even just one, can be a great way to get inspired, motivated and push oneself to reach further. It can be a reminder that trying something new and different can bring great rewards and that life is full of lessons and growth opportunities - no matter what age we are.

So, if you're feeling lost, uncertain or not particularly motivated, we recommend watching one of the films mentioned above. Not only can it be interesting and entertaining, but it can also provide some of the best career growth and motivation advice. 

Thank you for Reading.