6 must-watch tech startup movies and shows for budding entrepreneurs

The Social Network (2010)

Poster for The Social Network (2010) (Image: Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Released in 2010, The Social Network is a captivating drama that gave us a glimpse into the creation of one of the most influential companies of our time and the complex web of human relationships that drove its success. The movie follows the story of Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, as he creates the social media giant while simultaneously facing lawsuits from former friends and colleagues.

Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, the film received critical acclaim for its sharp writing, strong performances, and compelling storytelling. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. The movie is an intriguing exploration of the human psyche, the cost of ambition, and the power of innovation that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Steve Jobs (2015)

The 2015 biographical drama film, Steve Jobs, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Aaron Sorkin, follows the life and career of the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. The movie is not a typical biopic, but instead focuses on three pivotal moments in Jobs’ life – the launches of the Macintosh, NeXT, and the iMac – and the personal and professional conflicts he faced leading up to each event.

The film boasts an impressive cast, including Michael Fassbender as Jobs, Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman, and Seth Rogen as Steve Wozniak. Steve Jobs received critical acclaim for its unique storytelling approach and outstanding performances, with many hailing it as one of the best biopics of recent years.

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)

Pirates of Silicon Valley is a 1999 TV movie that dramatizes the rivalry between Steve Jobs of Apple and Bill Gates of Microsoft in the 1970s and 1980s. Based on the book Fire in the Valley by Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine, the movie depicts the rise and fall of the two tech giants who shaped the personal computer industry. The movie stars Noah Wyle as Jobs and Anthony Michael Hall as Gates, and features cameo appearances from real-life tech personalities.

WeCrashed (2022)

WeCrashed is a new series on Apple TV+ that tells the true story of WeWork, once one of the most valuable startups in the world, and its charismatic co-founders, Adam and Rebekah Neumann. It will serve as a lesson on what not to do as an entrepreneur.

The series follows the couple’s vision of creating a global community of entrepreneurs and innovators, and how their ambition, greed, and narcissism led to the company’s spectacular collapse in 2019. Starring Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway as the Neumanns, WeCrashed is a gripping drama that explores the dark side of the tech industry and the human cost of chasing a dream.

The Dropout (2022)

Poster for The Dropout (2022) (Image: Hulu)

The Dropout is a biographical drama miniseries that tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, a biotechnology company that claimed to have developed technology that would revolutionise blood testing.

The series follows Holmes’ rise and fall as she becomes one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the US, and then faces criminal charges for fraud and conspiracy. The series stars Amanda Seyfried as Holmes, who delivers a disquieting performance that captures the ambition and deception of the character.

Silicon Valley (2014)

It’s not based on a true story and chances are it won’t inspire any life lessons since it’s a comedy show. But the show has received critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations for its witty and sharp writing and humour – and therefore, deserves a mention on this list.

Silicon Valley parodies the tech industry and its culture. It follows Richard Hendricks, a brilliant but awkward programmer who creates a revolutionary app called Pied Piper. Along with his friends and colleagues, he tries to make his startup successful in the competitive and cutthroat world of Silicon Valley. The show also has many cameo appearances from real-life tech personalities and celebrities.