Best Business Movies & TV Shows, According To Top MBAs

The Founder: “A movie that best reflects the realities of business is The Founder. I watched it during my MBA, and it was a great example of operations, supply chain management, negotiation, and business strategy.

One scene that stood out was when the McDonald brothers designed their kitchen layout to improve efficiency and speed. Watching them test different setups to create the perfect workflow felt just like an MBA class on lean operations. It showed me how small process improvements can make a huge impact on business.

The movie also highlights the power of negotiation and business acumen. Ray Kroc’s ability to scale the business, form strategic partnerships, and eventually take control of McDonald’s is a lesson in vision, persistence, and the tough realities of business

One of the biggest lessons came when Kroc realized McDonald’s real success wasn’t in selling burgers, but in owning the land under its franchises and turning it into a real estate company rather than just a restaurant. This reminded me of what we learned in Strategy & Competition class, particularly about how shifting a business model can create a long-term competitive advantage.
Raymond Xiang Zheng, Alliance Manchester

Grey’s Anatomy: “The TV show that reminds me of INSEAD and the business world would be Grey’s Anatomy. I loved one particular quote spoken during one of the earlier episodes towards the show’s surgical interns: “This is your starting line. This is your arena. How well you play, that’s up to you.” During business school, this means that what you get out of it will depend on what you put into it. Having intentionally taken a year off, the way everyone will spend their MBA year will be unique to their career and life goals. Similarly, when it comes to the business world, you can view it as different playing fields – depending on the industry and sector, with different sets of rules. But how well you do in it, that’s up to you.”
Angel Chen, INSEAD

House of Lies: “One of the television shows that best reflects the realities of business is House of Lies.

House of Lies is a fast-paced, and darkly funny dive into the high-pressure world of management consulting. At its heart, the series is about the hustle. Marty and his team use every tool in their arsenal, charm, wit, and a lot of data, to convince clients they have the answers. They crunch numbers, build models, and spin narratives, but the show doesn’t shy away from pointing out how easily data can be manipulated to serve an agenda. It’s a reminder that consulting isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about selling solutions.

But for all its drama and exaggeration, House of Lies showcased very real insights. It showed how important communication and storytelling are in business, how data can drive decisions (for better or worse), and how blurry the line can get between right and wrong in the corporate world. It’s a show that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, offering a mix of laughs and lessons.

I learned from this television show how storytelling drives action. However, data requires scrutiny; ethics build trust, balance prevents burnout, perception shapes reality, and relationships fuel success. In the process, adaptability ensures survival, confidence needs humility, and teams amplify strengths. Aligning with expectations is key, though hustle has costs, communication is crucial, manipulation risks credibility, and trust outweighs profits. In the end, flexibility beats rigidity, listening precedes leading, and your brand matters immensely.”
Blessing Unwana Umoh, University of Pittsburgh

Industry: “While exaggerated in some aspects, Industry captures the unspoken realities of high-stakes finance—the relentless pressure, internal politics, and the fact that technical skill alone isn’t enough to succeed. It highlights how careers are shaped by resilience, adaptability, and understanding power dynamics just as much as raw talent. One of my biggest takeaways is that while ambition drives success, environments that glorify burnout and short-term wins can be unsustainable. It’s a reminder that real leadership isn’t just about excelling individually, but also about creating better, more transparent workplaces and that there still is a lot of work to be done on that.”
Fernanda Camilo Aguiar, London Business School

The Intern: “With Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, The Intern really made me reflect on the balance between storytelling and hard evidence in business. I’ve realized how important it is to have a compelling narrative behind a company’s vision, but it’s just as crucial to have measurable results to support it. Jules Ostin’s character really resonated with me—she shows that while passion and storytelling can inspire a team, it’s the concrete numbers and metrics that give the story credibility and make decisions impactful. I’ve learned that it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of a good story, but without backing it up with facts, that story risks losing its weight. This balance of creativity and data-driven decision-making is something I’ve come to appreciate more. It’s a reminder that both emotional appeal and measurable outcomes are necessary to secure buy-in and drive success in business. For me, The Intern reinforced the idea that being an effective leader means mastering both the art of storytelling and the science of performance.”
Brianna Roque, Boston College (Carroll)

Joy: “I’d pick Joy, the story of Joy Mangano’s journey from a struggling inventor to a household name. It captures the everyday realities of entrepreneurship, especially when facing scepticism and personal hurdles. Joy’s relentless belief in her idea, coupled with her willingness to adapt and learn from each setback, really struck a chord with me. It’s a reminder that behind every “overnight success” lies a series of tough decisions, personal sacrifices, and a whole lot of grit – qualities that any aspiring entrepreneur (myself included) needs to keep front-and-center.”
Jade Khuong, National University of Singapore

Landman: “The TV show Landman by Taylor Sheridan captures the harsh realities of business by showcasing its dog-eat-dog nature. The show emphasizes the importance of outworking and outthinking the competition to succeed. A key line from Monte, “Our business is one of constant crisis, interrupted by brief periods of intense success,” reflects the unpredictable and high-stakes nature of business.”
Kyle Zarosky, Rice University (Jones)

Legally Blonde: “For me, Legally Blonde captures the reality of business in a way that feels personal. Elle Woods comes from an unconventional path, walks into a world that doesn’t take her seriously, and instead of changing who she is, she proves herself by doing the work—learning fast, showing up, and staying true to herself.

What stuck with me is how she leans into her strengths instead of trying to fit in. In business, it’s easy to feel like you have to act a certain way or follow a set path, but the real game-changer is owning what makes you different. It’s a reminder that success isn’t about looking the part—it’s about showing up, figuring things out, and proving you belong, even when others doubt you.”
Risa Ichwandiani, Asia School of Business

Mad Men: “Mad Men features a diverse set of people who were successful in their careers. I think it demonstrates that there’s no one right way to be successful and to be valuable. You can be the tortured genius. You can be the even-handed account manager who leans into their ability to wear a corporate persona day-in and day-out. You can be the person who works the hardest. You can be the person whose personality is so engaging that partnerships follow you like gravity. There’s not one path to success, and I think that Mad Men reflects that reality the best because every character so clearly has their secret formula, their unique brand of how they’ve been successful. I think that is very accurate.”
Deanna Portero, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

“Mad Men is a great example of a show that reflects some of the most challenging aspects of a business career. While perhaps not as overt, the intrinsic sexism we see in the show is in many ways still present today. But going beyond that, I think Mad Men offers a few core lessons:

1) Relationships matter, at every point in one’s career.

2) Reputations are very easy to destroy and incredibly hard to rebuild.

3) Successful careers can be powerful vehicles for personal fulfillment and impact, but without an ironclad set of values, they can also tear away at some of the most precious aspects of life, family, and identity.”
Ioana Solomon, Yale School of Management

“I’d have to go with Mad Men! Despite showcasing outdated norms and standards, the show brilliantly highlights many crucial business themes in an entertaining way particularly office politics. For example, when promotions are discussed, it’s fascinating to watch characters who genuinely believe they deserve advancement, while viewers have deeper context about why they didn’t receive it. These dynamics aren’t rare in real business: positioning yourself, managing your image, and nurturing professional relationships are just as critical to career advancement as your actual performance. Mad Men also cleverly demonstrates important business social cues in an exaggerated yet insightful way.
Thomas Maddison, Asia School of Business

Margin Call: “One of the movies that I was really intrigued by was Margin Call. It was released in 2011. The movie is based on the investment bank that is on the brink of collapse and highlights the high stakes decision-making, risk management, and ethical dilemmas that drive the financial markets.

The financial thriller is set at a Wall Street investment bank, when a junior analyst discovers that the firms risk models are fundamentally flawed, and that the holdings of the investments are worthless. After alerting senior executives, they are faced with decisions to scramble to sell off the worthless assets before the market is alerted, avoiding a financial meltdown. Through selling off the assets, the executives amass significant losses for their investors. The movie really places light on how short-term profit motives can lead to catastrophic consequences. The movie also speaks to how financial models can fail, and the reaction of leadership really determines the future of an organization. Topics of various moral complexities are explored, where executives and individuals in position of leadership positions need to choose between self-preservation and their ethical responsibility towards their investors. The power-struggles, and sense of acting responsibly is brought into light. The movie really serves as a cautionary tale about risk-taking and the cost of financial crises. I learned about the importance of ethical decision making, and that taking responsibility in a business goes beyond the profits, but includes accountability, transparency and long-term sustainability.”
Nicolette Gopaul, HEC Paris

The Menu: “While it’s a dark satire about the high-end restaurant industry, it also explores what happens when a business prioritizes prestige over substance. Chef Slowik’s restaurant, Hawthorne, is positioned as an elite, artful dining experience, but in its pursuit of perfection, it loses its core purpose—creating food that people actually enjoy. This mirrors what happens when businesses over-index on premiumization, branding, or storytelling at the expense of delivering real value to consumers. The film also highlights the power of simplicity. The pivotal moment comes when Anya Taylor-Joy’s character rejects the pretentious, overly curated experience and simply asks for a cheeseburger—a perfect metaphor for consumer-driven innovation. Sometimes, customers don’t want complexity or exclusivity; they want a product that delivers on its promise.

Another key theme is the dangers of the founder’s ego. Chef Slowik, much like some real-world brand leaders, becomes so obsessed with his vision that he refuses to adapt or acknowledge consumer needs. If you’re in business school this should be familiar. It’s a mistake many founders make. They think their “brilliant” idea will speak for itself, and they forget that innovation happens when businesses listen to their customers and build with them in mind.”
Wangari Muchau, HEC Paris

Moneyball: “A key lesson from Moneyball, one of my favorite movies, is that disruption is inevitable. While Billy Beane’s approach was initially dismissed by baseball’s old guard, it ultimately became the industry standard. Teams that resisted change were left behind, while those that adapted quickly gained an advantage. The same is true in business. Companies that refuse to evolve risk becoming obsolete. While change for its own sake is misguided, a mindset of continuous improvement is critical to staying competitive. The reality is simple: disruption will happen. Therefore, the only choice is whether you are the disruptor or the disrupted.”
Robert Rickard, Vanderbilt University (Owen)

“Moneyball best reflects the realities of business because it shows how resource constraints, entrenched thinking, and fierce competition can be overcome through innovation and data-driven strategies. In the film, General Manager Billy Beane uses analytics to identify undervalued players, challenging traditional scouting practices and demonstrating how questioning assumptions can yield a competitive edge. It also highlights the importance of resilience and communication—Beane must secure buy-in from skeptics who cling to old methods, mirroring the culture shifts and leadership demands often faced by organizations embracing change. Ultimately, “Moneyball” taught me that leveraging data, challenging the status quo, and persisting amid resistance can transform an entire industry—or a business.”
Maressa Guynn, Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)

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