Movies are all-time fun and especially when the script targets your pain points, the movie becomes unforgettable. The work life of a salesperson is a really busy one. They need the inspiration to learn a lot along with work. And you are already aware of the fact that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. So, take a break..!! Relax on your couch with a glass of cold drinks and popcorn to get inspired.
We understand how tough it can be to find that one perfect movie that will get your motivation levels up. Hence, we have curated a list of the best 5 films that every salesperson should watch to get motivated:
1. The Pursuit of Happyness(2006)
Based on Chris Gardner’s autobiography, this film narrates the tale of a struggling salesman who takes custody of his child and begins a life-changing journey. The film teaches us that no matter how bad the situation, never give up. Keep your head down and try. Eventually, things will turn out to be good. Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film stars Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith, making his debut in Hollywood. The fantastic portrayal of a homeless person who goes through a life-altering journey gave Smith his second Oscar nomination. A film for the ages, I think this film deserves a watch by everyone.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
2. Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year (2009)
Rarely a film like this is made in the Indian film industry. A sleeper hit, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor in the role of a young salesman who wants to make it big in the sales field. The movie inspires each sales rep who might be losing their motivation, owing to an unmet target. It teaches the sales reps to be a self-starter in their career. Some of the best sales reps attribute their success to this trait. Ranbir in the movie, never lost his hope, even in the most desperate circumstances. Rather than mulling through the issues, he worked on solutions. He always made his way from clutter to clarity, motivated his partners, and made them deliver their best. Be a self-starter! No matter what!
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
3. Jerry Maguire (1996)
Another film that is inspired by true events. Before making our jaws drop with the enthralling action pieces from the Mission Impossible film series, Tom Cruise appeared in various smaller films that are not much talked about (P.S. You should definitely check out his filmography). This film is no exception. The film tells a story about a sports agent who has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it, he decides to put his new philosophy to the test as an independent agent with the only athlete who stays with him and his former colleague. The movie teaches us to focus on the customer and not too much on the product. If the product is exciting and well-packaged overall, it will eventually succeed. The film garnered praise from former sports agents for accurately portraying the cutthroat nature of the agent business. It also captured the financial, emotional, and psychological investment that goes far beyond negotiating contracts.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
Also Read, Podcast Every Sales Person Should Listen
4. Joy (2015)
Joy is the story of the title character, who rose to become the founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty. A powerful women-centric film, it is a great watch for any female salesperson looking to make a mark in their field. The biographical comedy-drama film, written and directed by David O. Russell and stars Jennifer Lawrence in the leading role as Joy Mangano, a self-made millionaire.
5. The Wolf of Wall Street(2013)
The film is a well-narrated rags-to-riches story of a stockbroker Jordan Belfort is portrayed to the T by Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by legendary director Martin Scorsese, the film shows Belfort's rise from a wealthy stockbroker living a luxurious life to his fall involving crime, corruption, and the federal government. A controversial choice maybe! But the learnings from this film are immense. The movie popularized the idea of selling a pen as a universal concept of judging a person’s selling capability. A salesperson should establish the need and urgency for a customer to get convinced and buy the service he is trying to sell.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
6. Moneyball (2011)
Moneyball is a movie with Brad Pitt. Need I say more? Ok, you need to know how this movie relates to sales.
In Moneyball, Billy Beane must change his whole approach to recruiting players for the Oakland A's baseball team that he manages. He is challenged with selling his new ideas about recruiting to his management team, scouting staff, and even some of the players.
This movie essentially shows people why it's important to go against the status quo to achieve big results.
Also Read, Top Web Series Every Salesperson Should Watch
7. The Internship (2013)
The Internship is a comedy movie about two old-school salesmen whose company gets downsized. They decide that they won't be able to find new jobs because they lack the tech knowledge to get them there. They then find a way into an internship program at Google that allows them to compete for positions.
This movie shows salespeople that they need to adapt to achieve success as things in the sales landscape evolve. In the end, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson win the ultimate internship competition by approaching sales with a bit of new-school and old-school techniques.
The takeaway? Use what you know and be open to new ideas.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
8. Death of a Salesman (1985)
Adapted from a play by Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman is the tragic story of Willie Loman. Tragic in almost every way, Loman's story reminds us that sales are a high-pressure, relentless game that's not for everyone.
Miller uses door-to-door sales as a metaphor for the failure of the American Dream. Death of a Salesman is a portrait of a man whose inability to change leads to his ruin. This is the classic sales story, change or die.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
Also Read, Top 14 Indian Authors Every Entrepreneur Should Read
9. Jobs (2013)
A story of the most celebrated “College Dropout” becoming the most successful salesperson, entrepreneur, and visionary of his time. A biography dedicated to our beloved “STEVE JOBS”.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
10. Love & Other Drugs (2010)
This unconventional love story focuses on the life of a pharmaceutical salesman and shines an interesting spotlight on the world of medical sales. We follow a charming salesman who rises to be one of the top reps at Pfizer.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
11. Boiler Room (2000)
This is a movie that proceeds sales meta by referring to Wall Street and Glengarry Glen Ross, must definitely be on your watch list! In the room loaded with high pressure (that is why it's named as a boiler room), young SDRs such as Nia Long, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck, Giovanni Ribisi, etc, are brought in millionaires overnight. As it is a crime drama that brings some exaggeration, it successfully depicts the training of the young sales representatives along with their friendship and competition.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
12. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
So, this is not a proper sales movie but it will surely give you a feeling of gratitude, goosebumps as well as hope. In this movie, a young schoolboy William Kamkwamba manages to develop a successful windmill prototype while seeking to receive a proper education, provide food to his family, and support his village. You sure can find some motivation to relish your work and achieve your targets!
13. Cadillac Man (1990)
In this movie, Queens’ car salesman Joey O'Brien has every single thing on the line at the instant! He has to deal with twelve cars so as not to lose his employment, repay his loan to the mafia so as to not lose his life, and discover a way around two mistresses in order to not lose his mind. Watch out for this movie to see how far he goes!
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
Also Read, Books every Salesperson should read
14. Door to Door (2002)
Bill Porter has been facing a lot of rejections for so many years, suffering from cerebral palsy. But finally, he gets an opportunity to be a salesperson. Despite facing so many inconveniences and pain that he receives from his condition, he walks approx 8 to 10 miles to connect with his customers. It is actually based on a real-life story, and this sales movie will leave you with no words. It's a must-watch movie.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
15. The Big Short (2015)
It is a biological drama based on the 2008 mortgage crisis and is a movie that every salesperson should watch! Besides the amazing cinematography in the movie, Jared Vennett manages to convert sales pitching into poetry and that is something one needs to aspire to.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
*** Special mention: Soorarai Pottru (2020)
Cinema has no language. Story, emotions, and character are what make them connect with us. This is the case with this amazing film starring Suriya. Partly inspired by true events from the life of Simplifly Deccan founder G. R. Gopinath, the Tamil language film tells the story of a former Indian Air Force captain who dreams of starting a low-cost carrier airline. The film is available with Hindi audio, but I would request everyone to watch the film in its original language with subtitles.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
In Conclusion
So the above-mentioned movies are the top 15 movies that every sales professional must watch! If you are looking for the best web series that every sales professional must watch, then check out our blog!
