Great marketing is storytelling — and these films know it.
From tobacco spin doctors to 19th century showmen, these movies explore the art of persuasion at its most brilliant and most sinister.
Here are 10 essential films for every marketing professional.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) 8.0
Genre: Crime, Drama, Comedy · Director: Martin Scorsese · Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie
A New York stockbroker refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration. Based on Jordan Belfort’s autobiography.
2. The Greatest Showman (2017) 7.9
Genre: Drama · Director: Michael Gracey · Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
3. Thank You for Smoking (2005) 7.2
Genre: Comedy, Drama · Director: Jason Reitman · Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, Cameron Bright
Nick Naylor is a charismatic spin-doctor for Big Tobacco who’ll fight to protect America’s right to smoke — even if it kills him — while still remaining a role model for his 12-year old son. When he
4. Jerry Maguire (1996) 7.0
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance · Director: Cameron Crowe · Cast: Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he
5. Art & Copy (2009) 6.9
Genre: Documentary · Director: Doug Pray · Cast: Lee Clow, Jim Durfee, Cliff Freeman
The personal odysseys of some of the most influential advertising visionaries of all time and the stories behind their campaigns.
6. What Women Want (2000) 6.5
Genre: Comedy, Romance · Director: Nancy Meyers · Cast: Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei
Advertising executive Nick Marshall is as cocky as they come, but what happens to a chauvinistic guy when he can suddenly hear what women are thinking? Nick gets passed over for a promotion, but after
7. The Joneses (2010) 6.2
Genre: Comedy, Drama · Director: Derrick Borte · Cast: David Duchovny, Demi Moore, Amber Heard
A seemingly perfect family moves into a suburban neighborhood, but when it comes to the truth as to why they’re living there, they don’t exactly come clean with their neighbors.
8. The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) 6.0
Genre: Comedy, War · Director: Grant Heslov · Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges
A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army’s New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in
9. Crazy People (1990) 5.9
Genre: Comedy, Romance · Director: Tony Bill · Cast: Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah, Paul Reiser
A bitter ad executive, who has reached his breaking point, finds himself in a mental institution, where his career actually begins to thrive with the help of the hospital’s patients.
These films show marketing at its best and worst — inspiring, manipulative, creative, and controversial. Essential viewing for anyone who sells ideas for a living.