77% of indie hackers skipped founder movies in 2024. Here's why I think that's a mistake.

You probably didn't watch any startup movies last year.

I know because we ran an X poll on the question earlier this week, and more than 100 indie hackers weighed in.

The results? Just 23.3% of the respondents who self-identified as indie hackers said they'd seen a startup movie in the last year (note that I'm removing the 5.9% of non-indie hacker respondents from the sample to come up with this math):

Not many moviegoers! Which I think is a big missed opportunity. Not just because I've always been a big movie nerd, but because the neuroscience of movie-watching suggests these kinds of stories can give founders a big boost in their effectiveness.

When we hear a story, our brain syncs up through neural coupling. This brain mirroring lets us experience what the character feels, sees, or tastes. That’s why stories captivate us and stay with us. Founder movies also leverage the Underdog Effect — a common "us against the world" story that strongly resonates with people. Studies show that simply witnessing such stories gives us hope, with the positive effect lasting for several days.

The catch is, your intent also matters. According to Learning Expectancy Theory, if you watch the movie with the goal of picking up insights, you’ll dig deeper, notice the details, and actually remember the good stuff. But if you’re just watching to pass the time, don’t expect those lessons to stick. The way you approach it shapes how much you’ll get out of it.

The origins of entrepreneurship cinema

Pinpointing the first movie about entrepreneurship is tough, but The Crowd (1928), which  tells a story of the normal guy trying to stand out in the relentless grind of corporate America, and Citizen Kane (1941), a larger-than-life tale of one man’s relentless hunger for power, wealth, and influence, are often mentioned as the true classics in this field. Both films were also huge hits of their times. 

The genre then grew with movies like Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) which told the story of Preston Tucker, an underdog entrepreneur taking on the automotive giants with his revolutionary car designs. Then there was Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999) painting the early rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

But it was The Social Network (2010) that really set the standard. The movie about messy, dramatic birth of Facebook, full of witt, betrayal, and hustle, popularized start up culture. The movie showed a new class of super-fast-growing millionaires. Suddenly, the people who used to get laughed at for being nerdy losers were now seen as future billionaires. With this shiny new image, launching a startup became the hot thing to do. Everyone wanted to be the "next Zuckerberg," especially among millennial and Gen Z founders. Honestly, I felt that pull too, just like Marc Lou and a ton of indie hackers out there.

The must-watch movies for indie hackers

Over the last few years I've curated my own small library of founder movie titles. Pulled straight from recommendations by my newsletter readers, this list has become my go-to whenever I need a little bit of inspiration.

Here are some of the standout titles every indie hacker should totally have on their radar.

Overcoming challenges

The path of an indie hacker is anything but smooth. The Pursuit of Happyness perfectly captures this struggle. Chris Gardner’s journey from being broke and homeless to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a real punch in the gut, in a good way.

Similarly, Chef is another great story about reinventing yourself. A chef hits rock bottom and decides to start a food truck, finding his groove by doing what he loves on his own terms. It’s all about passion and taking control of your destiny.

Then there’s The Donut King which tells the true story of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who turned his love for donuts into the American Dream, helping countless other immigrants along the way. But it’s not all smooth sailing — Ngoy’s gambling addiction threatens to wreck everything he’s built.

Another one is Big Night. It's about two brothers running an Italian restaurant. Together, they fight for their dream, leaning on each other to make it work.

On a different note, Fitzcarraldo and its even crazier documentary Burden of Dreams tell the story of an Irish guy named Fitz who’s obsessed with building an opera house right in the middle of the Amazon jungle. These films showcase just how far some people will go to chase their dreams, no matter how crazy or impossible they might seem.

These movies, beyond their individual stories teach you about the importance of grit and teamwork. For indie hackers it’s all about finding and building your tribe. Alone, the road is hard. Together, it’s possible.

Business strategy

If you’re into numbers and strategy, Moneyball is a must-watch. It’s about how a struggling baseball team used stats and outside-the-box thinking to outcompete the big leagues.

The Ford vs. Ferrari showcase the partnership between a genius car designer and a bold driver as they team up to take on Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fast cars, big egos, and a whole lot of heart — perfect for anyone interested in the innovation and teamwork.

The Aviator follows Howard Hughes from aviation genius to paranoid recluse, offering a deep dive into balancing innovation with personal challenges. 

And for those who want to understand the big picture of how corporations operate, The Corporation is a thought-provoking documentary that breaks down the profit-driven nature of big businesses and their impact on people and the planet.

Hustle and Ambition

Let’s talk about the hustle – the drive, grit, and sheer stubbornness it takes to make something out of nothing. These movies nail that, showing what it’s really like to put it all on the line and chase your dreams.

Take Joy. A story about the scrappy inventor who literally starts a business empire with a mop. This movie is packed with inspiration, family drama and cutthroat corporate battles. Joy shows how to keep going when the odds (and your own relatives) are stacked against you.

Then there’s The New Hustle. A behind-the-scenes look at Australian startups like SafetyCulture, Vinomofo, and Canva, hustling their way to the top, with plenty of grit and entrepreneurial spirit.

Indie Game: The Movie is where things get raw and personal. It’s a documentary about indie game developers pouring their souls into their work, dealing with insane pressure, and chasing their creative dreams.

Another great watch is Tetris about a wild ride through the legal battles and negotiations that brought the most popular game of all time. It's about taking big risks, and figuring out how to handle tough partnerships.

And, of course, there’s the classic Jerry Maguire and its famous “Show me the money!”. But this movie is so much more than that. This one’s all about starting over and staying true to your values. From a sleazy sports agency job to go solo with just one loyal client and a big dream.

These aren’t just movies; they’re a window into the grind, the guts, and the glory of chasing big dreams. They remind us why we’re here – why we chose the hard path instead of the safe one. 

Series

As the genre kept growing, a bunch of series started popping up, each bringing something unique. Take Silicon Valley and it’s a hilarious and brutally honest take on startup culture. You’ll get a good laugh watching a group of quirky nerds trying to survive the crazy tech world, which feels super relatable for us indie hackers.

Then there’s Undercover Billionaire TV show. Billionaires go incognito with nothing but $100 to see if they can build a business worth $1M from scratch in 90 days. Serious hustle inspiration.

If you’re into sports but still want some serious lessons, The Last Dance is a must-watch. It’s Michael Jordan’s legendary career, told through epic game footage and behind-the-scenes drama. It’s all about the relentless pursuit of excellence, strategic moves, and the power of teamwork. Pure GOAT energy.

And then there’s Breaking Bad. Swap meth for any other product. A masterclass in building a business at any cost. It’s all about character evolution, cutthroat strategy, and the fallout of unchecked ambition.

What's your story?

So now, I’m curious — what’s your favorite movie? What do you think about these movies? What else would you add? What are the movies or series that have inspired you on your Indie Hacking journey?

Do you have any movie you go back to whenever you’re feeling down, need to unwind, or simply looking for this something something that might just get your juices flowing?

Let me know in the comments.

Have a story, tip, or trend worth covering? Tell us at [email protected].