Everyone needs their daily dose of motivation, and business leaders are no exception. In fact, business leadership is based largely on being inspired and an inspiration simultaneously. Whether one is an artist or an entrepreneur, the best ideas come from people who can relax and let their thoughts wander. To do that, entrepreneurs usually watch TV shows and films. This allows them to learn something new and escape their daily schedule.  Here are the top 10 movies and television series the top industry leaders enjoy watching.

Oppenheimer

The 2023 release Oppenheimer, a dramatic biographical film starring British and American actors, delves into the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American physicist who was instrumental in the development of the atomic bomb. Fans praised Oppenheimer for both its director Christopher Nolan's technical prowess and its nuanced handling of the subject. 

“Some films that are simple to watch yet have a big effect would be amazing. Oppenheimer is one among them. In essence, it teaches you how the collective will of individuals and their comprehension of a given domain can assist you in accomplishing for mankind what is difficult for people of broad purpose to undertake yet advantageous to the public at large. Thus, Oppenheimer is a prime illustration of that,” says Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Asia South, NVIDIA.

Schindler's List

Schindler's List is an award-winning movie directed by Steven Spielberg and Branko Lustig. When businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) travels to Krakow in 1939, he is eager to capitalize on the impending outbreak of World War II. He hires Jewish laborers for his factory for similarly practical reasons after initially joining the Nazi party for political expediency. Schindler sets up worker protection to keep his factory running when the SS starts killing Jews in the Krakow ghetto, but he soon discovers that by doing this, he is also saving innocent lives.

“In Bollywood, I adore Three Idiots, while for English films, The Wind and Schindler's List are two of my favorite films. I also love the Star Wars television series,” says Sanjay Vyas, EVP, Global SBU Head-Clinical Logistics & Global Safety Services & Managing Director India, Parexel 

Swades

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, and Smith Seth, Swades chronicles the adventures of the main character, Mohan Bhargava, a NASA scientist with Indian ancestry who, drawn by longing, visits India to reunite with Kaveriamma, his childhood nanny. 

“There's a personal element to my liking of Swadesh, which is very meaningful to me as I spent ten years living overseas while working. At one point in time, I had a green card. I made the decision to renounce my green card and return to work in India,” says Sakaar Anand, Vice President, India Country Head, BMC Software.

The Shawshank Redemption

Based on a Stephen King novel, Frank Darabont directed the 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, which centers on Tim Robbins' dramatic portrayal of Andy Dufresne. Dufresne's two life sentences for the 1949 murders of his wife and her boyfriend marked the start of the saga. Dufresne was a wise and prosperous banker. Both during the trial and his incarceration, he insisted on his innocence.

“I do see a lot of movies. The Shawshank Redemption is one of the favorites. I believe that seeing this movie when one is not in the right frame of mind might help redeem oneself and escape hopeless circumstances. It explores what happens when you get criticized without any fault of your own,” says Manikandan Bala, Senior Vice President, Elekta.

The Big Short

The Big Short is an Oscar-winning film from 2015 based on Michael Lewis's best-selling book of the same name. In contrast, The Big Short is a character-driven narrative that highlights the conflicted feelings of multiple guys (either real or based on real people) who foresaw the catastrophe and the circumstances leading up to the subprime mortgage crisis. The film's principal actors are Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, and Steve Carell. 

While interacting with CEO insights magazine Deb Dutta, General Manager—Asia Pacific & Japan, DataStax said The Big Short is one of his favorite movies.

Life Is Beautiful

Oscar-winning movie Life Is Beautiful is a story about a father's love for his wife and son amid the Holocaust. Writer and filmmaker Roberto Benigni plays a Chaplinesque character who creates a magical environment. Benigni's wife and child are transported to a detention camp along with the rest of his family. But he tells his child that they have come to participate in a game and win a prize at the end to protect the child from the harsh reality.

“There's one movie that keeps coming back to me: Life Is Beautiful. The theme is the unique approach to handling obstacles and life's misfortunes. This film centers on a father who, in a world without hope, gives his son hope,” says Vidya Basarkod, Managing Director, India & Director, Ramboll Engineering Center.

 

Top Gun

The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School is where the best of the best train to refine their elite flying skills. Tom Cruise plays a hotshot fighter pilot named Maverick, who is sent to the school and immediately makes enemies with the other pilots, especially the calm and collected Val Kilmer as Iceman. In addition to competing to be the best fighter pilot, Maverick is also vying for the attention of Charlotte Blackwood, his stunning flight instructor (Kelly McGillis).

“I am quite an aviation enthusiast, and Original Top Gun is my all-time favorite movie,” says Rishi Chhabra, Head of Merchant, Cobrand and Acquiring for India & South Asia, Visa.

Manifest

The peculiar disappearance (and unexpected reappearance) of a commercial airline is the central theme of Manifest. The people on board vanished from sight for five years, only to reappear a few hours later with no idea how much time had elapsed. Manifest featured a lot of personal drama as it explored how these people had to reintegrate with both society and their families. The show ran for three seasons before being unexpectedly canceled (and then revived by Netflix for a fourth and final season).

“I am not a big movie buff, but there is a Netflix drama series that recently hooked me. It is called Manifest,” says Sunil Badesra, Country Head, Sungrow India.

Mission: Impossible  

The action spy thriller series Mission: Impossible Cinematic Universe is based on the Bruce Geller and Paramount Pictures television series of the same name. The film series follows the exploits of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a small team of secret agents used for covert missions against terrorists, dictators, arms dealers, and crime lords while battling an international conspiracy involving the enigmatic group known as "The Syndicate." 

“I grew up with adventure & action movies of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, like the Rambos Rockys and Terminators. I definitely carried on with that. I also love Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible," says Thompson P Gnanam, Managing Director & Global CEO, 3i Infotech Ltd.

Jason Bourne Series 

Matt Damon reprises his role as the main character, former CIA assassin Jason Bourne. In addition, the film stars Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Riz Ahmed, Ato Essandoh, and Scott Shepherd, with Julia Stiles reprising her role as Nicky Parsons. The Bourne Identity began a new era in action filmmaking when it debuted in theatres in 2002. 

When asked about his favorite movies and series, Parag Bhise, CEO, Nucleus Software, said the Jason Bourne series was one of his top favorites.