“BlackBerry” tells the story of how Lazaridis and Balsillie founded RIM (Research in Motion) in 1984 and how they developed the BlackBerry, which quickly became a must-have device for business professionals. However, the film also shows how the company failed to adapt to the changing mobile phone market and how it eventually lost its dominance to Apple and Android.
“BlackBerry” is a well-made and entertaining film that tells the story of a once-great company’s fall from grace. If you like BlackBerry, here are the best movies we recommend you watch after BlackBerry (2023).
1. The Social Network (2010)
Directed by David Fincher and starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook. Based on the true story of Zuckerberg and the origins of Facebook. The film begins in 2003 with Zuckerberg as a sophomore at Harvard University. He is depicted as a socially awkward but brilliant computer programmer who is obsessed with creating a social network that will connect people all over the world. After being dumped by his girlfriend Erica Albright (Rooney Mara), Zuckerberg creates a website called “Facemash” that allows users to rate the attractiveness of their female classmates. This quickly spreads around campus and results in Zuckerberg getting into trouble with the school administration.
Despite this setback, Zuckerberg receives an opportunity to work on a project for the Winklevoss twins (both played by Armie Hammer) and their business partner Divya Narendra (Max Minghella). They want him to create a social network called “Harvard Connection” that will connect students at Ivy League schools. However, Zuckerberg secretly uses their idea to create his own network called “Thefacebook” with the help of his friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).
As Thefacebook gains popularity, Zuckerberg’s relationship with Saverin deteriorates. Zuckerberg decides to move the company from Harvard to Silicon Valley and brings in Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) as an advisor. Saverin is pushed out of the company and sues Zuckerberg for an unfair settlement.
2. The Aviator (2004)
“The Aviator” is a 2004 biopic film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the famous American aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes. The movie begins with Hughes’s early years, where he inherited his father’s oil drilling business and used the profits to pursue his passion for aviation. He becomes involved in the film industry and creates a successful production company, producing films such as “Hell’s Angels”.
As his wealth and fame grow, Hughes becomes obsessed with designing and building his own aircraft. He pours his fortune into the ambitious project, now known as the “Spruce Goose”. However, his pursuit of perfection and his battles with government regulations and rival companies lead to financial ruin and personal struggles.
3. The Founder (2016)
Based on true events, the film tells the story of how Kroc relentlessly pursued his vision of McDonald’s and eventually took over the company from its original founders, Dick and Mac McDonald. The movie begins in the 1950s, where we see Kroc as a struggling milkshake machine salesman who stumbles upon a small but revolutionary fast food restaurant run by the McDonald brothers. Impressed by their efficient system and delicious food, Kroc sees the potential for expansion and convinces the brothers to let him franchise the concept.
McDonald’s begins to grow in popularity, tension rises between Kroc and the brothers over the company’s future direction. Despite the McDonalds’ attempts to maintain control over their brand, Kroc finds ways to outmaneuver them and eventually buys them out completely. He then turns McDonald’s into a massive corporation and becomes one of the most successful entrepreneurs in American business history.
4. The Big Short (2015)
American biographical comedy-drama “The Big Short” is based on the 2010 book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” by Michael Lewis, which chronicles the financial crisis of 2007-2008.
The plot follows several individuals who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market in the United States, including hedge fund manager Michael Burry (Bale), who discovered the flawed subprime mortgage system; Mark Baum (Carell), another hedge fund manager who becomes suspicious of the housing market and investigates further; and Jared Vennett (Gosling), a banker who also sees the impending collapse and seeks to profit from it.
Pitt plays Ben Rickert, a retired banker who takes on the role of mentor to two young investors who are also seeking to profit from the crisis. The film alternates between the different characters’ storylines, showcasing their different approaches to the crisis and highlighting the corruption and greed that led to its occurrence.
5. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
“Dallas Buyers Club” is an American biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and starring Matthew McConaughey. Based on the true story of Ron Woodroof, a Texas electrician who was diagnosed with AIDS in the mid-1980s and became a crusader for alternative treatments that were not approved by the FDA.
The plot follows Woodroof as he sets up the Dallas Buyers Club, a group that distributes unapproved drugs and supplements to AIDS patients who cannot get them through normal channels. Along the way, Woodroof must overcome his own personal prejudices and biases, as well as those of his clients and the medical establishment, in order to provide life-saving treatments to those who need them most.
6. The Banker (2020)
Based on the true story of Bernard Garrett Sr., a successful African-American businessman who, in the 1950s and 1960s, partnered with a white man to purchase real estate in Los Angeles and other cities, eventually becoming one of the first African-American bankers in the United States.
The plot follows Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and his partner Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) as they navigate the racial and social barriers of the era to build their real estate empire. To overcome discriminatory laws and attitudes, they enlist the help of Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), a working-class white man who poses as their frontman and the face of their business.
7. Steve Jobs (2015)
“Steve Jobs,” released in 2015, is a biographical drama film that explores the life and legacy of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc. The film is structured around three iconic product launches – the Macintosh in 1984, the NeXT Computer in 1988, and finally the iMac in 1998. Each launch is depicted as a backstage drama, allowing for an intense focus on the relationships between Jobs and his colleagues, friends, and family.
Through these flashbacks, we learn about Jobs’ turbulent personal life, his complicated relationship with his daughter Lisa, and his demanding leadership style.
8. The Hummingbird Project (2018)
Directed by Kim Nguyen, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Alexander Skarsgård, and Salma Hayek. The film follows two cousins, Vincent and Anton, who are determined to build a fiber-optic cable line between Kansas and New Jersey in order to make millions of dollars through high-frequency trading.
Vincent, played by Eisenberg, is the mastermind behind the plan. He is a brash and ambitious trader who believes that having faster internet speeds will give them a financial advantage over their competitors. Anton, played by Skarsgård, is the technical genius who designs the system and oversees its construction.
Their mission is not without obstacles, however. Throughout the film, they face setbacks including funding issues, technical difficulties, and even a ruthless competitor played by Hayek. Their determination to succeed leads to an intense and suspenseful climax as they race against time to complete the project before their competitor beats them to it.