10 Must-See Movies about Successful Business Woman

Last Updated on May 21, 2024

She’s smart, she’s tough, and she’s the boss. Running a business is by no means an easy feat but for women in charge; a job is just one of the million other things they juggle on the daily. No biggie.

Being in charge isn’t just about calling the shots. It’s about staying on top despite the mounting odds. Regardless if you’re a real-life boss lady looking for some inspiration or a movie junkie needing a feel-good flick to make your night, here are excellent movies about successful business woman you need to watch right NOW;

Top 10 Movies about Successful Business Woman

The Devil Wears Prada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDSwAxlNhc

The Devil Wears Prada is a 2006 comedy-drama film based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel of the same name. The film features several strong female characters and one mean boss lady who always gets her way! The devil in question is Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly.   Priestly is a delightfully wicked multi-hyphenate fashion magazine editor and style icon.

The film tells the story of fresh grad Andy (Anne Hathaway), an aspiring journalist who unwittingly bagged a job “a million girls would kill for,” – a junior personal assistant to Miranda Priestly. As the boss from hell, Priestly pushed Andy to her limits, but Andy held onto her job in hopes of bagging her dream job, a news reporter.

Memorable Quote:

Miranda Priestly: I thought you would be different. I said to myself, go ahead. Take a chance. Hire the smart, fat girl. I had hope. My God. I live on it. Anyway, you ended up disappointing me more than any of the other silly girls.

Baby Boom

Baby Boom is a romantic comedy film starring Diane Keaton as J.C. Wiatt, a high-powered consultant living her New York dream. Her fast-paced lifestyle ended when she inherited a baby from her deceased cousin. Caring for the baby took a toll on her work life balance, causing the end of her career and love life. On the brink of a nervous breakdown, Wiatt paces out to Vermont, where she starts a business and finds the richly rewarding life she always wanted.

Memorable Quote:

J.C. Wiatt: I can’t have a baby because I have a 12:30 lunch meeting.

Waitress

The Waitress is a comedy-drama written and directed by Adrienne Shelly. The film stars Keri Russell as Jenna; a pie diner waitress stuck in a loveless marriage with a controlling, violent man. Jenna’s life changed when she ran away from her dismal marriage after a passionate affair. At the end of the film, Jenna starts over and came back stronger with a new pie business that serves colorful pies.  Talk about coming full circle.

Memorable Quote:

Jenna: I Hate My Husband Pie: You take bittersweet chocolate and don’t sweeten it. You make it into a pudding and drown it in caramel.

Erin Brockovich

Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich, a down-on-her-luck single mother who fought against a multi-million power company… and won. The film is a classic retelling of David versus Goliath only this time; it involves a tough-talking mom in a push-up bra + a horde of suits at her heels. At the end of the film, Brockovich won her case and achieved a milestone in her career.

Memorable Quote:

Erin Brockovich: Now, I’m smart, I’m hard-working, and I’ll do anything, and I’m not leaving here without a job. Don’t make me beg. If it doesn’t work out, fire me… but don’t make me beg!

Chocolat

Chocolat is a 2000 romantic comedy film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. The film is based on Joanne Harris’ novel of the same name.

Vianne Rocher (Binoche) is a single mother slash chocolatier who starts a business in a quiet French village. As her sweet treats ignited changes within the lives of the townsfolk, Binoche goes head to head with the town mayor. The film is all about pursuing your passions and breaking social taboos and long-held traditions along the way!

Memorable Quote:

Vianne Rocher: Things could be different for you, Josephine. Serge doesn’t rule the world.

Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde looks like your ordinary, feel-good chick flick but the film is so much more than that.  This summer blockbuster stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a sorority girl who goes to Harvard Law School to win back her ex. Despite being dismissed as a delusional ditz, Elle shows there’s more to her than meets the eye. Not only did she help her role model avoid a conviction for a crime she didn’t commit, but Elle also graduated summa cum laude. Well that, and she found a loving partner who supports her career!

Memorable Quote:

Warner Huntington III: You got into Harvard Law?

Elle: What? Like it’s hard?

Sunshine Cleaning

Sunshine Cleaning is a 2008 comedy drama that stars Amy Adams as Rose, a single mother working as a maid. Unable to make enough money as a house cleaner, Rose teams up with her sister and starts a business: cleaning up crime scenes. The sisters became successful after gaining lucrative deals from their growing connections. With a newfound perspective on life, Rose runs her own business while caring for her eccentric father.

Memorable Quote:

Rose Norkowski: Yeah. I do. We come into people’s lives when they have experienced something profound – and sad. And they’ve lost somebody, you know? And the circumstances, they’re always different. But that’s the same. And we help. In some small way we… we help.

First Wives Club

Diane Keaton, Bette Middler, and Goldie Hawn star as three middle-aged divorcees who banded together to seek revenge on their ex-husbands. The friends created the “First Wives Club,” a company devoted on extracting revenge on men who left their wives for younger women. The startup gained notoriety among the rich and privileged while becoming a haven for distraught women after suffering through a divorce.

Memorable Quote:

Ivana Trump: Ladies, you have to be strong and independent. And remember, don’t get mad, get everything.

The Proposal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3JpKPZkC2w

Now before you dismiss The Proposal as a shallow, corny rom-com, here me out! Sandra Bullock as Margaret Tate added fire and personality to the character! The story revolves around Tate, a big shot executive who faces US deportation from an expired visa. She forces her hot assistant Andrew (Ryan Reynolds) to pose as her fiancé to stop her impending deportation.

Tate is not exactly the nicest boss, but as the film progresses, we see how the stone cold executive soften up as she meets her fake fiancé’ family. Betty White as the eccentric “Gammy” is a delight to watch.

Memorable Quote:

Gammy: [upon being introduced to Margaret] Do you prefer Margaret or “Satan’s Mistress”?

Morning Glory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m0VlgMbIf4

Rachel McAdams plays Becky, a driven executive producer who was hired to save a struggling morning show from cancellation. Through sheer will and hard work, the show’s ratings started picking up. Becky has been offered her dream job and must decide if she’s ready to move on or stick with the show she worked so hard on. The movie featured Hollywood heavyweights Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford.

Memorable Quote:

Becky Fuller: I will have you know that this show is very important to a lot of people, including, but not limited, to me! My ass is on the line here!