6 Best Small Business Rescue and Turnaround Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 18, 2026

The scrappy, against-the-odds fight to save a struggling business or launch a bold new venture has powered some of cinema’s most inspiring comedies and dramas. In The Intern (2015): A retired widower becomes a senior intern at a fashion startup run by an overwhelmed young founder. Equally memorable is The Founder (2016): A struggling salesman muscles his way into ownership of the McDonald brothers’ restaurant idea.

The Founder (2016)

IMDb ★ 7.2 RT 80% Metacritic 66

A struggling salesman muscles his way into ownership of the McDonald brothers' restaurant idea.

Directed by John Lee Hancock · 1h 55m · Rated PG-13

1 win & 5 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Intern (2015)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A retired widower becomes a senior intern at a fashion startup run by an overwhelmed young founder.

Directed by Nancy Meyers · 2h 01m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Joy (2015)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A single mother invents a revolutionary mop, then fights to protect her business from corporate exploitation.

Directed by David O. Russell · 2h 04m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Starz Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Kinky Boots (2005)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A struggling shoe factory owner partners with a drag queen to produce a specialized new line of footwear.

Directed by Julian Jarrold · 1h 47m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Jerry Maguire (1996)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A disillusioned sports agent starts his own firm with just one client and a radical new philosophy.

Directed by Cameron Crowe · 2h 19m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, TNT, TBS, tru TV · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Baby Boom (1987)

TMDB ★ 6.4

A high-powered executive unexpectedly inherits a baby and relocates to start a homemade baby food business.

Directed by Charles Shyer · 1h 50m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, YouTube TV, MGM Plus · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Small Business Rescue and Turnaround Movies

The Founder (2016)

The Intern (2015)

Joy (2015)

Kinky Boots (2005)

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Baby Boom (1987)

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