Films That Inspire Ambition

Description: This film tells the true story of Chris Gardner, who, despite facing homelessness and poverty, pursues his dream of becoming a stockbroker. His unwavering ambition and determination to provide a better life for his son make this film a poignant exploration of ambition against all odds.

Fact: Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, plays his on-screen son in the movie. The film's title is intentionally misspelled, reflecting the misspelling on the mural in the daycare center where Chris leaves his son.

Description: A young aspiring journalist lands a job as an assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor, learning about ambition, power, and the cost of success in the cutthroat world of high fashion.

Fact: Meryl Streep's character, Miranda Priestly, was inspired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The film was shot in New York City, with many scenes filmed in actual fashion magazine offices.

Description: Daniel Plainview's ruthless ambition to dominate the oil industry in early 20th century America is depicted in this epic tale of greed, family, and the American Dream.

Fact: The film was loosely based on the novel "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair. Daniel Day-Lewis prepared for his role by studying oil tycoons and even learned to drill oil.

Description: A ballet dancer's ambition to achieve perfection in her role as the Swan Queen leads her into a psychological spiral, exploring the dark side of ambition and the sacrifices one makes for art.

Fact: Natalie Portman trained for a year to perform the ballet scenes. The film was shot in chronological order to capture the character's mental deterioration.

Description: Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, this film portrays his rise from a penny stockbroker to a wealthy stock-market magnate, showcasing his ambition, excess, and eventual downfall due to his own excesses.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, including the famous "I'm not leaving!" scene. The film holds the record for the most uses of the F-word in a mainstream film.

Description: Billy Beane's ambition to revolutionize baseball through sabermetrics, despite resistance from traditionalists, showcases how ambition can lead to innovation and success in unexpected ways.

Fact: The film was adapted from the book by Michael Lewis. Brad Pitt, who plays Beane, actually met with him to prepare for the role.

Description: This film chronicles the founding of Facebook, focusing on Mark Zuckerberg's ambition to create a social networking site that would change the world, highlighting the personal and legal battles that ensued.

Fact: The script was written by Aaron Sorkin, who is known for his fast-paced dialogue. The film was shot in 67 days.

Description: King George VI's struggle with a stammer and his ambition to overcome it to lead his country through World War II is both inspiring and a testament to personal ambition.

Fact: The film was originally intended to be a play. Colin Firth won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI.

Description: A young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential. The film delves into the dark side of ambition, showing the lengths one might go to achieve perfection.

Fact: The film was shot in just 19 days. J.K. Simmons, who played the ruthless instructor, actually learned to play the drums for his role.

Description: Ray Kroc's ambition to turn a small burger stand into the McDonald's empire is a story of vision, tenacity, and the ethical dilemmas of ambition.

Fact: Michael Keaton, who plays Kroc, spent time with McDonald's executives to understand the company's culture. The film was shot in various locations to replicate the look of the 1950s.