The 12 Films You MUST Watch If You Work In Sales!

There is nothing more motivating than a good film, and when working in sales you need all the motivation and inspiration you can get!

Not only that, but some of these films are packed with some SERIOUS sales knowledge, skills and tactics that really do work (and some are filled with old style techniques that definitely don't work anymore!)? None the less, they are all extremely entertaining and more so if you understand what it's really like working in sales.

From famous sales quotes like:

"SHOW ME THE MONEY"

"Sell me this pen"

"Put down that coffee, coffee's for closers"

To adrenaline fuelled money-making sales superstars, these films have it all.

If you are working in sales we would recommend watching each one of these as if they were a training video (or maybe anti-training video), you never know what you might pick up and they might just give you the boost you need to go get those sales!

(Let us know in the comments which sales film is YOUR personal favourite)

Let's start with number 12...

12) Moneyball

Moneyball is an epic film following the true story of how a baseball general manager and his assistant general manager build a unique system to analyse players and compete with a limited budget compared to teams just spending to win.

By using this new method they are able to sign undervalued players that are full of potential, building a winning team that can compete at the highest level. Smart business, smart sales and an all around awesome film.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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11) Tin Men

2 competing salespeople known for being high-level rivals in the world of high pressured sales go to extremes after crashing into each other with neither willing to take the blame.

This film is funny, extreme and highlights to good (and bad) within the world of sales. An old but timeless sales classic.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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10) Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire, played by Tom Cruise, is a successful sports agent. He has the biggest clients, the respect, a beautiful fiancée, he has it all. Until one night he questions his purpose and his place in the world. Jerry finally comes to terms with what's wrong with his career and life.

The film is full of brilliant sales quotes, passion, energy and sales action, it's a must-watch for salespeople out there. My personal favourite part of this film is the realisation of how valuable one single customer might be, compared to trying to sell to anyone and everyone.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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9) Boiler Room

This film is often compared to Wall Street, following the life of a small-time stock broker trying to make it big. There are some great scenes for salespeople including a lesson on how to sell!

For me Ben Affleck's confidence and speeches are just awesome and similar to those you sometimes see from the top salespeople in a company. Great film!

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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8) Wall Street

A classic film that has that retro sales feel to it. Gordon Gekko is a corporate star who a young Bud Fox aspires to be. Gordon takes Bud under his wing showing that he must do anything to get to the top (which included illegal trading).

Yes it's old-school, yes it's an old style sales approach, but it still is an awesome watch and some good core sales messages in there as well.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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7) The Founder

By far one of my all-time favourite films, this for me highlights one of the greatest salesmen of all time, but not someone most people will know or consider a sales-great.

The story of how McDonalds came to be is a surprising one, from milkshake salesperson to the man who took McDonalds and made it what it is today, this film is a MUST watch for anyone working in sales.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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6) The Pursuit Of Happyness

Another one of my personal favourites (and one that might bring a tear to the eye), this is the film the really inspire you to work hard, to work harder than anyone else can or does.

Based on a true story about a man named Christopher Gardner, Gardner has invested heavily in a device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He feels like he has made these devices. However, they do not sell as they are marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price.

After seeing a stockbroker pull up in a fancy car, he pushes himself to unbelievable limits to become one and provide for his family.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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5) The Wolf Of Wall Street

This is a common favourite for many salespeople, The Wolf Of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

Full of fast-paced selling, this highlights the energy needed to become super successful in sales (although should also highlight what happens if you sell un-ethically!).

NOTE - Whilst course what Jordan Belfort did was wrong, you can't deny that many of his approaches to sales are accurate, and when done in an ethical way can be very effective.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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4) Joy

Ok I really love this film, such a powerful and inspirational story of how someone had to fight through so much to achieve her dream and to turn her idea into one of the biggest businesses out there.

I personally love how she sells her product in a way that was better than other salespeople. The passion and belief she had for her product is something salespeople need to have. A definite must-watch.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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3) Death Of A Salesman

Salesman Willy Loman is in a crisis. He's about to lose his job, he can't pay his bills, and his sons Biff and Happy don't respect him and can't seem to live up to their potential. He wonders what went wrong and how he can make things up to his family.

Great acting, great actors, and a definite must-see for salespeople.

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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2) Tommy Boy

Tommy Boy is a movie about the world’s most unlikely brake pad salesman. After the death of Tommy Boy Sr, the family business is in need of some major sales. In desperation, Tommy Boy is sent on the road to make the annual sales trip.

Tommy Boy and his road companion Richard Hayden learn a lot of hard lessons before they finally learn to make the sales stick.

This film genuinely has some of the funniest things I've seen and had me laughing out loud so many times and has had a few scenes includes in some of my memes over the years!

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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1) Glengarry Glen Ross

The most famous sales movie of them all, and yet I can guarantee so many salespeople out there will never have seen it!

Most will know about A.B.C - Always Be Closing, well this is where that came from. It’s real estate, it’s phones, it’s knock-down-drag-out sales. It’s awesome!

You can watch the trailer on YouTube here -

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So there you go, the 12 films you really MUST watch if you work in sales.

Whilst they are not your typical sales training video, there is often plenty of inspiring and motivational sales scenes within them. Some highlight or represent what can be wrong in sales, some highlight the very best of sales.

Watch, enjoy, and come back to work with the energy you need to go for the sale.