Here is a list of highly-rated but less-known business movies with their ratings, basic business lessons, and best shots:
"Thank You for Smoking" (2006) - Rating: 7.6/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The power of persuasion and the importance of image in the business world - Best shot: When the main character, a tobacco lobbyist, successfully defends smoking in front of a congressional committee.
"The Company Men" (2010) - Rating: 6.8/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The impact of corporate downsizing on employees and the importance of adaptability in the business world - Best shot: When the main character, a corporate executive, is fired and has to start over in a new field.
"Barbershop" (2002) - Rating: 6.6/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The importance of building and maintaining customer relationships in small businesses - Best shot: When the main character, a barber, successfully negotiates a deal to save his shop from being taken over by a rival.
"The Good Shepherd" (2006) - Rating: 7.2/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The history and evolution of the CIA and the role of espionage in international business - Best shot: When the main character, a CIA agent, successfully completes a mission to intercept and decode a Soviet message.
"Margin Call" (2011) - Rating: 7.1/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The role of risk management in the financial industry and the impact of financial crises on businesses - Best shot: When the main character, a risk analyst, discovers a major financial problem at his firm and has to work to contain the damage.
"Up in the Air" (2009) - Rating: 7.0/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The impact of corporate layoffs on employees and the importance of adaptability in the business world - Best shot: When the main character, a corporate downsizer, is forced to confront his own feelings about his job and his relationships.
"The Lookout" (2007) - Rating: 7.1/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The importance of personal responsibility and integrity in the business world - Best shot: When the main character, a former athlete turned bank janitor, foils a robbery attempt and saves the day.
"The Corporation" (2003) - Rating: 7.6/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The history and evolution of the corporation as a business model - Best shot: When the film explores the social and environmental impacts of corporate practices and policies.
"The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) - Rating: 7.3/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The role of innovation and creativity in business success - Best shot: When the main character, a mailroom clerk, comes up with a brilliant new product idea and rises to the top of the company.
"The Informant!" (2009) - Rating: 6.6/10 on IMDb - Basic business lesson: The importance of ethical behavior in the business world and the consequences of corporate wrongdoing - Best shot: When the main character, a corporate executive, becomes a whistleblower and helps bring his company's illegal activities to light.