Movies About Advertising

Updated April 1, 2024

Many directors have talked about Movies About Advertising. Here are 25 of the best ones.

A Face in the Crowd (1957)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Elia Kazan, starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau
Rated Approved

A Face in the Crowd is a 1957 American drama film written by Budd Schulberg, directed by Elia Kazan and starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, and Lee Remick. The film follows the rise and fall of Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, a guitar-playing drifter who is discovered by a radio talent scout and propelled into instant fame. As his popularity grows, Rhodes is seduced by the power of the media and increasingly manipulated by those around him. Soon, his recklessness and unchecked ambition lead to his downfall. Ultimately, Rhodes learns that fame is fleeting, and that the only way to find true fulfillment is through personal relationships.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, a New York stockbroker who runs a firm that engages in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990s. The film also stars Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jean Dujardin, and Jon Favreau. The film follows Belfort's career as a stockbroker, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The Wolf of Wall Street has received acclaim from critics and audiences alike, with particular praise for its direction, screenplay and DiCaprio's performance. At the 86th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for five awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio.

Network (1976)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch, Robert Duvall
Rated R

Network is an acclaimed 1976 film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Peter Finch, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall, and Beatrice Straight. The dark comedy/drama tells the story of a news anchor named Howard Beale (Finch) who, after receiving news of his impending termination, decides to go public with his feelings by threatening to commit suicide on the air. His erratic behavior soon catches the attention of media mogul Arthur Jensen (Duvall), who sees the potential for ratings in Beale's blustery outbursts and encourages him to continue. Meanwhile, a network executive, Diana Christensen (Dunaway), is attempting to use Beale's newfound fame to her advantage, while her ex-husband, Max Schumacher (Holden), desperately tries to protect his friend. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the only thing more powerful than Beale's influence is the media's influence on him and the world.

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Banksy, starring Banksy, Mr. Brainwash, Space Invader, Debora Guetta
Rated R

Exit Through the Gift Shop is a 2010 documentary directed by renowned street artist Banksy. It tells the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant living in Los Angeles who becomes obsessed with street art and graffiti, documenting the culture and its stars with his video camera. After meeting Banksy, Guetta is inspired to try his hand at creating art himself. He produces a feature-length documentary about the street art world, but it goes unfinished. Banksy then takes over the project and turns the lens on Guetta himself, crafting a bizarre and often hilarious portrait of an aspiring artist and his journey from shopkeeper to “celebrity” within the street art scene.

The Corporation (2003)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Directors: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott, starring Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora, Nina Jones
Rated Not Rated

The Corporation is a 2003 Canadian documentary film directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott. It looks at the modern-day corporation, exploring its far-reaching influence in society. The film examines corporate power, corporate social responsibility, and corporate personhood. It features interviews with CEOs, corporate critics, corporate watchdogs, and executives from corporations such as Monsanto, DuPont, and Shell. It covers the legal implications of corporate personhood in the US and the negative effects of corporate influence on society, including the environment, consumer protection, and labor rights. The film's goal is to provide an in-depth exploration of the modern corporation and its role in global society. It concludes with the hope that corporations will act responsibly, ethically, and with the public interest in mind.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Robert Benton, starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry
Rated PG

Kramer vs. Kramer is a classic drama that follows the story of Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman), whose life is turned upside down when his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) leaves him and their young son Billy (Justin Henry). Ted is forced to confront his own parenting skills, while Joanna must learn to adjust to a new life away from her family. As Ted and Joanna battle in court over custody of Billy, they must also learn to come to terms with their own personal struggles in order to make a better life for their son. In the end, both Ted and Joanna learn that sometimes compromise and understanding are the best ways to resolve their issues.

The Big Short (2015)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Rated R

The Big Short is a 2015 biographical drama directed by Adam McKay, based on the book of the same name by Michael Lewis. The film follows a group of four outsiders in the finance industry who, sensing a coming financial collapse, decide to take on the big banks by betting against the housing market. Through their dealings, they expose the greed and corruption of Wall Street, as well as the entire financial system. The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt, and is an enlightening and entertaining look at the financial crisis of 2007-2008.

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Jason Reitman, starring Aaron Eckhart, Cameron Bright, Maria Bello, Joan Lunden
Rated R

Thank You for Smoking is a 2005 satirical comedy-drama film written and directed by Jason Reitman and starring Aaron Eckhart. The film follows the life of Nick Naylor (Eckhart), a lobbyist for the tobacco industry, as he attempts to defend and protect the industry from public criticism and its detractors. Along the way, Naylor must contend with the opposition of anti-tobacco activists, a senator determined to pass anti-smoking legislation, and the human costs of his actions. Nick is also forced to confront his own conscience and the moral implications of his job. The film was critically acclaimed for its sharp wit and insight into the politics of the tobacco industry.

Quiz Show (1994)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Robert Redford, starring Ralph Fiennes, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, Paul Scofield
Rated PG-13

Quiz Show is a 1994 historical drama directed by Robert Redford. The film is based on real events and depicts the scandal that surrounded the popular 1950s game show Twenty-One. The movie follows the story of Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), a Columbia University professor who becomes a celebrity and a sensation when he appears as a contestant on the show, and his rise to fame and fall from grace. He eventually becomes embroiled in a national scandal when it is revealed that the producers of the show have been rigging the contests in order to keep him and other contestants in the running for higher ratings. The film follows the personal and professional consequences of this discovery, and how it impacted the lives of those involved.