31 Movies for Copywriters

While there aren’t many movies specifically focused on the profession of copywriting, there are films that explore the advertising and marketing industry, providing insights into the creative process, client relationships, and the impact of persuasive communication. Here are a few movies that touch upon aspects of copywriting and advertising:

“What Women Want” (2000): Directed by Nancy Meyers, this romantic comedy stars Mel Gibson as a chauvinistic advertising executive who gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts. While the focus is on personal growth, it provides a glimpse into the advertising industry.

“How to Get Ahead in Advertising” (1989): This satirical comedy, directed by Bruce Robinson, explores the life of a stressed advertising executive who develops a boil on his neck that begins to speak. The film touches on the pressures and ethical dilemmas within the industry.

“The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” (1956): Directed by Nunnally Johnson, this drama follows a World War II veteran (played by Gregory Peck) who works in the advertising industry in New York City. The film explores the challenges of balancing work and personal life.

“Crazy People” (1990): Starring Dudley Moore, “Crazy People” is a comedy about an advertising executive who, after a breakdown, creates unconventional and brutally honest ad campaigns. The film humorously comments on the advertising world.

“The Greatest Movie Ever Sold”: Directed by Morgan Spurlock, this documentary explores the world of product placement, brand integration, and marketing in movies. It offers valuable insights into the strategies and tactics used by advertisers to influence consumer behavior.

“Thank You for Smoking”: This satirical comedy-drama follows a lobbyist for the tobacco industry who uses his skills in persuasive communication to defend the interests of his clients. While not directly about copywriting, it touches upon themes of persuasion and manipulation in marketing and public relations.

“Jerry Maguire”: While primarily a sports drama, “Jerry Maguire” explores themes of integrity, authenticity, and the power of persuasive communication in the world of sports management and marketing.

“The Social Network”: This biographical drama film depicts the founding of Facebook and the interpersonal conflicts and legal battles that ensued among its co-founders. While not about copywriting per se, it offers insights into the importance of effective communication and branding in the digital age.

The Joneses: This film follows a seemingly perfect family who are actually employees of a stealth marketing organization, tasked with promoting products to their neighbors. It sheds light on the manipulative tactics used in advertising and explores the consequences of living in a consumer-driven society.

“The Secret of My Success”: This 1987 comedy follows a recent college graduate who poses as an executive at a major corporation to climb the corporate ladder. While not specifically about advertising, the film touches on themes of ambition, deception, and the competitive nature of the business world.

“Art & Copy” (2009): This documentary explores the creative process behind some of the most iconic advertising campaigns of the 20th century. It offers insights into the minds of copywriters and creative directors who have shaped the advertising industry.

“Steve Jobs” (2015): Directed by Danny Boyle, this biographical drama film follows the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his journey in revolutionizing the technology industry. While focusing more on product development and innovation than copywriting, it offers lessons in branding, marketing, and storytelling.

“The Great Hack” (2019): This documentary film explores the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the influence of big data and targeted advertising on modern politics and society. While not specifically about copywriting, it sheds light on the power of data-driven marketing and the ethical implications of online manipulation.

“Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru” (2016): Directed by Joe Berlinger, this documentary film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Tony Robbins’ annual “Date with Destiny” seminar. While not about digital marketing or copywriting, it provides valuable lessons in communication, persuasion, and storytelling that are relevant to content creation and marketing efforts.

“Generation Like” (2014): This PBS Frontline documentary explores the growing influence of social media on teenagers and young adults, particularly in the context of marketing and branding. While not specifically about copywriting, it offers insights into the evolving landscape of digital media and consumer engagement.

“Wag the Dog” (1997): In this political satire, a spin doctor and a Hollywood producer collaborate to distract the public from a presidential scandal by fabricating a war with Albania. The film explores themes of media manipulation, crisis management, and the power of storytelling in shaping public perception.

“Absence of Malice” (1981): This legal drama revolves around a newspaper reporter who publishes a false story implicating a businessman in a murder investigation. The film delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists and PR professionals when dealing with sensitive information and managing reputational risks.

“The Insider” (1999): Based on a true story, this biographical drama follows a whistleblower from the tobacco industry who exposes corporate misconduct and deception. The film explores the tensions between corporate interests, journalistic integrity, and public accountability.

“Syriana” (2005): This geopolitical thriller interweaves multiple storylines involving the oil industry, political intrigue, and international relations. While not explicitly about public relations, the film touches on themes of corporate communication, crisis management, and media relations in a complex global context.

“The Ides of March” (2011): This political drama follows a young press secretary working for a presidential candidate during a high-stakes primary campaign. The film explores the ethical compromises and moral dilemmas faced by political operatives and media professionals in pursuit of power and success.

“Shattered Glass” (2003): Based on the true story of journalist Stephen Glass, this drama portrays the rise and fall of a young writer who fabricates stories for a prestigious magazine. While focused on journalism rather than PR, the film highlights the importance of accuracy, integrity, and ethical conduct in storytelling and media relations.

“Adaptation” (2002): Directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, “Adaptation” follows the struggles of a screenwriter (played by Nicolas Cage) as he attempts to adapt a non-fiction book into a screenplay. The film delves into themes of writer’s block, creativity, and the challenges of adaptation.

“Stranger Than Fiction” (2006): Directed by Marc Forster, “Stranger Than Fiction” stars Will Ferrell as a man who discovers that he is a character in a novel being written by a reclusive author (played by Emma Thompson). The film explores the blurred lines between fiction and reality, as well as the power of storytelling.

“The Words” (2012): Directed by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, “The Words” is a drama that follows a struggling writer (played by Bradley Cooper) who achieves literary success by plagiarizing another author’s work. The film explores themes of ambition, integrity, and the consequences of artistic dishonesty.

“Finding Forrester” (2000): Directed by Gus Van Sant, “Finding Forrester” stars Sean Connery as a reclusive writer who mentors a young, talented student (played by Rob Brown). The film explores themes of mentorship, identity, and the transformative power of literature.

“Julie & Julia” (2009): Directed by Nora Ephron, “Julie & Julia” intertwines the stories of chef Julia Child (played by Meryl Streep) and aspiring writer Julie Powell (played by Amy Adams), who embarks on a year-long project to cook all 524 recipes in Child’s cookbook. The film celebrates the joys of cooking, writing, and pursuing one’s passions.

“Wonder Boys” (2000): Directed by Curtis Hanson and based on the novel by Michael Chabon, “Wonder Boys” stars Michael Douglas as a novelist and college professor grappling with writer’s block, personal crises, and the complexities of the writing life. The film offers a humorous and poignant exploration of creativity, friendship, and self-discovery.

“Her” (2013): Directed by Spike Jonze, this science fiction romance film follows a man who develops a romantic relationship with an artificial intelligence operating system. The film explores themes of loneliness, connection, and the role of technology in interpersonal relationships.

“The Circle” (2017): Based on the novel by Dave Eggers, this film explores themes of privacy, transparency, and the consequences of living in a digitally connected world. It follows a young woman who joins a powerful tech company that promotes total transparency and surveillance.

“Unfriended” (2014): A horror film directed by Levan Gabriadze, “Unfriended” unfolds entirely on a computer screen, depicting a group of friends who are haunted by a mysterious figure on social media. The film explores themes of cyberbullying, online identity, and the dark side of social media.

“Catfish” (2010): Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, this documentary follows a young man who develops an online relationship with a woman on Facebook, only to discover that her identity may not be what it seems. The film explores themes of authenticity, deception, and online relationships.

While these films may not specifically focus on copywriting as a profession, they provide glimpses into the creative and sometimes challenging aspects of the advertising and marketing industries. Keep in mind that movies about copywriting are relatively rare, but these selections offer entertaining perspectives on the broader world of advertising.