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The films & shows about business & startups recommended on podcasts

The films, shows and documentaries that actually got recommended on episodes about business & startups, with the quote and the timestamp for each one.

Business and startup conversations on podcasts keep circling back to Hardcore History, cited 21 times among 261 total media mentions in this category. Chimp Empire and Uncut Gems follow at 18 and 16.

We pulled every genuine on-air mention from the transcripts. Each one links to the exact clip and timestamp.

#1 · Hardcore History

Dan Carlin · Film / show · 21 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2511 - Terry Bradshaw in 2026. That episode features Terry Bradshaw, Four-time Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Hall of Famer, longtime Fox NFL broadcaster, and now a horse/cattle breeder, motivational speaker, and founder of Bradshaw Bourbon. In total it earned 21 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“there's a guy named Dan Carlin. He's got a fantastic series called uh Hardcore History. He had this series on Genghis Khan called The Wrath of the Khan.” — Joe Rogan 01:07:44
Every mention & where to get it

#2 · Chimp Empire

James Reed · Film / show · 18 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters. That episode features Michael P. Masters, A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 18 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“you ever watched Chimp Nation on Netflix. Amazing documentary. incredible docu series. Can't recommend it enough.” — Joe Rogan 02:45:21
Every mention & where to get it

#3 · Uncut Gems

Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie (inferred) · Film / show · 16 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2463 - Steve-O (2026-03-04). That episode features Steve-O, Stand-up comedian and Jackass star (Stephen Glover), famous for extreme stunts and self-inflicted pain. Now 18 years sober, touring a multimedia comedy show and building an animal sanctuary in Tennessee. It has been genuinely recommended 16 times on the show.

“You saw Uncut Gems, right? Oh my god, best movie ever. That movie was so good. Adam Sandler killed it in that movie.” — Joe Rogan 01:00:19
Every mention & where to get it

#4 · South Park

Trey Parker & Matt Stone (inferred) · Film / show · 14 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2377 - Carrot Top in 2025. That episode features Carrot Top, Stage name of Scott Thompson, the red-haired prop comedian who has held a long-running headline residency at the Luxor in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years and was a Tonight Show regular in the Leno era. In total it earned 14 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“South Park has been around longer than anything ever that's still good. Like how do they do it? Brilliant.” — Joe Rogan 01:21:18
Every mention & where to get it

#5 · Grizzly Man

Werner Herzog (inferred) · Film / show · 11 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2459 - Jim Breuer. That episode features Jim Breuer, Stand-up comedian and former SNL cast member (1995-1998), best known for the 'Goat Boy' character and the stoner movie Half Baked. A longtime friend of Rogan's from their early days on the New York/Boston comedy circuit. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“That's a great movie. That was one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Greatest movie ever. Belly laughed watching that thing.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51
Every mention & where to get it

#6 · Ex Machina

Alex Garland (inferred) · Film / show · 10 endorsements

Kevin Rose brought this up on New Health Gadgets, How to Drink Less, AI, & More (2025-05-23). Kevin is Tech entrepreneur and investor (founder of Digg, partner at True Ventures, host of the Modern Finance/Diggnation podcasts) and Tim Ferriss's recurring co-host on The Random Show. In total it earned 10 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Have you seen a great movie, Ex Machina? Oh, of course. Fantastic movie. So good” — Kevin Rose 01:43:41
Every mention & where to get it

#7 · Arrival

Denis Villeneuve (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2344 - Amjad Masad in 2025. That episode features Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, an AI-powered platform that lets anyone build software by prompting from their phone. A Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, former Facebook engineer, and outspoken commentator on tech, free speech, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“the Arrival was Oh yeah, Arrival was great too.” — Joe Rogan 01:18:27
Every mention & where to get it

#8 · The Hustler

Walter Tevis (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp. That episode features John Mellencamp, Heartland rock legend behind hits like 'Jack and Diane,' 'Hurt So Good,' 'Small Town,' and 'Pink Houses,' originally marketed against his will as 'Johnny Cougar.' Co-founder of Farm Aid and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“I love that guy. Hustler. One of my favorite movies of all time.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51
Every mention & where to get it

#9 · True Romance

Tony Scott (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Dan Houser brought this up on Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex (2025-10-31). Dan is Legendary video game creator, co-founder of Rockstar Games, and lead writer behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. He has since founded a new company, Absurdventures, building new worlds across books, comics, audio, and games. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I love True Romance. Possibly the best, one of the best scripts ever written.” — Dan Houser 00:10:34
Every mention & where to get it

#10 · 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2012 - Gad Saad in 2024. That episode features Gad Saad, Evolutionary behavioral scientist and professor; author of The Parasitic Mind and The Saad Truth about Happiness; making his ninth appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“that movie is amazing it's not just amazing it's amazing visually and it's from 1968” — Joe Rogan 00:17:50
Every mention & where to get it

#11 · Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Recommended by Eric Weinstein on You’re Watching the End of the World in Real Time - Eric Weinstein. Eric is Mathematician, physicist, and provocative public intellectual known for his 'Geometric Unity' theory of physics and his critiques of academic and scientific institutions. Former managing director of Thiel Capital and host of The Portal podcast. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“So, go watch the movie Oppenheimer, if you will. But, this is why physics physicists are the only occupation” — Eric Weinstein 01:40:45
Every mention & where to get it

#12 · Chernobyl

HBO (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Lex Fridman brought this up on Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road | Lex Fridman Podcast #340 (2022-11-22). That episode features Chris Tarbell, Former FBI special agent and cybercrime specialist who tracked down and arrested Ross Ulbricht (Dread Pirate Roberts) of Silk Road and Hector Monsegur (Sabu) of LulzSec and Anonymous. He is now co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Naxo and co-hosts the podcast The Hacker and the Fed. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“shows like Chernobyl from HBO made me realize okay you can do a good job of a difficult story and reveal the human side but also reveal the technical side” — Lex Fridman 01:18:50
Every mention & where to get it

#13 · Dune

Frank Herbert (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim — Parenting Considerations, Intuition, New Hobbies, Dating, and Mor in 2024. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, here doing a solo Q&A marking the podcast's 10th anniversary. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“big fan of the second Dune movie frankly” — Tim Ferriss 00:46:07
Every mention & where to get it

#14 · Spirited Away

Hayao Miyazaki (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on Q&A with Tim Ferriss — AI Companions, Longevity Levers, Writer's Block, Low-Back. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, in a solo live Q&A fielding pre-submitted and live-feed questions. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“Miyazaki Hayao is figurehead behind Ghibli. And my favorite movie, Spirited Away, is, I think, their crowning achievement” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:08
Every mention & where to get it

#15 · Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

John Fogerty brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2485 - John Fogerty (2026-04-17). John is Frontman, songwriter, and guitarist of Creedence Clearwater Revival, author of American rock anthems like Fortunate Son, Proud Mary, and Bad Moon Rising. A solo Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist still touring his Legacy Tour. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I watch some TV shows and my favorites are the the the modern, you know, like Yellowstone and all the other ones after that.” — John Fogerty 01:56:47
Every mention & where to get it

#16 · The Big Bang Theory

Chuck Lorre · Film / show · 5 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2507 - Harland Williams in 2026. That episode features Harland Williams, Canadian comedian, actor, and writer (News Radio, Down Periscope, Half Baked) who has had a career resurgence via Kill Tony. He recently wrote, directed, and starred in the movie Wingman. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“until I started watching it with my kids and I'm like this is a very funny show. It's like a really good show with like very defined characters.” — Joe Rogan 02:35:49
Every mention & where to get it

#17 · The Color of Money

Martin Scorsese (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

Recommended by Joey Diaz on Joe Rogan Experience #2309 - Joey Diaz. Joey is Cuban-American stand-up comedian, actor, and longtime Rogan friend known for wild personal storytelling. Author of the memoir 'Tremendous' and a fixture of the comedy-store and podcast world. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“Did you ever see Forest Whitaker in The Color of Money? Fucking tremendous. Hustles Paul Newman. It was beautiful.” — Joey Diaz 02:39:05
Every mention & where to get it

#18 · 1883

Taylor Sheridan (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Brigham Buhler brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2208 - Brigham Buhler (2024-10-01). Brigham is Former pharmaceutical and medical-device rep, compounding-pharmacy and lab owner, and founder of Ways2Well; testified before the U.S. Senate on chronic disease and healthcare corruption. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“the all the Yellowstone shows are [ __ ] incredible... 1883 was great... I think 1883 is the most recent and that's my favorite” — Brigham Buhler 02:39:33
Every mention & where to get it

#19 · Good Will Hunting

Gus Van Sant (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Andrej Karpathy, on Andrej Karpathy: Tesla AI, Self-Driving, Optimus, Aliens, and AGI | Lex Fridman in 2022. Andrej is Former director of AI at Tesla and a founding member of OpenAI, previously a researcher at Stanford. One of the most influential figures in deep learning, known for his teaching (CS231n) and hands-on explanations of neural networks. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I really like this torture genius sort of character who's like grappling with whether or not he has any responsibility ... it's just a beautiful movie” — Andrej Karpathy 02:59:32
Every mention & where to get it

#20 · Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2344 - Amjad Masad. That episode features Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, an AI-powered platform that lets anyone build software by prompting from their phone. A Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, former Facebook engineer, and outspoken commentator on tech, free speech, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“Black Mirror, of course. Yeah. Black Mirror is awesome sci-fi.” — Joe Rogan 01:18:27
Every mention & where to get it

#21 · Casino

Martin Scorsese (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Dan Houser brought this up on Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex (2025-10-31). Dan is Legendary video game creator, co-founder of Rockstar Games, and lead writer behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. He has since founded a new company, Absurdventures, building new worlds across books, comics, audio, and games. It has been genuinely recommended 4 times on the show.

“In some ways I prefer Casino, but the invention is really in Goodfellas. I love the end of Casino” — Dan Houser 00:05:48
Every mention & where to get it

#22 · Her

Spike Jonze (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim — Parenting Considerations, Intuition, New Hobbies, Dating, and Mor in 2024. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, here doing a solo Q&A marking the podcast's 10th anniversary. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“I think her was fantastic and you know at the time it seemed insane and it's basically already there” — Tim Ferriss 00:46:07
Every mention & where to get it

#23 · Landman

Taylor Sheridan · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2498 - Brendan Schaub. That episode features Brendan Schaub, Former UFC heavyweight turned comedian, podcaster, and car-show host. Longtime Rogan friend now hosting an automotive series, 'Gearheads Gone Wild,' on Tubi. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“I love Mob Land. I love Land Land Man... It's a great show. Uh, but Paramount has awesome shows.” — Joe Rogan 01:19:39
Every mention & where to get it

#24 · Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2416 - Dan Farah (2025-11-21). That episode features Dan Farah, Hollywood producer (Ready Player One) and director of the UAP documentary 'The Age of Disclosure,' which features senators, intelligence chiefs, and military officials going on the record about non-human technology. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“you worked on some like big blockbuster Hollywood films. Ready Player One. Amazing film. I love that movie.” — Joe Rogan 02:06:40
Every mention & where to get it

#25 · The Alpinist

Film / show · 4 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Steve-O, on Joe Rogan Experience #1900 - Steve-O in 2024. Steve-O is Stephen Glover, Jackass star turned sober touring stand-up comedian, author, and entrepreneur. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“oh my God that was such a great movie yeah I mean he decided that regular rock climbing wasn't scary enough” — Steve-O 01:04:11
Every mention & where to get it

Also recommended

4× recommended

Trip of Compassion

Tim Ferriss +33× recommended

Ancient Aliens

Prometheus Entertainment (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Babe

Chris Noonan (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +23× recommended

Chimp Nation

Netflix

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Downfall

Oliver Hirschbiegel (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Forrest Gump

Robert Zemeckis (inferred)

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

Free Solo

Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (inferred)

Andrew Huberman +23× recommended

I Think You're Fat

AJ Jacobs

Tim Ferriss +23× recommended

Man on Wire

Tim Ferriss +23× recommended

The Beast in Me

Netflix

Joe Rogan +23× recommended

The Last Dance

ESPN (inferred)

Diary of a CEO +23× recommended

The Office (UK)

BBC (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +23× recommended

Waking Life

Richard Linklater

Andrew Huberman +22× recommended

MeatEater

Steven Rinella (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +42× recommended

Miracle

Derren Brown (inferred)

Diary of a CEO +32× recommended

Beast Games

MrBeast (inferred)

Diary of a CEO +22× recommended

Chef's Table

Netflix

Tim Ferriss +22× recommended

Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman

Lex Fridman +22× recommended

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

David Maisel (inferred)

Joe Rogan +22× recommended

The Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd

Lex Fridman +22× recommended

The Hangover

Todd Phillips (inferred)

Lex Fridman +22× recommended

Tiger King

Netflix

Joe Rogan +22× recommended

Vision Quest

Harold Becker (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +22× recommended

Battlestar Galactica

Ronald D. Moore (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Tim Burton (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Being There

Hal Ashby

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Bigger Stronger Faster

Chris Bell (director)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Bowfinger

Frank Oz (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Breaking Bad

Vince Gilligan (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Burden of Dreams

Les Blank

Lex Fridman +12× recommended

Heavy Rhyme Experience

The Brand New Heavies

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

In and of Itself

Derek DelGaudio

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

David Gelb (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Kate McCannon

Colter Wall

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Limitless

Neil Burger (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Open the Gates

Zach Bryan

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

Red Scare

Red Scare (inferred)

Lex Fridman +12× recommended

Senna

Asif Kapadia (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

The Death of Stalin

Armando Iannucci (inferred)

Lex Fridman +12× recommended

The Power of Myth

Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

The Price of Everything

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

The Queen's Gambit

Scott Frank (inferred)

Joe Rogan +12× recommended

The Top Idea in Your Mind

Paul Graham (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +12× recommended

Wrath of the Khans

Dan Carlin (Hardcore History)

Tim Ferriss +11× recommended

The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss

Tim Ferriss +51× recommended

Bad Thoughts

Tom Segura (creator)

Joe Rogan +31× recommended

Conan the Barbarian

John Milius

Tim Ferriss +21× recommended

Desperado

Robert Rodriguez

Tim Ferriss +21× recommended

From Dusk Till Dawn

Robert Rodriguez

Joe Rogan +21× recommended

Hamilton's Pharmacopeia

Hamilton Morris (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +21× recommended

Spawn

Todd McFarlane

Joe Rogan +21× recommended

The Terminator

James Cameron (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +21× recommended

Blueprint for Armageddon

Dan Carlin (inferred)

Lex Fridman +11× recommended

District 9

Neill Blomkamp (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +11× recommended

Founders Podcast

David Senra

Lex Fridman +11× recommended

Kindergarten Cop

Joe Rogan +11× recommended

My Octopus Teacher

Netflix (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +11× recommended

Soul

Pixar (inferred)

Joe Rogan +11× recommended

The Mandalorian

Disney (inferred)

Joe Rogan +11× recommended

The Push

Derren Brown (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +1

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