Basketball shoes, cellphones and mops: Here are 10 movies based on brands, corporations

The film world has entered a new era, it seems — movies about brands.

Four films that came out this year told the origin stories of basketball shoes, a discontinued mobile phone, a 1980s video game and a spicy, tasty snack.

Here are some films based on true events on how a brand came to be, its founder or the near downfall of the corporation.

'Air' (2023)

Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Viola Davis, "Air" tells the origin of Air Jordan, a basketball shoe line, for which a Nike employee (Damon) seeks to strike a business deal with rookie player Michael Jordan.

Jordan was not involved in the production, except to choose Davis for the role of his mother.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Prime Video.

'BlackBerry' (2023)

The film tells the story of two entrepreneurs, played by Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton, who join forces to create a worldwide hit — the BlackBerry.

But just as the mobile device was rising to new peaks, it started losing its way through the fog of smartphones, which eventually led to the fall of the handheld phone.

Where to watch: It is available to rent on Apple TV+ and Prime Video for $6.99.

'Flamin' Hot' (2023)

Ever wonder how Flamin' Hot Cheetos came to be?

Directed by Corpus Christi native Eva Longoria, the film tells the story of how Richard Montañez went from a Frito-Lay janitor to the inventor of the snack that became a phenomenon.

The film does not, however, acknowledge a 2021 investigation by the Los Angeles Times that showed Montañez did not invent the snack.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

'The Founder' (2016)

The film depicts the story of how Ray Kroc, portrayed by Michael Keaton, made McDonald's a global corporation and forced out the company's original founders to take control.

Inspired by the original founders’ speedy system of making food, Kroc saw potential and maneuvered his way into a position to pull the rug out from under the McDonald brothers.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Prime Video and Tubi.

'House of Gucci' (2021)

Not entirely a film based on the origin of a company, "House of Gucci" instead tells the story of how the romance between Patrizia Reggiani, played by Lady Gaga, and Maurizio Gucci, played by Adam Driver, transforms into a fight for control of the Italian fashion brand.

While the movie had big names, and was directed by Ridley Scott, it was met with mixed reviews from critics but did receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 2022.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Paramount+ and Prime Video.

'Joy' (2015)

"Joy" tells the story of inventor Joy Mangano, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, and her love for creating things. Specifically, the self-wringing Miracle Mop.

The film earned Lawrence an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, but was panned by critics for pace and writing.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Prime Video.

'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013)

Another film that doesn't show the origin of a brand, but rather the origin of a beloved Disney classic, "Mary Poppins."

The movie takes the viewers behind the scenes of author P.L. Travers meeting Walt Disney, who wants to create a film based on her book. But in Disney's quest to obtain the rights, Travers makes matters hard as she is afraid her story will be turned to something she doesn't agree with.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Disney+.

'The Social Network' (2010)

Based on the 2009 book "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich, the film portrays the founding of the social networking website Facebook.

The movie is told through flashbacks via deposition hearings where founder Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, is being sued on claims he stole the idea of Facebook.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Paramount+ and Prime Video.

'Steve Jobs' (2015)

This was not the first biographical film about Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc.; rather, it was the third.

The film covers 14 years in the life of Jobs and his drive to revolutionize technology, which ultimately affected his family life.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Starz.

'Tetris' (2023)

Categorized as a "biographical thriller," the film is based on true events around the race to license and patent the video game Tetris from Russia in the late 1980s during the Cold War.

According to the Tetris Company, the game has sold more than 520 million copies.

Where to watch: It is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. 

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: 10 movies portraying stories about brands, corporations