20 Movies That Will Make You Want to Quit Your Job

Many films realistically portray the challenges of working life – from the daily pressures and harmful work environments to the excitement of starting over. This collection features movies where characters deal with stress, exhaustion, or difficult ethical decisions and ultimately take action. You’ll find stories about people exposing wrongdoing, changing careers, pursuing their passions, and fighting for improved workplaces. Each movie description explains what it reveals about work, the reasons behind the characters’ decisions, and the consequences of those choices.

‘Office Space’ (1999)

This funny movie centers on Peter Gibbons, a software engineer stuck in a dead-end job at the company Initech. After a badly handled round of layoffs, Peter and his coworkers decide to mess with the company’s payroll system. The film hilariously portrays the frustrating realities of office life – think cubicles, broken printers, and the same boring routine day after day. Ironically, the audit meant to fire people ends up benefiting Peter’s lack of motivation and revealing just how messed up the company really is.

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)

The movie follows Andrea Sachs, a recent college grad, as she starts a challenging assistant job at the prestigious Runway magazine. She struggles to meet the incredibly high demands of her boss, Miranda Priestly, and quickly learns the ropes of the fast-paced fashion world. As Andrea tries to succeed, her job takes over her life, impacting everything from her clothes and free time to her relationships. The story explores how much people are willing to sacrifice for career opportunities, and the importance of setting personal limits when facing intense pressure.

‘Up in the Air’ (2009)

Ryan Bingham works for a company that helps other businesses lay off employees, requiring him to travel constantly. He trains a new coworker who suggests using video conferencing to save money on travel. The movie explores the impact of job loss on people from all walks of life, and how Bingham’s detached professional life prevents him from forming meaningful connections. We also see how his reliance on frequent flyer miles is disrupted when his company changes its approach.

‘Fight Club’ (1999)

A stressed recall coordinator, unable to sleep, tries to save his company money. He befriends Tyler Durden and together they start a secret club that quickly grows into more aggressive actions targeting big brands. The movie highlights the difference between idealized homes, dead-end jobs, and neglected spaces. It’s about someone breaking free from the typical consumer lifestyle and challenging what’s expected of him at work, even if it means making radical decisions.

‘The Company Men’ (2010)

This series depicts the lives of workers at a shipyard struggling through an economic downturn. As the company faces layoffs affecting everyone from managers to crew members, the characters grapple with changes like selling their homes, taking lower-paying jobs, and redefining themselves after losing their positions. The show follows their job hunts, efforts to learn new skills, and the financial pressures on their families. It also illustrates how decisions made to cut costs and boost profits impact the wider community.

‘Sorry to Bother You’ (2018)

Cassius Green is a telemarketer who finds a way to become incredibly successful at his job, quickly climbing the ladder at a busy call center. However, his rise comes with challenges, including pressure from a union trying to organize workers, strict sales quotas, and a tempting promotion that requires him to keep the company’s questionable practices a secret. The film contrasts the everyday struggles of workers fighting for basic rights like breaks and fair pay with the luxurious lifestyle of the company’s executives, highlighting how carefully managed conversations and performance targets dictate who gets ahead.

‘Nine to Five’ (1980)

As a real cinema lover, I was completely gripped by this film! It tells the story of three coworkers who’ve just had enough of their boss’s unfair treatment and decide to fight back. They start testing out things like flexible work arrangements, pushing for equal pay, and even looking at ways to help with childcare – all while their boss is taken out of the picture. What really struck me was how it exposed the old-fashioned, frankly ridiculous, rules that used to hold women back from getting ahead at work, and how these women proved that when you work together, you can actually change things for the better. It’s a really inspiring story about taking control and demanding fairness.

‘Norma Rae’ (1979)

Norma Rae, a textile worker in a small Southern town, becomes a leading voice for unionizing her factory. She bravely exposes dangerous working conditions and excessive hours, and works to convince her fellow employees to vote in favor of a union. The movie shows the challenges she faces from factory management and the community, as well as the legal process of getting the union officially recognized. It also portrays the personal sacrifices organizing makes on her family and the growing support it gains among the workers.

‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000)

In a small California town, a legal assistant and single mother uncovers a dangerous secret: contaminated water linked to a powerful company. Working tirelessly, she gathers medical and utility records, building a case that ultimately leads to a large settlement for affected residents. The film highlights how dedication and hard work, even in an ordinary job, can reveal corporate misconduct and make a real difference in people’s lives.

‘Jerry Maguire’ (1996)

A sports agent loses his job after publicly stating he wants to focus on quality over quantity with his clients. He then starts his own small agency with just one athlete and a supportive ex-colleague. The movie depicts the challenges of building a business from scratch – making countless calls, securing sponsorships, and navigating tough contract negotiations. It’s a story about how leaving a large company can mean starting over completely, both professionally and personally.

‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ (2013)

Walter Mitty, who manages the magazine’s photo archives, finds his routine disrupted when a crucial image disappears. As the magazine shifts to a digital format and faces changes like layoffs and restructuring, Mitty embarks on a worldwide quest to find the missing photo, taking him on an unexpected adventure far beyond his usual office work. The film highlights the challenges of meeting print deadlines and the evolving roles of employees during a company’s transformation.

‘Into the Wild’ (2007)

After graduating from college, Christopher McCandless gave away his money and decided to reject a traditional career. He traveled across the country, working temporary jobs while hiking, hitchhiking, and camping as he made his way to Alaska. The film pieces together his journey and the reasons behind his decisions, using his journals and interviews with people he met. It also realistically portrays the challenges of living this lifestyle, such as finding food, transportation, and equipment.

‘Eat Pray Love’ (2010)

In this film, author Elizabeth Gilbert takes a year off from her career to travel and explore new cultures in Italy, India, and Indonesia. She dedicates her time to learning languages, practicing meditation, and adapting to new daily life. The story details the practical side of her journey – everything from getting visas and finding teachers to securing housing – showcasing how careful planning and financial stability allowed her to fully immerse herself in these experiences.

‘Wild’ (2014)

Cheryl Strayed took a break from her job to hike hundreds of miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. As she traveled through several states, she carefully planned everything – from permits and food deliveries to safe places to camp. The film highlights the practical side of long-distance hiking, showing how much planning and preparation it takes. It also tells the story of someone temporarily leaving their career to focus on a challenging personal goal.

‘Working Girl’ (1988)

Tess McGill is a secretary in the financial world who wants to move up the ladder by proposing her own business deals. After her boss takes credit for one of her ideas, she works to get the recognition she deserves by networking and attending meetings. The movie highlights the power dynamics and unwritten rules of the corporate world, like how people dress and the importance of having a degree when trying to get promoted. It also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put together a big merger, including all the necessary paperwork.

‘Boiler Room’ (2000)

The movie follows a young man who drops out of college and takes a job at a Long Island stock brokerage. The firm uses high-pressure sales tactics to sell questionable investments. He quickly learns how to use persuasive scripts, understand the commission structure, and participate in schemes to artificially inflate stock prices. The film exposes the firm’s practices, including oversight visits, pre-recorded sales pitches, and the relentless pressure to make deals, as well as the legal consequences of misleading investors with exaggerated claims and false valuations.

‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ (1992)

A new movie exposes the cutthroat world of real estate sales, where agents fiercely compete for potential clients while facing the possibility of layoffs. The film examines how leads are assigned, how closely agents are monitored, and the questionable methods some use to finalize deals. An unexpected overnight incident leads to an investigation focusing on contracts and client information. It also highlights the intense pressure created by sales targets and competitions within a small team.

‘Horrible Bosses’ (2011)

The film features three employees sharing experiences of being mistreated by their bosses, who had control over their work hours, raises, and opportunities for advancement. They detail how company rules were broken and how HR failed to address the problems, leading them to make a risky decision. The film examines misconduct in various workplaces – a chemical company, a dentist’s office, and a logistics firm – and shows how unequal power dynamics and poor leadership can create dangerous conditions for workers.

‘The Firm’ (1993)

After graduating from Harvard Law, Mitch McDeere takes a job at a prestigious Memphis law firm that offers incredible benefits but demands absolute secrecy. He soon discovers evidence of billing fraud and hidden offshore accounts, linking the firm’s clients to criminal behavior. The movie details how Mitch meticulously gathers evidence – tracking document copying, monitoring mailroom activity, and analyzing strict confidentiality agreements – all while carefully planning his escape, knowing he’s under constant surveillance and bound by complex contract terms.

‘American Beauty’ (1999)

Lester Burnham is an advertising professional whose job is at risk due to company changes. After a disagreement with his new boss, he requests a severance package and then takes a less demanding job. The film follows the impact of these changes on employees, showing how they are assessed, and how Lester adjusts to a new, simpler life after leaving his office job.

Share the movies you would add to this list in the comments.

2025-10-20 08:16