20 Movies to Watch If You’re a Capricorn
Capricorn season often coincides with plans, projects, and steady follow-through, so here’s a straightforward watchlist packed with stories about work, resilience, leadership, and long-game strategy. You’ll find true-life dramas, character studies, sports sagas, and business tales that revolve around goals, systems, and responsibility.
Each pick below includes a crisp plot snapshot and key details on the cast and crew so you can quickly decide what to queue up next. Titles are formatted for easy scanning, and every entry sticks to verifiable credits, production notes, and awards information.
‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ (2006)
The film follows Chris Gardner as he navigates homelessness while pursuing a competitive stockbroker internship, balancing single fatherhood with the demands of training and sales work. The story charts his day-to-day problem-solving, from finding shelter to managing childcare, while he attempts to secure a full-time role.
Directed by Gabriele Muccino and based on the memoir by Chris Gardner with Quincy Troupe, it stars Will Smith and Jaden Smith. The production was released by Columbia Pictures, and Will Smith received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
‘Whiplash’ (2014)
A first-year jazz drummer enrolls at a conservatory and faces a rigorous instructor whose methods push students to extreme levels during rehearsals, juries, and competitions. The plot tracks practice rooms, band placements, and performance stakes as the student tries to earn the core drummer seat.
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film stars Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, with editing by Tom Cross and music by Justin Hurwitz. J.K. Simmons won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and the film also earned Oscars for Film Editing and Sound Mixing.
‘The Social Network’ (2010)
The story dramatizes the formation of a social-networking site at Harvard, the rapid growth that follows, and the legal disputes that arise among founders and early collaborators. It focuses on coding sprints, business structuring, and the fallout from contested equity and intellectual property claims.
Directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin adapted from Ben Mezrich’s book, it stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake. The film received Academy Awards for Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, and Original Score, with music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
‘Moneyball’ (2011)
An underfunded baseball franchise turns to data analysis to assemble a competitive roster, prioritizing on-base metrics over conventional scouting opinions. The narrative follows front-office decisions, trades, and clubhouse adjustments during a long season.
Directed by Bennett Miller and adapted by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin from Michael Lewis’s nonfiction book, the film stars Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Adapted Screenplay.
‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000)
A single mother working as a legal assistant investigates contaminated groundwater connected to a utility company, gathering testimony and records from affected residents. The case builds into a large-scale settlement process that involves medical documentation and corporate archives.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Susannah Grant, it stars Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, and Aaron Eckhart. Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress, and the film was produced by Jersey Films and released by Universal Pictures.
‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)
The film chronicles three NASA mathematicians whose calculations support orbital missions during the Space Race, covering mission planning, IBM computing integration, and launch windows. It depicts workplace assignments, security clearances, and engineering review processes tied to crewed flight.
Directed by Theodore Melfi and based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, the film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, with Kevin Costner and Mahershala Ali in supporting roles. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Adapted Screenplay.
‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)
The plot follows mathematician John Nash from early academic work through major breakthroughs and personal challenges that intersect with research commitments and family life. It covers university appointments, government consulting, and the impact of health on professional output.
Directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman adapted from Sylvia Nasar’s biography, it stars Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, and Paul Bettany. The film won Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, and Adapted Screenplay, with music by James Horner.
‘Spotlight’ (2015)
A Boston newspaper’s investigative unit examines long-standing abuse cases, conducting interviews, verifying records, and coordinating legal document searches. The story tracks editorial meetings, public-records requests, and multi-part investigative publication.
Directed by Tom McCarthy and co-written with Josh Singer, the film stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Original Screenplay, with distribution by Open Road Films and editing by Tom McArdle.
‘The Martian’ (2015)
After a mission is interrupted, an astronaut is left on Mars and must use habitat equipment, botany skills, and mission logs to sustain life while communicating with Earth. The plot follows engineering fixes, orbital calculations, and international cooperation to plan a retrieval.
Directed by Ridley Scott from Drew Goddard’s adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel, it stars Matt Damon with Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, and Kristen Wiig. The film earned multiple Academy Award nominations, features cinematography by Dariusz Wolski, and was released by 20th Century Fox.
‘Apollo 13’ (1995)
The film recounts a crewed lunar mission that suffers an in-flight systems failure, prompting on-the-spot repairs, power budgeting, and trajectory changes. It details Mission Control procedures, engineering improvisation, and re-entry planning.
Directed by Ron Howard and adapted by William Broyles Jr. and Al Reinert from the memoir by astronaut Jim Lovell with Jeffrey Kluger, it stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Gary Sinise. The film won Academy Awards for Film Editing and Sound, with music by James Horner.
‘Ford v Ferrari’ (2019)
Engineers and drivers collaborate to design and race a new endurance car intended to challenge a rival manufacturer at Le Mans, balancing performance, reliability, and corporate directives. The story shows wind-tunnel testing, track sessions, and pit-wall decisions across major races.
Directed by James Mangold, the film stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale, with a screenplay credited to Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and Jason Keller. It won Academy Awards for Film Editing and Sound Editing, with cinematography by Phedon Papamichael.
‘The King’s Speech’ (2010)
The plot centers on the Duke of York’s efforts to address a speech impediment through structured therapy as he prepares for national addresses and state duties. Sessions with a speech therapist explore exercises, historical context, and the logistics of radio broadcasting.
Directed by Tom Hooper from a screenplay by David Seidler, it stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film won Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Original Screenplay, and was produced by See-Saw Films.
‘The Imitation Game’ (2014)
A mathematician and a team of codebreakers work to decrypt enemy communications, focusing on machine design, daily settings, and cryptanalytic workflows. The narrative includes recruitment, security constraints, and coordination with military command.
Directed by Morten Tyldum from an adapted screenplay by Graham Moore based on Andrew Hodges’s biography, it stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, and Mark Strong. The film won the Academy Award for Adapted Screenplay and received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor.
‘Gattaca’ (1997)
In a society organized around genetic profiling, a determined applicant uses borrowed identity markers to enter a space program, managing tests, surveillance, and launch schedules. The plot follows fitness checks, sample screenings, and an investigation that threatens the plan.
Written and directed by Andrew Niccol, the film stars Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, with music by Michael Nyman. It was released by Columbia Pictures and features production design by Jan Roelfs and cinematography by Slawomir Idziak.
‘Rocky’ (1976)
A small-time boxer receives an unexpected title shot and undertakes a disciplined training regimen that includes roadwork, sparring rounds, and corner strategy. The story covers pre-fight negotiations, promotion, and the logistics of a championship bout.
Directed by John G. Avildsen from a screenplay by Sylvester Stallone, it stars Stallone with Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burgess Meredith. The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Film Editing, and was produced by Chartoff-Winkler Productions.
‘The Aviator’ (2004)
The film follows Howard Hughes through aviation projects, film productions, and business dealings, showing prototype test flights and certification hurdles. It depicts corporate negotiations, studio operations, and government hearings linked to airline competition.
Directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by John Logan, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Beckinsale. The production features cinematography by Robert Richardson and editing by Thelma Schoonmaker, and it received multiple Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett.
‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)
An independent oil prospector builds a drilling operation that expands from land surveys to rigs, pipelines, and town contracts. The narrative includes lease negotiations, blowouts, and disputes related to drainage and competition.
Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and inspired by Upton Sinclair’s novel ‘Oil!’, it stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano. The film won Academy Awards for Best Actor and Cinematography, with music by Jonny Greenwood and cinematography by Robert Elswit.
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)
A recent graduate becomes an assistant at a high-fashion magazine and handles scheduling, run-throughs, and sample requests under a demanding editor-in-chief. The plot covers fashion weeks, editorial calendars, and industry events tied to brand relationships.
Directed by David Frankel from a screenplay by Aline Brosh McKenna adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s novel, it stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. The film received Academy Award nominations including Best Actress and Best Costume Design, with Patricia Field leading costume work.
‘Wall Street’ (1987)
A junior stockbroker connects with a corporate raider and becomes involved in insider tips, hostile bids, and regulatory scrutiny. The story details brokerage protocols, trading floors, and surveillance by enforcement agencies.
Directed by Oliver Stone and written by Stone and Stanley Weiser, it stars Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, and Martin Sheen. Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor, with cinematography by Robert Richardson and music by Stewart Copeland.
‘The Godfather’ (1972)
The plot centers on the Corleone family’s internal hierarchy and evolving leadership during inter-family conflicts, featuring negotiations, reprisals, and shifts in control. It tracks operations that involve legal businesses as well as illicit enterprises, and the impact on family members.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a screenplay by Coppola and Mario Puzo based on Puzo’s novel, it stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. The film won Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Adapted Screenplay, with music by Nino Rota and cinematography by Gordon Willis.
Share your own Capricorn-ready picks in the comments and let everyone know which titles you’d add to the list.