Do scary movies give you the creeps? Don’t worry; many people who watch them aren’t hardcore horror fans themselves.
Considering some folk don’t have the stomach for terrifying thrillers and spectacular slasher films, you have to wonder why they get made at all.
However, what if I told you that they’re an excellent way to earn extra cash? And that you don’t have to do it during the spooky season?
This article reveals nine ways to get paid to watch horror movies in 2023.
- Can You Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies?
- What You’ll Need to Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies
- Where to Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies
- Why You Should Consider Watching Horror Movies As a Side Hustle
- Problems With Watching Horror Movies for Money
- How To Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies: Step-By-Step Instructions
- Things to Consider When Watching Horror Movies for Money
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Similar Ways to Get Paid
- Wrapping Up
Can You Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies?
Yes, you can get paid to watch some of the scariest movies ever made. This side hustle can take numerous forms, with some gigs involving more work than others.
You can get paid to write about the high-budget horror movies you watch; some companies will pay to monitor your heart rate while watching flicks with stronger scares; in some cases, you don’t even have to watch the whole film.
How Much Can You Make by Watching Horror Movies
The amount of money you can make watching horror flicks is as varied as the types of spooky movies and horror movie buffs.
If we’re talking hard figures, you can expect to earn between a couple of cents to as high as $50,000+, depending on the nature of the gig you land.
Please bear in mind that the estimate doesn’t factor in movie rental costs, subscription fees, or ticket amounts. And those costs can impact how much you earn.
What You’ll Need to Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies
If you plan to earn some cash watching scary films, you’ll need the following:
- A Screen: You need a screen to watch horror films on. It can be a TV, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or cinema screen.
- An Internet Connection: You’ll need an internet connection to stream them.
- A DVD Player or Streaming Website: You’ll need a DVD player to watch disc-based movies. In the case of online movies, you can only watch them on specific websites.
- A Mode of Transportation: Not every gig pays you to watch scary cinema from the comfort of your home. If you have to get out there, you’ll need a car or other transportation.
- Writing Skills: You’ll need solid writing skills if you plan to earn money reviewing horror films.
Where to Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies
Intense scenes and CGI scares got you rearing to earn some money? Here are nine places you can get paid to scare yourself silly:
1. FinanceBuzz
FinanceBuzz is a financial website with a mission to democratize “financial independence.” It writes about credit cards, making money, etc. Although FinanceBuzz seems like an odd place to get paid to watch horror cinema, the company hired someone for that very reason.
In August 2022, FinanceBuzz offered to pay someone to watch 13 scary films as a Horror Movie Heart Rate Analyst.
Related: make money from your phone
How Much Can You Make?
FinanceBuzz offered the winner of its promo $1,300 to marathon 13 movies, amounting to $100 per movie.
What Makes This Option Great?
The FinanceBuzz promo is incredibly lucrative when you do the math. If each movie lasts two hours long and the winner receives $100 for each one, they earn $50 per hour watching horror films.
- Typical Fees/Commission: FinanceBuzz doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: FinanceBuzz doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
2. CableTV.com
CableTV.com is a website that helps people “find internet and cable TV providers in your area.” The site compares providers and creates content like “Best Of” lists to help its readers make decisions.
As part of a 2022 Halloween promo, CableTV.com offered a lucky winner the chance to stream a 24-hour horror movie marathon in exchange for prizes and cash.
The prizes offered in exchange for participating in this fright fest included an Annual subscription to Full Moon Features, a $50 Starbucks gift card, and sweet treats like candy corn.
Related: watch ads for money
How Much Can You Make?
The promo’s winner netted $2,000, amounting to roughly $83 for every hour of the day. It wasn’t the first promo CableTV.com has done, and it likely won’t be the last.
What Makes This Option Great?
In addition to the cash and prizes you win, you can also get bragging rights for binging horror movies over a 24-hour period.
- Typical Fees/Commission: CableTV.com doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: CableTV.com doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
3. USDish.com
USDish.com (a.k.a. DISH Network) offers satellite TV services to thousands in the United States. It’s not the first place you think about when considering places to make money while enjoying a horror flick.
However, like CableTV.com above, it ran a Halloween-themed promo in 2022 that offered a lucky winner money to sit through 13 Stephen King flicks.
Related: get paid to read books aloud
How Much Can You Make?
USDish.com offered $1,300 for its Stephen King marathon challenge. You can expect to earn a similar amount if the company does a similar promo this year.
What Makes This Option Great?
This side hustle option is excellent because, unlike similar promos, you get to watch horror films that originate from the mind of the same creator.
- Typical Fees/Commission: USDish.com doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: USDish.com doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
4. Market Force
Market Force is a website that reimburses people to become mystery shoppers. Not only can you get paid to shop through the site, but you can also earn by visiting the cinema on the company’s behalf.
This gig involves doing theater checks and is a fantastic opportunity for people who want a gig that takes them off their couch.
Naturally, not every movie you’ll be paid to see will fall into the horror genre, but it’s nevertheless not a bad way to make some money doing something fun.
How Much Can You Make?
You can make back the money you spend going to the movies. While this side hustle won’t put extra money in your pocket, it can be an excellent way to recoup the money you spend having fun.
What Makes This Option Great?
This is an excellent option because it’s easy to get into. You can register to become a shopper by filling out a form.
- Typical Fees/Commission: Market Force doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: Market Force doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
5. MediaRewards.co
MediaRewards.co is a website that pays you to watch TV shows and movies, listen to the radio, and so on.
It rewards you for your exposure to media, and you can earn redeemable points, which the company pays into your PayPal account (you can also get a cash alternative like an Amazon Gift Card).
This platform offers an easy way to make money watching different genres, meaning you’re not limited to reviewing horror films.
Related: survey for Amazon gift cards
How Much Can You Make?
You can earn a couple of cents to a handful of dollars depending on your media exposure. While not life-changing money, it can get you a cup of coffee or a beer.
What Makes This Option Great?
MediaRewards.co is an excellent option because you don’t have to watch movies to earn money. You can stream them in the background while doing other things and rack up points regardless of your attentiveness.
- Typical Fees/Commission: MediaRewards.co doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: PayPal account.
6. FoundFootageCritic.com
FoundFootageCritic.com is an ultra-niche website that specializes in reviewing horror flicks in the found-footage genre.
Since 2015, the website has been open to receiving applications from writers interested in writing for it.
You’ll need good writing skills to make money with this option, and it requires you to talk to movie directors about their work.
Related: get paid to watch movies
How Much Can You Make?
FoundFootageCritic.com doesn’t provide details about its pay on its website.
What Makes This Option Great?
This is an excellent option because of its specialized focus. If you enjoyed The Blair Witch Project and similar movies of its ilk, FoundFootageCritic might be your cup of tea.
- Typical Fees/Commission: FoundFootageCritic.com doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: FoundFootageCritic.com doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
7. ScreenRant
ScreenRant is a well-known entertainment website that covers TV, games, movies, and technology.
The company publishes reviews, editorials, and similar content that cover a wide array of genres and media, including comedy, action, and horror.
You can earn money with ScreenRant by becoming one of its writers. As its Careers Page reveals, ScreenRant is always looking for writers.
Related: make money with a laptop
How Much Can You Make?
According to the salary information shared on GlassDoor, ScreenRant’s freelance writers earn between $30,000 and $54,000 a year.
What Makes This Option Great?
You can earn money with ScreenRant even if you don’t have any writing experience.
According to the company, it takes a “passion-first, experience-second approach to hiring writing talent.”
In addition, the role is fully remote and on a freelance basis, meaning you can earn wherever you are.
- Typical Fees/Commission: ScreenRant doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: ScreenRant doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
8. BloodyDisgusting.com
BloodyDisgusting.com specializes in everything horror – flicks, TV series, and games – describing itself as “the #1 entertainment destination for horror.”
Based on this 2020 post and this 2021 tweet by its Editor-In-Chief, the company occasionally accepts pitches from writers who love and can write about horror-related entertainment.
Related: get paid to type
How Much Can You Make?
BloodyDisgusting.com doesn’t provide information about its per-hour or per-article rates.
What Makes This Option Great?
Aside from its podcast, the majority of the content it publishes on its website is in written form. Therefore, this is one of the best places to get paid for writing about the creepy movies you watch.
- Typical Fees/Commission: BloodyDisgusting.com doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: BloodyDisgusting.com doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
9. Movieweb.com
Movieweb.com is another entertainment website that will pay you to write about movies (horror included). It’s been around since 1995 and specializes in reporting on TV and movie news.
Judging from the information on the website’s careers page, the company is always willing to hire new writers.
If you join the team, you’ll be expected to produce a minimum of two to three articles every week.
Some of the articles you write will touch on entertainment in the horror genre, which may require that you sit through the movie before writing.
Related: write reviews for money
How Much Can You Make?
According to Glassdoor, freelance writers at Movieweb.com makes as much as $55,020 per year. Note that those figures are for a writer based in the city of Philadelphia.
What Makes This Option Great?
Working for Movieweb.com is an excellent option because you’re not expected to write a huge amount of output each week, which can be quite lucrative, depending on your output.
- Typical Fees/Commission: Movieweb.com doesn’t charge any fees or take commissions.
- Typical Payment Methods: Movieweb.com doesn’t state how it pays. However, it’s safe to presume the company pays via direct deposit into a provided bank account.
Why You Should Consider Watching Horror Movies As a Side Hustle
Watching horror films to earn money can be an excellent side hustle for the following reasons:
- It’s Fun: You can enjoy yourself while lining your pockets. You can even do it with friends and family.
- A Low Effort Side Hustle: With the exception of movie reviewing gigs, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to watch a horror film.
- It Has a Low Barrier to Entry: If you’re reading this, it’s likely you already have many of the items you need to earn money (like an internet connection and a screen).
- It’s Quick Cash: Watching horror cinema can be a quick-paying gig. Some gigs pay as soon as you complete the movie.
Problems With Watching Horror Movies for Money
Before you jump at the opportunity to earn cash in exchange for scaring yourself silly, consider the following issues associated with this side hustle:
- It May Not Pay Well: Depending on the type of gig you go for, you might not earn more than a few cents for the time you put in.
- It Can Be Time-Consuming: Some fright flicks last over two hours. That’s a long time to spend watching a film that may not interest you. If you’re watching to review the movie, you can add another three to four hours spent gathering your thoughts and writing.
- It’s Not for Everyone: If you’re squeamish about blood and gore or easily spooked, this side hustle probably isn’t for you.
- It’s Not Intellectually Stimulating: If you’re looking for an intellectually-stimulating way to earn money, watching slasher flicks isn’t it.
How To Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies: Step-By-Step Instructions
Here’s a step-by-step process you can follow to start earning money while watching horror movies.
Step 1: Sign Up to A Platform/Enter a Competition
If you intend to mystery shop or view movies on a streaming platform, you’ll have to sign up first.
This process involves filling out an application form, providing your email address and other details, and possibly creating a profile.
However, if you enter a competition, you’ll have to follow the organizer’s rules.
Step 2: Watch Movies or Apply for a Staff Writer Position
Once you’re signed up, all that’s left to do is watch movies. Depending on your chosen platform, you might either have to visit a cinema or stream a movie on your laptop.
Alternatively, if you take the freelance writing route, you’ll have to apply to write for websites that specialize in horror or movies in general. The process entails emailing your CV and cover letter to the email provided.
Things to Consider When Watching Horror Movies for Money
There are several factors to consider when watching scary flicks to earn money, including:
1. Your Constitution
Scary movies can be exciting, and that might be a bad thing for some. For example, if you suffer from blood pressure issues, it probably won’t be wise to earn money through this side hustle, as you could raise your blood pressure.
2. Available Free Time
Whether you find them enjoyable or not, horror films take time to watch. Many of them have a minimum running time of an hour and a half, with some stretching over two hours in length.
You need to consider whether you’re willing to spend two hours of your free time earning money this way.
3. Your Schedule
If you’re busy throughout the week with little time to spare, you might need to consider relegating this side hustle to the weekend. Otherwise, there are other side hustles you can fit into your weekly schedule.
Some even allow you to earn money on the commute to work like getting paid to advertise on your car.
4 Your Connection Speed
Streaming movies over the internet requires a fast internet connection. If you don’t have one, it could significantly extend the time you spend on this side hustle.
Slow internet speeds mean frequent buffering pauses that’ll break your immersion and hurt your viewing experience.
5. Fulfillment
This is a fairly passive side hustle in the sense that it doesn’t involve too much activity on your part (in most cases).
That may be an issue for you if you’d prefer a side hustle that requires your active participation. If that is the case for you, you’d be better off trying to get paid to play games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Earn $1,300 to Watch 13 Stephen King Movies?
Not currently. You could in the past, as USDish.com ran a promo back in September 2022. But the company hasn’t announced a similar promo so far.
How Can I Get Paid to Watch Horror Movies?
There are several ways. You can enter a competition, sign up on a platform, write for online publications that specialize in horror, or be a mystery shopper.
Are There Any Apps for Horror Fans?
Yes. Slasher is a horror-community social network on Apple’s app store that you can download for free to connect with like-minded fans of the genre.
Similar Ways to Get Paid
If you’d rather not scare yourself for extra cash, check out some similar ways to get paid below:
- Get Paid to Watch YouTube Videos: Why not try watching YouTube videos for money using apps like Swagbucks? You might even learn something while earning money.
- Make Money With a Drone: Try making drone footage if you’re looking for a fun side hustle that lets you get out of the house.
- Get Paid to Write Short Stories: If you’d rather use your imagination to earn money, people and companies are willing to pay you to write short stories.
Wrapping Up
Getting paid to watch horror movies can be an interesting way to make some extra money.
This side hustle doesn’t require many resources, and you don’t have to be a horror movie buff to earn. If you’ve got the time and nerves for it, it’s a side hustle that’s worth considering.
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