Smart Ways to Make Money from Watching Movies (2025)

Do you spend a lot of your free time binge-watching your favorite movies and television shows? You can convert this interest into a side hustle and earn money by watching movies.

There are various ways to earn money by watching movies, such as through apps or as a movie reviewer.

In this article, I've detailed the greatest ways to earn money by watching movies.

The Best Ways to Get Paid for Watching Movies

People are finding new ways to earn a living as time passes. One of the methods is to watch movies for money.

Here are some of the top options to explore if you're a movie enthusiast looking to make money doing what you love.

1. Edit movies

One option to get money from viewing movies is to work as a movie editor. As an editor, you get to make the real film.

Your duties would include the following:

• Adding visual effects and music to a movie
• Ensure smooth transitions between scenes.
• Rearranging scenes in the sequence that best tells the story.
• Cut several sections to improve the movie.

You do not need an educational background, but having one is beneficial. To improve your skills, consider pursuing a bachelor's degree in video production, filmmaking, or media communications.

The U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a film editor can earn up to $60,360 yearly.

If you enjoy watching movies, film editing is an excellent career choice.

2. Watch Movies and Videos on Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a popular rewards program that pays you to do surveys, purchase online for cashback, browse the internet, and view movies and videos.

All you have to do is join up with your email address. You can earn quick money by watching movies and videos.

You may download the Swagbucks app to your phone for added convenience, allowing you to earn money from anywhere.

The nicest part about these incentive apps is that you don't have to watch the videos. You can mute them and play them in the background while you work or do other things.

3. Watch videos on MyPoints

MyPoints is another platform where you can earn money by watching movies. This reward software allows you to earn money while watching movies and videos.

MyPoints has partnered with a number of streaming services, including Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN. You can earn points by joining up for trial services on these streaming platforms. You may also earn cashback when you pay for subscriptions on these streaming platforms.

You will receive a free $5 welcome bonus when you sign up for MyPoints for the first time. Your earned points can be redeemed for PayPal cash, gift cards, or travel miles.

4. Join KashKick

Cashkick, like Swagbucks, is an online rewards website where you can earn money by completing surveys, playing games, and watching movies.

You may register for free using email, Google, PayPal, or Facebook.

Every ad you watch earns you points, which you can then redeem for PayPal money once you hit the $10 level.

5. Join Viggle

Viggle is a mobile app that rewards you for viewing movies and TV series on live television or streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu.

The platform uses auditory recognition technology to check you into TV programming. You gain one perk point per minute spent watching the shows. Perk points can be redeemed for benefits such as electronics, travel, gift cards, and cash.

One perk of utilizing Viggle is that you can look up any TV show you choose. They also feature trivia and quests where you may gain extra points.

You can boost your profits by engaging in streaks.

6. Become a Movie Mystery shopper

If you go to the movies frequently, this could be a way to save money while also getting reimbursed for doing something you enjoy.

As a movie mystery shopper, you are paid to attend to movie theaters as a regular customer and collect data to evaluate service quality.

The following companies can engage you as a mystery shopper:

• Market Force
• Imyst
• Intellishop

Market Force's sign-up process is free and simple. Once you've registered, the company will send you a questionnaire about your interests and activities to help you find the right assignments.

Once you get the movie mystery shopping job, you may be asked to do many checks, such as:

Open checks: This assignment needs you to count the number of theatergoers and gather information from the box office.

Blind checks involve secretly tallying the number of patrons at the theatre.

Trailer checks: Take note of all trailers that are presented before the movie.

Sneak peeks: This comprises seeing a preview of a movie at the theater. You may need to count the number of patrons and provide feedback on the image and sound quality.

Becoming a movie mystery shopper is an excellent side income, particularly if you enjoy watching movies.

7. Sign up for the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel

Nielsen is a multinational research business that allows you to earn money by revealing your viewing habits through their program.

The Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel does not dictate what you watch. They are just interested in your browsing history.

You are consequently free to watch whatever you like, as long as you share our browsing data with them. You merely need to download their app or computer program to your devices.

Nielsen guarantees that your information is kept confidential, and they do not gather data on your passwords or ID. Registration is free and you can earn up to $50 every year. In addition, the monthly contest offers the chance to win $500.

8. Nielsen Television Family Rating

The Nielsen Family Ratings program provides another way to earn money from home. In this situation, they pay you to collect data about your viewing habits in order to estimate audience ratings.

Nielsen is a great alternative because you may earn money while listening to the radio as well as watching TV episodes and movies.

It is important to note that in order to participate in these family TV ratings, you must be contacted by Nielsen.

If you ever have the opportunity to join the Nielsen Family, do not pass it up. It's a great opportunity to earn extra money from the comfort of your own home.

9. Become a movie producer

You can work as a producer in the film industry to earn money while watching movies and contributing to their creation. As a film producer, your responsibilities will include organizing and coordinating film production.

You would be responsible for hiring employees, planning production projects, and securing finance. You would also be involved in the movie's marketing and promotion.

For this position, you must have the following skills:

• Excellent management skills
• Good leadership abilities
• Become a team player
• Financial literacy

You can pursue a degree in film production, but it is not required if you have a successful track record in the field. Certification in film studies, cinematography, and stage production will offer you an advantage on the work.

10. Join Movie Focus Groups

If you're still seeking for methods to get paid to watch movies, consider participating in a movie focus group.

As a member of such a group, you may be expected to attend a movie screening prior to its release and provide feedback.

Sometimes you don't need to go to the theater. You can watch the video online and then offer your feedback. This allows you to make money from the comfort of your own home.

This line of business requires little effort. You merely need to set aside some time depending on the length of the movie you need to view. That shouldn't be an issue if you're already a movie buff.

You can join the following movie focus groups:

• Before the premiere
• GoFoBo
• iScreeningRoom
• USAAudiences

The disadvantage of this strategy is that locating a movie focus group takes time. Furthermore, it is not a consistent source of revenue. Whatever the case, it's an excellent choice.

11. Join App Trailers

App Trailers is a smartphone app that pays users to watch app previews, celebrity gossip, and DIY videos. The app is available in the Aptoide App Store.

Every trailer you view earns you points that can be redeemed for PayPal money or gift cards from prominent retailers such as Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and Groupon.

One benefit of this platform is that you can enter sweepstakes to win additional gift cards.

12. Watch Movies While House Sitting

House sitting is one of the best ways to make money doing nothing.

As a house sitter, you're responsible for someone else's home while they're away on vacation or at work. You may need to perform some little cleaning and maintenance around the house. In addition, you may be responsible for the homeowner's pets.

You may quadruple your profits by viewing movies online for money in your spare time on sites like Swagbucks.

If you're interested, you can apply for house-sitting jobs on websites like Care.com. On this platform, you may earn an average of $16 per hour as a house sitter.

Nomador is an excellent tool for finding house-sitting jobs and applying.

13. Write movie reviews

I'm sure you've seen a movie and felt compelled to share your thoughts with the filmmaker or other moviegoers.

Writing reviews allows you to share your thoughts with others who have watched the same show while also earning money.

There are various websites where you can work as a freelance movie reviewer. One of them is called Animation Arena. The platform pays you approximately $15 every review. You are allowed to write up to ten movie reviews every month.

For this website, all you need is a passion for writing and proper language. Furthermore, each review should have at least 550 words.

Other places where you can work as a freelance movie reviewer are:

• ScreenRant
• Paste Magazine
• Slant Magazine
• Culture Eater
• CBR

Writing movie reviews is convenient because it requires no qualifications or expertise to get started. To write good articles, all you need is a passion for the task.

This is a wonderful road to take, especially if you're a movie buff with a lot of knowledge about films.

14. Be a Netflix Tagger

Did you know you could get paid to watch movies on Netflix? The popular streaming service hires you to watch, analyze, and categorize shows based on their attributes.

This work is more difficult than the other possibilities discussed in this article. To work as an editorial analyst at Netflix, you must be passionate about the profession and up to date on current events.

You should be able to multitask and meet tight deadlines. Check the credentials on their website to see whether this is the perfect career for you.

The disadvantage of this strategy is that finding work takes time. You'll need to keep checking the website for new openings.

15. Start a movie review blog or YouTube channel

If you love movies and want to share your thoughts on movies and TV shows you've seen, consider creating a movie review blog.

You may have to wait to make money as a beginner blogger, but the effort is worthwhile. You can use social media to market your blog and establish a fan base.

Furthermore, high-quality, in-depth posts attract viewers to your blog. Once your audience grows, you can start monetizing your site. Running advertising is one way to make money from blogging. You can also include affiliate links to products and services that your audience might be interested in.

Another approach to monetise your site is through sponsorship schemes.

If you're comfortable in front of a camera, try launching a YouTube channel. You can discuss current trends and upcoming exhibitions.

You can also talk about story gaps, characters, and predictions with your audience. Creating high-quality content that your customers love is the key to success on these platforms.

16. Become a Voiceover Artist

Becoming a voiceover artist is an exciting way to make money while watching movies. You can become an anime voice actor if you meet the prerequisites.

This role would require you to read scripts and portray various emotions. This requires both creativity and confidence. You should also have basic computer skills.

You may also need to invest in microphones, recording software, and a computer.

You can work as a freelance voice-over artist on platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. This can help you develop your talents before looking for full-time possibilities.

17. Work in a movie theatre

Working in a movie theatre is one of the simplest ways to earn money while watching movies. You can work as a manager, cashier, or attendant at a theater.

The remuneration differs from one movie theater to another. You can watch movies while working. This is also an excellent way to see movies without paying for tickets.

You can apply for this position at the local movie theater. It's an excellent choice, particularly if you enjoy going to the movies.

18. Become a movie critic

Becoming a professional movie critic allows you to earn money while watching movies.

Your job description would include watching and analyzing many components of the film, such as structure, cinematography, directing, and plot progression.

To work as a professional movie critic, you may need to earn a film degree. To pursue this career, you must have decent writing skills and some experience.

The benefit of this option is that you can work full-time; it's not just a method to get extra money. According to Glassdoor, a professional movie critic in the United States can earn approximately $52,080 yearly.

Another advantage is being invited to early movie screenings. It should be noted that this job is more difficult and needs dedication than becoming a movie reviewer.

Becoming a professional movie critic is a great way to earn money while watching movies, especially if you have an educational background in film.

19. Work as a closed captioner

Closed captioners write subtitles and captions for movies and television shows. This is an excellent method to get paid to watch movies at home.

You do not absolutely need an educational background to apply for this position. However, you must be able to type quickly. Being ability to translate into various languages is advantageous.

You also need the necessary captioning equipment and knowledge of captioning software and hardware.

You can work for yourself on sites like Fiverr and Upwork, or apply to organizations like Vitac.

Most firms that hire closed captioners demand previous experience. You can gain experience by working on a variety of example projects and acquiring clients individually.

If you want to make this a full-time job rather than a side hustle, you should consider getting certified. This can improve your chances of landing a job while also allowing you to develop your talents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Be Paid to Watch Movies?

Yes, you may be paid to watch movies. Some organizations, such as Nielsen, pay you to collect statistics about your viewing habits. Several apps and websites pay you to watch movies and film trailers. Swagbucks is an example.

You can also apply to work as a tagger for streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix. You would need to view movies and categorize them based on genre and qualities.

How Do You Get Paid to Watch Movies?

You can earn money by watching movies through a variety of options. They include the following:

• Join movie focus groups, such as GofoBo
• Become a freelance film reviewer
• Become a professional film reviewer
• Be a closed captioner
• Apply for a job as a tagger at Netflix
• Watch movies on sites like Swagbucks

Is there a job that pays you to watch movies?

There are various occupations for movie buffs that pay you to watch films.

For example, you could apply for a position as a Netflix tagger. Your job description would be to watch movies and categorize them based on certain qualities.

Closed captioning for companies such as Vitac is another way to earn money while watching movies. You would have to type out subtitles for movies and television shows.

Working in a movie theater is another method to earn money while watching movies. You could carry on with your day job while watching movies.

Does Netflix Pay You to Watch Movies?

If you love movies, you can apply to work as a Netflix Tagger.

As a Netflix tagger, your responsibilities would include watching and analyzing Netflix series and movies in order to categorize them based on their characteristics, substance, and genre.

Finding Netflix tagging jobs takes a long time. If you're interested, keep an eye on their website for new positions.

Which App Pays you to Watch Videos?

You may make money watching videos on apps like:

• Swagbucks
• Kashkick
• MyPoints
• Viggle
• AppTrailers

To earn money with these applications, all you have to do is sign up and watch the videos. Most apps offer redeemable points for PayPal cash or Amazon gift cards.

The applications don't pay well, but they're a terrific way to make extra money.

How Much Can You Make Watching Movies?

The remuneration is based on the number of videos you watch and their time.

The remuneration for most of these movie-watching jobs varies from business to company. It also varies based on which option you choose.

The Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel pays around $50 per year. As a movie critic on Animation Arena, you can earn up to $15 every review.

Final Thoughts

Watching movies is a legitimate way to get additional money in your spare time. There are various methods to get paid to watch movies, ranging from writing movie reviews to full-time occupations such as Netflix tagging.

Consider the options listed above and assess the advantages and cons before deciding which to pursue. It should be noted that some positions have severe qualifications, while others do not. Keep this in mind when selecting an option.