How to Get Paid to Watch Movies and Videos


If you love movies and consider yourself to be a movie expert, you may be able to turn your hobby into an income stream.

There are are a number of ways that you can get paid to watch movies and videos that may be surprising. While you won’t get rich with most of the options on this list, it can be a fun-filled way to make some extra money on the side without picking up a boring part-time job.

This can be a great way to turn your interest and your spare time into extra cash. And with option #6, you may even be able to turn it into a lucrative business.

So, here we’ll explore some of the best ways that you could earn some extra cash with your love of movies and videos.

→ Related reading: 150+ Side Hustles to Make Extra Money in Your Spare Time

Ways to Get Paid for Watching Movies and Videos

1. In-Theater Checks

If you enjoy going to your local movie theater, you could watch movies for free, just by collecting some data for Market Force Information. Movie studios and theaters want to collect data about the audiences attending movie premiers. They look for things such as how many people are buying tickets on opening day, the most popular screen times, and the previews shown before each movie. The best way to collect this data is by using third party evaluators and how you can earn money as a theater checker.

The application process is easy and short, but you will need to live in the U.S. or Canada to be eligible. Once your application is approved, you could be assigned a number of potential tasks, including:

  • Open Checks: You will present a Letter of Authorization to the theater manager, so you can count the number of people attending showtimes and collect the box office information for the end of day figures.
  • Trailer Checks: After you present a Letter of Authorization, you will be able to watch and record all the trailers on all screens before the assigned feature.
  • Blind Checks: You may be assigned to covertly count the patrons attending the showtimes of assigned features on an assigned day.
  • Ad Checks: This involves watching and recording all the adverts shown before the feature.
  • Sneak Checks: After you present a Letter of Authorization, you will be able to watch a sneak preview of a specific upcoming release to collect demographic information and reactions.
  • Comprehensive Checks: This involves collecting a variety of new release information, including ticket prices, audience figures, trailers shown, and the sound and visual quality.

Payment for the tasks vary, but it is approximately $10 to $20 an hour, plus you get to see a free movie. You could earn $30 a day while watching movies.

2. InboxDollars ($5 signup bonus)


If you’re interested in developing a side gig, you’re likely to have already heard about Inbox Dollars. However, while many people consider using this platform to make money by taking surveys, you may not be aware that you can also accumulate credits to watch celebrity videos, movie previews, news, and other videos.

You can select a playlist of videos, and the playlists can vary from a couple of minutes to half an hour, but you need to watch the complete playlist in order to get paid. You can check how long the playlist is before you start, so you can be fully aware of the time required.

This can make a good side hustle that you can complete anywhere, providing there is access to the internet. There is a potential to earn $200 or more each month, but you’ll need to be prepared to put in some work. Additionally, Inbox Dollars offers a $5 sign up bonus for new users.

You need to accumulate $30 in your account before you can request a cash out. You can receive payment via check, PayPal payment, or gift cards. InboxDollars also operates a refer a friend program, where you can earn $1 for each friend who signs up and activates a new account to a maximum of 5 referrals.

Sign up for InboxDollars here to get the $5 bonus.

3. Swagbucks ($5 signup bonus)


Swagbucks is another platform known for being a survey company, but you can also get paid to watch videos. Although Swagbucks doesn’t pay as well as Inbox Dollars, there are more categories, including home, travel, and entertainment, making it a little more fun.

After account set up, you can download the Swagbucks app, so you can watch videos on your computer or phone. This makes it easier to multitask, watching videos while you’re cooking, cleaning, or even working, so you can earn up to $100 a month just by watching videos.

Your Swagbucks credits are typically worth $0.01 each, but they can quickly add up, particularly if you use the other areas of the platform. Once you reach the minimum level, you can redeem your points for gift cards for a variety of retailers, including Starbucks, Amazon, and Walmart.

Swagbucks also operates a referral program. You’ll be provided with a unique sign up link, and when you refer friends, you’ll earn 10% on all active referrals. There is no maximum limit, so if your friend earns 1000 Swagbucks, you’ll get 100.

Sign up for Swagbucks here to get the $5 bonus.

4. MyPoints ($10 signup bonus)


MyPoints is another reward program that allows you to earn points watching videos, taking surveys, and other tasks. The signup process is simple; you’ll just need to answer some basic questions before receiving a confirmation email to set up your password.

The points for each task varies, but you can earn rewards by watching online videos, playing games, taking surveys, and using coupons, so there is a task for everyone. There are also daily deals where you can take advantage of available promotions.

The redemption policy for MyPoints is quite versatile. In most cases, 700 points equals a $5 gift card. However, you can also redeem points for PayPal payments, airline miles, or shopping vouchers.

Sign up for MyPoints here to get the $10 bonus.

5. Viggle


The Viggle app provides rewards for music and TV fans. You earn Perk Points by tapping programs on the Viggle App, which can be redeemed for prizes, gift cards, or cash. This means that you can earn points by watching live television and checking into shows on streaming providers. You can even earn additional Perk Points with the daily bonus shows and games.

The Perk Points convert with a rate of 30 to 35 points being one cent. So, you will need to accumulate 3,000 points or more to cash out $1. So, while this is not a get rich quick scheme, if you’re an avid television fan, you can earn money practically passively.

Essentially, you “check-in” for shows currently airing or ones you’ve recorded up to five days after the original air date. You need to hit “earn points” and then place your iPhone or Android device where it can hear the television. The Viggle app will recognize the show, and you’ll receive a point per minute that you’re checked in.

Each day, there are featured shows with bonus points, so you may receive up to 15 times the Perk Points. Additionally, you can have up to four Viggle accounts for your household, providing it is limited to one account per person. So, two devices can check into the same show at the same time, doubling your earnings.

Learn About More Ways to Make Money:

6. Start a Movie Review Blog or YouTube Channel

While you need to put in some serious work before you start seeing earnings, starting a YouTube channel or movie review blog can be a great way to get paid for watching movies. Both blogs and YouTube channels can earn money through advertising and sponsorships.

Most sponsors and advertisers have requirements, including viewer numbers and activity. However, once you have started to develop a following, you could find your blog or channel becomes a lucrative income stream.

Of course, you need to stand apart from the crowd. There are lots of channels and blogs that focus on new release movies, so you’ll need to find a unique hook. You may have a light-hearted tone or focus on specific tropes, but if you can find your own niche, you could quickly establish yourself as a movie expert.

The most successful content creators connect with viewers through social media, so you will need to build up a social media presence. You may find that viewers message you on your social media accounts or comment on your content. You should try to respond to all comments and messages to encourage viewer interaction, but don’t take any negative comments personally.

While this option will require more work and more patience (you don’t start making money right away) than the other options covered in this article, the income potential is also much higher. To learn more, please see the article How to Start a Blog or How I Make a Full-Time Income on YouTube at 24.

7. Work as a Netflix Movie Tagger


Netflix movie taggers, or as they were previously known, editorial analysts are required to watch the shows, specials, and movies on Netflix to tag them with the appropriate metadata. These tags are used to make it easier for viewers to search for programs based on categories they like or shows already watched.

Netflix says that being a movie tagger is like being a librarian and ensuring the shows are accurately classified, so you will need to know how movies and TV shows are related. Positions for a movie tagger are not widely available, so you will need to demonstrate that you are entertainment savvy and have the knowledge and skills to tag, rate, and research engaging metadata for the Netflix catalog.

Generally, tagger teams specialize in genres, so while you may be assigned your favorite topic, there is also a chance that you will be assigned to shows you find mind-numbing. Additionally, you will need to be prepared to spend large blocks of time in front of a screen. However, if you’re already a bit of a TV addict, then this isn’t such a bad trade-off at all.

However, like most dream jobs, becoming a Netflix tagger is not an easy role to get. But as the Netflix catalog expands, the company does open up job opportunities periodically. So, it can be worth keeping an eye on the Netflix recruitment page if this role appeals to you.

8. Become a Checker for Checker Patrol

Checker Patrol is a service that assists marketing advertisers, restaurant owners, exhibition chains, theater distributors, and other operators to obtain accurate information. Checker Patrol Checkers are independent contractors who perform a variety of checks that may be specific assignments, including:

  • Open Checking: You would be required to go into a restaurant or movie theater before you complete a questionnaire. This type of assignment typically only takes an hour or two, and you will be asked to rate the venue. Since you’re open checking, the management and staff are aware of why you are there, so you don’t need to act incognito.
  • Blind Checking: This is similar to the above assignment, but you will need to remain undercover and not reveal your intentions to the staff, management, or patrons. Again, this should only take an hour or two to complete.
  • Trailer Checking: This requires that you arrive before showtime to record all the previews and ads running before the movie. You’ll be paid on a per-screen basis, and there may be assigned movies playing on multiple screens.
  • Sneak Preview Checking: Sneak previews typically occur a week or two before the movie release date, and you’ll be required to collect data including a headcount, and evaluating the picture and sound quality. You will also need to coordinate with the theater management to obtain the details of the ticket numbers and the signature of the manager for which you’ll receive a flat fee.

If you enjoy spending your free time watching movies, television shows, and videos, then getting paid to do this is a great side gig opportunity that may even develop into a full-time career (in the case of suggestion #6). These are just some of the ways that you can get paid to watch videos, and many of these opportunities can be tailored to fit around your everyday commitments. So, whether you just have an hour or two each day or have more time available, there are some great ways to get paid for your time.

Just be sure to read the terms and conditions of any opportunity to ensure that you comply with any rules and make sure that you’ll get paid.

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How to Get Paid to Watch Movies and Videos

Looking to make some extra money? A side hustle doesn\'t have to be all work and no fun. Earn some extra money in your spare time without picking up a boring part-time job. This article shows how you can get paid to watch movies and videos. This includes movies at theatres, at home on TV, and online videos. #makemoney #sidehustle #getpaid