10 Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies & Films

Last Updated: November 30, 2024 • 8 min read

Author: Zach L.

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Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies & Films

Want to get paid for watching movies? It's easier than you think. You can turn your love for films into extra cash by reviewing them. Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a die-hard cinephile, there are opportunities to earn money simply by sharing your thoughts. Here are 10 ways you can start getting paid to review movies and films.

10 Legit Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies & Films

Create A Movie Review Blog
Taste of Cinema
Medium
ScreenRant
Cineaste
Netflix Tagger
Mystery Shopping
Film Critic
Podcast About Movies
Start A Movie YouTube Channel

1. Create A Movie Review Blog

When I first started this blog, I thought it was just a hobby. I loved writing and had a passion for personal finance. My goal was simple—share everything I’ve learned about money, both the wins and the mistakes, so others could benefit.

But here’s the twist: I quickly realized this hobby could actually make money.

Starting a movie review blog is a perfect way to turn hours spent watching films into hours spent earning. With your own blog, you have the freedom to share your thoughts on every movie you watch.

The best part? You can monetize it in many ways. Ads, sponsorships from studios or streaming services, affiliate marketing—you’re not stuck with just one stream of income.

And the best part about blogging? There are no rules. You can post whenever you want, however you want. But if you’re serious about turning this into a full-time gig, consistency is key. Keep creating quality content your audience can relate to.

When you start your movie review blog, think beyond just reviews. You can carve out a niche, like:

A fantasy blog focused on franchises like Harry Potter or Star Wars
A Lord of the Rings blog that dives into the nitty gritty

Just a heads up: I didn’t make money right away. It took time to build. So, don’t expect to hit it big overnight.

2. Taste of Cinema

Platforms like Taste of Cinema make getting paid for writing movie reviews and reaching a big audience possible. Taste of Cinema is all about must-read film lists for movie lovers, whether they're seasoned cinephiles or just discovering cinema. They’re always looking for freelance writers to bring fresh takes and engaging lists to their readers.

As a contributor, you'll need to pitch ideas that fit the site’s style. Once you have an article ready, you pitch it to their editor. Not every piece will get accepted, so keep that in mind.

If your article is accepted, you'll earn money based on its performance—more clicks mean more money. So, the better your piece stands out, the higher your earning potential.

Think of your article as a blockbuster. It needs to hook the reader and keep them interested until the end. And don’t forget: sharing your articles on social media can boost those clicks.

The best part? You can write as much or as little as you want, all from home. Plus, you can use the platform to promote your site, social channels, or products.

3. Medium

Medium is a platform where writers, bloggers, and thought leaders share their stories and insights with a global audience.

It’s also a great way to get paid for movie reviews.

With the Medium Partner Program, you can earn money based on how much engagement and reading time your articles get.

To join, you need to:

Have at least one published story in the past 6 months
Be a Medium member
Be in an eligible country

If you love movies, why not turn your passion into profit by reviewing them on Medium?

4. ScreenRant

ScreenRant is on the lookout for writers who can create “in-depth, premium content” about movies, TV shows, news, and gaming. The perks? You get an author bio/credit and payment for your work. The catch? They don’t disclose how much you’ll earn for writing movie reviews.

To apply, you need to submit your topic ideas and share your previous writing experience.

5. Cineaste

Cineaste is a magazine about the art and politics of the cinema, and it’s been around since 1967. They’re looking for writers who can cover in-depth topics on Hollywood and film.

This is one of the higher-paying movie review opportunities, but keep in mind that these articles demand more work and a higher quality standard.

If you’re serious about writing for a respected movie review magazine, Cineaste is worth applying to.

6. Netflix Tagger

Did you know you can get paid to review movies on Netflix? Sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s real—Netflix Taggers exist.

Their job is to categorize and tag Netflix movies accurately. These tags are what you see under movie descriptions, like “family-friendly,” “animated,” or “horror.” Without them, it’d be impossible to navigate the massive Netflix library and find the right content.

To be a Netflix Tagger, you watch and review movies to make sure they’re tagged correctly. For a movie lover, this job is a dream. You’re watching movies and helping others find what they love.

But here’s the catch: the job has strict requirements and pays a fair salary. Plus, these positions are rare and highly sought after. When an opening pops up, grab it. Opportunities like this don’t come around often.

7. Mystery Shopping

Not everyone loves watching movies on a TV or laptop screen, but what about getting paid to watch them on the big screen? The answer is yes—become a mystery shopper.

Think of it like being a secret agent in your own movie. As a mystery shopper, you visit cinemas incognito to evaluate and report back on the theater’s conditions. From the building’s exterior and staff service to the quality of the equipment, you’re there to assess it all.

But don’t get it twisted—this isn’t about watching movies for fun. You’re there to check if the theater meets standards, whether that’s the sound system, screen quality, or overall experience.

8. Film Critic

If you live and breathe movies, there’s really only one path to consider: becoming a movie critic.

It’s not an easy road. But the skills you gain and the recognition that comes with it? Totally worth it. Some critics even become famous and build their own fanbase.

The biggest reward, aside from a potentially lucrative salary, is that your reviews become part of the conversation in the film industry. Your insights can shape opinions and draw more people to the theaters.

9. Podcast About Movies

There are plenty of work-from-home side hustles focused on writing movie reviews, but not many let you work with friends. Starting your own movie podcast is the perfect way to share your thoughts and discuss films with your crew. The more natural your conversations, the better!

A movie podcast is more than just talking; it creates an intimate experience where you can dive deep into any detail. Plus, once you build a solid audience, you’ll create a sense of community with people who share your love for movies. Look at successful podcasts like Filmspotting, which reviews and analyzes both new and classic films, or The Weekly Planet, which covers movies, TV shows, and comics. They’ve built loyal followings with engaging discussions.

It might be hard to believe, but podcasting can be a way to make money fast. You can monetize your podcast through sponsorships and brand placements.

Just remember, like any side hustle, consistency is key. You need to build up listeners before you start earning. It’s not an overnight success story.

10. Start A Movie YouTube Channel

Imagine being behind a movie review channel. You can start a YouTube channel for free and share your thoughts on the movies you watch, giving viewers a preview before they decide to watch.

On YouTube, you’re the director—you make the rules. No boss, no clients. You can even stay anonymous if you want. Being a movie review YouTuber is one of the most laid-back jobs around. Unlike other social media, there’s no need to pump out content every day.

Once you build a solid audience, you can make money in multiple ways. With a movie review channel, you’re getting paid to watch movies.

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