movie reviews for money

9 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Review Movies in 2023

Online social media jobs that pay $30/hour, no experience necessary, availability to start this week, no experience required, make $25-$35 testing new apps, just need access to phone/tablet, completely remote, 5+ hours per week available.

If you watch a lot of TV, you’re not alone.

According to the latest Nielsen Total Audience survey, the average American spends a little over four hours each day glued to the television.

And while watching movies and shows is undoubtedly a great way to unwind after a hard day at work, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get paid for it?

Well, if you also enjoy writing, you can. All you need to do is share your thoughts with the world.

Here are the top ways to get paid to review movies.

If you consider yourself a good writer, you can become a paid contributor at a movie review or entertainment website.

Generally speaking, you’ll need to have excellent grammar, writing samples, and the ability to develop article ideas, to land one of these roles. Since these are freelance positions, you can apply to as many of these jobs as you’d like, depending on your availability and income goals.

Here are a few places to check out.

Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies

1. Animation Arena 2. Taste of Cinema 3. ScreenRant 4. Bustle 5. Cineaste 6. Cracked 7. Hubpages 8. Medium

1. Animation Arena

Animation Arena, a website dedicated to animation of all sorts, hires writers to create movies, video games, and comic book reviews.

Each review needs to be about 550 words long. The pay is $15 per review, and as one of their writers, you can write up to 10 reviews per month.

You don’t need to be a professional writer for this gig, but you need good grammar and must submit two writing samples with your query.

You can learn more about becoming an animated movie reviewer with Animation Arena here.

2. Taste of Cinema

Taste of Cinema brings in millions of page views per month by specializing in “list” articles. They are currently looking for contributors to write movie reviews and classic move lists.

For reference, some of their most popular move lists include topics like:

• The 30 Best Movies of 2018
• The 10 Most Overrated Actors Working Today
• The 18 Best Philosophical Movies of All Time

As a contributor for Taste of Cinema, you’ll need to come up with your own movie-related article ideas. Then, once you write your article, you can pitch it to their editor.  If accepted, you’ll be paid depending on the number of views or clicks your article receives.

 (This means there’s no guaranteed pay. Still, if you’re a new movie reviewer, having an article published can help you build your portfolio.)

If accepted as a contributor, you can write as much or as little as you like.

If you want to get paid to review movies, you can see the full application instructions here.

3. ScreenRant

ScreenRant was started in 2003 and is now one of today’s top entertainment news websites. They focus on movie and TV news, reviews, interviews, and more.

Right now, ScreenRant is hiring contributors to write for one or more of their top categories. If you land a contributor spot, you’ll be paid for your articles and receive a byline.

While ScreenRant doesn’t list writer pay on their website, a Reddit user reports that pay is a combination of a flat fee + incentives for how well the content performs.

You can fill out the application here if you want to get paid to review movies . To do so, you’ll need to submit three writing samples and describe your previous experience.

Bustle is a popular website geared toward women. Some of their top subjects are entertainment, wellness, style, and life.

From time to time, Bustle hires new contributors. If you want to find a writing position in their entertainment category, you can check for job openings here.

For this position, you should be prepared to provide previous writing samples with your application.

5. Cineaste

Cineaste is a quarterly publication founded in 1967. Their subtitle is  “America’s leading magazine on the art and politics of the cinema.”

Cineaste accepts pitches for feature articles, interviews, film reviews, DVD reviews, and book reviews. To increase the chance of an editor accepting your pitch, you’ll need to stick to the recommended word count and style guide listed on the Cineaste website.

The pay is dependent upon the type of article. If your article is accepted, payment will be:

• Short take reviews: $18
• Book & DVD reviews: $36
• Film reviews: $45
• Feature articles: $90

Cracked is a comedy-based website that has articles on all kinds of subjects, including movies.

Anyone can sign up to be a contributor with Cracked . However, that doesn’t automatically mean they’ll publish your articles. 

Cracked has high standards, so it may take a pitch or two before you’re published. If you are published, though, they’ll pay you $100. Then, after you have four articles accepted, they’ll bump you up to $200 per article.

To give you an idea of what kind of movie content they’re looking for, some of their recent posts include titles such as:

• 5 Ways Movies Screw Up Exciting and Emotional Scenes
• Sorry, But ‘Ted Lasso’s’ Theme Song Sucks
• How Costume Designers Hack Our Brains

Start Your Own Movie Review Blog or YouTube Channel

If you want to control the content you produce, you can start a movie review blog or YouTube channel.

In complete transparency, it will take a lot of time and effort before either of these become profitable. However, if you stick with it, you can create a movie review empire that could eventually become a full-time gig.

The beauty of starting your own content channel is that you can choose how you’d like to niche down. For example, you could review only horror movies, lifetime movies, Netflix movies, etc.

You can learn more about starting and monetizing a blog here.

Write for Revenue Share Websites

If you don’t like the idea of starting your own blog but are still looking for complete control over the content you produce, you can write for revenue-share websites.

These websites work by allowing you (or anyone) to sign up to become a writer. Then, as a writer, when your content becomes popular, it generates revenue through ad networks, product sales, or affiliate links. 

That revenue gets split between you and the site you’re writing for.

Here are some of the most popular revenue-sharing websites to sign up with.

7. Hubpages

Hubpages is one of the oldest revenue-sharing sites on the internet.

To get started with Hubpages, simply sign up and create your profile. You’ll then be able to join the ad program or Amazon program to monetize your articles.

Once you complete those steps, you can begin writing.

After writing, your next step is to publish the article. Once you do, HubPages will put it through a quality assessment check. If it passes, your movie review will become searchable on popular search engines and may land on the featured page.

This will help improve the odds of you receiving traffic and, therefore, making money from your review.

The more articles you write, the higher your chances of making money.

Medium is where authors and storytellers come to share their knowledge and experiences. It’s an open-source content platform where anyone can write.

However, to make money writing movie reviews on Medium, you’ll need to be approved for the partner program.

To become eligible to apply, you must have at least one story published and over 100 followers.

Once accepted, you can begin writing.

There are two ways to earn. 

The first is dependent on how long Medium members spend reading your articles. The more time spent, the more you make. The second happens when a reader upgrades to a paid membership after reading one of your stories. If they do so,  you’ll receive half the membership cost they paid.

How Much Do Movie Reviewers Get Paid?

Film critics work as freelance writers or journalists, getting paid to publish opinions in the form of articles. Since pay varies by publication and a yearly salary is dependent on how many hours a film critic chooses to work, it’s hard to pin down an exact pay range.

However, for reference, the average journalist’s salary is $42,062 per year, according to Payscale.

If you’re a new movie reviewer and are interested in writing reviews in your spare time, you’ll typically earn between $15-$200 depending on the length of the review and the publication.

Other Side Hustle Ideas Worth Checking Out

Here are a few more  side hustles  you can check out:

• Get paid to type
• Make money watching videos online
• Get paid to listen to music

Ways to Get Paid to Review Movies – Final Thoughts

If you love watching movies and have strong opinions about what you watch, you can make a decent side hustle income reviewing movies.

To find success, you’ll need solid grammar skills and the willingness to learn how to format and perfect articles. If you have those skills, you can get started by sending in applications or article pitches to the sites listed above.

Alternatively, you can start building out a blog or YouTube channel with your movie reviews if you prefer complete editorial control.

Looking for more ways to earn money?

Check out the video below to learn how I went from $0 to $3,000,000:

Affiliate Disclaimer: I may (and probably do) receive affiliate commissions from any products I recommend or links I put on this page. My opinions are my own but they are truthful and I do my best to recommend products that I have vetted and/or purchased myself.

Spencer Mecham

Clear Out Your Clutter: The Top Online Marketplaces to Sell Your Stuff

Get Paid To Lose Weight (Sites That Pay You to Be Healthy)

Savings Tips: Tricks to Save on Taxes this Year

Upwork Alternatives to Skyrocket Your Freelancing Career

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

This Online World

Side Hustles, Making Money Online, & Finance

10 Best Ways To Get Paid To Review Movies

Posted on December 15, 2022 - Tom Blake - This post may contain affiliate links that compensate us if you click or sign up. Please read our affiliate disclaimer for more information.

If you're a bit of a movie aficionado, you might be looking to turn your passion for movies into a new income stream.

Making money from reviewing movies might sound like the dream side hustle idea for many. But, the great news is there are plenty of ways to get paid to review movies.

So, if you're ready to turn your movie and TV viewing time into a new way to make money online , this is the post for you.

Let's get to it!

Want more ways to make money? Checkout :

• Branded Surveys : Share your opinion to get gift cards and cash!
• Swagbucks : Another fun way to earn free PayPal cash and gift cards.

Table of Contents

How To Get Paid To Review Movies

There are plenty of ways to make money writing reviews out there. And when it comes to getting paid for writing movie reviews, there are plenty of entrepreneurial ideas or online companies you can use to make extra cash from your movie reviews.

1. Start A Movie Review Blog

In my opinion, the best way to get paid for movie reviews is to start your own movie review blog .

I'm a bit biased here since blogging is how I make the bulk of my income, but I truly think that a blog is the most versatile way to make money from a hobby like movies.

For example, This Online World made $92,000 in 2021 , and this income came from numerous income streams. And in 2022, I made $272,000 with This Online World :

The two main sources were running Mediavine ads and through affiliate marketing. And these days, the blog makes $500 a day from just Mediavine alone, and this is largely autopilot income . My video above explains exactly how I started my blog and scaled this income source.

Now in terms of making money with a movie review blog, titans like IMDB are obviously dominating the market. However, independent film critics have also found success by writing movie reviews for money .

For example, Leonard Maltin's movie review blog is a perfect example.

On his blog, Maltin writes various movie reviews or cinema-related content. And, he has a Patreon that his readers can subscribe to if they want early-access to content and to unlock some exclusive content as well.

And this is just one example.

Nothing stops you from starting a niche blog that talks about movies but also filmography, or things like creating a perfect home theater where you plug a lot of Amazon affiliate links.

And the best part is that blogging doesn't have to be super expensive. I started This Online World with a cheap domain name and simple WordPress hosting. You can find incredibly affordable hosting and domains with a company like SiteGround and pay less than a cup of coffee or two per month.

And you never know where a blog can take you; I've been blogging for four years and it's now my full-time job and makes $10,000 a month or more.

2. Start A Movie Review YouTube Channel

Like blogging, another way to get paid to review movies is to start a movie review YouTube channel.

YouTubers do this all the time for music reviews or movie reviews, and if you gain a following, you can certainly make money on YouTube . I mean, I started my channel in 2020, and these days, it makes around $1,000 per month, and that's mostly passive income !

The thing with YouTube is that you can't show copyrighted content, so reviewing movies usually follows a reaction format or opinion format where you just talk about a movie.

That said, there are plenty of popular movie review channels out there. For example, movie review YouTuber Jeremy Jahns has over 1.8 million subscribers, and pretty much all of his movie review videos get hundreds of thousands of views!

Jahns does straight up movie reviews and also covers things like trailers and TV shows, so you have a lot of options.

And like blogging, YouTube isn't incredibly expensive to start either. For example, here is my budget YouTube setup that I used to grow my own channel to 10,000+ subscribers:

• Sony A6000 Camera   – $495.
• Audio-Technica AT2005 USB Microphone  – $80.
• Joby GorillaPod Tripod  – $15.

Extra Reading – Blog vs YouTube – Which Option Is Best?

3. AnimationArena

If you want to make money as a freelance writer , another way to get paid to write movie reviews is to write for AnimationArena.

This site pays you for writing movie reviews as well as comic book and video game reviews.

You don't need previous experience, and reviews are at least 550 words and are supposed to be casual in style .

AnimationArena pays $15 USD per review and asks for a max of 10 reviews per month.

This is a pretty quick $150 if you write 10 reviews per month. To get started, you just email two writing samples to [email protected] with “Writing for Animation Arena” in the subject line.

4. Start A Medium Blog

If you want to make money with creative writing or start a movie review blog a bit faster, you can always try making money on Medium .

Medium is a free blogging platform where you get paid when premium Medium members read your content.

I've also been blogging on Medium, on and off, for the last few years. At one point, I was making $1,000+ from my Medium work :

However, you can start your own Medium profile for free and write whatever you feel like. If you build an audience over time, it's definitely possible to turn sites like Medium into a decent income stream on the side as well.

5. ScreenRant

Like AnimationArena, you can also get paid for writing movie reviews by writing for ScreenRant.

ScreenRant is looking for writers who can write “in-depth, premium content” about movies, TV shows, news, and gaming. You get an author bio/credit and you get paid. However, ScreenRant doesn't state how much you get paid for writing movie reviews.

You apply by submitting the topic(s) you want to write about and explain what previous writing experience you have as well.

6. Taste Of Cinema

Another way you can make money writing movie reviews is to write for Taste of Cinema.

This movie review site is always looking for contributor writers. And, there are two compensation models you can choose from:

• Promotion : Promote your company, author profile, book, or social media accounts in your author bio.
• Payment : Get paid for your movie reviews depending on how many clicks your articles get.

Unfortunately, Taste of Cinema doesn't have information on its rates. And honestly, pay-per-click models are usually pretty low in the world of freelance writing.

But if you just want to write movie reviews for money as a fun side hustle, you can always try out Taste of Cinema to see if you like it.

7. Cineaste

According to its website, Cineaste is “America's leading magazine on the art and politics of the cinema.”

This quarterly publication began in 1967, and it's looking for writers who can cover in-depth topics about Hollywood and film.

This includes writing in-depth pieces, interviews, and film reviews. Many of these pieces range from 1,000 to 4,000+ words, and there's a serious editorial team behind the scenes.

Here's how much Cineaste pays for different types of movie and film reviews :

• Short Takes : $18.
• Book & DVD Reviews : $36.
• Film Reviews, Short Articles, & Sidebar Interviews : $45.
• Feature Articles & Interviews : $$90.

This is one of the higher-paying movie review gigs, although articles require much more work and the quality standard is higher.

But if you want to write for a movie review magazine, you can definitely apply to Cineaste .

Bustle is an American women's magazine that began in 2013. These days, it's an absolutely massive publication you're probably familiar with.

And the great news is that Bustle covers movies and entertainment news, and you can pitch freelance writing ideas to the editorial team.

Here's what you include in your article pitch :

• A few sentences about your writing background
• A sample headline
• A 2-3 sentence summary of the article
• Sources you know that pertain to the article
• Why the story is relevant and a good fit for Bustle
• Any plans for photos if you want to include some

The fact you can set your freelance writing rate is a perk of writing movie reviews for cash with Bustle.

Granted, you're not guaranteed to get the rate you're asking for, but Bustle is a massive website, so it has the potential to turn into a more regular gig if the team likes your work.

9. Get A Job Reviewing Movies

One of the more straightforward ways to get paid for movie reviews is to get a movie reviewer job.

Searching on remote job sites or regular job boards is a great way to start your job search. For example, if you search for movie review jobs on Indeed, you find scores of different remote and in-person job openings.

Many listings include salary information as well, or how many articles you have to publish. Plus, you can find full- and part-time work, so this is ideal if you're looking for something a bit more serious.

Extra Reading – The Best Jobs That Pay $5,000 Per Month .

10. Cracked

Cracked is another massively popular online publication that covers topics like entertainment, TV shows, movies, and music.

Now, Cracked is definitely on the more premium side, so it's not the type of movie review writing job that accepts everyone.

However, you can still apply to write for the site. Cracked pays between $100 to $250 depending on article length and how many pieces you've written .

Cracked is also quite humorous, so take a look at some published pieces to see if your writing style matches up well!

How Much Money Can You Make Writing Movie Reviews?

How much you get paid for your movie reviews depends on several factors, including:

• The publications you write for
• How often you write
• Your previous experience
• If you run your own music review blog or YouTube channel

Top movie critics can make six figures, and the most popular movie review blogs or YouTube channels can make millions. However, many movie review writer jobs only pay $10 to $100 per article, with $100 being on the higher side .

Ultimately, it's possible to make decent money in this space, but it's competitive and requires building up your portfolio!

Extra Reading – The Best Free Online Jobs That Pay Daily .

Tips For Getting Started

Now that you know how to get paid for movie reviews, here are some tips you can keep in mind to help turn your hobby into a new income stream :

• Set Realistic Expectations : Set an income goal you want to make as a movie reviewer and then work towards that goal over time.
• Try Branching Out On Your Own : I think the two methods to get paid for movie reviews with the highest income potential are blogging and YouTube. So, don't be afraid to start your own thing!
• Hone Your Craft : As a freelance writer, I can confidently say that writing for money is an endless process of self-improvement. Take pride in your work and find ways to improve your movie reviews while landing better and better clients.

Extra Reading – How To Get Paid For Amazon Reviews .

Final Thoughts

I hope this list of ways to make money from movie reviews helps you turn your film hobby into a new income stream.

Again, there are plenty of options out there, so don't be afraid to dabble with a few ideas on the side as you improve your writing.

This could mean starting a movie review blog with WordPress, your own YouTube channel, or freelance writing. Whatever the case, all of these are fun side hustles that you can use to potentially make money with your cinema hobby.

And who knows; you might be making a full-time income writing Blockbuster movie reviews in the future!

Looking for other ways to make extra money? Checkout :

• How To Make Money Writing Short Stories .
• How To Get Paid To Review Products .
• The Best Ways To Make Quick Money In A Day .

Tom is a full-time blogger and freelance writer with a passion for side hustling, passive income, and the gig economy. His work has appeared on dozens of personal finance websites like Money Crashers, The College Investor, Investor Junkie, and more. This Online World is all about providing people with honest ways to make and save more money by using technology. To learn more about Tom, read his About Page !

If you're interested in freelance writing services or want to partner with This Online World, please use our contact page to get in touch!

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to Write a Movie Review Online and Earn Money Doing It

Love watching movies and making recommendations? Consider writing movie reviews online and getting paid for it.

Do you love watching movies, picking them apart, and making recommendations to your friends? Then, you may have already wondered about getting paid to write movie reviews. For many people, it's a dream job, which makes it a competitive field to get started in.

But we're here to show you the ropes. We'll start by showing you how to write a decent movie review. Then we'll explain all the ways you can start writing movie reviews for money.

Learning How to Write a Movie Review Online

When it comes to writing and publishing online, movie reviews couldn't be much simpler. There's some general advice you probably want to follow, which we'll get into below. But so long as you approach each review as one friend advising another, it should come out well.

It's good to open with a brief summary of the plot, before outlining what does and doesn't work about the movie. Keep everything vague to avoid spoilers and try to build a strong argument for why that movie is or isn't worth watching

Since you're writing for the web, name-drop any major cast and crew members involved in the production to help your review appear in search results . Just be sure to insert those names and titles as organically as you can.

Tie everything up with a summary of your thoughts and a recommendation to the reader. You might say the movie is a "blast for action-lovers" or "not worth it for anyone who doesn't enjoy the genre." Anything that lets the reader know if you think it's good for them or not.

Finally, give the movie a rating based on the system your website or publisher uses. This might be stars, letters, numbers, or anything else.

Now, let's get stuck into how you become a movie reviewer online and earn some money.

1. Write Movie Reviews for Royalties

One of the easiest ways to get paid writing movie reviews online is to submit to websites that pay royalties for your content. The money you get paid depends on how many people read your review. It might come from subscription fees or ad revenue.

You might also hear these sites referred to as revenue sharing or pay-per-view sites.

There's a range of different sites to which you can submit your movie reviews and earn royalties. They seem to change all the time, but the most popular ones now include:

• Cultured Vultures

All you need to do is sign up and start publishing your reviews. HubPages even has a movie reviews category you can publish to.

We want to highlight Cultured Vultures , a website that specializes in content like movie reviews. Cultured Vultures built its site with amateur writers in mind and strives to pay as much as it can for all its content, offering around $2.50 for every 200 views during the first week of publication.

Once your review is online, other folks can read or comment on it and you should receive royalty payments for the traffic it receives. It won't be a fortune since it's difficult getting noticed on these sites, but it's better than writing for free.

What's more, revenue sharing sites are a great place to start building a portfolio of your work. This is particularly important if you want to go freelance.

2. Become a Freelance Movie Review Writer

Most people can't expect to earn a living off the revenue sharing sites above. But it is possible to build up a full-time income if you find out how to become a freelance movie reviewer online. When you've got a portfolio of high-quality reviews, all you need to do is start answering the calls for writers across the web.

Do a quick Google search for "write movie reviews for us" to turn up all the latest websites looking for a freelance movie reviewer. Of course, these results are bound to change all the time, but we found the following sites looking to hire writers:

• Taste of Cinema
• Cinema Escapist

There are plenty of other useful Google searches to try as well, for instance, "looking for movie writers" or "paid to write movie reviews." Any of these are likely to turn up different writing opportunities. You can also set up Google Alerts with these keywords.

Another approach is to visit the websites and blogs devoted to movies to see if they're hiring writers. Even if there isn't an explicit ad, it's worth your time to send an email of inquiry. Let them know you exist, then keep returning to the site to see if things change in the future.

And finally, don't neglect the plethora of job boards and project sites devoted to helping freelancers find work. We're talking about sites like Upwork and Fiverr or job boards like ProBlogger .

These sites run the entire gamut of subject matter, but there are clients out there looking to hire movie reviewers. Of course, you could always write for yourself instead.

Related: Sites Like Rotten Tomatoes to Find Average Ratings and Reviews for Anything

3. Monetize Your Own Website

There's nothing to stop you from building a new website to host your own movie reviews, then earning money from it through monetization schemes. This has proven to be an effective way for lots of people to earn a living across a range of different subjects.

Although that's not to say it's easy.

In fact, going down this route demands a lot of other skills alongside your writing ability, particularly marketing and research. It isn't always easy finding out how to make money with a movie blog.

You can build a website at little-to-no-cost with services WordPress or Squarespace . Once you get up and running, find a way to drive people to your site through ads, word of mouth, or search engine optimization.

One of the most common approaches to creating revenue from your audience is by converting visitors into sales. This is a popular approach for any kind of review because you can use an Amazon affiliate link to encourage your readers to buy the product you're writing about. All you need to do is sign up for the Amazon Affiliate Program and link your reviews to the Blu-Ray, DVD, or digital download for that movie.

Another great way to get paid for the movie reviews you write is to use Google Adsense on your website. These widgets work with Google's enormous network of advertisers to serve up the most relevant ads to your readers. You can block ads you don't like, choose where they appear, and pick the types of ads that work best with your site.

If you don't want to go down the advertising route, you could always set up a Patreon account and ask readers to support you directly. A lot of writers feel more comfortable with this form of monetization.

Consider Starting a YouTube Channel Instead

Getting paid to write movie reviews is an exciting way to make a living. But remember that written reviews only account for a small part of the market, hundreds of thousands of people watch movie reviews on YouTube instead.

Consider starting your own YouTube channel to share video movie reviews. You could do this alongside the ones you write. YouTube is a great way to build your personal brand, earn some extra money, and find a passionate audience for your work.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Side Hustles

Side Hustles For All

Home Writing & Editing Gigs Get Paid to Review Movies

4 Ways to Get Paid to Review Movies (Plus Tips to Get Started)

November 11, 2023

Written by:

Jessica Norris

Jessica is a writer for SideHustles.com. Her side hustles include freelance academic writing and editing, which she's done for...

Startup Time

Startup Costs

Remote-Friendly

College Required

Certification Required

Watching movies is a great way to unwind after a long day at work. But what if you could also make money while indulging in your film habit?

If you have strong feelings about the Ghostbusters reboot or the latest Tarantino film, your movie-related opinions could make you money. Read on to find out how to turn reviewing movies into a profitable side hustle.

01. The 4 best strategies to make money reviewing movies

We look at four ways to get paid for publishing movie reviews across different outlets and platforms

You can get a movie-reviewing side hustle going with one of these four strategies:

1. Submit movie reviews to websites

There are a lot of sites that allow freelancers to write movie reviews for them. As with most of the other ways to make money writing , you don’t need any special qualifications to do this; you just need writing talent and something to say.

To get your start, you’ll want to have a writing portfolio. If you’ve never written professionally before, whip up a couple of sample pieces to showcase. Selling your first review may be difficult, but the more you publish, the easier it will become to get gigs as you gain recognition among editors and media outlets.

You can try pitching to any of these websites, all of which work with freelancers:

Screen Rant

What it is: Screen Rant is an entertainment website that publishes reviews of movies, TV shows, video games, and more.

How to apply: You can apply on the Screen Rant site to join their ranks of freelance writers for TV and movie features (including movie reviews).

Pay: Screen Rant doesn’t specify their rate per article, but online reports cite rates of $5–$20 .

What it is: Cineaste is a quarterly magazine that’s all about the art and politics of cinema. It publishes various types of film-related content, including movie reviews and DVD and Blu-ray reviews (both of new and vintage/classic films).

How to apply: The Cineaste website gives detailed guidelines on how to write your review, along with instructions on how to submit it .

Pay: Cineaste pays $18–$45 per piece (depending on the type of review you submit).

Cultured Vultures

What it is: Cultured Vultures is a British pop culture website. It features content about movies as well as TV, gaming, and more.

How to apply: Film reviews are among the types of content writers can submit; you can find instructions on how to submit your writing on the Cultured Vultures website.

Pay: The pay starts from a base rate of £5 (approximately $6 ) per article with bonuses for every 200 views you get.

Taste of Cinema

What it is: Taste of Cinema is a website for movie lists and reviews, with a focus on world cinema and classics.

How to apply: To indicate that you’re interested in writing for Taste of Cinema, follow the instructions on the website (which tell you who to email and what information to include in your message).

Pay: Unfortunately, Taste of Cinema doesn’t specify how much it pays. You can ask for more details about their rates when you apply.

What it is: HubPages is an online platform where you can publish articles and create your own pages on various topics—including movies.

How to apply: It’s free to sign up for HubPages. You can then earn money from ads that appear in your content.

Pay: Regarding pay, HubPages says, “ You are not likely to see significant earnings from your articles for up to two years (and that’s two years spent writing high-quality articles on HubPages). When you do begin to see regular payouts, they are likely to be in a range of $50 to $100 a month .”

What it is: Bustle is an online women’s magazine. It publishes TV and movie reviews, as well as other articles on many different topics, such as books, celebrities, music, wellness, fashion, and so on.

How to apply: The Bustle website has specific guidelines on how to write a pitch for the publication. You can send movie review pitches to [email protected] .

Pay: Bustle doesn’t specify how much it pays freelancers. Anecdotal reports cite rates of $50–$200 per article .

Animation Arena

What it is: Animation Arena is a site for people who want to work in the animation, video game, and visual effects industries. The site publishes reviews of movies, video games, comic books, and animation books.

How to apply: The Animation Arena site provides detailed instructions on how to apply , including the email you can use to send them your pitch ( [email protected] ).

Pay: The pay per review is $15 (and you can only publish up to 10 reviews per month).

Cracked.com

What it is: Cracked is a website featuring funny videos, pictures, articles, and more. They have a section on movies and TV, which includes movie reviews.

How to apply: You can send a pitch to [email protected] .

Pay: Articles pay between $100 and $250 , based on length and the number of pieces you’ve written.

What it is: Medium is an open platform where anyone can publish articles, personal essays, stories, opinions, and (of course) movie reviews.

How to apply: To write for Medium, you don’t have to apply or go through a vetting process; you can just sign up and start writing.

Pay: Medium doesn’t pay per article, but has a “partner program” that pays you according to the time people spend reading your stories. Reports suggest that on average, you’ll get paid around $5 per thousand views on your articles, but this heavily depends on how much people engage with them (if they get bored quickly and hit the back button, you won’t make much at all).

2. Write for a newspaper

Instead of writing for an online publication, you can apply to be a movie reviewer for a local or regional newspaper. To land this type of work, follow these steps:

• Research newspapers: First, look for local newspapers (ideally in your city or state) that have a regular movie review section or a dedicated arts and entertainment section.
• Read existing reviews: Study the style and format of movie reviews published in the newspapers you’re interested in writing for. Pay attention to their tone, length, and content.
• Find contact information: Get the contact information for the entertainment or arts editor of the newspapers you’re interested in. This information should be available on the paper’s website or in the print edition.
• Prepare your pitch: Write a concise and compelling pitch expressing your interest in writing movie reviews for the newspaper. Mention your relevant experience and passion for cinema.
• Submit a portfolio: If you have any previous experience writing movie reviews (or other similar work), compile your pieces into a portfolio and include it with your pitch.

In theory, you can also use this approach to apply to work for national papers (like The New York Times or the Washington Post), but you’ll have a tough road ahead of you. Major newspapers usually only hire established movie reviewers with very strong portfolios. If that’s your goal, it isn’t impossible, but you’ll probably have to spend a long time working your way up.

3. Start a movie review blog

Another way to make money from your movie reviews is to start your own blog. This will give you more creative freedom than writing for another publication.

Blogging is also a good way to build your reputation as a movie reviewer. Even if you don’t actually plan to use your blog to make money, you can bulk up your portfolio substantially.

How to set up a movie review blog

It’s possible to start a blog for free, but if you want a domain name, you’ll need to spend a bit of money to get one. Many platforms provide all-in-one services, including a hosting account and domain name registration, along with website-building tools.

• Squarespace

Once you have your blog set up, you’ll have to do the following:

• Attract readers: To make money from your blog, you’ll need an audience. You can do this by using search engine optimization (SEO), which makes it easier for people to find and visit your website, by promoting your blog on social media, and by producing high-quality content.
• Monetize your posts: There are various ways to monetize your blog , such as selling advertising space (e.g., using Google Ads or Media.net ) or asking for donations, which you can set up by using a donation button or a crowdfunding platform like Patreon .

4. Start a movie review YouTube channel

As mentioned, not all movie reviews are written down. If you have a good voice or a compelling camera presence, you can always film them instead.

For inspiration, you can look at some of the many popular YouTube channels that feature movie reviews, such as:

• Jeremy Jahns
• Chris Stuckmann
• Mr Sunday Movies
• Jack’s Movie Reviews
• kermodeandmayo

You can use a YouTube channel to make money in much the same way you’d use a blog—by featuring advertisements, using affiliate links, or seeking sponsorship. These options will allow you to generate passive income from your YouTube videos.

02. How much do movie reviewers make?

Learn how much you can make as a movie reviewer and which factors might affect your earnings

As a movie reviewer or movie critic, you won’t usually be paid an hourly wage or monthly salary. You might be paid by the word or per article, per view (if you’re working with online platforms that track viewership), or per click (if you’re using affiliate marketing).

To give you a rough idea of how much you can earn, the rates paid by the online publications we listed above range from about $5 to $200 per article . They’ll usually pay at the lower end of the scale if you have little or no experience.

If you choose to work for yourself (by starting a blog or a YouTube channel), your earnings will entirely depend on how popular your content is. In the beginning, you shouldn’t expect to make any money at all, but if your site takes off, you may eventually be able to earn thousands of dollars per month.

03. Tips to help you make money reviewing movies

Find out which skills and resources you can use to make money from your movie reviews

If you’re starting your own blog or YouTube channel, you may need to use only some of these ideas. If you want to submit your movie reviews to magazines, film websites, or other publications, all of the following tips will be helpful.

Study the film industry

An understanding of the film industry and the filmmaking process will provide context and background for your movie reviews, helping you to craft more informed and thoughtful pieces.

You can learn how to analyze and rate movies by studying the industry, how movies are made, what role filmmakers play, and other aspects of the filmmaking process.

Cultivate movie-reviewing skills

As we’ve mentioned, you would once have needed great writing skills to be good at reviewing movies. However, you can now just as easily deliver your reviews in video format.

To make videos, you’ll need good verbal communication skills (and video editing skills, unless you plan on hiring someone to help you with that).

You’ll also need other soft skills to get good at reviewing movies. For example, you’ll need attention to detail to analyze all of the different aspects of a movie critically (e.g., the plot, character development, and cinematography).

The more you practice all of these skills, the better you’ll get. As you might expect, the best way to improve is to:

• Watch different types of movies
• Discuss the movies you watch with others
• Read and watch other people’s movie reviews and critiques
• Write or record your own reviews
• Stay up to date on the latest releases and trends in the film industry

Establish an online presence

If you’re planning to share your reviews mainly through your blog or YouTube channel (or if you plan on writing for Medium, which will pay you based on the popularity of your content), your online presence will be key for your income.

You can use social media platforms to amplify your online presence, share your reviews, and engage with your audience. In addition to the main social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, you can also look for more niche sites that focus specifically on film. In particular, check out Letterboxd , which is a social media platform that bills itself as being specifically for film lovers.

Build a great portfolio

As you’ve probably gathered, your portfolio is one of the most important tools you have for showcasing your talents to potential clients and employers.

Your portfolio should include a carefully curated selection of your best movie reviews, covering a diverse range of films from various genres, eras, and styles. It should also feature:

• A personal bio
• Social media and blog links
• Contact details

As we’ve mentioned, a film review blog can be a great addition to a portfolio, even if your main ambition is to write for established publications like film websites and magazines. Naturally, if you have any published work under your belt, link to that as well.

Use job sites to look for gigs

We’ve already mentioned a few publications that you can scope out for opportunities. You can also look for gigs on freelancer sites like:

You may be able to find clients on there who are looking to start film-related publications of their own and need content from writers like you.

You can also check out regular job sites like FlexJobs , Indeed , and ZipRecruiter . Keep an eye out to see if any newspapers or magazines put out a call for film reviewers.

You can often find opportunities by networking with people in the same field. When you’re starting out as a movie reviewer, look to network with:

• Established reviewers
• Movie critics
• Editors of movie-related publications
• Other people in the film industry

You can connect with these people through social media and also by attending film festivals, screenings, film clubs, or other events.

04. Other ways to get paid to watch movies

Mystery shopper sites and movie focus groups will sometimes pay you to watch movies in the theater or at home

The following opportunities won’t pay you to produce reviews per se. However, they might pay you (or offer other incentives such as free movie tickets) to watch movies and then complete questionnaires or participate in discussions about your experience.

Mystery shopper sites

Mystery shopper sites like the ones below sometimes feature opportunities to get paid for going to the theater:

• Amusement Advantage

For this type of gig, you’ll usually have to watch the movie and then complete a questionnaire on your experience, sharing your thoughts on the comfort of the theater and the customer service provided by the staff.

Movie focus groups

A movie focus group is a group of people from the general public who watch a movie in advance of the official release and provide feedback on whether they enjoyed it. These groups are usually recruited by movie studios, streaming platforms, or market research companies.

If you join a movie focus group, you may have the chance to attend in-person screenings, but you might also have to watch movies at home (online). Each screening will usually be followed by a discussion, interview, or questionnaire.

Note that movie focus groups don’t always pay. For example, the Netflix Preview Club doesn’t offer any incentives other than the opportunity to watch new Netflix content before the general public gets to. You also can’t join this group without an invitation from Netflix (which they extend to people based on their viewing behavior and other factors).

However, paid opportunities do exist. Here are some sites that sometimes post opportunities to join movie focus groups:

• Survey Junkie
• Focus Group
• FocusGroups.org

This type of side hustle isn’t mutually exclusive with an actual reviewing gig, of course. You can always use it to make a bit of extra money and see more films while waiting for a publication to hire you as a critic (or for your movie review blog to get off the ground).

Robert Jellison

Managing Editor

Robert is a writer and editor for SideHustles.com. He has 7+ years of experience in freelance writing and previously worked as the in-house editor for Compose.ly, a platform for remote and part-time writers.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Articles

January 30, 2024

5 Ways to Get Paid to Write Reviews

If you enjoy writing and giving your opinion, here are five ways to get paid for writing reviews.

October 30, 2023

Get Paid to Read Books: Side Hustles for Bibliophiles

If you love reading, you’ll be happy to know that you can get paid for it.

March 15, 2024

7 Best Ways to Make Money Writing

If becoming a freelance writer is a dream of yours, try out these strategies to get your start.

November 20, 2023

How to Get Paid to Write: Top Platforms for Freelancers

If you want to start writing professionally, here are 30 sites that will pay you for your work. Get your freelance writing career off on the right foot.

August 6, 2023

How to Become a Product Tester: 16 Legit Product Testing Jobs Anyone Can Do

You can get paid to test products that haven’t hit the market yet (and even keep them) in exchange for your feedback.

January 1, 2024

29 Best Freelance Writing Websites to Find Work and Hone Your Skills

Do you have aspirations of becoming a freelance writer? Here’s a list of some of the top freelance writing websites you can use to find work.

Your Side Hustle Story

• Choose a Side Hustle
• Read App Reviews
• Improve Your Skills
• Discover Your Earning Potential
• Maximize Earnings
• Manage Your Money
• Become a Contributor
• Advertising & Sponsorships
• Partner With Us
• Editorial Guidelines

10 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Write Reviews (Movies, Restaurants, and More)

Our readers always come first.

The content on DollarSprout includes links to our advertising partners. When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer — whether it’s downloading an app, opening an account, or some other action — we may earn a commission from that advertiser, at no extra cost to you.

Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers. Compensation from our partners may impact what products we cover and where they appear on the site, but does not have any impact on the objectivity of our reviews or advice.

Some companies will pay their customers to leave candid feedback about their products, while others provide free product samples in exchange for reviews. If you want to make extra money, getting paid to write reviews can be a great way to do it.

• Side Hustles

Our mission at DollarSprout is to help readers improve their financial lives, and we regularly partner with companies that share that same vision. If a purchase or signup is made through one of our Partners’ links, we may receive compensation for the referral. Learn more here .

When you’re shopping online, do you look at the reviews left by other customers to determine if you’re getting a good product?

Or maybe you like leaving reviews to help future customers.

But reviews aren’t just for other consumers. Companies take your feedback seriously and use customer feedback to improve their products. Some will even pay their customers to leave candid feedback about their products, while others provide free product samples in exchange for reviews.

If you want to make a few extra dollars writing reviews for money — be it for movies, restaurants, or something else entirely — this list of resources is a great way to accomplish exactly that. 

10 Places to Write Reviews for Money

It can be difficult to convince a company to pay you directly for reviews. Most companies who choose to do so generally work through an intermediary. There are plenty of websites and services that you can sign up for if you want to get paid to write reviews.

1. LifePoints

LifePoints is a website that pays users to complete surveys. Some of these surveys will be about the products that you’ve bought. Others will be about more general topics.

For each survey that you complete, you’ll earn LifePoints. Some surveys will ask you for demographic information and may disqualify you if enough responses from your demographic have been received. If this happens, you’ll still earn a few LifePoints for your time.

Most surveys take about fifteen minutes to finish, but some are much shorter or much longer. Usually, longer surveys will offer more LifePoints.

You can redeem LifePoints for rewards. Redemption options include gift cards, charitable donations, and cash deposits to your PayPal account.

Related: LifePoints Review: Should You Become a Free Member?

2. InboxDollars

InboxDollars pays its customer for a variety of tasks, including:

• Taking paid surveys
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Shopping online
• Reading emails

Opportunities to complete surveys and other tasks are emailed directly to you. You’ll earn cash rather than points, and InboxDollars has paid its customers more than $56 million since 2000.

Related: InboxDollars Review: Is it Legit, and How Much Can You Earn?

3. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is another survey-taking site that pays you to share your opinions with companies. The site has paid out more than $30 million to its 7 million members.

Each survey you take rewards you with points. You can redeem points for cash through PayPal, sweepstakes entries, or charitable donations, letting you choose how you want to be rewarded.

4. Start a Review Blog

If you don’t want to deal with another website’s requirements to get paid for reviews, consider starting your own review blog. While it can be difficult, especially in the beginning, it’s a good strategy for making money writing reviews.

Websites like Wirecutter have grown to have millions of readers each month because of their high-quality reviews. With a review website, you can make money with advertising or by working with a service like Amazon Affiliates that allows you to earn a commission when someone makes a purchase based on your review.

Related: How to Start a Profitable Blog (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

5. UserTesting

UserTesting connects tech companies to regular people who want to help them test their websites and apps.

Companies will provide you with a link to their site or app and a set of tasks they’d like you to accomplish. An online retailer, for example, might ask you to go through the process of buying a shirt.

To start an assignment, you’ll need a microphone. While you’re going through your tasks, UserTesting will record your screen and anything you say. You should speak your thoughts clearly and out loud so that the people reviewing your recordings can understand your thought process and update the website accordingly.

You’ll be paid $10 through PayPal for every 20-minute recording you complete.

6. Review Stream

At Review Stream , you’re paid based on what other consumers think about your reviews. This means that it pays to be completely candid and to provide as much detail as possible.

You can review almost anything on the site — products, movies, and books are all fair game. If Review Stream accepts your submitted review, you’ll earn a small payment. Once your review is posted, other users can vote on whether the review is helpful or not. You’ll earn ten cents per helpful vote that you receive. You can also earn ten cents for each answer you provide to other consumers’ questions.

Payment is made through PayPal. The minimum balance to cash out varies based on how much you made for the first review you sold in each payment cycle. The minimum will be ten times the value of the first review you sold, with a minimum of $100. So, if your first review sold for $2 or $10, the minimum is $100. If it sold for $16, the minimum is $160.

Related: 11 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books In Your Spare Time

7. YouTube BrandConnect

YouTube BrandConnect is an invite-only service that connects YouTube creators to brands that want to show their products to a wider audience.

This service is relatively hands-off, connecting you to companies to pitch, but you get to decide how you want to feature products and you can set your own rates. Once you sign up for the service, you’ll be able to see all of the sponsors looking to work with YouTubers. The site advertises nearly 500 companies that pay people to advertise their goods and services .

In exchange for connecting you with brands, YouTube BrandConnect takes a 10% service fee. There are no sign-up or other fees, so you only pay the fees when you get paid. YouTube BrandConnect pays through PayPal or check.

8. Influence Central

Influence Central is another site that connects influencers to brands who want to showcase their products to consumers. You’ll get paid to write reviews and post them directly on your blog, website, or social media accounts.

The pay for each review varies. Some companies will pay you more than others, but this can be a good way to leverage your influence and provide honest reviews to your followers.

If you want to get paid to test products , Tryazon is the website for you. After you sign up, you’ll be able to view a list of available TryaBox and Party opportunities.

For a TryaBox opportunity , a company will send you a single product or item for you to test. If you apply for a Party and Tryazon selects your application, the company will send a box filled with products, party favors, and the like, free of charge. You can host a party with friends, family, and colleagues and everyone gets the chance to try the product.

Once you’re done, your free to share your feedback with the manufacturer, post about the party on your blog or social media, and tell your friends about the things you tried.

10. Write Reviews for Clients

To find possible clients, you can do an online search for websites that focus on product and service reviews. Then, pitch your review writing services to them directly. You will need to have a portfolio and a drive to pitch multiple clients before landing your first gig. Make sure your final submissions to clients are amazing, because it may lead to steady work writing more reviews in the future.

Related: 18 Legit Online Jobs for College Students

Can You Get Paid to Write Reviews for Google and Amazon?

Google and Amazon are two of the most trusted websites on the internet when it comes to reviews. That means that companies are willing to do a lot to make sure their Amazon and Google reviews are good.

You can get paid to write reviews on these websites. However, although providing compensation for a review is allowed, providing compensation with the requirement that you leave a good review violates both websites’ Terms of Service. So if this type of opportunity is presented to you, make sure you think about whether or not you should take it.

For example, your local pizza shop is welcome to give you a free slice when you show that you left a review, but it can’t require that you leave a five-star review on Google. It has to extend the offer to anyone who leaves a review.

3 Tips to Make the Most with Paid Reviews

The truth is that you won’t make a huge amount of money for writing reviews, but it can be a good way to add some extra cash to your wallet. Here are the best ways to make money writing reviews.

Do it in your spare time.

Turn some of your unproductive spare time into productive time by writing reviews. If you commute by bus or train, write a review or two on each trip. After work, rather than focusing on a Netflix show you’ve seen a dozen times, put it on in the background while you write a review.

Because most reviews are short and easy to write, they’re a great way to fill small chunks of time.

Review things you already use.

You’re most familiar with products that you use on a regular basis, so start by reviewing those items.  Your familiarity with them, especially if you’re a long-term user of a specific product, will help you make high-quality reviews that other consumers can use.

Write high-quality reviews.

To make sure your reviews are approved by the company paying you and appreciated by other consumers, take the time to make the reviews as good as they can be. That means checking your spelling and grammar, including photos, and providing specific details about each product.

Are Paid Review Sites Worth Your Time?

Paid review sites are a good way to earn extra cash, but they won’t give you a full-time work from home income.

The best sites will pay a reasonable wage. For example, UserTesting can pay as much as $30 an hour, but you won’t be able to fill a full workweek with the available opportunities. You’re more likely to earn $5 – $10 an hour when writing reviews.

When getting paid to write reviews, be on the lookout for online scams . The most common scams are websites that force you to pay a fee before you can view opportunities to get paid. The companies organizing these opportunities should be earning a commission from the companies that provide the products or surveys, so if you find a company asking reviewers to pay a fee, walk away. That is a major red flag that something is not legit.

You Can Get Paid to Write More Than Reviews

Writing reviews online might be good for pocket money, but you won’t earn a full-time income from it. However, reviews aren’t the only way to make money from online writing.

If you enjoy writing, you may want to try to pick up freelance writing gigs. It can be a good way to earn some money in your spare time and to hone your writing skills. Some clients will pay hundreds of dollars for a single article and many people make a full-time living from freelance writing.

Even people who don’t write can earn a great income online by working as virtual assistants, editors, transcriptionists, or artists. The internet makes it easy to work with and get paid by people across the globe. It’s up to you to showcase your skills and find the people who need your services.

You May Also Like

19 Best Places to Find Small Task or Micro Jobs

5 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Watch Ads in Your Spare Time

12 Legit Ways to Make Money Watching Videos

12 High-Paying Companies Offering Website Testing Jobs

15 Legitimate Places to Participate in Paid Research Studies

20 Best Money Making Apps for Earning On the Go

Get Paid To Write Reviews: 14 Top Sites

Get paid to write reviews by reading our guide with all the top sites for you to check out. Earn money and home and increase your skills today!

Before you purchase products or download apps, do you read the reviews? Most consumers do. A study published by Qualtrics showed that 93 percent of customers read online reviews before buying a product. Product reviews are important to people’s purchasing decisions, and review sites are everywhere.

Companies know that they will make more money if their products have positive reviews, so they’re willing to pay people to write product reviews for money. If you are wondering how to get paid to write reviews and blog articles, try applying to these sites for review writing jobs .

1. Writers Work

2. get paid to write reviews for amazon, 3. get reviewed, 4. crowdtap, 6. listverse, 7. capterra, 8. usertesting, 9. gartner peer insights, 10. harris poll online, 11. g2 crowd, 12. review stream, 13. inboxdollars, 14. swagbucks, final word on where to get paid to write reviews, is it illegal to write fake reviews, where can i write music reviews, how do you make money by giving reviews.

Writers Work connects writers with companies looking for freelancers. With thousands of jobs available, it’s an ideal place for new and experienced freelancer writers to find work. The site has built great relationships with many established companies requiring writing , from general content to blogging to copywriting and reviews; endless opportunities exist. The average earnings on the freelance site are anything from $20 – $65 per hour, making it a lucrative option for writers to get involved in.

Writers Work contains freelance writing opportunities for writers who want to start their career

Many freelancers earn commissions from Amazon by writing product reviews. Amazon pays reviewers who successfully try a product and refer it to new customers. This process is a type of influencer work called affiliate marketing, which can be used through the Amazon Associates program. Whenever a customer uses your affiliate link, you’ll receive a small commission on the sale.

For example, if you were to try a product and then post about it on your blog or social media with an affiliate link, your viewers might then buy the Amazon product, which means you earn a commission. There are many different niches for bloggers to choose from, like food, fashion, beauty, tech, and entertainment.

If you want to write product reviews for money, one of the best places to look is Get Reviewed . The website will pay you cash for sponsored reviews and blog posts. If you want to participate in this program, you need to have a self-hosted website with a strong domain authority of at least 20 or above. To elevate your domain authority, focus on a specific niche.

Then, convince others to provide links that point back to your website. This will position your site as an authority in the field.

If you want to get paid to write a review on this site, submit your blog for consideration. After your blog is accepted, you will display your blog on the marketplace. Then, advertisers can view your blog and order a product review from you. If someone places an order for a review from your website, you will receive an email notification.

Based on the email request, you can either accept or reject their review request. You also negotiate the price of your review with the client. Once you and the client agree on a deadline and rate for the job, you’ll write the review and get paid! Typically, you get paid 14 days after the article has been completed. The site pays a paid reviewer by PayPal.

If you want a fun way to review products from your phone, check out CrowdTap . You can access the program through your smartphone. Then, you can look at their “daily missions,” which products they would like you to review that day. If you review their products, you will be rewarded for leaving a high-quality review.

You get paid in a variety of ways. For example, some companies will reward you with product samples. Other companies will reward you with gift cards. You may also be given merchandise rewards you can redeem at certain brands and establishments.

This is one of the top review apps out there. There are other ways you can earn points as well. For example, you can complete daily polls, fill out surveys, and share your reviews on social media channels. You can get additional points if you share your reviews on your blog.

Another review site you may want to check out is called Ciao . This is a review site based in the UK, but it is open to the international community, including non-English speakers. They have various products listed on the website, some of which are Amazon products.

The website also has a rotating category of focus or high-authority products. These are products that they need reviews for, so they’re willing to pay extra money for writers. The payment for each review varies, but it is directly tied to the amount of traffic that a specific review generates.

You don’t have to make much money to request a payout. As long as you have a balance of five pounds or more, or about $6, you can request to be paid. It might be challenging to generate a lot of traffic with your first review, but you can make significant money online once you get a lot of practice.

If you are more of a long-form paid reviewer, check out ListVerse . This website will pay you money to make a “top 10” list. Often called “listicles,” this is an opportunity to get creative. You have a lot of control over the products you decide to review, and you can make several recommendations in a single article.

You may want to write a paragraph or two on each item before moving forward. After your list has been published, you get paid through PayPal.

Next, you may want to check out Capterra as well. If you have looked for reviews of specific products, including software programs, you have probably come across Capterra. You can also get paid to write reviews for them. Typically, you need to use the product before you write the review, which may require additional work; however, you can also get paid more for each review.

On Capterra, you get paid approximately $10 for each review that is accepted. Because they are one of the largest players in the industry, they vet all of their reviews closely to ensure they meet their requirements. You need to verify your identity using LinkedIn, and you might get asked to send screenshots of the software or product you want to review before they let you write the review. For this reason, they pay more money for each review.

If you are someone who enjoys testing websites and applications, you may want to take a look at a website called UserTesting . During the review process, you need to make a 20-minute video. Then, you’ll be paid $10 for each review you give. Try this website if you would rather talk about a product or service instead of writing about it.

If the platform can download the necessary recording software, you can record it using any device you want. This could include a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. You will also need to record yourself testing the app or website in real-time. Companies will pay a lot for people who record themselves using their products or services.

Therefore, this could be one of the most lucrative ways for you to make money through product reviews.

Another website that will pay you a lot of money for each review is called Gartner. Gartner is a leading technology and software review company. The goal is to help users make educated decisions on the products they use. Even though you can only write ten reviews annually, the company pays you approximately $25 for each successful review.

Caveat: Gartner closely vets every review before it is published to ensure it provides customers with real insights into the product. The more details you can give about your experience, the greater the chance your review gets accepted. You need to know a lot before you write your first review on this platform. So, check out Gartner’s FAQ page to figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity.

You might also want to consider Harris Poll Online . They are one of the oldest research firms in the industry, and they have a sterling reputation. Most of the surveys and reviews you complete for Harris will focus on their current marketing campaigns.

For example, you might be asked to watch a series of marketing videos a company produces. Then, you’ll be asked to share your opinion. You might also be asked to recommend improving their marketing videos to better speak to someone like yourself.

Every time you complete a survey for this company, you’ll be given points to redeem for gift cards. You might also be given a bonus award if you win the raffle. You get an entry into the raffle with every survey or review you complete.

G2 Crowd is a crowdsourcing platform for reviews. The amount of money you can make on this platform can vary widely depending on what you review. The average review pays between $5 and $15, but you could earn up to $25 per review if you review specific types of software. The website has hundreds of thousands of reviews, so it is one of the most popular review websites on the internet.

Similar to other software review websites, there are strict requirements you need to follow to make sure your review is accepted. You’ll also have to verify your identity by tying your LinkedIn account to your review.

Review Stream will allow you to make money by reviewing just about every product. Furthermore, if a user likes your review, you could get paid a bonus. If you get a vote of confidence from a user, this indicates that the person found your review useful.

Even though you can write a review on just about anything, you can look at what is currently trending on social media. Generally, ReviewStream will pay more money for products and services that have become popular. Furthermore, if you write a review that matches the publishing guidelines of the platform, they might pay you more money. These reviews are also more likely to be deemed useful by users.

InboxDollars has an excellent reputation for paying users to take surveys, shop online, and read email newsletters to assess them for clarity and effectiveness. You can get paid to write product reviews and collect rewards easily on this platform.

InboxDollars partners with top research organizations that are looking for feedback and input from the public. All you need to do is sign up and give your opinions on surveys, and you’ll be paid cash when you’ve completed your task.

Swagbucks is one of the most popular loyalty and consumer rewards platforms online. It’s free to join, and members receive gift cards or cash for the everyday activities they complete online. Tasks include web searching, playing games, watching videos, and shopping online. You can also scan your receipts for cash back, making it easy to earn extra cash without completing hundreds of surveys.

If you’re interested in answering surveys and giving reviews for cash, Swagbucks also pays users to take surveys on topics like personal finance, favorite foods, vacations, and more. Swagbucks has already paid its members over 5 million dollars, solidifying it as one of the most reliable online paid review platforms.

These are some useful review sites to apply to if you want to write product reviews, book reviews, and more. Writing legit reviews is also a great way to get free products, as lots of companies will send you new products and samples to write about on a review website. You can also combine writing reviews with other proven methods that will help you get paid to write .

These sites are a good side-hustle choice before applying to the best affiliate marketing programs and publishing review content on your website.

FAQs About How to Get Paid To Write Reviews

Section 5 of the FTC Act 15 U.S. Code 45 makes fake testimonials illegal in the United States. It can also dent your customer’s trust in your business. It should be noted that a man was jailed after posting fake reviews on TripAdvisor.

Many music writers start their careers by launching their blogs. However, several magazines and websites accept freelance reviews. Two Story Melody gives a list of sites that accept music reviews.

There are several ways to make money by giving reviews, depending on the platform or industry you are involved in. Here are a few methods: 1. Sponsored reviews 2. Affiliate marketing 3. Paid survey sites 4. Blogging or YouTube channels 5. Paid review websites

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

View all posts

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Remote Jobs
• **Now Hiring
• Freelancing
• Online Business
• Side Hustles
• Free Training

Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews: 11 Sites That Pay for Your Opinion

Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Katie

Are you a  movie fanatic?  If yes, why not  get paid to write movie reviews  in your spare time.

There’s a huge market for movie fans and content creators to make extra cash and you can get started with minimal writing experience.

It’s a  side hustle  that can be done around your regular 9 – 5 in your spare time and could lead to a career in  writing  or running a blog.

And you don’t need to be a professional film critic to get paid to write movie reviews.

Many move blog platforms take on new writers with zero previous experience .  Here are a few of the best places to get paid to review films.

Want to Make Extra Money Right Now?

• Acorns:  Get a free  $10 just for signing up  and start saving for your future. Your spare change is invested for you by experts. No investment knowledge is required!  Join Acorns Now.
• Survey Junkie:  Earn easy money by taking surveys and giving your opinion on new products. Make up to  $3 per survey  and cash out quickly.  Join Survey Junkie now.

Get the latest money-making ideas right to your inbox. No spam just pure value!

11 Ways to Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews in Your Spare Time

• Screen Rant
• Taste of Cinema
• Cultured Vultures
• AnimationArena
• PopSugar Voices
• Create a Movie Review Blog
• Movie Review YouTube Channel

Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews: Sites That Pay for Your Opinion

Ready to make money from your love of film?

Take a look at the best online websites and ideas on how to get paid to write movie reviews, even with no experience.

1.  Screen Rant

Screen Rant needs film buffs to write reviews for movies and TV.

They also feature a popular Movie News and TV Categories section featuring interviews, reviews and lists. To get your content accepted and paid, it needs to be detailed and long form.

Pay and how to apply:  Pay varies. Fill out the  contributor application  form to be considered.

2.  Taste of Cinema

One of the best sites to get paid to write movie reviews, Taste of Cinema is always on the lookout for new contributors.

Their site is extremely active with over  600K monthly visitors  so this is a great opportunity to get your writing seen. They need writers for reviews, listicle posts of old movies and to make videos from their lists.

Pay and how to apply:  Pay is based on the number of clicks on your content. Hit the ‘’write for us’’ tab to apply.

3.  Cracked

Cracked has content in a huge amount of categories including movies and TV. They need writers for  reviews or short articles , you can choose what to contribute.

As you’d probably guessed, Cracked does sway towards the humorous side of things, so if you enjoy this, writing for Cracked is a great gig.

Pay and how to apply:  Click on the ‘’careers’’ tab to see current opportunities. Pay varies between projects.

4.  Cineaste

Cineaste is a leading publication for the arts, politics and cinema in America. The magazine pays for feature articles, film reviews, book reviews and interviews.

Articles contributed can discuss a movie or a specific genre of movies and need to be long-form around  3,000 – 4,000 words.

Pay and how to apply:  Check out the ‘’writer’s guidelines’’ section to learn how to apply. Pay is $45 for feature articles, $36 for book and DVD reviews, $45 for movie reviews and $18 for ‘’short take’’ reviews.

5.  Cultured Vultures

Get paid to write movie reviews and content about gaming, books, short stories and poetry on Cultured Vultures.

Movie reviews need to be 2,000 words, opinion pieces around 750 words and news articles 200 – 500 words. This site is run by writers for writers, so you need to be on top of your game.

Pay and how to apply:  Head to the ‘’write for us’’ section to apply. Pay starts at $2 for a feature article plus $2 for every 200 views in the first week. News articles get $1.50 plus $2 for every 200 views in the first two weeks.

6.  AnimationArena

Get paid to write video game, comic book and movie reviews for Animation Arena. Reviews need to be at least  550 words long  and original.

The good thing here is they take on writers with zero experience. Once accepted, you can submit up to 10 reviews a month.

Pay and how to apply:  Email the platform with x2 writing samples and answer the questions outlined on the writer’s page. Pay is  $15 per review.

7.  HubPages

HubPages is a revenue-sharing site like Medium, allowing you to  write content and get paid  depending on the popularity of your post.

It’s a faster way to make money from your content than blogging because HubPages already has a large readership. Sign up and start writing reviews about your favourite movies and TV shows.

Pay and how to apply : Sign up on the main homepage. Pay comes from the revenue share of ads on your article pages and will vary.

8.  PopSugar Voices

PopSugar Voices is mainly aimed at young women with content around entertainment, beauty, fashion, fitness, food and more.

They’re currently looking for writers to contribute shopping guides, TV or movie theories, personal essays, tutorials and life tips. The Word count needs to be  800 – 1200  to get into publication.

Pay and how to apply : Head over to the ‘’join the team’’ page to apply. Pay varies between content types.

Bustle is an online women’s magazine founded in 2013 by Bryan Goldberg. It contains articles on news, politics, celebrities, movies, beauty and fashion trends.

Three years after it was launched in 2016, it had  over 50 million readers!  If you’re looking to get paid to write movie reviews, this is a publication worth looking at. You can pitch freelance articles to the editorial team  here . Make sure to include:

• 1-2 sentences about your writing background and links to samples
• A draft headline of your intended article
• A short summary of the article
• Sources and any research content you have on the topic
• Why this article is a good fit for the Bustle audience
• Your intended plan for photos
• Your required rate for the finished piece

One huge benefit of writing movie reviews for Bustle is that you can set your own rate. You may not always get your required rate. But writing for less is still worth it, as your writing will get shown to millions of eager eyes that visit the Bustle platform every month.

Pay and how to apply : Email the editorial team at [email protected]. Include your rate in the pitch.

10. Create a Movie Review Blog

Another option for how to get paid to write movie reviews is to start your own blog.

This method requires a little more work up-front, but if you enjoy writing movie reviews, and have the time to write regular content, a website will make you decent money in the long run.

Set up a basic site, start writing reviews on various topics and focus on driving traffic to get your content seen.

Once you have blog traffic, you can start monetizing your content with affiliate marketing partnerships and ad revenue.

While you can start on a free blogging platform to gain experience as a freelance writer, it’s best to move on to a self-hosted website where you pay a small hosting fee.

Pay and how to apply : No need to apply, just start building! Unlimited income potential.

11. Movie Review YouTube Channel

If you fancy building a movie review empire, YouTube is one of the best places to start!

YouTube is a creator’s dream and there’s a ready-made audience waiting to hear what you have to say.

A few ideas for your own YouTube channel:

• Watch movies and give film criticism
• Ending explained videos
• Reviews with a comedic twist
• Give weekly lists of films worth watching
• Review video games or comic books

Take a look at these successful movie review YouTube channels for ideas:

• Filmi Indian
• We Watched a Movie

Pay and how to apply : Just set up a YouTube channel and start uploading movie review videos. Can apply for video monetization when you have 4,000+ viewing hours.

Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews FAQs

How much does a freelance movie critic get paid.

Film critics in the US make on  average $51,639 a year .  This will vary according to the city you live in and your notoriety and experience.

Some platforms that accept movie reviews from the general public will pay according to how many views your review gets or a flat fee, depending on the length of the review.

How do you become a film reviewer?

Anyone can get paid to write movie reviews. However, if you want to become a  full-time film reviewer you’ll need:

• Excellent English language skills
• Exceptional written and verbal skills
• Thorough attention to detail
• The ability to describe in detail and bring a story to life
• Able to work well under pressure and accept criticism
• Good understanding of media production and communication

What makes a good movie review?

A great movie review should be  informative, entertaining, persuasive and provide a unique opinion  that doesn’t give away the plot of the movie. The review should be reader directed, helping them to decide whether the movie is worth seeing or not.

How long should a film review be?

Film reviews tend to be quite short (around  600 to 1200 words ). However, they do require a decent amount of preparation before you start writing. You’ll need to research the director, writer and individual actors before you even watch the movie.

How do you review a movie?

Reviews are more than just your opinion on the movie, they require you to analyse the effectiveness of the plot, acting, special effects and all other elements surrounding the movie.

Avoid using generalised opinions such as  ”It was a good movie”  or  ”the acting was terrible.”  You need to give details as to why you’ve come to these conclusions.

Follow these tips to write a film review people want to read:

• Watch the movie once (twice is better)
• Give your opinion with details to back up your thoughts
• Consider who will read your review. Adjust your writing style to align with the target audience
• Spend a little time talking about actor performances
• Show your knowledge by highlighting what worked and what didn’t work in relation to costumes, setting, storyline etc. And call out directors, costume designers and anyone else who did or didn’t get it right
• Create excitement by detailing tiny bits of the plot, but remember – no spoliers!
• Write, read, edit, rewrite and read over again until it’s perfect. Spelling mistakes won’t make you look good
• Find your movie reviewer voice. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine, as it’s the ones that come across a little different that grab attention and get people coming back for more

How do I get paid to watch a movie?

There are many  legit places to make money watching videos . A few of these include:

• InboxDollars

Sign up to your chosen platform and fill in your profile and payment method. Once accepted, you can scroll through the video-watching tasks available and earn anything from a  few cents up to $25 per video  (although this high amount is rare).

Is it hard to become a film critic?

It’s hard to become a big-time, high-earning film critic. You often have to work in the industry for years, before you can start earning a decent salary. Many start writing reviews part-time, as a hobby.

This helps you learn the business, while you’re still working a full-time job to pay the bills. Passion is needed to keep going when not much money is being earned. But, with time and practice, it’s possible to get paid to write movie reviews full-time.

Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews – Final Thoughts

Now you know how to get paid to write movie reviews and the best places accepting guest reviewers now.

If you really love movies and have strong opinions, this could be the ideal side hustle to boost your bank balance. Start sending in pitches and applications to the sites in this article.

While you wait for responses, spend time writing movie reviews in your spare time and ask friends what they think. This way they can give you tips on where you need to improve.

Alternatively, get started right away with your own movie review blog. Every time you write a review, post it across your social media.

With a little effort, your blog may start to take off and you can monetise it with advertising and affiliate partnerships.

More side hustle ideas:

• 15 Super Lazy Ways to Make Money: $50 Every Day
• Make Money Flipping Websites: The Ultimate Beginners Guide
• 11 Websites to Earn Money Browsing the Web
• Matched Betting Guide: How to Make Money from Free Bets
• 11 Legit Places to Make Money Watching Videos
• How to Make $100 a Day Extra (Simple Ways You Can Start Today!)

* Disclosure : I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate  links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

You May Also Like

Get Paid to Review Calls: 11 Online Jobs Hiring Today

Get Paid to Color: 21 Ways to Profit from Your Artistic Skills

How to Become a Freelance Grant Writer with No Experience

How to Make Money When You Have None: 85 Effective Strategies

How to Make Money Selling Art on Etsy: Guide for Beginners

Get Paid to Answer Questions Online: 23 Legit Sites Worth Your Time

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Greatest Movies About Making Money

• Why Lottery Winners Always End Up Broke
• Great Movies About Balling Out
• The Best Shows About Rich People
• Celebrities Who Were Born Rich
• Opulence of the Gilded Age
• Struggles of Winning the Lottery
• How Aristocrats Spent Their Money
• Meet the Waltons
• The Rise & Fall of the Vanderbilts
• What to Do with Instant Wealth?
• Celebrities Who Fly Coach
• How Heirs Have Spent Their Money
• Things You Didn't Even Know Rich People Can Buy
• How Celeb Kids Blow Their Money
• The Least Hateable Billionaires, Ranked
• 21 Hilarious Tweets About Gwyneth Paltrow That ...

Exploring the thrill of the chase and the allure of wealth, the best money movies tap into our fascination with the alchemy of turning ideas into profit. These cinematic journeys delve into the high-stakes worlds of gambling, corporate maneuvering, and the adrenaline of the heist, capturing the lengths characters will go to in their quest for financial gain. From gripping dramas that expose the cutthroat nature of business to clever capers that unfold with surprising twists, this list—compiled by those who groove to reggae's thought-provoking rhythms—attempts to highlight films that are as much about the pursuit of cash as they are about the characters driven by it.

Movies about making money resonate with audiences who dream of stratospheric success or dread the consequences of financial ruin. The characters in these stories are often seen calculating, scheming, and sometimes, learning the hard lessons that come with chasing dollars. Take The Wolf of Wall Street , where decadence and unrestrained ambition paint a vivid picture of excess, or Glengarry Glen Ross , which lays bare the desperation that can fester in sales culture. Then there's Wall Street with its infamous "Greed is good" ethos, and The Big Short , which cleverly navigates the complexities of the financial crisis. These top money movies not only entertain but also offer commentary on society's relationship with wealth and the lengths individuals will go to earn their fortune. Vote on these chart-toppers and help determine which cinematic gems truly cash in on the theme of money.

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street is a biographical black comedy directed by Martin Scorsese, recounting the rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who became infamous for his hard-partying lifestyle and the massive securities fraud he orchestrated in the 1990s. Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Belfort starts his career with noble intentions but soon succumbs to the corrupting influences of Wall Street's excess and greed. The movie navigates through his journey of opulence and decadence, highlighting the schemes that propelled him to wealth and eventually led to his downfall. It's a wild ride through the glitz, glamour, and gritty underside of financial hustle, accompanied by a colorful cast of enablers and accomplices.

As a movie about making money, The Wolf of Wall Street stands out for its frenetic storytelling, magnetic performances, and Scorsese's signature directorial flair. What makes it unique among money movies is not just its portrayal of financial success and the pursuit of the American dream but its candid exploration of the moral bankruptcy that sometimes accompanies it. Rather than merely celebrating the accumulation of wealth, the film serves as a cautionary tale about the cost of unchecked ambition. It excels in depicting the intoxicating allure of easy money and the destructive consequences that follow, which, combined with its larger-than-life true story and satirical edge, cement its place as one of the best and most engaging narratives in the genre.

• Dig Deeper... Behind The Scenes Of 'The Wolf of Wall Street'
• And Deeper... The 30 Best Movies Like 'Wolf of Wall Street,' Ranked By Fans
• # 574 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can is a fast-paced biographical crime film directed by Steven Spielberg, telling the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a young master of deception played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Before turning 19, Frank successfully executes millions of dollars' worth of check fraud while posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor. Always one step ahead of the law, his escapades across countries and identities are tracked by relentless FBI agent Carl Hanratty, portrayed with a mix of frustration and admiration by Tom Hanks. The film is a captivating cat-and-mouse tale that explores themes of identity, trust, and the seductive power of the American Dream.

As a standout among the best money movies, Catch Me If You Can offers a unique glimpse into the life of an extraordinary con artist whose schemes revolve around the innovative ways he acquires and fashions money out of thin air. Frank's creative techniques and charismatic charm make for a compelling viewing experience that is as educational as it is entertaining, providing insight into the complexity of bank fraud and the art of the con. The movie doesn't merely celebrate the accumulation of wealth; instead, it scrutinizes the hollow satisfaction that money brings when disconnected from genuine relationships and authenticity. By interweaving the high stakes of financial pursuit with the heartfelt personal narrative of its protagonist, the film delivers a nuanced message about the true value of wealth, placing it in a league of its own within the genre of movies about making money.

• Dig Deeper... Don't Miss These 15 Movies Like 'Catch Me if You Can'
• And Deeper... Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'Catch Me If You Can'
• # 204 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

The Big Short

The Big Short , directed by Adam McKay, is a biographical drama based on the book by Michael Lewis, providing an incisive look at the build-up and subsequent fallout of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The film weaves together multiple storylines following a group of savvy financiers who predict the collapse of the housing market, a grave outcome largely ignored or overlooked by the rest of the financial world. As these individuals bet against the booming mortgage industry by investing in credit default swaps, they expose both the corruption and the sheer incompetence that contributed to one of the worst financial downturns in history. Through its blend of sharp humor and sobering drama, The Big Short demystifies complex financial instruments and practices that led to the crisis, making it accessible and engaging to viewers.

What elevates The Big Short as one of the best movies about making money is its clever use of unconventional storytelling techniques to navigate the often opaque world of finance. The film uniquely breaks the fourth wall, with characters directly addressing the audience to explain financial concepts through various comedic analogies and celebrity cameos, a method that embodies the film's educational intent without sacrificing entertainment value. Moreover, it challenges the glamorized view of Wall Street by underlining the ethical dimensions of profit-making, highlighting the fact that in the world of high finance, one person's fortune could be another's devastating loss. This introspective and enlightening approach to how money is made—and lost—distinguishes The Big Short as a thought-provoking contribution to the genre that resonates with contemporary audiences.

• # 177 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 30 of 59 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books
• # 14 of 15 on The Best Movies To Watch On A Plane, Ranked By Frequent Flyers

Goodfellas , directed by Martin Scorsese, paints an enthralling portrait of organized crime's grit and allure through the eyes of Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta. Narrating his life story, Henry takes viewers through his ambitious climb up the ranks of the Italian-American mafia, from his wide-eyed boyhood dreams of becoming a gangster to his eventual involvement in the infamous Lufthansa heist. Alongside Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who play his cunning and volatile partners in crime, Henry navigates a treacherous world of violence, loyalty, and wealth. Set against the backdrop of mid-20th century New York, Goodfellas explores the rich tapestry of mob life with visceral style, capturing the thrilling highs and perilous lows of the criminal underworld.

As a film that digs into the psyche of moneymaking within the mafia's shadowy realm, Goodfellas stands as one of the most authentic movies about making money. The film unravels the complexity behind the gangsters' lavish lifestyles, illuminating the notion that wealth in this context is not simply about luxury but rather a symbol of power, respect, and survival. Unlike typical narratives that glamorize the accumulation of fortune, Goodfellas lays bare the ruthless machinations and the inevitable moral decay that accompany the pursuit of ill-gotten gains. This honest and unfiltered depiction of the criminal pursuit of wealth, combined with its dynamic storytelling and rich character development, secures Goodfellas a revered place not just within the genre of gangster films, but also as a definitive study of the seductive, yet dangerous dance between money and power.

• Dig Deeper... Who Would Star In 'Goodfellas' If It Were Cast Today?
• # 67 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 2 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story

Casino , another masterpiece from director Martin Scorsese, is an epic crime saga that chronicles the rise and fall of a casino empire in 1970s and 80s Las Vegas. The film, based on a true story, follows Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a brilliant bookmaker played by Robert De Niro , who is tapped by the mob to run the Tangiers Casino. Alongside his childhood friend and enforcer Nicky Santoro, portrayed by Joe Pesci, and his hustler wife Ginger, played by Sharon Stone, 'Ace' navigates a world of organized crime, corruption, and vice. Casino skillfully illustrates the complex mechanics of casino operations, the mob's involvement in Vegas, and the gluttonous pursuit of money and power embodied by its colorful array of characters.

Casio stands out as one of the best money movies for its in-depth exploration of the gambling industry and its portrayal of the intoxicating allure of financial success. This film uniquely blends the opulence of high-stakes casino life with the gritty underworld of mob politics, resulting in an intricate narrative that's as much about the psychology of wealth as it is about the mechanics of money laundering and manipulation. Scorsese's film is a ruthless study of American consumerism and the corrupting influence of money, told through the lavish lens of the Vegas lights and the tragic personal stories of those who tried to outsmart the system. With its stark depiction of the highs and lows of empire-building in one of the world's most money-driven cities, Casino provides a gripping, no-holds-barred examination of the cost of ambition and the price of greed.

• # 307 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 28 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 40 of 379 on The Best Movies Of The 1990s

Wall Street

Wall Street is an iconic drama that delves into the high-octane world of finance during the opulent 1980s, helmed by director Oliver Stone. At the core of the film is the ambitious young stockbroker Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen, who becomes seduced by the wealth and power of his idol Gordon Gekko, a corporate raider brilliantly portrayed by Michael Douglas. Hungry for success, Bud is drawn into a world of insider trading and corporate espionage, as he rides the volatile waves of the stock market. The film's examination of greed, ambition, and the ethical compromises one makes in the pursuit of money captures a defining moment in American business culture, marked by Douglas' infamous declaration that "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."

Wall Street stands as a quintessential entry among the best money movies due to its acute portrayal of financial machinations and the personal cost of unbridled ambition. It offers an intimate look into the strategies of wealth accumulation in the competitive world of finance and the slippery moral slope that can accompany such pursuits. Unique to this film is its moral complexity and the cautionary tale woven into its narrative, examining the consequences of valuing money above all else. Michael Douglas' portrayal of Gordon Gekko has become an archetype of cinematic avarice, making Wall Street not just a film about making money, but a pivotal study on the broader implications of its pursuit. Whether viewed as a critique or a celebration of the financial sector's excesses, Wall Street remains an influential piece of cinema that resonates with audiences drawn to the drama of the almighty dollar.

• # 187 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 18 of 89 on The Best Movies Of 1987, Ranked
• # 26 of 57 on The 50+ Best Movies About Con Artists

War Dogs is a darkly comedic biographical film directed by Todd Phillips, based on the true story of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, two young arm dealers who exploited a government initiative allowing small businesses to bid on U.S. military contracts. The story follows Packouz, played by Miles Teller, who joins his childhood friend Diveroli, played by Jonah Hill, in the arms business. The pair quickly find themselves in over their heads as they secure a $300 million contract to arm the Afghan military, leading to a series of international misadventures beset by legal and moral complications. War Dogs portrays the pair's rapid ascent in the world of international arms dealing, as they experience the intoxicating and perilous world of easy money and questionable choices.

War Dogs distinguishes itself within the money movie genre by focusing on the gray areas of war profiteering and the American dream's fringes. Its unique perspective on making money comes from the unlikely, yet true, scenario of two twenty-somethings navigating the complex world of arms trading with both humor and the raw ambition of youth. The film does not merely depict the mechanics of this lesser-known side of military contracting but the personal dynamics of friendship and greed that play into the protagonists' journey. What makes War Dogs compelling is its blend of high stakes and the staggering immediacy of wealth acquisition, all while presenting a satirical edge that questions the ethical boundaries of entrepreneurship and the often absurd reality of war economy.

Scarface , directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone, is an intense crime drama that traces the rise and fall of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant turned powerful drug lord in Miami. Al Pacino's portrayal of Montana has become iconic, capturing the character's ruthless ambition as he escalates from small-time thug to cocaine kingpin. The film doesn't shy away from showcasing the cold-blooded violence and Machiavellian maneuvers inherent in the drug trade, depicting Tony's relentless pursuit of power and wealth under the mantra "The World is Yours." As Montana's empire expands, his greed, paranoia, and desire for control ultimately lead to his spectacular downfall, leaving a cautionary imprint on the dark side of the American Dream.

Scarface is acclaimed as one of the best movies about making money because it offers a raw, unadulterated examination of the lengths one will go to achieve financial success, no matter the moral cost. The film's unique portrayal of the drug-fueled economy of the 1980s, set against a backdrop of excess and opulence, highlights the intoxicating lure of quick wealth and the destructive consequences that accompany it. Tony Montana's character becomes a larger-than-life figure, symbolizing the perilous intersection of capitalism with the criminal underworld. The movie also delves into the psychological impact of money on Tony's relationships and sense of self, contributing to its enduring appeal as a profound narrative about the perilous journey to acquire, and ultimately lose, fortune and power.

• Dig Deeper... The Real-Life People, Places, And Events That Inspired 'Scarface'
• # 73 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 22 of 190 on The Best Movies For Men

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a poignant, inspiring tale based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a man determined to create a better future for himself and his young son. Portrayed with heartfelt emotion by Will Smith, with his real-life son Jaden Smith playing his on-screen child, the film chronicles their journey from homelessness to stability. Set in San Francisco in the 1980s, Gardner faces one setback after another as he struggles to sell medical scanners while taking on an unpaid internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm. It's a raw portrayal of a father's resilience and unwavering commitment to achieving financial independence and providing a secure life for his son amidst seemingly insurmountable challenges.

What distinguishes The Pursuit of Happyness as one of the best movies about making money is its profound illustration of the personal and emotional dimensions of financial struggle. Rather than glamorizing wealth or focusing on the mechanics of finance, the film centers on the human spirit's capacity for hope and perseverance in the face of dire poverty. Unique among money-themed movies, it emphasizes that the value of money lies in its ability to provide for loved ones and improve one's circumstances. Chris Gardner's story represents a journey toward financial stability that is grounded in reality, showcasing the tenacity required to emerge from hardship. This human-centric approach to a narrative about financial pursuit makes The Pursuit of Happyness both a heart-wrenching and uplifting cinematic experience that resonates deeply with audiences who understand the profound impact that money can have on one's happiness and well-being.

• Dig Deeper... The Sad Tale Of Chris Gardner, The Man From The Pursuit of Happyness
• # 49 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 31 of 133 on The Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made

Ocean's Eleven

Ocean's Eleven is a heist film directed by Steven Soderbergh, featuring an ensemble cast led by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. The 2001 film is a fast-paced and stylish reboot of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name. Clooney plays Danny Ocean, a recently paroled mastermind who, along with his handpicked crew of specialists, plans to simultaneously rob three of the most lucrative casinos in Las Vegas, all owned by ruthless business tycoon Terry Benedict. The film is a thrilling blend of clever planning, high-tech gadgetry, and smooth-talking con artistry, all aimed at pulling off the near-impossible heist.

Ocean's Eleven earns its standing as one of the best movies about making money through its clever subversion of the classic rags-to-riches narrative. Instead of hard work or ingenuity leading to riches, it showcases the charisma, sophistication, and meticulous strategy behind grand larceny. What makes the film unique is not just the complex heist around which it's centered, but also its light-hearted approach to a typically serious genre. The film's charm lies in its ability to combine wit, humor, and a sense of camaraderie as it champions the idea that, sometimes, being smart can be more profitable than being honest. The slick execution and the glamorous backdrop of Vegas, a city built on the dreams of fortune-seekers, makes Ocean's Eleven a stylish and entertaining examination of the lengths to which people will go to achieve financial success.

• # 140 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 7 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001
• # 7 of 114 on The Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time

A struggling writer discovers a top-secret pill that unlocks 100% of his brain's potential, catapulting him into a world of wealth, power, and danger. The sci-fi film became an instant hit due to its intriguing premise and captivating visuals, and catapulted Bradley Cooper into a leading man.

• # 68 of 253 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
• # 250 of 369 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 7 of 62 on The Best Movies with Rich People Spending Big

Trading Places

A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires, resulting in an outrageously funny social experiment. This 1983 comedy classic starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd remains popular for its clever commentary on societal class, race dynamics, and the power of chance encounters.

• # 29 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 173 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 6 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

A high-flying drug smuggler navigates the dangerous world of international cartels, betrayal, and addiction in this thrilling true-story-based crime drama. Exploring the complexities of ambition and loyalty, this critically acclaimed film boasts outstanding performances by Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.

• # 519 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 188 of 369 on The Best Movies Based On Books
• # 28 of 113 on The Best Movies Of 2001

Lord of War

An arms dealer navigates the treacherous world of war and crime, constantly pursued by a relentless Interpol agent, as he struggles to stay ahead in the deadly game. This thought-provoking action-drama boasts an impressive performance from Nicolas Cage and provides a chilling insight into the global arms industry's dark underbelly.

• # 47 of 143 on The Best Movies of 2005
• # 34 of 99 on The Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
• # 1 of 19 on The Best Movies About Arms Dealers

American Made

A skilled pilot gets entangled in a high-stakes CIA mission, leading him into the dangerous world of drug smuggling and arms dealing. This high-flying biographical crime film is a great watch because of its blend of dark humor, action-packed sequences, and Tom Cruise's charismatic performance.

The Social Network

A brilliant but socially awkward Harvard student creates a groundbreaking online platform that revolutionizes human interaction, only to find himself embroiled in personal and legal battles. This critically acclaimed drama delves deep into the story behind the meteoric rise of one of today's most powerful tech giants, thanks to Aaron Sorkin's sharp dialogue with compelling performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield.

• # 10 of 14 on The Best Movies and TV Shows Written By Aaron Sorkin
• # 115 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 223 of 369 on The Best Movies Based On Books

A washed-up baseball player turned general manager defies conventional wisdom and revolutionizes the game by using a unique statistical approach to assemble a winning team on a tight budget. This critically acclaimed film, based on true events, features standout performances from Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, earning them both Oscar nominations.

• # 4 of 14 on The Best Movies and TV Shows Written By Aaron Sorkin
• # 71 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 225 of 369 on The Best Movies Based On Books

A brilliant MIT math whiz and his team of skilled students take on Vegas casinos with their card-counting scheme, in a high-stakes pursuit of fortune and academic glory. This 2008 drama, starring Kevin Spacey, is a fun must-watch for fans of movies about gambling and cons.

• # 36 of 54 on The Best Movies 'Loosely' Based On True Stories
• # 27 of 71 on The 70 Best College Movies
• # 33 of 38 on The Best Movies Ever to Come Out in March

Boiler Room

A college dropout, attempting to win back his father's high standards, gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm which puts him on the fast track to success, but the job might not be as legitimate as it once appeared to be. This intense drama has gained popularity due to its thrilling portrayal of the dark side of Wall Street and its powerful performances by an ensemble cast.

• # 33 of 62 on The Best Movies with Rich People Spending Big
• # 10 of 12 on Movies That Were Eerily Ahead Of Their Time
• # 89 of 93 on The Best Movies With The Most F-Bombs

Molly's Game

A former Olympic-class skier turns the underground poker world upside down, becoming a target for the FBI and navigating the dangerous web of high-stakes gambling and crime. This gripping film absorbed audiences with its thrilling true story, brilliant performances, and Aaron Sorkin's powerful directorial debut.

• # 14 of 14 on The Best Movies and TV Shows Written By Aaron Sorkin
• # 36 of 94 on The Best Movies Of 2017
• # 77 of 94 on The 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time

American Hustle

A brilliant con man and his seductive partner are forced to work for a wild FBI agent, who pushes them into the enchanting yet dangerous world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia. Featuring an all-star cast, this critically acclaimed film received 10 Oscar nominations and is known for its intertwining storyline, exceptional performances, and 70s-inspired style.

• # 27 of 54 on The Best Movies 'Loosely' Based On True Stories
• # 32 of 99 on The Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
• # 22 of 48 on The Biggest Oscar Bait Films of All Time

Office Space

A group of frustrated office workers hatch a plan to rebel against their soul-sucking corporate jobs, leading to unexpected consequences and hilariously relatable mishaps. This cult classic dark comedy has become an iconic representation of the 90s workplace culture because of its quotable lines and unforgettable characters.

• # 15 of 49 on The 45+ Very Best Movies About Hackers
• # 168 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 75 of 115 on 50+ Movies That Need Sequels

Glengarry Glen Ross

A group of desperate real estate agents resort to unethical tactics in order to survive the cutthroat world of sales, leading to a thrilling web of deception and betrayal. This film adaptation of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play boasts an all-star cast and unforgettable dialogue that has captivated audiences since its release in 1992.

• # 221 of 379 on The Best Movies Of The 1990s
• # 14 of 120 on The Best Movies Based On Plays
• # 26 of 98 on The Best Movies of 1992

In 1930s Chicago, a young con man seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker. This Oscar-winning classic dazzled audiences with its clever plot twists, charming characters, and unforgettable ragtime score by Scott Joplin.

• # 14 of 96 on The Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture
• # 620 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 87 of 190 on The Best Movies For Men

Billionaire Boys Club

A group of wealthy young men gets entangled in a high-stakes game of deception and greed, leading to a dangerous spiral that threatens their privileged lives. This true-crime drama explores the dark side of ambition and excess, garnering attention for its gripping narrative and star-studded cast.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Two con men compete to swindle a wealthy heiress, leading to a series of hilarious and unexpected twists in this classic comedy caper. The film's enduring popularity is due in part to the dynamic chemistry between its two leads and its clever blend of humor and intrigue.

• # 185 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 87 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 76 of 233 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

In the racially charged 1960s, two African American entrepreneurs devise a daring plan to break barriers by posing as a janitor and chauffeur while secretly running their own real estate empire. This inspiring true story riveted audiences with its powerful performances and timely themes of racial equality and financial empowerment.

• # 200 of 240 on The 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
• # 70 of 89 on The Greatest African American Biopics
• # 91 of 106 on Great Movies That Take Place In The '60s

The Secret of My Success

• # 184 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 356 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 84 of 233 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

• # 420 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 29 of 702 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 52 of 199 on The Best Movies Of The '70s, Ranked

American Psycho

• Dig Deeper... The 25 Best Movies Like 'American Psycho,' Ranked By Fans
• # 22 of 253 on The 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
• # 640 of 772 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• Entertainment
• Watchworthy

Look: Some people have so much money that they just can't possibly live normal lives or even behave like regular human people. These are their stories.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Challengers Link to Challengers
• Abigail Link to Abigail
• Arcadian Link to Arcadian

New TV Tonight

• The Jinx: Season 2
• Knuckles: Season 1
• The Big Door Prize: Season 2
• Them: Season 2
• Velma: Season 2
• Secrets of the Octopus: Season 1
• Dead Boy Detectives: Season 1
• Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story: Season 1
• We're Here: Season 4

Most Popular TV on RT

• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Fallout: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Ripley: Season 1
• The Sympathizer: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• Under the Bridge: Season 1
• Sugar: Season 1
• Palm Royale: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Baby Reindeer Link to Baby Reindeer
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

DC Animated Movies In Order: How to Watch 54 Original and Universe Films

The Best TV Seasons Certified Fresh at 100%

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

‘Seen on Screen’ Podcast: A Celebration of Universal Stories 

Watch An Exclusive Pixar Studio Tour, Plus Inside Out 2 Secrets From The Set

• Trending on RT
• Challengers
• Play Movie Trivia

Money Monster

Where to watch.

Watch Money Monster with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

What to Know

Money Monster 's strong cast and solidly written story ride a timely wave of socioeconomic anger that's powerful enough to overcome an occasionally muddled approach to its worthy themes.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

Jodie Foster

George Clooney

Julia Roberts

Jack O'Connell

Kyle Budwell

Dominic West

Caitriona Balfe

Diane Lester

Movie Clips

More like this, movie news & guides, this movie is featured in the following articles., critics reviews.

Advertisement

Supported by

8 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or an avid buff, our reviewers think these films are worth knowing about even if you’re not planning to see them.

• Share full article

By The New York Times

A vampire flick with a familiar bite.

A group of bumbling criminals kidnap a young girl and hold her for ransom, but the titular 12-year-old ballerina turns out to have more than just tulle up her sleeve.

From our review:

A cheerfully obvious splatterthon, the new horror movie “Abigail” follows a simple, time-tested recipe that calls for a minimal amount of ingredients. Total time: 109 minutes. Take a mysterious child, one suave fixer and six logic-challenged criminals. Place them in an extra-large pot with a few rats, creaking floorboards and ominous shadows. Stir. Simmer and continue stirring, letting the stew come to a near-boil. After an hour, crank the heat until some of the meat falls off the bone and the whole mix turns deep red. Enjoy!

In theaters. Read the full review .

Less-than-glorious “basterds.”

‘the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare’.

Based on a true story of an (until recently) unknown World War II operation, this film features some ungentlemanly types who are tasked with cutting off Germany’s resources by sinking their supply ships.

“The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” the latest offering from the director Guy Ritchie, is a perfect airplane movie. That is not a compliment, but it’s not exactly a dis. Some movies shouldn’t be watched on planes — slow artful dramas, or movies that demand concentration and good sound (please do not watch “ The Zone of Interest ” on your next flight). But you’ve got to watch something, and for that, we have movies like this one.

Like if Dorothy Gale was your Uber driver.

‘the stranger’.

In this thriller, originally released as 13 short-form episodes on the streaming service Quibi, the indie-film scream queen Maika Monroe plays a Los Angeles transplant fresh from Kansas who works as a ride-hail driver who must face off against a murderous passenger.

The recut version (on Hulu) bears little trace of its earlier form, although its life span across algorithm-driven streaming companies does cast the villain’s tech preoccupations — “whoever figures out the mathematical formula determining the losers and the winners in life will rule” the world, he declares — in a new, meta light.

Watch on Hulu . Read the full review .

A queer period piece — but the period is summer 2020.

‘stress positions’.

After New York goes on lockdown, Terry (John Early) clashes with the other tenants of the brownstone he shares with his soon-to-be-ex-husband.

If some of the points seem muddy, the filmmaking is expressive and deliberate. With shimmer, shadow and verve, “Stress Positions” — which recently closed the New Directors/New Films festival — captures the often hallucinatory pandemonium wrought by that “long-ago” moment.

The prince and the pauper fall in love.

Ryuta (Hio Miyazawa) is a personal trainer with an ailing mother, a big secret and no cash. Can a romance with a wealthy magazine editor fix his problems, or do their differences doom their relationship from the start?

Class is the central theme in “Egoist”: Kosuke and Ryuta’s star-crossed romance shows us how money, and the struggle to make ends meet, can complicate even the most genuine love. But as the film leans into melodrama, it loses both its friction and frisson, and a steaming-hot premise turns into something cold to the touch.

There’s always one more “one last job.”

‘blood for dust’.

Seventeen months after a theft scheme goes horribly wrong, two former colleagues-in-crime reunite for a drug-running operation.

Directed by Rod Blackhurst, “Blood for Dust” is a throwback, in the sense of being exceedingly familiar. An early shot of a snow-covered parking lot inevitably evokes “Fargo,” but “Blood for Dust” doesn’t have a witty line or a glimmer of humor. The climactic shootout is so dimly lit that it’s difficult to discern who is firing at whom. It’s easy enough to guess.

In theaters and available to rent or buy on most major platforms . Read the full review .

A private world of childhood friendship, ruptured.

‘we grown now’.

Two young boys, residents of the Cabrini-Green public housing development in Chicago, confront harsh realities while also chasing whimsy (including an excursion to the Art Institute of Chicago).

You’re immediately invested in Malik and Eric, who together have formed a private world that, like the museum, exists apart from real life, its pressures and its dangers. The sound design is particularly effective at conveying the little bubble that the children have created for themselves. The babble of outside voices and music in Cabrini never seems to stop flowing, but you never really hear what anyone says.

Zack Snyder serves up a chaotic stew of references.

‘rebel moon — part two: the scargiver’.

The second half of Zack Snyder’s space opera follows a group of interplanetary warriors as they attempt to defeat an imperial army.

The script by Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Shay Hatten trips over its aspirations whenever any character talks. There’s not a single authentic conversation, just exposition dumps and soliloquies. Finally, after an hour of speeches, we’re treated to an hour of rousing warfare. Primal, pitiless, agonizing carnage is where Snyder excels. He’ll kill anyone, even nice people, even grandmothers-turned-guerrilla warriors who just want to get back to folk dancing.

Watch on Netflix . Read the full review.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

As “Sex and the City” became more widely available on Netflix, younger viewers have watched it with a critical eye . But its longtime millennial and Gen X fans can’t quit.

Hoa Xuande had only one Hollywood credit when he was chosen to lead “The Sympathizer,” the starry HBO adaptation of a prize-winning novel. He needed all the encouragement he could get .

Even before his new film “Civil War” was released, the writer-director Alex Garland faced controversy over his vision of a divided America  with Texas and California as allies.

Theda Hammel’s directorial debut, “Stress Positions,” a comedy about millennials weathering the early days of the pandemic , will ask audiences to return to a time that many people would rather forget.

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review – Guy Ritchie’s fun wartime romp

Henry Cavill leads a ragtag group on an unlikely mission in this shaggy, exaggerated account of Operation Postmaster

G uy Ritchie’s inevitable graduation from London to Hollywood has had its moments – the rambunctious zip of the first Sherlock Holmes, the stylish homoeroticism of The Man from UNCLE – but it soon felt as if the once electrifying film-maker had been swallowed up by the system. A middling Sherlock sequel, a pointless King Arthur non-starter and a soulless Aladdin remake seemed like enough to push not just fans away but Ritchie himself. He’s since found a happier medium, making films for a broad, commercial audience with easily marketable stars yet on, what seem like, his own terms, wrestling some control back from the money men.

He’s barely stopped ever since, with five films made over five years and two more slotted into the next, and there is an expectedly solid, workmanlike quality to his recent work, never enough for a four-star rating but never risking a two. His latest, the annoyingly titled The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, is another adequate three-star entry, a little better than his breezy spy caper Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre and a little less effective than his swaggering revenge thriller Wrath of Man (both three stars, natch).

Jason Statham might not be involved this time but one can easily imagine him slotting into the lead role of a roguish thrill-seeker recruited for a dangerous mission. More so than Henry Cavill , who often struggles to convince as someone who hates the rulebook almost as much as he hates to shave. He plays Gus March-Phillips, who led what was later called Operation Postmaster, a covert operation of unruly agents (including Reacher’s Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer and Henry Golding) who were sent to west Africa to sabotage Nazi U-boats during the second world war. March-Phillips was allegedly an inspiration for what was to become James Bond, with a young Ian Fleming involved in the mission at the time. Like Operation Fortune, it acts as an R-rated riposte to the more polite antics of 007 as well as Ethan Hunt but is mostly reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s fictionalised Inglourious Basterds, another raucous second world war tale.

Ritchie’s film, based on Damien Lewis’s 2014 book Churchill’s Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII, might have its basis in truth but it’s been exaggerated and contorted into something grander and sillier, for better and worse. As another one of the director’s mid-budget, mid-level crowd-pleasers, it mostly works – well-made enough to distract in the moment but not quite enough to last in the many after, unlikely to catapult him to the top or sink him to the bottom. Like most of his more watchable films, it’s propelled by an abundance of energy, infectious enough to temporarily lead you away from major quibbles but like his last team-on-a-mission caper Operation Fortune, the zingers don’t quite zing enough, and this time there are added attempts to try to ape Tarantino with some rather awkwardly overwritten banter.

Yet his ability to construct an involving action sequence remains hard to fault and there’s a juvenile joy to how violent it all gets, especially in the hands of Ritchson’s bloodthirsty madman. There’s also a more surprising joy in how queer some of it feels, Ritchie again inserting both under- and overtones that prove interesting in territory as macho as this. The entire cast is modeled and styled like a fashion spread, with shirtless muscular soldiers running around in the background, and there are scenes of Ritchson making overtures towards the other men, at one point directly towards Golding’s character. It’s not quite enough to prove radical and definitely not enough to offend homophobic international censors but it’s a fun, frisky little ingredient nonetheless.

If Cavill doesn’t have quite as much of the deranged charm his role requires, Ritchson more than makes up for it with Eiza Gonzalez and Dune’s Babs Olusanmokun ably assisting as an undercover duo. Til Schweiger’s villainous Nazi might just be Basterds’ Hans Landa in diet form but he pitches it right, delivering a performance as bombastic and unsubtle as the film that surrounds him.

It’s looking like another commercial miss for Ritchie according to early tracking , and with his last two films also counting as box office disappointments, it may be that his run of throwaway genre larks with decent budgets could be coming to an end. It would be a shame if that were the case though because even Ritchie on autopilot has him flying higher than many of his peers.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is out in US cinemas on 19 April and in the UK at a later date

• Guy Ritchie
• Henry Cavill
• Action and adventure films
• Comedy films
• Second world war

Most viewed

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Finding the Money

An underdog group of economists is on a mission to instigate a paradigm shift by flipping our understanding of the national debt, and the nature of money, upside down. An underdog group of economists is on a mission to instigate a paradigm shift by flipping our understanding of the national debt, and the nature of money, upside down. An underdog group of economists is on a mission to instigate a paradigm shift by flipping our understanding of the national debt, and the nature of money, upside down.

• Maren Poitras
• Stephanie Kelton
• Lua K. Yuille
• Mathew Forstater
• 1 User review

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

User reviews 1

• charlesrwhiteman
• Nov 25, 2023
• May 3, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• Film website
• Βρίσκοντας τα χρήματα
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 35 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ Review: Henry Cavill Leads a Pack of Inglorious Rogues in Guy Ritchie’s Spirited WWII Coup

The 'Sherlock Holmes' director takes a page from history, bringing his trademark attitude to a bombastic black ops mission that turned the tide against the Nazis.

By Peter Debruge

Peter Debruge

Chief Film Critic

• ‘The Three Musketeers – Part II: Milady’ Review: Eva Green Surprises in French Blockbuster’s Less-Than-Faithful Finale 7 days ago
• ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ Review: Henry Cavill Leads a Pack of Inglorious Rogues in Guy Ritchie’s Spirited WWII Coup 1 week ago
• ‘Challengers’ Review: Zendaya and Company Smash the Sports-Movie Mold in Luca Guadagnino’s Tennis Scorcher 2 weeks ago

In “ The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare ,” British Prime Minister Winston Churchill authorizes an illicit mission to undermine Hitler’s fleet of German U-boats during World War II. The plan calls for renegades with little respect for the rules, led by a cocky ex-criminal named Gus March-Phillipps ( Henry Cavill ), who’s released from prison and called into a top-secret briefing. Oblivious to etiquette, Gus helps himself to a tall glass of Scotch whisky, steals an entire box of cigars and struts over to the desk where a priggish-looking officer sits. Gus swipes his lighter, making a fool of the uptight chap, who identifies himself as “Fleming, Ian Fleming .”

Popular on Variety

All the way back to “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” Ritchie has been jazzing up genre movies (gangster stories, mostly) with crackling dialogue and trick camera moves. While hardly shy on attitude, “Ministry” finds the stylistically aggressive director in a tamer, slightly more traditional mode, featuring relatively conservative repartee (including loads of clunky exposition) and fairly straightforward set-pieces. As a whole, the movie hews to the standard men-on-a-mission formula, joining classics such as “The Guns of Navarone” and “The Dirty Dozen” in assembling a pack of highly skilled — if slightly disreputable — pros to attempt the impossible.

M makes no false claims for what looks like a sacrifice operation. If the men are killed, the British government will deny it. And if they succeed, these heroes shouldn’t expect to be recognized as such. In Ritchie’s telling, the carnage is reward enough. (The details were not declassified until 2016, but now that the facts are known, the script — credited to Ritchie and three others — freely embellishes them.) On the Goodreads site, a four-year-old review correctly predicted, “I think it would make a better movie than a book. Especially the center piece chapters, where the squad manages to steal German ships in a harbor off the coast of Africa.”

That’s a bingo, as this daring scheme drives most of the plot, which involves the five guys sailing down to Fernando Po, a neutral island off the coast of Cameroon, where an Italian cargo ship called the Duchessa d’Aosta is being loaded with Nazi supplies. While Gus’ team travels by sea, two undercover allies — Jewish Mata Hari type Marjorie Stewart (Eiza González) and well-connected black marketeer Heron (Babs Olusanmokun) — take the train. The plan is to meet up on the island, blow up the Duchessa and screw up the Nazis’ ability to reload their U-boats, which controlled the Atlantic and prevented Americans from joining the war.

Ritchie’s approach owes more than a little to Quentin Tarantino, whose “Inglourious Basterds” sets the tone for much of the operation. There are smooth-talking Nazi officers whose charm masks their menace and a bombshell vixen expected to outsmart — and potentially seduce — the worst of them, the sadistic yet cunning Heinrich Luhr (Teuton action star Til Schweiger). The movie relies on a terrific ensemble in nearly all its lead roles, apart from Churchill. Sporting a swollen chest and tightly curled handlebar mustache, Cavill brings a charm all but absent from the stiff secret agent he played in “Argylle,” while Ritchson — between his homoerotic flirting and homicidal flair — seems destined to be the fan favorite.

If anything, this dimension of the plot seems the least developed, seeing as how audiences have grown desensitized to rogue agents disregarding the formalities (and laws) of war. It doesn’t entirely track that such a mission would be frowned upon back home, though it does make things slightly more exciting for Gus and his cohorts, since the British Navy can’t come to their aid — and in fact, is standing by to arrest and court-martial them, should the plan go pear-shaped. While cartoonish at times, the behavior on offer here is a long way from the PG-13 exploits of Ian Fleming’s gentleman spy, with his fitted tuxedo and fussy cocktail preferences. Leave it to Ritchie to stir things up.

Reviewed at Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria, Los Angeles, April 13, 2024. MPA Rating: R. Running time: 120 MIN.

• Production: A Lionsgate release of a Black Bear, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Toff Guy production. Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Guy Ritchie, Chad Oman, Ivan Atkinson, John Friedberg. Executive producers: Mohammed Al Turki, Dave Caplan, Jason Cloth, Olga Filipuk, Michael Heimler, Eric Johnson, K. Blaine Johnston, Scott LaStaiti, Damien Lewis, Llewellyn Radley, Anders Sandberg, Teddy Schwarzman, Jill Silfen, Paul Tamasy, Christopher Woodrow. Co-producers: Max Keene, Niall Perrett, Alex Sutherland.
• Crew: Director: Guy Ritchie. Screenplay: Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, Arash Amel & Guy Ritchie, based on the book “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops” by Damien Lewis. Camera: Ed Wild. Editor: James Herbert. Music: Christopher Benstead.
• With: Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, BabsOlusamokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, with Henry Golding, Cary Elwes. (English, German dialogue)

More From Our Brands

Nicki nicole reminds an ex what he’s lost on ‘ojos verdes’, cher’s revamped former beverly hills home hits the market for $4.1 million, get ready for the ai-ified olympic games, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, ahs: delicate finale delivers ominous, abrupt ending — grade it, verify it's you, please log in.

Finding the Money

Cast & crew.

Stephanie Kelton

L. Randall Wray

Warren Mosler

Fadhel Kaboub

Pavlina Tcherneva

• DOCUMENTARY

Information

© 2023 Hand Hewn Productions LLC

Accessibility

Copyright © 2024 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Internet Service Terms Apple TV & Privacy Cookie Policy Support

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the color of money.

Now streaming on:

If this movie had been directed by someone else, I might have thought differently about it because I might not have expected so much. But "The Color of Money" is directed by Martin Scorsese , the most exciting American director now working, and it is not an exciting film. It doesn't have the electricity, the wound-up tension, of his best work, and as a result I was too aware of the story marching by.

Scorsese may have thought of this film as a deliberately mainstream work, a conventional film with big names and a popular subject matter; perhaps he did it for that reason. But I believe he has the stubborn soul of an artist, and cannot put his heart where his heart will not go. And his heart, I believe, inclines toward creating new and completely personal stories about characters who have come to life in his imagination - not in finishing someone else's story, begun 25 years ago.

"The Color of Money" is not a sequel, exactly, but it didn't start with someone's fresh inspiration. It continues the story of "Fast Eddie" Felson, the character played by Paul Newman in Robert Rossen's " The Hustler " (1961). Now 25 years have passed. Eddie still plays pool, but not for money and not with the high-stakes, dangerous kinds of players who drove him from the game. He is a liquor salesman, a successful one, judging by the long, white Cadillac he takes so much pride in. One night, he sees a kid playing pool, and the kid is so good that Eddie's memories are stirred.

This kid is not simply good, however. He is also, Eddie observes, a "flake," and that gives him an idea: With Eddie as his coach, this kid could be steered into the world of big-money pool, where his flakiness would throw off the other players. They wouldn't be inclined to think he was for real. The challenge, obviously, is to train the kid so he can turn his flakiness on and off at will - so he can put the making of money above every other consideration, every other lure and temptation, in the pool hall.

The kid is named Vincent ( Tom Cruise ), and Eddie approaches him through Vincent's girlfriend, Carmen ( Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ). She is a few years older than Vince and a lot tougher. She likes the excitement of being around Vince and around pool hustling, but Eddie sees she's getting bored. He figures he can make a deal with the girl; together, they'll control Vince and steer him in the direction of money.

A lot of the early scenes setting up this situation are very well handled, especially the moments when Eddie uses Carmen to make Vince jealous and undermine his self-confidence. But of course these scenes work well, because they are the part of the story that is closest to Scorsese's own sensibility. In all of his best movies, we can see this same ambiguity about the role of women, who are viewed as objects of comfort and fear, creatures that his heroes desire and despise themselves for desiring. Think of the heroes of " Mean Streets ," " Taxi Driver " and " Raging Bull " and their relationships with women, and you sense where the energy is coming from that makes Vincent love Carmen, and distrust her.

The movie seems less at home with the Newman character, perhaps because this character is largely complete when the movie begins. "Fast Eddie" Felson knows who he is, what he thinks, what his values are.

There will be some moments of crisis in the story, as when he allows himself, to his shame, to be hustled at pool. But he is not going to change much during the story, and maybe he's not even free to change much, since his experiences are largely dictated by the requirements of the plot.

Here we come to the big weakness of "The Color of Money": It exists in a couple of timeworn genres, and its story is generated out of standard Hollywood situations. First we have the basic story of the old pro and the talented youngster. Then we have the story of the kid who wants to knock the master off the throne. Many of the scenes in this movie are almost formula, despite the energy of Scorsese's direction and the good performances. They come in the same places we would expect them to come in a movie by anybody else, and they contain the same events.

Eventually, everything points to the ending of the film, which we know will have to be a showdown between Eddie and Vince, between Newman and Cruise. The fact that the movie does not provide that payoff scene is a disappointment. Perhaps Scorsese thought the movie was "really" about the personalities of his two heroes, and that it was unnecessary to show who would win in a showdown. Perhaps, but then why plot the whole story with genre formulas, and only bail out at the end? If you bring a gun onstage in the first act, somebody will have been shot by the third.

The side stories are where the movie really lives. There is a warm, bittersweet relationship between Newman and his long-time girlfriend, a bartender wonderfully played by Helen Shaver . And the greatest energy in the story is generated between Cruise and Mastrantonio - who, with her hard edge and her inbred cynicism, keeps the kid from ever feeling really sure of her. (Mastrantonio, an Oak Park River Forest High graduate, will be in town this weekend for a reunion.) It's a shame that even the tension of their relationship is allowed to evaporate in the closing scenes, where Cruise and the girl stand side by side and seem to speak from the same mind, as if she were a standard movie girlfriend and not a real original.

Watching Newman is always interesting in this movie. He has been a true star for many years, but sometimes that star quality has been thrown away. Scorsese has always been the kind of director who lets his camera stay on an actor's face, who looks deeply into them and tries to find the shadings that reveal their originality. In many of Newman's closeups in this movie, he shows an enormous power, a concentration and focus of his essence as an actor.

Newman, of course, had veto power over who would make this movie (because how could they make it without him?), and his instincts were sound in choosing Scorsese. Maybe the problems started with the story, when Newman or somebody decided that there had to be a young man in the picture; the introduction of the Cruise character opens the door for all of the preordained teacher-pupil cliches, when perhaps they should have just stayed with Newman and let him be at the center of the story.

Then Newman's character would have been free (as the Robert De Niro characters have been free in other Scorsese films) to follow his passions, hungers, fears and desires wherever they led him - instead of simply following the story down a well-traveled path.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Riddle of Fire

Robert daniels.

Lousy Carter

Clint worthington.

Sheila O'Malley

Little Wing

Marya e. gates.

Apples Never Fall

Cristina escobar.

Mary & George

Film credits.

The Color of Money (1986)

110 minutes

Paul Newman as Eddie

Tom Cruise as Vincent

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Carmen

Helen Shaver as Janelle

John Turturro as Julian

Bill Cobbs as Orvis

Directed by

• Martin Scorsese

Produced by

• Irving Axelrad
• Barbara De Fina

Screenplay by

• Richard Price

Photographed by

• Michael Ballhaus
• Thelma Schoonmaker

Based On The Novel by

• Walter Tevis

Latest blog posts

25 Years Later, Alexander Payne’s Election Remains as Relevant as Ever

Sharp Writing, Excellent Cast Keep Spy Thriller The Veil Engaging

Take Another Trip to the End of the World with Sony’s Stellar Blade

He's Got Something Going On: David Proval on Mean Streets, and Acting for Martin Scorsese

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

The man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse where Trump is on trial dies of his injuries

Person rushed away on a stretcher after fire extinguished outside Trump hush money trial

A metal can sits on the ground at the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside Manhattan criminal court, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York. Emergency crews rushed away a person on a stretcher after fire was extinguished outside the Manhattan courthouse where jury selection was taking place Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

• Copy Link copied

New York law enforcement and fire department personnel inspect the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside Manhattan criminal court, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

White fire extinguisher residue marks the spot in Collect Pond Park where a man lit himself on fire outside Manhattan criminal court, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York. Emergency crews rushed away a person on a stretcher after fire was extinguished outside the Manhattan courthouse where jury selection was taking place in former President Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK (AP) — The man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.

The New York City Police Department told The Associated Press early Saturday that the man was declared dead by staff at an area hospital.

The man was in Collect Pond Park around 1:30 p.m. Friday when he took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories, tossed them around, then doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials and witnesses said.

A large number of police officers were nearby when it happened. Some officers and bystanders rushed to the aid of the man, who was hospitalized in critical condition at the time.

The man, who police said recently traveled from Florida to New York, had not breached any security checkpoints to access the park.

The park outside the courthouse has been a gathering spot for protesters, journalists and gawkers throughout Trump’s trial, which began with jury selection Monday.

Through Friday, the streets and sidewalks in the area around the courthouse were generally wide open and crowds have been small and largely orderly.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols, including whether to restrict access to the park. The side street where Trump enters and leaves the building is off limits.

“We may have to shut this area down,” New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a news conference outside the courthouse Friday, adding that officials would discuss the security plan soon.