Most movie focus groups let you watch new movies for free, but only a few of them pay you, and the chances do not come often. Below I show what you do on each site and what you get for it.
Three good movie focus groups to start
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#1 USAAudiences
Best for: Free screenings in big US cities
You sign up once, and you get invites by email or SMS to see unreleased movies in a cinema for free.
- What you do
- Free screenings in a cinema · US only, mostly big metro areas
- What you get
- Free movie screenings
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#2 Before the Premiere
Best for: Blockbusters before they come out
The screenings are yet-to-be-released movies from major studios. The sign-up form is simple, and you get an email when there is a screening in your area.
- What you do
- Screenings of unreleased movies from major studios · US
- What you get
- Free movie screenings
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#3 Amusement Advantage
Best for: Getting paid, not only a free movie
You do mystery shopping, for example at a cinema, and share your experience in a survey afterwards. You see the movie for free and get paid for it.
- What you do
- Mystery shopping at cinemas, parks and museums, then a survey
- What you get
- Pay per task · Free movies
This is not a ranked list, so pick the ones that suit you. If free movies are enough for you, sign up for all of them to get more invites.
On this page6 sections
Compare all 6 movie focus groups
| Site | What you do | What you get | Join or read review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free screenings in a cinema · US only, mostly big metro areas | Free movie screenings | ||
| Screenings of unreleased movies from major studios · US | Free movie screenings | ||
| Mystery shopping at cinemas, parks and museums, then a survey | Pay per task · Free movies | ||
| Watch at home, then a 5 to 10 minute survey · US only | Free online screenings | ||
| Redeem a movie pass for a screening in a theater · several countries | Free screenings · Sweepstakes prizes | ||
| Focus groups, sometimes movie test screenings · mostly online | PayPal · Bank transfer |
No site on this list matches these filters.
6 Best movie focus groups you can join
Now that you know what to expect from this opportunity, it’s time we discuss the actual options you can choose from. Keep in mind that this is not a prioritized list, so you can just choose which option fits your preferences.
I will keep updating this list if I find new options in the future, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new opportunities.
#1 USAAudiences
- What you do
- Free screenings in a cinema · US only, mostly big metro areas
- What you get
- Free movie screenings
USAAudiences is a website that offers free movie screenings and discounted movie tickets. It’s mostly an opportunity for people who live in the US (in select states only), but you can also sign up as a member if you live in another country.
To sign up, just go to the website and click the “Sign Up for Movie Screening Invites” link. Most of the movie screenings and special offers are in California, New York, New Jersey, and other major metro areas of the U.S.
Read more
So, if you live in a small town, then chances are, this is not the right opportunity for you. If you live in another country, there’s also no guarantee you will ever get any invite, so just keep that in mind before you sign up.
You won’t earn any reward for participating in the movie screenings, but as I’ve mentioned earlier, you get to watch a movie that hasn’t been released yet or has just premiered for free.
#2 Before the Premiere
- What you do
- Screenings of unreleased movies from major studios · US
- What you get
- Free movie screenings
Before the Premiere is a website that offers exclusive screenings of yet-to-be-released content from major studios. The key thing to note here is that the movies will come from major studios, so you will have a chance to watch blockbuster movies that haven’t been released yet.
As far as I can tell, this site is only available in the US, so if you live somewhere else, it might not be the right opportunity for you. The registration process is fairly straightforward. You have to fill out the sign-up form and submit it.
Read more
Then, if there are any movie screenings in your area, you will receive a notification via email, or you can just log in to the site’s member dashboard to view the notifications. Either way, you’ll get instructions on how to participate in the free movie screening.
#3 Amusement Advantage
- What you do
- Mystery shopping at cinemas, parks and museums, then a survey
- What you get
- Pay per task · Free movies
Amusement Advantage is not only a way to earn by watching movies, but you can also find many other ways to earn by having fun.
You can, for example, also get paid to go the amusement parks, museums, and more.
Read more
You will earn by doing mystery shopping tasks, so you will need to go undercover, so to speak. This is to test the service of, for example, cinemas. After the movie, you usually have to share your experiences in a survey.
Not only will you get to watch movies for free, but you will also get paid for it, so it can be a fun and interesting way to earn.
Just be aware that the number of tasks is limited, and how many you can get access to depends a lot on where you live.
#4 iScreeningRoom
- What you do
- Watch at home, then a 5 to 10 minute survey · US only
- What you get
- Free online screenings
iScreeningRoom is one of the opportunities that will allow you to watch free movies online. If you prefer just sitting on your couch to enjoy a movie, this is one of the best options. Although it is available online, you can only sign up if you live in the US.
To participate, you must first sign up as a member. Once you become a member, you’ll receive a notification if there are new screenings for you. If you wish to participate, you just have to watch the film online from your computer or your TV (by screencasting it).
Read more
Every film you get to watch will be watermarked with your phone number. They do this to keep the movie from being pirated. Take note that the films you have to watch can either be feature films, trailers, music videos, television shows, or commercials.
So if you want a variation of films you can watch, this is a great option for you, in my opinion.
#5 Gofobo
- What you do
- Redeem a movie pass for a screening in a theater · several countries
- What you get
- Free screenings · Sweepstakes prizes
Gofobo is a site where you can find exclusive movie screenings. You can then participate in these screenings once you become a member.
The good thing about this site is that it is available in several countries and not just in the US. Just go to the website and click the drop-down menu for the countries it is available in.
Read more
Once you register as a member, all you have to do is log in to the site and redeem a movie pass. You can then use this pass to watch any movie in a theatre. Just take note, though, that a pass doesn’t guarantee your admittance into a screening or event.
These screenings and events are on a first-come, first-served basis, so you must get to the theatre as early as you can. The unique thing about Gofobo is that it holds sweepstakes regularly, and as a member, you can participate in these raffles for free to have a chance at winning cool prizes.
Think of this as their form of compensation for participating in their screenings.
#6 SIS International
- What you do
- Focus groups, sometimes movie test screenings · mostly online
- What you get
- PayPal · Bank transfer
SIS International is a market research company that specializes in providing its clients with in-depth insight and recommendations into the global marketplace. It offers various focus group opportunities, including movie test screenings.
You can find the opportunities on their Facebook page, so you can just visit it regularly to see if there are opportunities for you. Movie test screening opportunities aren’t very common, so make sure to take advantage of them when offered. They pay in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfer.
How does it work?
Before you pick a site, it helps to know how movie focus groups work, so you know what you have to do.
- Sign up as a memberMost of these sites let you sign up for free. Then you wait for an invite.
- Get a notificationWhen there is a spot in your area, you get a notification. Sometimes you also get information to read first.
- Watch and answerYou watch the movie in a theater or online, and sometimes you answer questions about it afterwards.
Not much effort, but some time
It does not take much effort. Just set aside a couple of hours, depending on how long the movie is.
How much money can you make?
What you get mostly depends on the movie and the studio that asks for the focus group.
What you can get
In some cases, you are paid in cash or gift cards. Sometimes you can attend a movie premiere for free. And you always get to watch a movie for free, and help shape the movies studios release.
Not a regular income
These opportunities are not frequent, so you cannot rely on them for extra cash. Most sites on this list only let you watch movies for free.
Want to earn extra cash?
If your goal is just to earn extra cash, better options exist. Check out the best gig jobs and where to find them instead.
How I choose the sites on this list
What I look at
- Lets you watch new movies before they come out
- Free to sign up
- Easy to join and use
- Gives you a free movie, a prize or pay
Ready to start?
All of these are free to sign up for. If free movies are enough for you, sign up for all of them to get more chances. If your main goal is extra cash, check out the best gig jobs instead.
I keep this list updated, so bookmark this page. Know a site that belongs here, or have a question? Leave a comment below.
Frequently asked questions
How to get paid to see movies?
Only a few movie focus groups pay you. On Amusement Advantage, you do mystery shopping, for example at a cinema, and share your experience in a survey. SIS International sometimes has movie test screenings, and it pays in cash, usually via PayPal or bank transfer.
Most other sites on this list let you watch the movie for free, but do not pay you.
Do focus groups really pay?
Some do. SIS International pays for its focus groups, and you do not need to reach a minimum before you get paid. But movie test screenings are not very common, and it is hard to get chosen.
Most movie focus groups give you a free movie instead of money.
How to become a screen tester for movies?
Sign up as a member on sites like USAAudiences, Before the Premiere, iScreeningRoom or Gofobo. When there is a screening for you, you get a notification. You then watch the movie in a theater or online, and sometimes answer questions about it.
Most of these sites are only for people in the US.
Are Gofobo screenings free?
Yes. Once you register, you log in and redeem a movie pass for a screening. A pass does not guarantee you get in, because seats are first-come, first-served, so get to the theater as early as you can.
Members can also join Gofobo’s sweepstakes for free.
What is it called when you get to watch a movie before it comes out?
Usually an advance screening or a test screening. Research screenings are for movies the filmmakers are still editing, and you often answer a survey afterwards. Other screenings are closer to the release date.
I am really interested to do it.
I explain everything about how to get started and who it is for in the article above.
Hello there mikael , I