Introduction
MoviePass is reinventing itself by launching Mogul, a fantasy platform where users can wager on Hollywood box office performance. The service turns movie fans into active participants using prediction market mechanics without real-money stakes. This move comes as major betting companies like DraftKings show growing interest in prediction markets, positioning MoviePass at the intersection of entertainment and emerging betting technologies.
Key Points
- Mogul uses in-game currency rather than real money, with winners sharing a $100,000 prize pool instead of immediate payouts
- The platform measures team performance based on both box office results and cultural impact of selected movies, actors, and directors
- MoviePass has crypto partnerships and plans to introduce real-money gaming features in the future, following industry trends
From Movie Subscriptions to Fantasy Gaming
MoviePass, the company that once revolutionized cinema access with its unlimited movie subscription model, has taken a dramatic pivot into the world of entertainment gaming. The company’s new service, Mogul, entered public beta this week, creating what it describes as “the first fantasy league and predictive market for Hollywood.” This represents a significant strategic shift for a company that previously offered theater-goers unlimited movies for a monthly fee of $9.99 before transitioning to a credit-based system in 2019.
The Mogul platform tasks users with assembling virtual “teams” composed of movies, actors, and directors, with performance measured based on both box office results and “cultural impact.” Similar to fantasy sports services like DraftKings, users select their teams using an in-game currency rather than real money. However, unlike traditional prediction markets or most fantasy sports contests, Mogul participants don’t risk actual funds or receive immediate payouts. Instead, they compete for a chance to share in a $100,000 prize pool distributed at some future date.
The Prediction Market Landscape Heats Up
MoviePass’s entry into prediction markets comes at a time of growing interest from established betting giants. DraftKings recently unveiled its acquisition of prediction market exchange Railbird earlier this month, signaling serious institutional interest in this emerging sector. The shift is widely viewed as a response to platforms like Polymarket, where users can bet on virtually any outcome, from political elections to entertainment industry developments.
In its press release, Mogul acknowledged the increasing hype surrounding prediction markets, stating that it’s entering “this landscape with a unique entertainment-driven proposition.” Stacy Spikes, co-founder and CEO of MoviePass, emphasized the sector’s potential, declaring that “prediction markets are rapidly exploding and expected to become the next trillion dollar digital economy.” The company positions Mogul as pioneering “the first fantasy entertainment market, ushering in a new era of fandom” by turning “passive viewers into active participants.”
Crypto Partnerships and Future Real-Money Gaming
MoviePass’s technological evolution extends beyond fantasy gaming into the cryptocurrency space. The company partnered with the Sui Foundation in 2024 to enable customers to pay for MoviePass subscriptions using stablecoins, marking another step in the company’s digital transformation. This move aligns with broader industry trends toward cryptocurrency integration in entertainment and gaming platforms.
The company’s relaunch in 2023 received backing from Animoca Brands, a venture capital and game software firm that led a seed funding round. At that time, MoviePass expressed interest in exploring virtual reality cinema experiences among other technological endeavors. While Mogul currently operates without real-money stakes, MoviePass has explicitly stated its plans to introduce “real money gaming in the future,” acknowledging that such features are commonplace on similar platforms.
Beyond the core fantasy league mechanics, Mogul offers additional engagement features including daily polls that allow users to weigh in on entertainment industry questions. These might include predictions about whether “a live-action remake of a classic animated film will be announced before the end of 2026,” further expanding the platform’s predictive elements beyond simple box office performance.
📎 Related coverage from: decrypt.co