Love Stephen King? We have a terrific (and terrifying) side hustle for you.
Dish Network is offering $1,300 to one lucky winner of its third annual Stephen King Scream Job contest.
The winner will receive a Fitbit to monitor their heart rate as they watch 13 classic Stephen King movies. Complete the challenge and $1,300 could be yours — along with other awesome prizes.
Too curious to turn away? Read on for details.
How to Apply
Any U.S. resident 18 and older can enter the Stephen King Scream Job contest by filling out this online application.
Applications will be accepted now through Sept. 16 at noon Eastern Time.
To apply, you must describe in 200 words or less why you’re the perfect candidate for this horrifying job along with what you hope to gain from the experience — besides $1,300, of course.
You can also submit an optional video explaining why you’re the ideal pick.
It’s that easy. You’ll receive an email by Sept. 30 letting you know if you’ve been selected or not.
More than 600,000 people entered the contest during its first and second year, according to Dish.
You’re a Winner! Let the Horror Movie Challenge Begin
If you’re lucky enough to make the cut, buckle up for some spooky binge watching.
Dish Networks will send the winner a swag bag “survival kit” complete with a blanket, popcorn, candy and some Stephen King paraphernalia to help you set the mood.
The swag bag — valued at $350 — also includes movie ticket vouchers to the new “Salem’s Lot” remake premiering in 2023 along with a Stephen King Watch Guide.
You’ll also get the latest Fitbit model to monitor your heart rate as you watch the movies.
You must watch 13 different Stephen King movies by Oct. 31 and log details of your terrifying experience on a worksheet, including notes about the scariest jump scenes.
Don’t skimp on the details, either. Dish is pretty insistent that you record as much information about your experience as possible.
“You’ll let us know what you thought before watching certain movies, and if your feelings changed after you completed them. You’ll even log your sleep — if you can sleep,” the network noted.
Once your terrifying movie-watching task is complete, the company will reward you with $1,300.
Here are the 13 Stephen King movies you’ll be watching:
- “Carrie” (original or 2013 remake)
- “Christine”
- “Creepshow”
- “Cujo”
- “Doctor Sleep”
- “Firestarter” (original or 2022 remake)
- “It” (original or 2017 remake)
- “It Chapter Two”
- “Misery”
- “The Mist”
- “Pet Sematary” (original or 2019 remake)
- “Salem’s Lot”
- “The Shining”
A $1,300 prize is a big incentive — think of all the haunted hotels you can visit with that money! But if you don’t get picked for the Scream Job contest, you can always watch your favorite Stephen King flicks just for the fun of it.
Happy haunting!
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. Her favorite Stephen King movies are “Secret Window,” “Misery” and “Doctor Sleep.”
