MoviePass, the startup best known for its disruptive movie theater subscription service, has announced its latest ambitious project—a beta phase for Mogul, a daily fantasy platform specifically designed around Hollywood and its stars.
At its heart, Mogul borrows from the well-known daily fantasy sports model, where participants assemble their ideal teams of real-world athletes, accruing points based on their performance in actual sporting events. Similarly, Mogul positions its users as virtual studio executives, providing them with budgets and “studio credits”—the in-game currency—to assemble rosters of actors and actresses.
Each day, participants can refresh their star-studded lineups, using their knowledge of the industry’s trends and talents to compete in several types of fantasy contests. The available formats include tournaments lasting roughly one week, head-to-head showdowns, and individual challenges. Players score points by correctly predicting metrics such as box office performance, critical reviews, and potential awards recognition.
As they progress, users can unlock digital collectibles ranging from digitally signed film posters to exclusive virtual memorabilia, enhancing their rankings and solidifying their positions on Mogul’s leaderboards. The entire platform is integrated into the Sui blockchain, a layer 1 system developed by Mysten Labs. Those invited to test the service early will receive a unique digital wallet to securely hold their collectibles and in-game currency.
MoviePass CEO Spikes believes Mogul taps into an unexplored and sizable market. “People can name more actors than they probably can sports athletes,” he explained, emphasizing the potential scale and enthusiasm for such an offering.
Initially, some critics expressed doubt regarding Mogul’s viability, wondering if film enthusiasts would truly embrace a competitive platform dedicated to minute film industry details. Yet, according to the company’s own figures, demand appears robust—with over 400,000 individuals already registering for the early-access waitlist. Time will tell whether this impressive level of initial interest sustains until the platform’s formal public rollout.
Notably, in earlier conversations, MoviePass representatives framed Mogul as primarily a predictive market service. They later clarified that daily fantasy entertainment better encapsulated the current nature of Mogul, though predictive market aspects could potentially be integrated at a later date. For now, Mogul transactions take place solely in virtual currency, a crucial distinction given the heavily regulated landscape surrounding traditional prediction markets and sports gambling.
Spikes acknowledged this complexity, stating, “It’s murky what needs to be approved. Regulations vary significantly based on specific markets and across different states in the U.S.”
However, Mogul’s beta release signals just the start of MoviePass’s broader strategy to incorporate Web3 technologies. The company previously communicated its ambitions to offer blockchain-based incentives for film attendance and has notable financial backing from blockchain-focused investor Animoca Brands. Last year, MoviePass forged a partnership with blockchain company Sui, allowing subscribers the ability to process payments with USD Coin.
With Mogul’s initial reception demonstrating stronger-than-expected enthusiasm, MoviePass may indeed have found a unique niche—one where Hollywood stardom meets fantasy sports-inspired engagement.
