7 Horror Movies About Running a Business
Along with sweets and overpriced, licensed costumes, Halloween is a perfect time to indulge in your favorite spooky movie. Whether it’s purist horror, offbeat dark comedy, or finely aged 80s gold, there’s a unique joy that can be found in sitting down to enjoy the fun and mysterious. We’ve gathered our seven favorite business-centric horror movies.
Spoiler alert: While we’ll try to avoid giving away too many details, you might find some key plot points revealed for movies you haven’t seen yet. Proceed with caution, if you dare.
Hell House LLC (2015)
A found footage film framed as a documentary unraveling the secrets behind a haunted house tour’s grand opening, which ended in the deaths of 15 people. Run by a small team of entrepreneurs, it’s safe to say this LLC was formally dissolved once all of the owners and employees accidentally opened a portal to hell. We love seeing entrepreneurs build a team with a dream, but when establishing your haunted house business, consider any location besides the notoriously haunted Abaddon Hotel.
Where to watch: Tubi, for free!
Ghostbusters (1984)
Following 3 professors-turned-business owners, this movies centers around the ghost investigation and extermination business of Peter, Ray and Egon. Despite numerous setbacks and hijinks, the trio establishes a new industry in a niche of their own. They even grow fast enough to hire a new employee to meet demand—truly a model for business owners everywhere.
Where to watch: Starz, with subscription.
Cabin In The Woods (2011)
Not every organization is built for profit. Cabin In The Woods focuses on a non-profit, government funded organization with multiple factions in different countries working hard to repeat an annual horror trope-focused ritual to appease ancient deities and prevent the end of the world. This movie proves that the right team can meet almost any deadline, but great leaders shouldn’t get complacent even after years of success. The right duo might just unravel your operation if you aren’t careful.
Where to watch: Peacock, with subscription.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
This movie’s titular character proves himself to be a man of many talents. After Edward, the scissor-handed orphan of an inventor, is welcomed into a new neighborhood, he makes a name for himself with his hedge-trimming skills before pivoting to hair care. Since this story exists in an age before Northwest Registered Agent’s LLC formation service (the real horror), Edward operates as a sole proprietorship servicing his local community until his unfortunate ousting. We certainly hope he still reports any income made during his venture.
Where to watch: Hulu, with subscription.
5 Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Challenges are made to be overcome, even if those challenges are the fault of a murderous owner trapping children’s souls in animatronic bodies. In this flick, a newly hired security guard communicates with the ghosts of children to uncover the secrets behind a beloved pizza restaurant that’s been plagued by bloodthirsty animatronic musicians. It’s a shame, really, since Freddy’s was poised to be a worldwide franchise with the right management. Perseverance is a virtue in business, don’t let a temporary setbacks stop you from chasing your dreams.
Where to watch: Prime Video, with subscription.
The Stuff (1985).
Some have made their fortune with gold, some have struck oil, and some discover some white stuff in the snow and immediately taste it without a second thought. We don’t recommend that last option, but fortune favors the brave in this 80s classic that follows two entrepreneur’s partnership that grows into a worldwide sweet treat phenomenon. While this treat turns out to be a parasitic life form that hypnotizes everyone who indulges in it, this movie is a great reminder that opportunity is all around us. If you find a demand for your product, go all in.
Where to watch: Pluto TV, for free!
End of Days, Inc. (2015)
Inventory is a grueling industry. Meeting demands for vendors and partners requires a solid, committed team. This is especially true when you’re on a crunch to process the human inventory during the apocalypse. In this offbeat dark comedy, employees on their last night at Godfrey Global Inventory (and on earth) are offered an insane severance bonus of $1 million to meet a dawn deadline accounting for every last person on the planet. While it’s unfortunate to be playing a part in the end of the human race, it’s even more tragic to see a corporation with such a flawless track record and refined processes sunset its services.
Where to watch: Tubi, for free!
Starting a business doesn’t have to be scary. Northwest has a team of experts ready to get your business off the ground, whether you’re selling novelty masks imbued with shards of Stonehenge or training horses to act in feature films, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today!
