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 to fill your Halloween party queue this holiday.
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 mystery behind a haunted house tour’s tragic grand opening, a night that ended in the deaths of 15 people. Run by a small team of ambitious entrepreneurs, it’s safe to say this LLC was formally dissolved once all of its owners and employees accidentally opened a portal to hell.
We love seeing young 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 scientists-turned-entrepreneurs, Ghostbusters centers on the ghost investigation and extermination business launched by Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Raymond “Ray” Stantz, and Dr. Egon Spengler.
Despite numerous setbacks and hijinks, the trio establishes a new industry in a niche of their own. Within their first year, demand grows fast enough to justify hiring a new employee (Winston Zeddemore) to scale operations, a surprisingly strong case study in startup momentum.
Where to watch: Starz, with subscription.
Cabin In The Woods (2011)
Not every organization is built for profit. Cabin In The Woods follows a non-profit, government-funded organization with global reach. Its mission: to execute a meticulously choreographed, horror-trope-centric ritual to appease ancient deities and prevent the end of the world.
It’s a masterclass in process management and deadline discipline, proving that the right team can handle almost any workload. But even the most well-run operation can unravel when leadership grows complacent. Sometimes, all it takes is the wrong duo poking around in the wrong places to bring the entire system down.
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 eccentric inventor, is welcomed into a cushy suburban neighborhood, he makes a name for himself with his hedge-trimming skills before pivoting to hair care.
Since this story takes place in an age before Northwest Registered Agent’s LLC formation service (the real horror), Edward operates as a sole proprietor, serving his local community until his unfortunate ousting. We certainly hope he still reported any income made during his landscaping and cosmetology ventures.
Where to watch: Hulu, with subscription.
5 Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Five Nights at Freddy’s reminds us that some operational challenges are harder to overcome than others, especially when they involve a murderous business owner trapping children’s souls inside animatronic mascots.
In this flick, a newly hired security guard communicates with the ghosts of said murder victims to uncover the secrets behind a beloved pizza restaurant that’s been plagued with bloodthirsty, robotic musicians.
It’s a shame, really, since Freddy’s was poised to be a worldwide franchise with the right management in place. Still, perseverance is a virtue in business; don’t let 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 have discovered an unknown white substance on the ground and immediately tasted it without a second thought. We don’t recommend that last option, but fortune favors the brave in The Stuff, an ’80s classic that follows two entrepreneurs’ partnership as it grows into a worldwide, sweet-treat phenomenon.
While their product ultimately turns out to be a parasitic life form that hypnotizes everyone who indulges in it, this movie is a reminder that opportunity is all around us. If you find a demand for your product, go all in (just make sure it passes basic safety testing first).
Where to watch: Pluto TV, for free!
End of Days, Inc. (2015)
Inventory is a grueling industry. Meeting vendor and partner demands requires a solid, committed team. This is especially true when you’re on a time crunch to process human inventory during the apocalypse.
In this charmingly dark comedy, employees working their final 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 as they meet their untimely demise.
While it’s unfortunate to play a part in the end of the human race, it’s also a tragedy to see a corporation with such a storied legacy sunset its operations overnight.
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!
