Stream over 30,000 movies for free, including noir classics

When I was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I added film studies to my English degree. This choice opened me up to the wonderful world of film studies, intensifying my already fervent love for cinema, having been a self-proclaimed cinephile in my teens.

This decision also meant that I would be showing four to seven films each week for my assignments and thesis. The only platform that saved me throughout the semesters of crazy viewing was the streaming service Kanopy.

As a college student, I had free access to the platform and its catalog of over 30,000 movies using my university email address. The best part (besides the fact that Kanopy is ad-free) is that I didn’t have to give up my account after I graduated; I still stream their robust offerings for free thanks to my public library card. Below I’ll show you how to sign up for Kanopy and why you should do it.

Read more: 9 Best Netflix Alternatives to Keep You Entertained

How to create a Kanopy account

With Kanopy, you can stream movies, TV shows, and documentaries for free, without ads. To create a Kanopy account you can do the following:

• Go to kanopy.com and click Begin.
• The next window will ask you whether you are registering with a university degree or a public library card. Choose which option suits you. You will need to select your library system or university from the drop-down list.
• To find a library near you, provide your location when prompted, or search for a library by name, city, or zip code. You can do the same when searching for your university.
• Hit Continue.
• Create your Kanopy account by filling out the required fields (name, email and password).
• Click Register.
• You will receive a confirmation email at [email protected]. Open the message and tap Confirm my email.
• Start broadcast.

Is there a limit to the number of movies I can watch per month?

Yes, Kanopy does not offer unlimited streaming. Once registered, you can stream up to 10 games per month. Your 10 game credits will renew at the beginning of each calendar month. These credits do not carry over unless you use them.

Why is there a monthly limit?

Kanopy operates on a pay-per-checkout model, meaning the public library system pays a small fee each time you check out a book. By limiting lending to 10 titles per month, libraries can ensure they stay on budget.

What films are offered on Kanopy?

The Kanopy catalog gives you access to over 30,000 titles, including:

• Award-winning foreign films
• Critically acclaimed films
• A24 films
• Documentaries
• Classic films from the Criterion collection
• Content from Great Courses and PBS
• Indie or World Film Festival
• Collections of stories
• Films and TV series for children

Some notable standout films include Moonlight (2016), Lady Bird (2017), Memento (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), The Big Short (2015), Daughters of the Dust (1991), “In the Mood for Love” (2000). and my personal favorite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019).

Does Kanopy offer seasonal collections?

Yes, Kanopy offers select seasonal and special collections. The Canopy Holiday Collection features a variety of Christmas reports and documentaries, as well as classic Christmas films. The Winter Collection features a variety of winter-themed compilation videos that bring the magic of the season to life. In October, Kanopy released the Fright Fest Collection, a catalog of Halloween favorites featuring horror, slasher, thriller, and more.

Most timely is Kanopy’s latest collection, Noirvember, a collection of film noir films including 1940s classics and contemporary neo-noir favorites.

Titles from Noirvember include critically acclaimed films such as:

• Lost Highway (David Lynch, 1997)
• The Stranger (Orson Welles, 1946)
• Bad Dream (Akira Kurosawa, 1960)
• Phoenix (Christian Petzold, 2014)

You should also check out our complete list of the best movies on Max, Netflix And Amazon Prime. Plus, stream our favorite horror double feature now on Netflix.