This means you can watch thousands of films for free with your library card

When I was studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I decided to combine part of my English studies with a focus on film. This decision opened me up to the wonderful world of film studies and reinforced my already ardent love of film, having considered myself a film lover throughout my teenage years.

The decision also meant that I screened four to seven films every week to support my studies. The only platform that saved me during my hectic semester of screenings was the streaming service Kanopy.

As a student, my university email account gave me free access to the platform and its catalog of over 30,000 films. The best part is that I didn’t have to give up Kanopy after I graduated; Thanks to my public library card, I still stream their extensive offerings for free. Below I’ll show you how to sign up for Kanopy – and why you should.

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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 Get started.
• In the next window you will be asked whether you are logging in with a university ID or a public library ID. Select which option applies to you. You must select your library system or university from the drop-down list.
• To find a library near you, share your location when prompted or search for your library by name, city or zip code. You can do the same when searching for your university.
• Blow Carry on.
• Create your Kanopy account by filling out the required fields (name, email address and password).
• Click Sign in.
• You will receive a confirmation email from [email protected]. Open the message and click Confirm my email address.
• Start streaming.

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

Yes, Kanopy does not offer unlimited streaming. After signing up, you can stream up to 10 titles per month. Your 10 game credit will be renewed at the start of each calendar month. These credits will not transfer if you do not use them.

Why is there a monthly limit?

Kanopy is based on a pay-per-checkout model, meaning the public library system pays a small fee each time you check out a title. By limiting loans to 10 titles per month, libraries can ensure they stay within their budget.

What movies 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
• Documentations
• Classic films from the Criterion Collection
• Content from Great Courses and PBS
• Festival indie or world cinema
• Fairy tale books
• Films and series for children

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

You should also check out our full roundup of the best movies on Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Plus, stream our favorite horror doubleheader on Netflix now.