Kanopy: The Hidden Gem of Streaming Services

Kanopy is the best streaming service you’ve never heard of, offering 30,000 movies and TV shows completely free, with no ads. It's just a library card away...

In a world filled with endless streaming services all charging us an arm and a leg for content, Kanopy stands out as a true hidden gem. Unlike the major paid services or the myriad of ad-supported free platforms, Kanopy offers an ad-free experience at no cost to users. The only requirement? A participating library card or university login. It is as easy as that. If your library or university partners with Kanopy, you are sitting on a gold mine of free movies and TV shows and you didn’t even know it.

This post is sponsored by Kanopy. Thank you to Kanopy for their support of both my newsletter and my love of film!

How to Get Started With Kanopy

Getting started with Kanopy is pretty straightforward. First, you need to check if your library card or university credentials offer you access to their service. When you go to their sign-up page, Kanopy will help walk you through the process finding either a local library or university that participates. Once you confirm participation and enter your credentials, you are in. It’s as simple as that.

If your local library isn’t part of the program, you may still have options! Many major city libraries allow state residents to sign up. For example, anyone in California can get a Los Angeles Public Library card and gain access to Kanopy just by proving residency.

Once inside the platform, you’ll find a curated collection of films spanning from silent-era classics to modern award-winning cinema. Whether you love documentaries, foreign films, independent cinema, or timeless Hollywood classics, Kanopy truly has something for everyone.

One of Kanopy’s biggest advantages is definitely its incredible catalog. This may sound unbelievable, but did you know that Netflix offers fewer than 30 films made before 1980 and none before 1960? Kanopy, on the other hand, boasts a rich collection from cinema’s earliest days through the golden age of Hollywood and beyond. You can discover silent masterpieces, dive into the world of film noir, or explore essential films from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It’s an archive of film history that most streaming platforms unfortunately ignore.

A sampling of the incredible classic films on Kanopy

Why Kanopy Stands Out

Kanopy is really a platform designed for true film discovery, and many of your favorite filmmakers consider it one of the essential streaming platforms for that reason. Unlike traditional streaming algorithms that push the same type of content over and over, Kanopy’s recommendation engine helps surface films that might be off your radar. Their themed collections and rotating selection ensure that there’s always something new to explore, making every visit to Kanopy a fresh experience filled with new films to add to your watchlist.

If you’re a documentary lover, Kanopy is paradise. Many of its documentaries are exclusive to the platform, covering everything from history and science to social issues and niche cultural topics. They even have a wide selection of “lifelong learning” options offered by PBS. Additionally, Kanopy has licensing deals with top-tier distributors such as Kino Lorber, Criterion Collection, A24, NEON, Magnolia, and thousands of independent filmmakers from around the world. No matter what you are looking for, Kanopy is going to provide you with something unique and different, and I love it for that.

A snapshot of just a few of the award-winning documentaries Kanopy offers

One important thing to know about Kanopy is that it operates on a ticket system. Each user receives 10 tickets per month, and each film generally costs one ticket. That means you can watch 10 movies per month, completely free and without ads. That’s hard to beat. Plus, if you have kids, Kanopy Kids offers unlimited access to family-friendly content without using any tickets. If you need to fill some time on a rainy day or simply just need a break (I know I can use those as a dad of two toddlers!), Kanopy Kids can keep the family entertained for hours.

Must-Watch Films on Kanopy Right Now (February 2025)

Movies and series do rotate in and out on Kanopy, just like other services, but as of February 2025, some of my favorite picks on Kanopy include:

• Nosferatu (1922)

• Perfect Days (2023)

• Immaculate (2024)

• Suspiria (1977)

• The Wicker Man (1973)

• Dial M for Murder (1954)

• Death Wish (1974)

• The Graduate (1967)

This is just a small glimpse into the variety Kanopy offers across their vast catalog which spans decades, genres, and global cinema. It sounds cliche, but there is truly something for everyone.

If you’re tired of endless subscription fees, rising prices, and repetitive algorithms, give Kanopy a shot. It’s a refreshing alternative that encourages true film discovery, offering an experience outside the mainstream. Kanopy is available on the app stores, on desktop, and on your smart TV, so you can access it anywhere. Also make sure to follow them on Instagram and TikTok for more film content.

So what are you waiting for? Go check your local library or university today and start watching!