I added a cinema studies specialization to my English degree when I was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This decision deepened my already intense passion for movies and introduced me to the fascinating field of film studies. I had to watch four to seven films a week for coursework and my honors thesis as a result of the choice. The streaming program Kanopy was the only thing that got me through my hectic screenings over the semesters.
Classics, noir films, Oscar nominees, and hundreds more are among the 30,000+ movies available on the on-demand video platform Kanopy. Additionally, Kanopy is still free, in contrast to other streaming services like Netflix who are constantly rising their rates.
I was able to use the site for free as a college student using my university email address. The nicest thing about Kanopy, apart from the fact that it has no advertisements, is that I was able to keep my account after I graduated and continue to access its extensive selection for free using my public library card. I’ll walk you through the Kanopy sign-up process and its benefits below.
See also: 9 of the Greatest Netflix Substitutes to Keep You Amused
How to register for an account on Kanopy
You can view films, TV series, and documentaries for free with Kanopy, ad-free. You may do the following to register for a Kanopy account:
After visiting kanopy.com, choose “Get Started.”
You will be prompted in the following box to sign up using either a public library card or a university credential. Choose the one that best suits you. You must choose your institution or library system from the drop-down menu.
Share your location when asked, or look up your library by name, city, or ZIP code to locate one close to you. When looking for your university, you may use the same procedure.
Press “Continue.”
Complete the required details (name, email address, and password) to create your Kanopy account.
“Sign Up.”
A verification email from will be sent to you. Click Verify My Email after opening the message.
Get streaming.
Login to Kanopy
When establishing a Kanopy account, you will need to choose your institution or library system from the selection list.
Is there a monthly limit on how many movies I can watch?
Yes, unrestricted streaming is not available on Kanopy. You may stream up to ten titles per month after registering. Every month at the start, your ten play credits will be renewed. If you choose not to utilize these credits, they are not carried over.
Why is the monthly cap in place?
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Because CNET Kanopy operates on a pay-per-checkout basis, the public library system is charged a nominal fee each time a book is checked out. Libraries may make sure they remain within their budget by restricting checkouts to ten titles each month.
Which movies are available on Kanopy?
You may access more than 30,000 titles in the Kanopy collection, including:
Foreign films that have won awards
Highly regarded films
A24 movies
Documentary films
Historical motion pictures from the Criterion Collection
World or independent film content from the PBS Festival and the Great Courses
Books of stories
Children’s television shows and movies
Memento (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), Dial M for Murder (1954), and my personal favorite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019), are a few noteworthy outstanding flicks. You may read my analysis on why I like this movie if you’re curious.
Are there any seasonal collections available at Kanopy?
Yes, a few seasonal and specialty collections are available at Kanopy. Every December, Kanopy releases its Holiday Collection, which offers a ton of Yuletide classics as well as Christmas documentaries and features. Horror films, slashers, thrillers, and other Halloween classics were included in Kanopy’s Fright Fest collection, which was published in October.