How to stream 30,000+ movies for free, including Halloween classics

When I was an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I added a concentration in film studies as part of my English major. This choice exposed me to the wonderful world of film studies, adding to my already fervent love of films since I was a self-described movie buff during my teenage years.

The decision also meant that I would screen four to seven films a week for my honors assignments and theses. The only platform that saved me during my semesters of binge-watching was the streaming service Kanopy.

As a university student, I had free access to the platform and its catalog of over 30,000 films with my university email address. The best part – besides Kanopy being ad-free – is that I didn’t have to give up my account after I graduated; I’m still streaming its robust offerings for free thanks to my public library card. Below, I’ll show you how you can sign up for Kanopy – and why you should.

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How to create a Kanopy account

With Kanopy, you can stream free – ad-free – movies, TV shows, and documentaries. To create a Kanopy account, you can do the following:

• Go to kanopy.com and click Get started.
• The next window will ask if you are signing up with a university credential or a public library card. Select which option applies to you. You will need to 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 researching your university.
• To knock Continue.
• Create your Kanopy account by filling in the requested fields (name, email and password).
• Click Subscribe.
• You will receive a verification email from [email protected]. Open the message and click Check my email.
• Start streaming.

Are there limits to the number of films I can watch per month?

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

Why is there a monthly limit?

Kanopy works on a pay-per-checkout model, meaning the public library system pays you a small fee each time you check out a title. By limiting purchases to 10 titles per month, libraries can ensure they stay within 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
• Documentaries
• Classic Films from the Criterion Collection
• Content of Great Courses and PBS
• Indie festival or world cinema
• Storybooks
• Children’s films and series

Some notable feature 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 favorite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019).

Does Kanopy offer seasonal collections?

Yes, Kanopy offers curated seasonal collections. Kanopy’s Holiday Collection features a range of Christmas features and documentaries and Christmas classics. The Winter Collection includes several winter-themed fairytale videos, bringing the magic of the season to life. And, most timely, Kanopy has just released its Fright Fest collection – a catalog of Halloween favorites – made up of horror films, slashers, thrillers and more.

Kanopy’s October Halloween Fright Fest collection includes:

• Immaculate (2024)
• Talk to me (2024)
• Pearl (2022)
• Possession (1981)
• When Evil Lurks (2023)
• Suspiria (1977)
• A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
• The House That Jack Built (2018)
• The Howl (1981)
• The Wicker Man (1973)
• Let’s all go to the World’s Fair (2021)
• Nosferatus (1922)

You should also explore our full roundup of the best movies on Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Plus, stream our favorite horror double feature now on Netflix.