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

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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 scholarship, adding to my already passionate love of movies since I had been a self-proclaimed cinephile throughout my teenage years.

The decision also meant that I was showing anywhere from four to seven films each week for my assignments and honors thesis. The one platform that saved me through all my frenzied show semesters was the Kanopy streaming service.

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

Read more: 9 of the 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 — ad-free. To create a Kanopy account, you can do the following:

  • Go to kanopy.com and click Start.
  • The next window will ask if you are signing in with a university credential or a public library card. Choose 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 searching for your university.
  • It hit Continue.
  • Create your Kanopy account by filling in the required fields (name, email address and password).
  • Click Sign up.
  • You will receive a verification email from kanopy@kanopystreaming.com. Open the message and click Verify my email.
  • Start streaming.

You will need to select your library system or university from the drop-down list when you create a Kanopy account.

Kanopy/Screenshot from CNET

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

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

Why is there a monthly limit?

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

What movies are available on Kanopy?

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

  • Award-winning foreign films
  • Critically acclaimed films
  • A24 Movies
  • documentary
  • Classic films from the Criterion Collection
  • Content from Great Courses and PBS
  • Indie festival or world cinema
  • Story books
  • Movies and series for children

Some notable 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 collections. Kanopy’s holiday collection features a variety of Christmas features and documentaries and Yuletide classics. The Winter Collection includes multiple winter-themed storybook videos, bringing the magic of the season to life. And, just in time, Kanopy just released its Fright Fest Collection—a catalog of Halloween favorites—consisting of horror films, slashers, thrillers, and more.

Fright Fest collections include A24 favorites, creepy classics, cozy horror and much more.

Macy Meyer/CNET and Kanopy

Kanopy’s October Halloween Fright Fest Collection includes:

  • Immaculate (2024)
  • Talk to Me (2024)
  • The Pearl (2022)
  • Possession (1981)
  • When Evil Stalks (2023)
  • Suspiria (1977)
  • A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
  • The House That Jack Built (2018)
  • The Scream (1981)
  • The Knitting Man (1973)
  • We’re all going to the World’s Fair (2021)
  • Nosferatu (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.

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