Watch Thousands of Free Movies Legally Using Just Your Library Card

The era of cable TV is fading fast. From investing in an HD antenna to switching to a Roku device or even replacing your TV with a laptop, people are finding ways to ditch cable. This trend is evident as pay TV providers saw a loss of 1.9 million subscribers in the U.S. in 2016 alone.

There are countless ways to escape the grip of cable providers, not to mention those who access content illegally online. However, one streaming service is offering a solution to avoid monthly fees from Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Now by providing free movie streaming — all you need is a library card.

Can I See Your Card?

Kanopy is a streaming platform that collaborates with public libraries and educational institutions to offer film enthusiasts access to a diverse range of indie, foreign, documentary, and other unique films. Often referred to as "Netflix for academia," Kanopy's CEO Olivia Humphrey aims to introduce viewers to lesser-known cinematic gems.

"We aim to broaden the horizons of film lovers who might otherwise be stuck in a limited viewing bubble," Humphrey explains. "Kanopy has become a go-to destination for films that are hard to find anywhere else."

Kanopy's extensive library, featuring around 30,000 films — from timeless classics to modern masterpieces, including numerous Criterion Collection titles — is accessible to approximately 3,000 colleges and universities, such as Harvard, Stanford, McGill, and the University of Sydney. Additionally, the service is available through over 1,000 public library systems worldwide.

"Kanopy has successfully met the demand for easy access to materials used in academic studies and general consumption by library patrons," states Travis Willmann, a representative from the University of Texas Libraries. "While physical media remains popular in our collections, the addition of a streaming service has become a valuable resource for a specific group of our users."

Revolution Untelevised

Humphrey founded the company in 2008 from her home in Perth, Australia. Recognizing a gap in the licensing market for libraries, she leveraged her media experience, including roles at the Disney Channel and the BBC. Initially, Kanopy distributed DVDs to libraries in Western Australia before transitioning to digital streaming and moving its headquarters to San Francisco.

"Our message to libraries is simple: while you have an impressive collection of DVDs, your users are increasingly shifting to digital platforms," Humphrey explains.

Pricing structures differ for college and library streaming services, but Humphrey notes that it primarily operates on a "pay per play" model, where institutions are billed a fixed fee for each film streamed. Libraries and universities set limits on the number of streams per user monthly. For instance, public libraries in New York and Los Angeles permit members to stream up to 10 films each month. Library cardholders can visit the Kanopy website to check if their local branch provides the service.

Data from the University of Texas Libraries reveals how users in Texas are engaging with the service. Last year, UT users streamed close to 26,000 videos, with 90 percent viewed on computers. Smartphones and tablets accounted for 7.5 percent of streams, while televisions made up only 2 percent.

The top three most-watched titles at UT cover nearly 70 years and multiple genres. "Bad Hair" (2013), an indie drama, explores a Venezuelan boy's obsession with straightening his hair, offering a unique perspective on cultural norms and homophobia. "Bicycle Thieves" (1948), a black-and-white masterpiece, tells the story of a father and son grappling with poverty in post-World War II Italy. "Triangle Fire" (2011), a PBS documentary, examines a devastating factory fire in New York City that reshaped labor laws.

The Digital Library

Kanopy's growth aligns with libraries' efforts to enhance their digital offerings, providing access to e-books for borrowing. Hoopla Digital, a platform for audio, video, and ebooks, recently added 15,000 HarperCollins titles to its catalog at partner libraries worldwide. HarperCollins is the first among the top five publishers to eliminate the restrictive "one-copy, one user" model, enabling libraries to share digital content more freely.

Humphrey notes that Kanopy aims to capitalize on the digital transformation by expanding into non-English-speaking regions of Europe. However, she doesn't envision competing with major streaming services that dominate many households.

"Most of our films aren't available on Netflix," she explains. "We believe our audience turns to Kanopy for a more reflective and meaningful viewing experience."