Free Online Movies & TV With Your Library Card (Kanopy & hoopla)

By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated September 14, 2026

Kanopy: Indie Films, Documentaries & The Great Courses

Kanopy positions itself as the streaming service for thoughtful viewers. Its catalog leans heavily toward independent and foreign films, documentaries, and classic cinema — including a large collection from the prestigious Criterion Collection. You'll also find educational video series from The Great Courses (now called Wondrium), covering topics from history and science to cooking and art. Kanopy Kids, the platform's children's section, includes Sesame Street episodes, animated shorts, and age-appropriate documentaries.

Kanopy operates on a credits (or "tickets") system rather than unlimited streaming. Libraries set their own monthly play limits — commonly 8 to 15 plays per month per card, though this varies. Each time you start a new title it uses one credit; you can pause and resume the same title without losing a credit. Once you use your credits for the month, you'll need to wait until the next cycle resets. Because Kanopy pays rights holders per view, libraries with tighter budgets may set lower limits. Check your library's Kanopy page for the exact number.

hoopla: Movies, TV, Music, Comics & More

hoopla is a broader digital lending platform. Beyond movies, it offers TV series, music albums, audiobooks, ebooks, and comics — all from the same library card login. Its film catalog skews toward popular and recent releases alongside classic titles, making it a complement to Kanopy rather than a duplicate. hoopla uses a monthly borrow limit (libraries typically set this at 4 to 20 borrows per month). Unlike Kanopy, you don't "stream" indefinitely — each borrow gives you a limited access window (usually 72 hours for movies and TV episodes). Once you start a title, the clock begins.

hoopla also offers hoopla BingePass, which gives temporary unlimited access to a specific channel or partner service (for example, a documentary channel or music archive) using a single borrow. This can be a smart way to stretch your monthly limit. As with Kanopy, your library must subscribe to hoopla — not every system offers it. Many libraries offer even more borrowable items beyond movies and music, from tools to museum passes.

Kanopy vs. hoopla: Side-by-Side Comparison

How to Sign In With Your Library Card

Getting started takes about two minutes. First, find your library card number — it's typically the barcode on the back of your card. Your PIN is usually set when you register for a card (often the last four digits of your phone number or a self-chosen PIN). If you've lost your PIN, your library can reset it. Then follow these steps for each service:

Devices & TV Apps: Watch on Your TV, Phone, or Tablet

Both Kanopy and hoopla support a wide range of devices, so you are not limited to watching on a laptop. Below is a general overview — always check each app's current support page, as compatibility is updated regularly.

Why Your Catalog and Limits May Differ From Someone Else's

A common question is: "My friend can watch X on Kanopy but I can't find it." This almost always comes down to how your library has configured its subscription. Libraries negotiate individually with Kanopy and hoopla, which means two things can vary: (1) which titles are available (some content is licensed only to certain library systems), and (2) how many credits or borrows you get each month. A large urban library system may offer 15 Kanopy credits per month; a small rural library might offer 5. hoopla borrow limits are similarly set by each library. Neither service is under your library's control once you sign in — the limits are baked into your account automatically based on which library you belong to.

If a title is missing entirely, it may not be licensed in your library's region, or the library may not subscribe to the particular Kanopy or hoopla package that includes it. You can always request titles through your library's suggestion process. Find your local library to check exactly which streaming services it offers.

Other Free Streaming Options Your Library May Offer

Kanopy and hoopla are the most common, but some library systems offer additional streaming options. A few to look for:

Your library may also provide access to digital newspaper archives, music streaming (hoopla includes music), or educational video platforms as part of its digital resource bundle. See our full guide to borrowing eBooks, audiobooks, and more with Libby, hoopla, and Kanopy for a broader overview of what your card unlocks.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Monthly Credits

Because Kanopy uses a credit system and hoopla has a monthly borrow cap, a little planning goes a long way. Here are practical strategies that apply across most library subscriptions:

Frequently Asked Questions