Library Card Perks: Free Movies and Shows Through Hoopla and Kanopy

What if you could watch thousands of movies and TV shows without paying a single dollar? Not through a free trial. Not through a shady site. But with the library card you already have sitting in your wallet. That’s not a fantasy. It’s real-and it’s called Hoopla and Kanopy.

Your Library Card Is a Streaming Powerhouse

Most people think their library card is for books. Maybe audiobooks. Occasionally a DVD. But in 2025, your local library likely gives you access to over 100,000 movies and TV episodes-completely free. No ads. No subscriptions. No hidden fees. Just open the app, sign in with your library card, and start watching.

Hoopla and Kanopy are two of the biggest platforms libraries use to offer this. They’re not the same, but they both work the same way: your library pays for the service, and you get the benefit. Think of it like Netflix, but paid for by your tax dollars, not your credit card.

Libraries in over 7,000 U.S. cities and towns partner with these services. That means if you live in a city with a public library-pretty much anywhere-you’re probably eligible. Even if you don’t visit the building, you can still use these apps. All you need is your library card number and a PIN.

Hoopla: Borrow, Don’t Stream

Hoopla works like a digital library checkout. You don’t stream on demand-you borrow. Each month, your library gives you a set number of borrows-usually between 4 and 10, depending on your library’s budget. Once you borrow something, you have 72 hours to watch it. After that, it disappears automatically. No late fees. No reminders. Just watch when you want.

What’s on Hoopla? A wide mix: new releases, indie films, documentaries, kids’ shows, and classic TV. You’ll find HBO titles like Succession, Starz originals, BBC dramas, and even anime. The selection changes often, so there’s always something new.

One big advantage: Hoopla doesn’t limit you by popularity. You don’t need to wait for a title to become available like you do on Kanopy. If it’s in the catalog and you have a borrow left, you get it right away.

But here’s the catch: you can’t binge. If you want to watch a whole season of The Crown, you’ll need to borrow each episode one at a time. That’s fine if you’re watching slowly, but if you’re trying to power through a series, it can be frustrating.

Kanopy: Stream on Demand, But With Limits

Kanopy is different. It’s not about borrowing. It’s about streaming. You can watch as much as you want, but your library gives you a monthly credit limit-usually 5 to 10 credits per month. Each movie or episode costs one credit. Documentaries and feature films? One credit. TV series? Each episode is one credit. A 10-episode season? That’s 10 credits gone.

Kanopy’s strength is quality. They focus on indie films, classics, educational content, and award-winning documentaries. You’ll find titles from Criterion Collection, PBS, The Great Courses, and Sundance favorites. If you like thoughtful, slower-paced storytelling or want to learn something new, Kanopy is your best bet.

It’s also the only place where you can legally stream Apocalypse Now, 2001: A Space Odyssey, or The Spirit of the Beehive for free. These aren’t just old movies-they’re cultural landmarks. And Kanopy has them, curated with care.

But Kanopy’s interface can feel clunky. It’s not as slick as Netflix. Sometimes you’ll wait a few seconds for a video to load. And if you hit your credit limit mid-month, you’re stuck until the next one resets. No exceptions. No buying more. You just wait.

How to Get Started

Getting access is simple. First, check if your library offers Hoopla or Kanopy. Go to your library’s website and search for “Hoopla” or “Kanopy.” If you see a link, click it. You’ll be asked to enter your library card number and PIN. That’s it.

Then download the app. Both services have iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV apps. You can even watch on your computer through a browser. Once you log in, the app remembers you. You won’t need to enter your card number again.

Pro tip: If your library doesn’t offer either, ask them to. Libraries add these services all the time when enough patrons request them. Send an email. Call. Show up at a board meeting. Libraries listen.

What You Can Watch

Here’s what you’ll actually find on these platforms:

• On Hoopla: New episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and Law & Order within weeks of airing. Full seasons of Doctor Who, Monty Python, and Mr. Bean. Kids’ shows like Bluey and Peppa Pig. Even fitness and cooking classes.
• On Kanopy: Oscar-nominated documentaries like My Octopus Teacher and 13th. Foreign films like Parasite and Shoplifters. Educational series from The Great Courses on everything from quantum physics to Shakespeare. And cult classics like Eraserhead and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Neither platform has every new blockbuster. You won’t find the latest Marvel movie or Oppenheimer on day one. But you’ll find the movies that matter-the ones that spark conversation, teach you something, or make you laugh in a way you didn’t expect.

Why This Beats Paid Streaming

Let’s say you pay for Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. That’s $40 a month. Now add Max and Apple TV+. You’re at $70. And you still can’t watch half the stuff on Hoopla and Kanopy.

With your library card, you get:

• Access to 100,000+ titles for $0
• No ads
• No pressure to keep watching
• No credit card required
• Content curated for depth, not clicks

And here’s the kicker: you can use both Hoopla and Kanopy at the same time. If your library offers both, you get double the free content. That’s not a perk. That’s a revolution.

Who Benefits the Most?

Students? Yes. They can watch documentaries for class without paying for a subscription. Families? Absolutely. Kids’ content, educational shows, and family movies without ads. Seniors? Many libraries offer tech help to get them set up. And they love the classic films and old TV shows.

Even if you don’t have a lot of free time, Hoopla and Kanopy work for you. You don’t need to watch everything. Just pick one thing a week. One documentary. One foreign film. One old sitcom. That’s all it takes to make it worth it.

Common Misconceptions

Some people think these services are only for big-city libraries. Wrong. Rural libraries, small towns, and even college campuses use them. If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, check your library’s website. You’d be surprised how many offer it.

Others think it’s full of low-quality content. Not true. Kanopy partners with Criterion, PBS, and The Great Courses. Hoopla has deals with major studios like Sony and Lionsgate. These aren’t scrap heaps of old VHS rips. These are professionally licensed, high-definition streams.

And no, you won’t get banned for watching too much. Libraries don’t track your viewing habits. They don’t care if you watch 10 movies in one night. They care that you’re using the service-and that’s exactly what they want.

What If Your Library Doesn’t Offer It?

If your library doesn’t have Hoopla or Kanopy, ask them. Tell them you want free access to movies and shows. Mention that other libraries in your county or state already offer it. Send them links to Hoopla.com and Kanopy.com. Libraries have budgets for digital content. They just need to know people want it.

Some libraries offer one but not the other. That’s fine. Use what you’ve got. You’ll still get hundreds of free titles a month. Don’t wait for perfection. Start with what’s available.

Final Thought: Your Library Is the Ultimate Streaming Service

Streaming services are designed to keep you hooked. They push you to watch more. They charge you more. They show you ads. They change their libraries without warning.

Hoopla and Kanopy? They’re designed to serve you. No pressure. No upsells. Just great content, free and easy. You don’t need to be a tech expert. You don’t need to pay a cent. You just need a library card.

That’s not a perk. It’s a right. And you already have it.