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Freebie of the week: How to stream amazing movies for free

August 10, 2026

It’s easier than ever these days to watch shows and movies at home, but you’ll still have to wade through those pesky commercials, unless you want to pay for a streaming service.

But, wait? What if there were a way to watch great movies for free, without any ads at all? There is a way, and all you need is a card from your public library, which you can get for free.

Many, if not most, libraries subscribe to a streaming service called Kanopy, which offers thousands of great classic and independent films, documentaries and shows that you can download and watch using your library card.

The service has recent hits, plus art house and foreign films that might be hard to find elsewhere, as well as stuff to learn, including Great Courses.

Yes, you can do this at home in your pajamas. You go to the Kanopy website and enter your library card number and password.

Each month, you’ll be given a set number of “movie tickets” that you can use to rent films.Then, just choose from the many selections, which will tell you how many tickets it requires to view. Once you choose, it’s similar to pay-per-view in that you’ll have a certain amount of time to watch your film before it’s automatically returned.

If you belong to more than one library, you can add them and get additional tickets.

“12 Angry Men,” the 1957 classic directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, is scheduled as the Friday Night Movie on June 7. The legal drama was nominated for best picture, best director and best screenplay and is regarded by many as one of the greatest films ever made.(AP Photo, file)You can also create your own list for future reference. You can watch the movies on your phone, computer or other digital device, and there’s a good chance to find films that may otherwise be hard to locate.

To get a library card, just go to your local branch and bring your California ID and something showing proof of your address, such as a utility bill or a piece of mail. It only takes a few minutes. If you’re a college student or professor, you can also sign up using that ID.

Here’s a handful of what’s available on Kanopy right now:

“12 Angry Men” (1957) — Film classic about a jury’s clash over convicting a teenager accused of killing his father, starring Henry Fonda.
“The Power of Mind Over Body” (2023) — Twelve episodes about the mind-body connection featuring Jo Marchant.
“Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001) — The adaptation of the bestselling novel stars Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth.
“A Night at the Opera” (1935) — A classic comedy by the zany Marx Brothers.
“There Is No Evil” (2020) — This documentary about the death penalty in Iran was shot in secret and smuggled out of the country. In Persian with subtitles.
“Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell” (2023) — Vietnamese film that won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In Vietnamese with subtitles.
“Titanic” (1997) — James Cameron’s Oscar-winning classic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
“Exploring the Mayan World” (2020) — Travel documentary in eight episodes from The Great Courses series.
“The Wonders of America’s State Parks” (2019) — This 24-episode series by National Geographic is from The Great Courses series.
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989) — This iconic comedy features Keanu Reeves and George Carlin.
“The Endless Summer: The Search for the Perfect Wave” (1966) — Classic surfing adventure documentary follows surfers around the world.

Learn more: kanopy.com

Orange County Register

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Freebie of the week: How to stream amazing movies for free

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