Kanopy Review
Kanopy is a streaming platform for independent films and documentaries. It has a collection of more than 30,000 films such as a wide array of dramas, comedies, biopics, and television series. The library includes award-winning films and shows from major television networks like HISTORY, A&E, and PBS.
Kanopy started in 2008 to provide films to academic institutions. The service is completely free, but only available for members of participating libraries or college universities. Viewers get 10 Play Credits each month for all the content in the regular Kanopy collection. There are some Credit-Free movies you can watch and the entire Kanopy Kids library has unlimited viewing.
Review
We tested Kanopy and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. Kanopy is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Content
TV Shows
There are plenty of popular documentary and educational series from major television networks like History, A&E, and PBS. This includes “The Facebook Dilemma,” “Hunting Hitler,” among other thought-provoking titles.
Movies
The service has award-winning titles and popular films like “Chinatown,” “Magnolia,” “On Golden Pond,” “Boyhood,” “Lady Bird,” “His Girl Friday,” and “A Fish Called Wanda.”
The service features many Criterion films like “8 1/2,” “The Seventh Seal,” “The 400 Blows,” and “Jules and Jim.”
There are also educational films like “Understanding Russia: A Cultural History.”
Kanopy’s partnerships add a lot of value to the content collection. Kanopy partners with distribution giants like A24, Bleecker Street, HBO Documentary Films, Paramount, PBS, and Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Kids
The Kanopy Kids membership is for viewers ages 2 and older. Viewers can watch an unlimited number of educational and entertaining videos every month, including movies, TV series, animated storybooks, and more.
You’ll find some childhood favorites like “The Secret of NIMH,” “Looney Tunes: Back in Action,” “Explorers,” “Reading Rainbow,” “Sid the Science Kid,” and “Super Why.”
You’ll also get access to the BBC’s “MUZZY” series to help children learn a new language.
Features
Parental Controls
Kanopy Kids offers an unlimited amount of movies and shows for kids available in public libraries only. Parents can also set up a PIN with Parental Controls to make sure their kids are viewing age-appropriate content.
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount Plus, Peacock, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and STARZ also have parental control features.
Simultaneous Devices
There aren’t any restrictions on sharing your account and you can stream on an unlimited number of devices. However, every viewing will count against your 10 Play Credit limit for the month (except for Kanopy Kids content).
Compatible Devices
Kanopy is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV (AirPlay/Google Cast)
Kanopy is not compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo devices.
Tech Specs
720p HD
(Up to 1080p HD)
Most video streams are in 720p HD. Some video streams are available in 1080p HD.
Stereo Sound
Content has stereo audio.