12 Timeless Films You Can Enjoy for Free Today

      Here are 12 classic films you can watch for free today, with no credit card or any hassle, from the comfort of your own home. Let us explain how.

      Kanopy is an app funded by libraries that allows anyone with a library card to access thousands of remarkable films — ranging from classics to new releases — without any cost. If you don't have a library card, you can likely sign up for one online.

      Simply search for “library card” — we'll wait — then use it to log into Kanopy right here and start enjoying movies.

      We understand this may sound like an advertisement for Kanopy, but it isn't. We have no connections there, and no money is being exchanged. We simply use it ourselves and believe you might appreciate it just as much.

      Now, here’s a selection of classic films you can watch for free today on Kanopy. We could certainly list many more, and the selection is frequently updated. Enjoy!

      To Catch a Thief (1955)

      Paramount Pictures

      In this romantic thriller by Alfred Hitchcock, classic film stars Cary Grant and future princess Grace Kelly come together. Grant portrays a retired cat burglar, while Kelly plays the daughter of a wealthy widow.

      When a fraudster begins targeting affluent tourists in the French Riviera, Grant’s character, John “The Cat” Robie, must emerge from retirement to protect his newfound legitimate lifestyle.

      He encounters Kelly's Frances, who quickly deduces his true identity. Then the excitement begins.

      This timeless film offers an enjoyable escape for those who appreciate unexpected twists and charming individuals navigating a glamorous 1950s backdrop. And who doesn't?

      On the Waterfront (1954)

      Eva Marie Saint and Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront. Columbia Pictures

      Marlon Brando stars as Terry Malloy, an ex-prizefighter who lost a match to satisfy mob boss Johnny Friendly. Now, he works as a dockworker, hesitant to confront his superior like everyone else.

      As situations escalate, including his unwitting involvement in a murder setup, he finds the courage to go to the Waterfront Crime Commission and testify.

      The film’s historical significance is notable, as it was released after director Elia Kazan testified before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952 and named individuals he claimed were Communists. Kazan faced backlash from friends such as Arthur Miller, and On the Waterfront is often seen as a reflection of his struggles.

      This film is also known for the famous “I coulda been a contender” speech, which Robert De Niro later echoed in 1980's Raging Bull.

      Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

      Paramount Pictures

      Sergio Leone's spaghetti Western introduced one of the coolest title formats in cinema (Once Upon a Time in…) and featured a remarkable cast, including Henry Fonda and Jason Robards.

      Charles Bronson shines as Harmonica, hauntingly recurring in Ennio Morricone’s possibly greatest score.

      Additionally, Claudia Cardinale appears as Jill McBain, a recently widowed homesteader who drives much of the film’s action.

      The Conversation (1974)

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Following the recent passing of Gene Hackman, there's been a resurgence of admiration for his work, and The Conversation is among his finest films. Though often overshadowed by Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather (1972) and its sequel, The Conversation remains one of Coppola’s top achievements.

      The plot centers around Harry Caul (Hackman), a privacy-driven surveillance expert whose beliefs are challenged when he overhears disturbing details regarding a potential murder.

      He soon finds himself drawn into a neo-noir narrative that eerily reflects our current, overly surveilled society.

      Pulp Fiction (1994)

      Miramax

      Not every classic film on Kanopy is old — and yes, we don’t consider Pulp Fiction old either.

      Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece gives nods to several films on this list — Bruce Willis’s Butch’s refusal to lose a fight mirrors themes from On the Waterfront — but it stands out as a unique work, intertwining narratives while playing with audience emotions and sympathies.

      This film may be the most imitated of the past thirty years, but no one can replicate Tarantino’s ability to intertwine spectacle and monologue, or visuals and music, as reflected in our list of All 10 Quentin Tarantino Movies, Ranked.

      The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)

      John Garfield and Lana Turner star in The Postman Always Rings Twice. Loew's Inc

      In this classic film, John Garfield and Lana Turner embody sizzling chemistry in one of the greatest noirs, revolving around drifter Frank (Garfield) who becomes infatuated with married Cora (Turner) while working at her diner with her older spouse.

      Cora persuades him to murder her husband, leading to increasingly twisty developments. This film feels like it inspired numerous Lana Del Rey