Library Research Guides: Library Services for Faculty: Streaming Video Collections

Films on Demand Streaming Video Databases

The Library subscribes to two different Films on Demand Collections:

Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
Video Tutorial: Films on Demand (2 minutes)
Films on Demand - Master Academic Video Collection Description (PDF)
Films on Demand provides access to thousands of video titles in Humanities & Social Sciences, Business & Economics, Health & Medicine, Science & Mathematics, and archival films & newsreels. This database contains a wide variety of films and documentaries in streaming format: from ABC News, American Experience, TED, BBC Films, Frontline, NOVA, PBS, Films for the Humanities and Sciences, Ken Burns, The Open University, and California Newsreel, among others. Films may be viewed individually or used by faculty as instructional material for courses.
Films on Demand: Archival Films & Newsreels Collection This link opens in a new window
Includes newsreels and archival films divided into browseable eras including:
Pre-World War I (1888-1913), World War I (1914-1918), Jazz Age & Depression (1919-1938), World War II (1939-1945), Postwar (1946-1968), Late 20th Century (1969-2000), and 21st Century.
Each section is further subdivided into categories: Arts, Business & Economics, History & Politics, Science & Technology, and Social Sciences.
Swank Digital Campus This link opens in a new window
This streaming video database has a small collection of feature films and documentaries, must be used for direct instruction and individual viewing only.

Note: If you are off campus you will need to log into these databases using your Coast username and password.

These streaming video services are offered by local public libraries and require that you and your students have their FREE library card:

Check their websites for library card requirements/applications. Some have been allowing patrons to sign up online.

Orange County Public Library (OCPL) System: Digital Resources: Movies & Music
Many nearby public libraries (for example Westminster, Garden Grove, Seal Beach, and Costa Mesa to name just a few) are part of the county library system, OCPL.
Hoopla is its online resource for streaming videos.
*OCPL’s free library card requires that you be a California resident and provide a government-issued photo ID.
Los Angeles County Public Library System: Free Films & TV Shows
Hoopla - Free streaming digital videos, music, and audiobooks on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Kanopy - Stream up to 10 free movies per month from a large collection of independent, documentary, foreign language, and art films.
*LA County Library cards are available for free to permanent and temporary residents of California.
Huntington Beach Public Library: Downloadable Books, Movies & Music
Kanopy - Contains classic, independent, and foreign films and documentaries. There are no holds. Users are limited to 5 movies / month.
Hoopla - Titles are always available. There are no holds or waiting lists. Users are limited to 5 items/month. If the library's daily quota is reached, users may have to wait until the next day to checkout.
Alexander Street Video & Audio Collections - Access to leading Dance, Music, and Theatre content held within the various ProQuest Performing Arts Collections.
*Permanent residents of the State of California may obtain an HBPL card for no charge. See their website for details.

These streaming video resources are available online:

Most of these resources offer free viewing but check their requirements.

Library of Congress: Selections from the National Film Registry Collection
The National Film Registry is a list of movies deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" that are earmarked for preservation by the Library of Congress. They are not selected as the "best" American films of all time, but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture. They reflect who we are as a people and as a nation. The Librarian of Congress makes the annual selections to the Registry after reviewing hundreds of titles nominated by the public and conferring with Library film curators and the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board.
Library of Congress: National Screening Room Collection
The National Screening Room is a project of the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center. The goal of this digital collection is to present to the widest audience possible movies from the Library's extensive holdings, offering a broad range of historical and cultural documents as a contribution to education and lifelong learning.
Internet Archive: Moving Image Archive
This library contains digital movies uploaded by Archive users which range from classic full-length films, to daily alternative news broadcasts, to cartoons and concerts. Many of these videos are available for free download. Includes the Prelinger Collection of ephemera film.
Internet Sites for Streaming Video: Arizona State University Library
A number of freely accessible Internet sites provide access to streaming videos. These sites may host content or merely point to content hosted elsewhere. Advertising supports some of these sites. Others are the official site for a producer, distributor, series, or festival. Searching functions on these sites vary widely, and content can change or be removed without notice.
Open Culture: 1,150 Free Movies Online: Great Classics, Indies, Noir, Westerns, etc.
Several collections of 1150 freely available movies online, including titles from Paramount, the Korean Film Archive, and genre films.

Resources for movie clips:

Critical Commons
Professors post media analysis through the use of film clips.
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Critical Commons is an online repository of user-generated media. The archive is a project of the Media Arts and Practice division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The project supports the fair use of copyrighted media by educators.
Fandango MovieClips
Official clips from your favorite movies.

Can't find it for free? These sites are useful for locating a film in a number of streaming services at once:

JustWatch
"All in one place" - Find out which of your streaming services has the title you want to watch.
ReelGood
All your streaming services in one place. Browse, search, and watch TV & Movies from over 150 services, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, Prime Video, Free Services and more!