Kanopy, the free/no ads movie streaming service available online through local libraries, colleges, universities and other institutions that features thousands of film titles, has released its list of the Top 30 Most-Watched Films of 2023 on Kanopy, The top two spots are held down by the Oscar-winning “Everything Everywhere All at Once” from A24 and the Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness” from Neon. In third place is the documentary “The YouTube Effect,” released by Drafthouse Films, in which Alex Winter explores the ascension and acceleration of YouTube and how it’s changed the way we experience the world.
Because Kanopy film viewers must be either library card holders or part of an academic university community, it should be no surprise that several films are on the more academic side. Coming in eighth, for example, is “Kubrick On Kubrick,” a filmmaker-centered documentary composed entirely of archival footage and photographs and accompanied by the voice of Stanley Kubrick, providing insights into the master filmmaker’s work. In 10th place is the documentary film “Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy.”
And in a film year that’s famous for stellar films about, by and/or heavily featuring women, coming in at #17 and #18 are “The Quiet Girl” and “Emily,” respectively. “The Quiet Girl” is set in rural Ireland in 1981, when nine-year-old Cait is sent away from her overcrowded, dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. Despite her troubles, she blossoms in their care but discovers one painful truth. “Emily” – undoubtedly a favorite among liberal arts and literature students – imagines Emily Brontë’s own Gothic story that inspired her seminal novel, “Wuthering Heights.” Emily stars Emma Mackey, who was also one of the Barbies in “Barbie.”
In terms of real surprises – demonstrating Kanopy’s depth of catalog and its appeal to audiences that appreciate historical dramas, period pieces and reflections on the past – is the 2013 made-for-TV movie “The Wipers Times.” It tells the World War I story of Captain Fred Roberts, who found a printing press in the ruins of Ypres and started publishing the satirical journal The Wipers Times, which went on to become a huge success. Rounding out the list in 30th place is “Cat Daddies,” which follows the lives of nine men whose lives have been significantly impacted by their unabashed love of felines.
“Our team at Kanopy are not just tech pros; we’re huge film fans as well,” said Kanopy general manager Jason Tyrell. “We wanted to release our list in time for both the media to craft their end-of-year round-ups and also for the millions of film fans who use Kanopy to add these gems to their holiday watch lists. Unlike other places where you have to subscribe monthly or pay to view a film, our Kanopy service is free with your library card, courtesy of your participating local library, college or university. As such, we believe our movie-streaming service has its finger on the pulse of a unique swath of film lovers around the country.”
The complete “Top 30 Most-Watched Films of 2023 on Kanopy” list is as follows (in descending order of popularity):
- “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
- “Triangle of Sadness” (2022)
- “The YouTube Effect” (2022)
- “Minari” (2020)
- “The Green Knight” (2021)
- “Best Sellers” (2021)
- “Some Kind of Heaven” (2020)
- “Kubrick by Kubrick” (2020)
- “EO” (2022)
- “Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy” (2022)
- “Mr. Malcolm’s List” (2022)
- “Florence and the Uffizi Gallery” (2015)
- “The Mercy” (2018)
- “A Love Song” (2022)
- “Bel Canto” (2018)
- “The Quiet Girl” (2022)
- “Emily” (2022)
- “My Salinger Year” (2020)
- “Carmen” (2022)
- “Creation” (2009)
- “Death Comes to Pemberley” (2013)
- “Burton and Taylor” (2013)
- “The Wipers Times” (2013)
- “Learning to Drive” (2015)
- “Six Minutes to Midnight” (2020)
- “The Forgotten” (2004)
- “Miss Julie” (2014)
- “Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game” (2022)
- “Sam & Kate” (2022)
- “Cat Daddies” (2022)
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