Learning how to add movies on Kodi is straightforward once your video files are organized and stored in an accessible location. Kodi does not provide movies by itself; it catalogs and plays videos from your computer, USB drive, network storage, or compatible legal add-on. This guide explains how to add movie folders, download artwork and metadata, and keep your Kodi library organized.
Prepare Your Movie Files and Folders
Before adding anything to Kodi, organize your collection into a dedicated movie folder. A simple structure works best:
``text Movies/ ├── The Matrix (1999)/ │ └── The Matrix (1999).mkv ├── Arrival (2016)/ │ └── Arrival (2016).mp4 └── Toy Story (1995)/ └── Toy Story (1995).mkv ``
Include the movie title and release year in the folder and filename. This helps Kodi match each file with the correct poster, cast information, plot, and rating.
Kodi supports common formats such as MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, and several others, depending on your device and operating system. MP4 with H.264 video is widely compatible, while MKV is useful for high-quality video, multiple audio tracks, and subtitles.
Store the files on a drive Kodi can access. This could be:
- An internal hard drive
- A USB drive
- A shared Windows or macOS folder
- A NAS device
- A compatible cloud-mounted folder
Only add movies you own, have permission to use, or access through a legitimate service. Kodi itself is legal, but some third-party sources may distribute copyrighted content without authorization.
How to Add Movies on Kodi From Local Storage
The most common method is adding a folder from the device running Kodi.
- Open Kodi and select Movies from the home screen.
- Choose Files or Enter files section, depending on your Kodi skin.
- Select Add videos…
- Choose Browse.
- Locate the folder containing your movie files.
- Select OK, then choose a name for the source.
- Set the content type to Movies.
- Enable Movies are in separate folders that match the movie title if your collection uses individual folders.
- Select an information provider, such as Kodi’s default movie database service.
- Confirm by selecting Yes when Kodi asks whether to scan the source.
Kodi will scan the folder and add recognized movies to its library. The scan may take several minutes, especially if you have a large collection or high-resolution artwork.
If a movie does not appear, check its filename and folder name. Removing unusual punctuation, adding the release year, or placing the file in a correctly named folder often fixes identification problems.
Add Movies From a USB Drive or External Disk
To add movies from a USB drive, connect the drive to your Kodi device and wait for the operating system to recognize it. Then follow the local storage process above and browse to the external drive.
On Android TV devices, you may need to approve Kodi’s storage permission. Open the device’s settings, find Kodi under Apps, and allow access to files and media. Some Android versions use a file picker that requires you to manually select the USB folder.
External drives should remain connected whenever you want to watch their movies. If the drive is disconnected, Kodi may show the titles in the library but will be unable to play them. Avoid changing the drive’s name or location, as this can cause Kodi to lose track of the files.
For large collections, use a powered USB hub or a drive with its own power adapter. Streaming high-bitrate 4K files can also be unreliable if the drive or USB connection is slow.
Add Movies From a Network Share or NAS
Kodi can play movies stored on another computer or network-attached storage device. First, make sure both devices are connected to the same home network and that the movie folder is shared.
When browsing for a source in Kodi, select the appropriate network protocol:
- SMB: Common for Windows shares and many NAS devices
- NFS: Often efficient for NAS storage
- UPnP: Useful for compatible media servers, though library features may be more limited
For an SMB share, Kodi may ask for the server address, username, and password. You can usually enter the server manually using a format such as:
``text smb://192.168.1.25/Movies ``
Use a fixed IP address or a reserved DHCP address for the server if possible. This prevents the path from changing after a router restart.
A wired Ethernet connection is preferable for large 4K files. If you use Wi-Fi, a strong 5 GHz or Wi-Fi 6 connection can reduce buffering, but performance depends on distance, interference, and network equipment.
Manage Metadata, Subtitles, and Library Updates
After Kodi scans your movies, open the Movies section to view posters, genres, ratings, and summaries. If Kodi identifies a movie incorrectly, highlight it, open the context menu, and choose Information or Manage, followed by Choose art or Refresh. You can then search for the correct title.
To add subtitles, open a movie while it is playing and select the subtitle icon. You may need to install a legitimate subtitle service through Kodi’s add-on browser. Subtitle availability and language options vary by service.
When you add new files later, update the library by opening the side menu in the Movies section and selecting Update library. You can also enable automatic library updates in Kodi’s settings, although frequent automatic scans may use extra storage and network resources.
For better organization, use playlists, favorites, and collections. You can also create separate sources for movies, documentaries, and home videos if you want different scanning behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my movies not showing in Kodi?
The files may be in an unsupported format, the source may not have been scanned, or Kodi may not recognize the filenames. Confirm that the source is set to Movies, then run Update library. Rename files using the movie title and release year if necessary.
Can Kodi add movies from Netflix or other streaming services?
Kodi generally cannot copy or import movies from subscription streaming apps into its library. Some services offer official Kodi add-ons, but availability depends on the provider and region. Use the service’s authorized app or add-on rather than attempting to bypass digital rights management.
How do I remove a movie from Kodi without deleting the file?
Open the movie’s context menu and choose Manage, then select Remove from library if available. This removes the database entry but leaves the original video file on your drive. Removing an entire source can also delete its titles from the library without deleting the media.
Conclusion
The easiest way to learn how to add movies on Kodi is to organize your files clearly, add the correct folder as a movie source, and let Kodi scan it for metadata. Local drives, USB storage, and network shares all work well when filenames and permissions are configured properly. Keep your sources accessible, update the library regularly, and use only legitimate movie files and services.
