Every year, The Library of Congress’s National Film Registry preserves hundreds of culturally important works from our nation’s cinematic history.
This month, 25 titles from the past century have been added to the prestigious list. Films are selected by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the National Film Preservation Board, Library of Congress specialists, and thousands of nominations from the general public.
Each film is notable for its cultural, aesthetic, or historic significance, ranging from box office blockbusters and Oscar winners to small art films and documentaries.
“The National Film Registry is an important record of American history, culture, and creativity, captured through one of the great American art forms, our cinematic experience,” Hayden shared in a press release. “With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles.”
This year's selections were record-breaking with 10 out of 25 films directed by women, and seven made by directors of color.
The full list of this year's choices:
Suspense (1913)
Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914)
Bread (1918)
The Battle of the Century (1927)
With Car and Camera Around the World (1929)
Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Outrage (1950)
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
Lilies of the Field (1963)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971)
Wattstax (1973)
Grease (1978)
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Losing Ground (1982)
Illusions (1982)
The Joy Luck Club (1993)
The Devil Never Sleeps (1994)
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
The Ground (1993-2001)
Shrek (2001)
Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege (2006)
The Hurt Locker (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Freedom Riders (2010)