Search results
Browse the official list of films selected for preservation by the National Film Preservation Board. Find titles, release dates, induction years, and brief or expanded essays for each film.
- Brief Descriptions and Expanded Essays
Brief descriptions of each Registry title can be found here,...
- Public Resources About The Registry
Established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988,...
- Personnel Credits
Program National Film Preservation Board Menu . About This...
- Frequently Asked Questions
The National Film Registry historically has included only...
- Film Registry
The National Film Registry selects 25 films each year...
- Brief Descriptions and Expanded Essays
The National Film Registry is a collection of films selected for preservation by the United States National Film Preservation Board since 1988. It includes films of various genres, formats, and historical significance, and is updated annually with public nominations.
Film TitleFilm TypeYear Of ReleaseYear Of InductionNarrative feature19681991Narrative feature19572012Documentary19972017Narrative feature19582008The National Film Registry selects 25 films each year to preserve and promote American film heritage. Learn how to nominate films, view the registry list, read essays and watch some films online.
The National Screening Room offers over 550 films for viewing and below are viewing links to films on the National Film Registry. These selections are presented as part of the record of the past. They are historical documents which reflect the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times.
- ¡Alambrista! (1977) “¡Alambrista!” is the powerfully emotional story of Roberto, a Mexican national working as a migrant laborer in the United States to send money back to his wife and newborn.
- Cruisin’ J-Town (1975) Duane Kubo’s documentary tells the story of the jazz fusion band Hiroshima, including their attempts to blend art and identity, the group’s roots and influence in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles, and the burgeoning pulse of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the early 1970s.
- Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) As a follow-up to her acclaimed low-budget indie “Smithereens,” Susan Seidelman directed this hip screwball romp involving personal ads, mistaken identity and only-in-New-York characters.
- Dinner at Eight (1933) Director George Cukor has many works on the National Film Registry and the racy, pre-Code comedy/drama “Dinner at Eight” illustrates why.
The National Film Registry represents a wide range of filmmaking, contexts, and histories from early cinema to contemporary films selected by the Librarian of Congress (in consultation with members the National Film Preservation Board) every December.
Dec 14, 2022 · The Library of Congress announced the annual selection of 25 films into the National Film Registry, based on their cultural, historic and/or aesthetic importance. The registry includes diverse films from 1898 to 2011, such as "Iron Man," "The Little Mermaid," "Hairspray" and "Pariah."