Yesterday, the Library of Congress unveiled its annual list of the movies added to the National Film Registry.

For those who don't know, the National Film Registry is a conservation movement for movie titles that are important and that we want to preserve for all time. This year, movies range from comedies to documentaries, to dramas and epic fantasy. All in all, 25 films were added. The 2021 titles bring the total number in the registry to 825.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement, “Films help reflect our cultural history and creativity—and show us new ways of looking at ourselves—though movies haven’t always been deemed worthy of preservation. The National Film Registry will preserve our cinematic heritage, and we are proud to add 25 more films this year. The Library of Congress will work with our partners in the film community to ensure these films are preserved for generations to come.”

Turner Classic Movies will host a special on Friday, Dec. 17, to screen a selection of motion pictures named to the registry this year. Also, select titles from 30 years of the National Film Registry are freely available online in the National Screening Room.

Check them out and help your film history knowledge. 

Films Selected for the 2021 National Film Registry (chronological order)

  • Ringling Brothers Parade Film (1902)
  • Jubilo (1919)
  • The Flying Ace (1926)
  • Hellbound Train (1930)
  • Flowers and Trees (1932)
  • Strangers on a Train (1951)
  • What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
  • Evergreen (1965)
  • Requiem-29 (1970)
  • The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
  • Pink Flamingos (1972)
  • Sounder (1972)
  • The Long Goodbye (1973)
  • Cooley High (1975)
  • Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
  • Chicana (1979)
  • The Wobblies (1979)
  • Star Wars Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
  • A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
  • Stop Making Sense (1984)
  • Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987)
  • The Watermelon Woman (1996)
  • Selena (1997)
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
  • WALL-E (2008)
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