Movies Included In The 2023 National Film Registry

The National Film Registry releases its selection of movies for preservation yearly based on its cultural and historic significance.

Every year, the National Film Registry selects 25 films for preservation based on their cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance. Their criteria state that films should be at least 10 years old and highlight American films’ range and diversity “to increase awareness for its preservation.”

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden revealed the influential films included for the 2023 Library of Congress National Film Registry. Hayden made the announcement on Wednesday, December 13.

The Library of Congress serves as the home of the film registry and has selected movies for preservation since 1988. 

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6,875 titles considered

The current selection encompasses diverse films, filmmakers, and Hollywood landmarks that explored history, social justice, reform, and more. It even included a 102-year old film which was released in 1921, and the most recent one was from 2013.

The public voted and submitted 6,875 titles this year where several films received the most support, namely Home Alone (1990) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

Macaulay Caulkin as Kevin McCalister in Home Alone (1990)/Photo from IMDb
Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day/Photo from IMDb

Nominations for film selections for 2024 are now open as per the Library of Congress. The public can start voting on their website.

Movies included by the National Film Registry

Aforementioned Home Alone and Terminator 2: Judgment Day made it to the list along with beloved movies that are also included.

The more than 100-year old film A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921) joins the two. It tackles how film stock is produced and shows movies’ global influences.

Animated film Lady and the Tramp (1955) got enlisted as well, which is a romantic story of two dogs. The Library of Congress included Halloween favorite film The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) in the registry.

The Library of Congress included Lady and the Tramp in the 2023 National Film Registry
The Library of Congress included Lady and the Tramp in the 2023 National Film Registry/Photo from IMDb
1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas gets included in the Library of Congress’ 2023 National Film Registry
1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas gets included in the Library of Congress’ 2023 National Film Registry/Photo from IMDb

Recent Oscar-winning films got onboard as well. The congress inducted 12 Years a Slave (2013) and the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom (2013) in the registry.

The complete list of films are as follows:

  • A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921)  
  • Dinner at Eight (1933)
  • Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s)
  • Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)
  • Lady and the Tramp (1955)
  • Edge of the City (1957)
  • We’re Alive (1974)
  • Cruisin’ J-Town (1975)
  • ¡Alambrista! (1977)
  • Passing Through (1977) 
  • Fame (1980)
  • Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
  • The Lighted Field (1987)
  • Matewan (1987)
  • Home Alone (1990)
  • Queen of Diamonds (1991)
  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  • The Wedding Banquet (1993)
  • Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
  • Apollo 13 (1995)
  • Bamboozled (2000)
  • Love & Basketball (2000)
  • 12 Years a Slave (2013)
  • 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)
Merry Clayton in 20 Feet From Stardom, a film inducted into the Library Of Congress’ film registry
Merry Clayton in 20 Feet From Stardom, a film inducted into the Library Of Congress’ film registry/Photo from IMDb

875 films now in the registry

The Library of Congress’ said that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) hosted a television special on December 14 to screen 2023’s film selections. 

This year’s list brought the number of films in the registry to 875 as per the congress. “Some of these films are among the 2 million moving image collection items held in the Library. Others are preserved by the copyright holders or other film archives,” they said.

Hayden said that they are proud to add the 25 motion pictures to the registry as preserved histories. Through her the congress expressed gratitude to the community for participating in their goal to safeguard the heritage of cinema for the next generation.

“Films are an integral piece of America’s cultural heritage, reflecting stories of our nation for more than 125 years,” she added.

Banner photo from the Library of Congress’ website.

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