The holiday season is here, and in between social gatherings, shopping, cooking, and simply enjoying some time away from work, many of us may have extra time on our hands. And there’s no better way to spend that time than with a movie. But what to watch? The Library of Congress (LC) has you covered.
On December 13, LC announced the films being added to the National Film Registry for 2023. The registry selects 25 films annually that showcase the range and diversity of American film heritage to increase awareness for its preservation.
“Films are an integral piece of America’s cultural heritage, reflecting stories of our nation for more than 125 years. We are proud to add 25 diverse films to the National Film Registry as we preserve our history through film,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “We’re grateful to the film community for collaborating with the Library of Congress in our goal to preserve the heritage of cinema for generations to come.”
The public submitted 6,875 titles for consideration this year, and the new selections represent the full breadth of the cinematic experience. This year’s entries span more than 90 years of film history, from the 1921 Kodak educational film, A Movie Trip Through Filmland, about how film stock is produced and the impact of movies globally to the most recent films added to the registry, 2013’s Oscar-winner 12 Years a Slave and the Oscar-winning documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom.
Other notable selections include the Disney animated classic, Lady and the Tramp (1955), Cruisin’ J-Town (1975), about jazz musicians in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo community, Madonna's first film, Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), John Sayles’ Matewan (1987), about a coal miners' strike in 1920 West Virginia, and the holiday favorites Home Alone (1990) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
Here’s the full list of films inducted into the National Film Registry this year, in chronological order. Happy viewing.
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)
Your local library is the first place to check for the availability of films on this list. We found quite a few of the later releases and some of the classics at our library in both DVD format and via the library's connected video streaming service. And LC also has selections from the National Film Registry available online.
Do you know a film that should be included in the National Film Registry? Nominations for next year's additions will be accepted through August 15, 2024.
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