Preserving America’s most iconic films
A story of survival in space, a harrowing account of a man sold into slavery and a Christmas classic are among the American movies selected for preservation in the 2023 National Film Registry.
Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 movies to add to the registry. “Films are an integral piece of America’s cultural heritage,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said while announcing the 2023 selections.
The recent additions — which include Hollywood blockbusters, animated movies, documentaries, an educational film and even a family’s home videos — “tell us about ourselves in ways that last for generations,” Hayden said.
Here are several of this year’s notable selections, which bring the number of films in the registry to 875.
Apollo 13 (1995)
Starring Tom Hanks, “Apollo 13” recounts the frantic effort to bring an astronaut crew safely back to Earth after a malfunction on an aborted NASA mission to the moon. The movie blends rich character profiles and deft handling of technological subject matter into a suspenseful story.
Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)
The documentary tells the story of Helen Keller, a blind and deaf woman, who became an accomplished author and speaker. She advocated for workers, women and people with disabilities, including soldiers blinded during World War I. Released during Keller’s lifetime, the film weaves together news accounts, photos and interviews to portray the life of this amazing American.
Home Alone (1990)
The comic tale of a resourceful child’s thwarting of a Christmas Eve burglary after being left at home has become a holiday classic. The movie that turned Macaulay Culkin into a star also achieved “maximum cross-generational appeal,” according to the Library of Congress.
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Known for a spaghetti kiss between a cocker spaniel and a mutt, the endearing love story is also a milestone in animation. The Walt Disney Company released a wide-screen version of the film to spur continued theater-going as televisions became common in living rooms.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
The movie, based on Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir, recounts his experiences as a free African American who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Set in the Southern United States before the Civil War, the 2013 movie won the Oscar for best picture.
The Library of Congress values public input and is accepting nominations for the 2024 National Film Registry through August 15, 2024.