Movie nights, first dates, family favorites and films that made audiences think a little deeper — all of that is part of what the National Film Registry aims to preserve. This year, the Library of Congress announced 25 films added to the registry, spanning more than a century of American filmmaking and reflecting how movies continue to shape culture, conversations and collective memory.
Among the most recognizable modern titles selected are Christopher Nolan’s dream-layered thriller Inception, Amy Heckerling’s endlessly quotable coming-of-age comedy Clueless, and Richard Linklater’s intimate, conversation-driven romance Before Sunrise. Each film represents a different era and tone, but all have left a lasting mark on audiences.
The list also includes powerful and influential films such as the Civil War epic Glory, the groundbreaking drama Philadelphia, the visually rich biopic Frida, Wes Anderson’s meticulously styled The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Pixar’s beloved animated superhero story The Incredibles.
A Look Back at Cinema’s Earliest Days
This year’s selections reach all the way back to the silent film era, with six films made between 1896 and 1926 earning preservation status. Early titles such as The Tramp and the Dog and The Lady highlight how storytelling on screen began — without sound, but never without impact.
Classic Hollywood is also well represented, with the festive musical White Christmas and the star-studded romantic comedy High Society making the list. Documentaries and ensemble favorites joined them, including Ken Burns’ Brooklyn Bridge, Jim Carrey’s thought-provoking The Truman Show, and the generational ensemble The Big Chill.
Why Preservation Matters
“When we preserve films, we preserve American culture for generations to come,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen, noting that the registry reflects the nation’s shared history, creativity and evolving voices.
With this year’s additions, the National Film Registry now includes 925 titles. Turner Classic Movies will celebrate the new selections with a television special airing March 19, giving viewers a chance to revisit — or discover — some of these cinematic milestones.
TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart, chair of the National Film Preservation Board, emphasized the importance of recognizing both early filmmaking and public favorites. She noted that The Thing, the top public-nominated film this year, earned a place alongside widely supported picks like The Truman Show and The Incredibles.
Films Selected for the 2025 National Film Registry
Silent Era
- The Tramp and the Dog (1896)
- The Oath of the Sword (1914)
- The Maid of McMillan (1916)
- The Lady (1925)
- Sparrows (1926)
- Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)
Modern & Contemporary Classics
- Glory (1989)
- Philadelphia (1993)
- Before Sunrise (1995)
- Clueless (1995)
- The Truman Show (1998)
- Frida (2002)
- The Hours (2002)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- The Wrecking Crew (2008)
- Inception (2010)
- The Loving Story (2011)
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
From black-and-white silent shorts to animated superheroes and mind-bending blockbusters, this year’s registry additions remind audiences that movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re time capsules of who we were, who we are and how we tell our stories.
