National Film Registry Celebrates Diverse American Filmmaking

The Library of Congress' annual list showcases the range of movies that have shaped American culture.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The National Film Registry, overseen by the Library of Congress, names 25 movies each year that represent the diversity and evolution of American filmmaking. Rachael Stoeltje, chief of the Library's National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, and film critic Ty Burr discuss how these selected films reflect and have shaped America's history and culture.

Why it matters

The National Film Registry serves as an important record of the breadth of American cinema, preserving films that have had a significant impact on the nation's cultural landscape. By highlighting this diverse array of movies, the registry sheds light on how film has both mirrored and influenced the American experience over time.

The details

The National Film Registry is tasked with selecting 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" each year to be preserved in the Library of Congress. This collection now totals over 800 films, representing a wide range of genres, perspectives and eras. The registry aims to showcase the full spectrum of American filmmaking, from big-budget blockbusters to independent and experimental works.

  • The National Film Registry was established in 1988.
  • The Library of Congress names 25 new films to the registry each year.

The players

Rachael Stoeltje

Chief of the Library's National Audio-Visual Conservation Center, overseeing the largest repository of motion picture film, television, and recorded sound in the world.

Ty Burr

Former film critic and cultural columnist at The Boston Globe, now publishes a movie recommendation newsletter called Ty Burr's Watch List.

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What they’re saying

“The National Film Registry serves as an important record of the breadth of American cinema, preserving films that have had a significant impact on the nation's cultural landscape.”

— Rachael Stoeltje, Chief of the Library's National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (wbur.org)

“By highlighting this diverse array of movies, the registry sheds light on how film has both mirrored and influenced the American experience over time.”

— Ty Burr, Film critic (wbur.org)

The takeaway

The National Film Registry's annual selections showcase the remarkable breadth and evolution of American filmmaking, preserving a diverse array of movies that have profoundly shaped the nation's cultural identity over time.