The 25 Movies The National Film Registry Has Chosen To Preserve For 2014

Every year since 1989, the National Film Registry has done its part to ensure the continued existence of the greatest and most important movies ever made. They do this by adding 25 titles at a time to the Library of Congress, where they are maintained and kept in the hopes of keeping them around forever. In the past we’ve seen them add titles like Pulp Fiction, The Matrix, and Silence of the Lambs, and today, the 2014 group of films has been announced. It’s a list with more than a few titles you’ll be happy to see, and you can check out the full list below:

• 13 Lakes (2004)
• Bert Williams Lime Kiln Club Field Day (1913)
• The Big Lebowski (1998)
• Down Argentine Way (1940)
• The Dragon Painter (1919)
• Felicia (1965)
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
• The Gang’s All Here (1943)
• House of Wax (1953)
• Into The Arms Of Strangers: Stories Of The Kindertransport (2000)
• Little Big Man (1970)
• Luxo Jr (1986)
• Moon Breath Beat (1980)
• Please Don’t Bury Me Alive! (1976)
• The Power And The Glory (1933)
• Rio Bravo (1959)
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
• Ruggles Of Red Gap (1935)
• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• Shoes (1916)
• State Fair (1933)
• Unmasked (1917)
• V-E +1 (1945)
• The Way Of Peace (1947)
• Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

This list feature titles that span almost the entire existence of the film medium – from 1913’s Bert Williams Lime Kiln Club Field Day (which is believed to be the oldest surviving film featuring black actors) to 2004’s 13 Lakes (a documentary short examining the 13 great lakes of the United States. You’ll notice that the list includes a number of documentaries and shorts mixed into the list, but there are plenty of notable and classic Hollywood feature films as well – including my favorite on this list, the Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski. The Dude is in the Library of Congress, you guys!


It’s also awesome to see some recognition for the terrific Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the wonderfully weird Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, the gripping Saving Private Ryan, and, the great western Rio Bravo, but I also particularly enjoy the recognition of the horror genre, not only including Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby but also the Vincent Price classic House of Wax.

Just in case you’re concerned whether or not your favorite movie of all time is being kept by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry, the department has the full list of movies currently cataloged on their website.