Registry index

United States · Established 1988

National Film Registry

A browsable index of films selected for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance—and preservation for the future.

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Works
925
Selected yearly
25
Registry classes
1989–2025

Nomination and selection

A registry, not a ranking

The Registry is not a list of the “best” American films. It records works of enduring importance and calls attention to the need for their preservation.

  1. 01

    The public nominates

    Anyone may recommend up to 50 titles each year. Nominations start over annually; a previous nomination does not carry forward.

  2. 02

    Eligible films are considered

    A film must be at least 10 years old, still exist, and be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

  3. 03

    The Librarian selects 25

    The Librarian of Congress makes the annual selections after consulting Library film curators and the National Film Preservation Board.

  4. 04

    Preservation is coordinated

    Selection marks a work for preservation. The Library collaborates with archives, studios, copyright holders, and filmmakers; entry does not mean the Library owns the film.

Read the Library’s nomination guidance

The complete registry

Browse the collection

Release and induction fields follow the Library of Congress. Runtime is shown where an unambiguous Wikidata record is available; editions and cuts may differ.

Showing all 925 films

    Data notes

    A reviewable annual snapshot

    Registry membership

    Titles, release years or periods, and induction years come from the Library of Congress complete listing. The local snapshot is validated as 25 selections for every annual class.

    View the official listing

    Running time

    Runtime comes from matched Wikidata records. Some works have several cuts, span multiple films, or have no dependable value; those differences stay visible instead of being guessed.

    View the Wikidata collection

    Snapshot

    Current through the 2025 class. Last refreshed .

    Independent project. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Library of Congress.