Each year, 25 culturally significant films are added to the National Film Registry, and this year’s list includes The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The National Film Registry was established in 1988 as part of the National Film Preservation Act, which was introduced in response to the mixed opinions about colorizing black and white films. Since 1989, 25 ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films’ are added to the registry each year. A film’s eligibility for entrance onto the registry begins 10 years after the film’s original release and does not require a theatrical release.
Some of the first inductees to the registry include classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Casablanca. Last year’s additions to the National Film Registry included Shrek, The Dark Knight, and A Clockwork Orange. Many of the films included in the registry since its introduction consist of films from the 1900s, with the earliest film dating back to 1891, a film called Newark Athlete which was inducted in 2010. Thus far, only 14 films released in the 2000s have been added, two of which are on this year’s list.
The Library of Congress announced the full list of 2021 additions to the National Film Registry. Among the newly ed films is Return of the Jedi, which s its franchise companions Star Wars, added to the registry in its inaugural year, and The Empire Strikes Back, added in 2010. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings franchise enters the registry with the inclusion of the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring. Check out the full list of films added below:
- Chicana (1979)
- Cooley High (1975)
- Evergreen (1979)
- Flowers and Trees (1965)
- The Flying Ace (1926)
- Hell-Bound Train (1930)
- Jubilo (1919)
- The Long Goodbye (1973)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Pink Flamingos (1972)
- Requiem 29 (1970)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
- Ringling Bros. Parade Film (1902)
- Selena (1997)
- Sounder (1972)
- Stop Making Sense (1984)
- Strangers on a Train (1951)
- Wall-E (2008)
- Watermelon Woman (1996)
- Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)
- Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987)
- The Wobblies (1979)
It is very clear to see the cultural significance of Return of the Jedi and The Fellowship of the Ring as everlasting franchises that continue to capture the hearts of fans, especially since the latter is being added to the registry during the 20th anniversary of its original premiere. However, it is also great to see an investment and interest in films that may have been lost to time if they weren’t on this registry. There are over 800 films on the registry, and most of them were created and released before the registry was created, meaning there are hundreds of films that have a second chance at finding new audiences.
The registry is also interested in incorporating diversity in what it categorizes as culturally relevant and important. The inclusion of "kid’s movies" like Wall-e and Shrek hold value as something worth preserving despite being for children, especially considering the continued relevance and love for Shrek. There are also examples of racially diverse films with the inclusion of Selena, which is a favorite film in the Hispanic community, Chicana, Cooley High, Hell-Bound Train, and The Murder of Fred Hampton.
Source: Library of Congress
