Only the most culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films are granted a spot on the National Film Registry, and this year’s annual list has been unveiled. The Library of Congress announced 25 movies to make the cut, including The Dark Knight, Grease, Shrek, The Blues Brothers, and The Hurt Locker.
What makes this year’s annual list unique in comparison to the ones that came before it is an emphasis on diverse stories and filmmakers. Some of the films that made the cut are female-directed Losing Ground and The Hurt Locker, and POC-centered stories The Joy Luck Club, Lilies of the Field, and Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden acknowledged that this year’s list shines a spotlight on diversity and explained why it’s so significant. “With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles,” she said in a statement.
The National Film Registry was introduced in 1988, and a total of 800 films have been included so far, ranging from Hollywood classics to short and experimental films.
The Full List of 2020 Addition to National Film Registry:
- The Battle Of The Century (1927)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Bread (1918)
- Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
- Cabin In The Sky (1943)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Devil Never Sleeps (1994)
- Freedom Riders (2010)
- Grease (1978)
- The Ground (1993-2001)
- The Hurt Locker (2008)
- Illusions (1982)
- The Joy Luck Club (1993)
- Kid Auto Races At Venice (1914)
- Lilies Of The Field (1963)
- Losing Ground (1982)
- The Man With the Golden Arm (1955)
- Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege (2006)
- Outrage (1950)
- Shrek (2001)
- Suspense (1913)
- Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971)
- Wattstax (1973)
- With Car And Camera Around The World (1929)
