‘Social Network’, ‘Spy Kid’ & More Classics Added to National Film Registry

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Iconic Films Added to National Film Registry for 2024 Preservation

The National Film Registry has announced its 2024 selections, adding 25 culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant films to its prestigious archive. Among the honorees are David Fincher’s 2010 tech drama The Social Network, the 1974 indie horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the beloved 1987 romantic hit Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Each year, the Librarian of Congress recognizes movies that are at least a decade old, chosen for their enduring impact on American culture. This year’s list was curated from over 6,700 public nominations, underscoring the rich tapestry of films shaping the nation’s cinematic legacy.

Joining the lineup are fan favorites like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Gus Van Sant’s My Own Private Idaho (1991) starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves, the family adventure Spy Kids (2001), and the Coen brothers’ gripping Western No Country for Old Men (2007). Eddie Murphy also makes his first appearance in the registry with the 1984 comedy-action hit Beverly Hills Cop.

Clockwise from top left: William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"; Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in "Dirty Dancing"; Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop"; James Cagney and the Dead End Kids in "Angels with Dirty Faces"; Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men"; and Jessie Eisenberg in "The Social Network." Paramount Pictures/Getty; Lionsgate; Warner Brothers; Miramax; Sony Pictures

With this year’s selections, the National Film Registry now preserves 900 films—a small fraction of the Library of Congress’s collection of over 2 million. Preservation efforts often involve collaboration with copyright holders and film archives, ensuring these works remain accessible for future generations.

“Films capture the essence of our history and culture,” said Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. “Preserving these stories is a collective effort, ensuring that generations to come can experience our cinematic heritage.”

A Celebration of Cinematic Diversity

The registry showcases a wide range of genres and formats, including animation, documentaries, independent films, and student works. TCM (Turner Classic Movies) will host a special broadcast on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET to celebrate this year’s additions. Hayden will join TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart, chair of the National Film Preservation Board, to discuss the significance of the selected titles.

The Stories Behind the Films

One of the standout selections, The Social Network, portrays the rise of Facebook and its co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg. Aaron Sorkin, the film’s Oscar-winning screenwriter, reflected on its relevance over a decade later. “At the time, it just felt like a compelling courtroom drama,” Sorkin shared with the Library of Congress. “I didn’t realize it would come to define the internet age.”

Complete List of 2024 National Film Registry Selections

The films added this year span over a century of filmmaking, from the 1895 short Annabelle Serpentine Dance to contemporary classics like The Social Network.

• Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895)
• KoKo’s Earth Control (1928)
• Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
• Pride of the Yankees (1942)
• Invaders from Mars (1953)
• The Miracle Worker (1962)
• The Chelsea Girls (1966)
• Ganja and Hess (1973)
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
• Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
• Zora Lathan Student Films (1975-76)
• Up in Smoke (1978)
• Will (1981)
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
• Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
• Dirty Dancing (1987)
• Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989)
• Powwow Highway (1989)
• My Own Private Idaho (1991)
• American Me (1992)
• Mi Familia (1995)
• Compensation (1999)
• Spy Kids (2001)
• No Country for Old Men (2007)
• The Social Network (2010)

This year’s selections emphasize the power of storytelling across generations and genres, ensuring these cinematic treasures remain cherished for years to come.