The announcement on the Library of Congress website of the 2023 inductees into the National Film Registry explains that its selections are “selected each year for their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.”
This year’s list reflects the work of a wide range of filmmakers. Some of its entries tell stories recounting experiences of immigration, social justice, political reform, and other topical subjects, the announcement goes on to read. The 2023 inductees are as follows:
- A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921)
- Dinner at Eight (1933)
- Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s)
- Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)
- Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- Edge of the City (1957)
- We’re Alive (1974)
- Cruisin’ J-Town (1975)
- ¡Alambrista! (1977)
- Passing Through (1977)
- Fame (1980)
- Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
- The Lighted Field (1987)
- Matewan (1987)
- Home Alone (1990)
- Queen of Diamonds (1991)
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- The Wedding Banquet (1993)
- Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)
- Apollo 13 (1995)
- Bamboozled (2000)
- Love & Basketball (2000)
- 12 Years a Slave (2013)
- 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)
The general public first nominates possible new additions to the National Film Registry. In 2023, 6,875 titles were up for consideration. From that pool, the Librarian of Congress selects each year’s picks. “Home Alone” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day received considerable public support, according to the announcement. Now, each of these nominees will be preserved by the Library of Congress, raising the National Film Registry’s total to 875 films.
