Library of Congress Selects 25 Films for National Film Registry

Stephen King's earliest film adaptation. The first entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The animated feature that sparked the late 20th century Disney Renaissance. These are some of the iconic movies selected by the National Film Preservation Board for addition to the National Film Registry this year.

From 1898 footage of Mardi Gras to 2011's "Pariah" (a small-budget drama about a Black teenager embracing her identity as a lesbian), this year's selections cover more than a century of films that showcase "the range and diversity of American film heritage." At Broadway Stages we understand how much time, money, and talent goes into telling these stories, and we applaud  the National Film Preservation Board's efforts to raise awareness of these important projects.

Popular selections this year include Brian De Palma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel "Carrie," which put both men on the map and forever altered the perception of prom night for generations of teens. Jon Favreau's 2008 blockbuster "Iron Man," which revived Robert Downey Jr.'s career and ushered in the era of Marvel, is one of two films released in the 21st century to get in ("Pariah" being the other). Also selected this year is 1989's "The Little Mermaid," which brought Disney animated features back into the fold following decades of mediocre box office receipts.

Another notable selection is Rob Reiner's 1989 rom-com blockbuster "When Harry Met Sally," which turned the traditional rom-com on its head and made Meg Ryan and screenwriter Nora Ephron household names. Jose Ferrer's turn as Cyrano de Bergerac in the 1950 film of the same name is now preserved, as is Stanley Donen's 1963 whodunit "Charade," starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. The 1972 blaxploitation crime drama "Super Fly," known for its soundtrack written and produced by Curtis Mayfield, is also among this year's selected films. Last year filmmaker John Waters saw 1972's "Pink Flamingos" (the first entry in his "Trash Trilogy") added to the registry. This year, his PG-rated 1988 film "Hairspray" made the cut. Another fun addition is 1990's "House Party," starring Christopher "Kid" Reid and Christopher "Play" Martin (AKA Kid 'n Play).

Established in 1988, the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress works to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage. Every year since 1989, the National Film Preservation Board has selected 25 films for preservation.

Check out the full list of films selected this year, and be sure to add any you have not seen to your watch list. If you want to nominate a film for inclusion in the registry, you may do so here.

Full List:

●      Mardi Gras Carnival (1898)

●      Cab Calloway Home Movies (1948–51)

●      Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)

●      Charade (1963)

●      Scorpio Rising (1963)

●      Behind Every Good Man (1967)

●      Titicut Follies (1967)

●      Mingus (1968)

●      Manzanar (1971)

●      Super Fly (1972)

●      Betty Tells Her Story (1972)

●      Attica (1974)

●      Carrie (1976)

●      Union Maids (1976)

●      Word Is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives (1977)

●      Bush Mama (1979)

●      The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982)

●      Itam Hakim, Hopiit (1984)

●      Hairspray (1988)

●      The Little Mermaid (1989)

●      Tongues Untied (1989)

●      When Harry Met Sally (1989)

●      House Party (1990)

●      Iron Man (2008)

●      Pariah (2011)