TL;DR
The Library of Congress has added 25 films, including “Inception,” “The Karate Kid,” “The Incredibles” and “White Christmas,” to the National Film Registry to ensure their long-term preservation for future generations.
Why This Matters
Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 films for the National Film Registry, a program designed to protect the nation’s film heritage. The list spans big-budget hits, small documentaries, and even early silent works, capturing how Americans have told stories on screen for more than a century.
The new selections highlight not only box-office favorites, but also films that trace civil rights struggles, immigration stories, wartime sacrifice, and evolving views of family and identity. Titles such as “Glory,” “Philadelphia,” “The Loving Story,” “Frida” and “Say Amen, Somebody” sit alongside popular entertainment like “The Incredibles,” “Clueless” and “White Christmas.”
For many viewers, especially those in midlife and older, the Registry can read like a timeline of personal memory: movies watched in theaters, on VHS, DVD and now streaming. By placing them under the care of the Library of Congress, the government is signaling that these works are part of the national record, not just disposable entertainment.
Key Facts & Quotes
The Library of Congress announced the latest National Film Registry additions on January 26, 2026, according to an official statement and a report by CBS News. This year’s 25-film class includes Christopher Nolan’s science-fiction thriller “Inception,” family drama “The Karate Kid,” Pixar’s superhero tale “The Incredibles,” John Carpenter’s horror classic “The Thing,” and the holiday musical “White Christmas.”
Other narrative features joining the Registry are “Before Sunrise,” “The Big Chill,” “Clueless,” “Frida,” “Glory,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “High Society,” “The Hours,” “The Karate Kid,” “Philadelphia,” “Sparrows,” “Ten Nights in a Barroom,” “The Thing,” “The Truman Show” and “White Christmas.” Silent-era works such as “The Lady,” “The Maid of McMillan,” “The Oath of the Sword” and “The Tramp and the Dog” help represent early film history.
Nonfiction and documentary titles include Ken Burns’ “Brooklyn Bridge,” gospel music celebration “Say Amen, Somebody,” civil rights documentary “The Loving Story” and music-industry portrait “The Wrecking Crew.” In all, 7,559 film titles were submitted for consideration this year, with “The Thing” receiving the most requests from the public, according to the Library of Congress.
“When we preserve films, we preserve American culture for generations to come,” acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen said in the announcement. “These selections for the National Film Registry show us that films are instrumental in capturing important parts of our nation’s story.” With this class, the Registry now includes 925 films, spanning genres from westerns and comedies to experimental work, newsreels and home movies.
The announcement, which had been delayed due to the previous fall’s federal government shutdown, also came with programming news. Turner Classic Movies plans to screen a selection of this year’s Registry additions on Thursday, March 19, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The Library added that many Registry titles are freely available online through its National Screening Room.
What It Means for You
For everyday viewers, a spot on the National Film Registry increases the chances that high-quality versions of these movies will remain available, regardless of changes in technology or corporate ownership. It can lead to restorations, new releases on disc or digital formats, and more frequent showings on television and at local theaters.
The Registry is also one of the few areas where the public has a direct voice: anyone can nominate films each year, not just critics or historians. That means a favorite movie from your childhood, a recent documentary, or a regional production could eventually be considered for protection. This latest update is a reminder to keep an eye on future Registry announcements, televised showcases, and the National Screening Room, which together offer a way to revisit – or discover – films that have helped shape American culture.
Sources: Library of Congress National Film Registry announcement, Jan. 26, 2026; CBS News coverage of new National Film Registry additions, Jan. 26, 2026.
What film from your lifetime do you most hope the National Film Registry preserves next, and why?
