"Iron Man," "The Little Mermaid," Added to National Film Registry

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has officially announced the annual selection of 25 influential motion pictures to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Selected for their cultural, historic, or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, the newest selections include a vibrant diversity of American filmmakers, as well as landmark works in key genres and numerous documentaries.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names to the National Film Registry 25 motion pictures that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. The films must be at least 10 years old, and if they are not already preserved they will be officially added into the national record upon being recognized. The Librarian makes the annual registry selections after conferring with the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board and a cadre of Library specialists, as well as considering titles nominated by the public. This year, the public alone nominated 6,865 titles!

The Little Mermaid Walt Disney Animation

Some choices are obvious. “The Little Mermaid” kicked off Disney’s renaissance of animated musical films in 1989, has been an iconic part of the nation’s culture ever since. Jodi Benson was a young Broadway actress when Howard Ashman, lyricist and musical visionary behind many Disney films of that period, convinced her to audition for the lead role of Ariel after a Broadway play the two had worked on fizzled. Some 33 years later in an illustrious career, Benson said she still performs Ariel’s big song, “Part of Your World,” every week. “I’m thrilled and honored on behalf of my character and the Walt Disney Company for the Library selecting our very special film,” Benson said in an interview. The film “was the last hand-painted, hand-drawn, full-length feature film for the Walt Disney Studios. So that is really amazing and such an honor.”

Others were placed on the list because they broke ground in visually representing the LGBTQ+ community that had long been kept out of sight — or at least off screen. Similar to films depicting other groups struggling to gain acceptance, LGBTQ+ creators used films to confront tough issues, make gay people more visible, urge greater empathy and show commonalities in society. These include the 1967 student short film “Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin; 1989’s “Tongues Untied,” a video essay by Marlon Riggs about Black men loving Black men, and the recent debut from writer/director Dee Rees, “Pariah.”

Many were chosen as defining works in their genres, including the romantic comedies “When Harry Met Sally,” the musical “Hairspray,” the 1990s comedy “House Party,” or – of course – “Iron Man.”

The full list is below but if you’re interested in seeing these films yourself, Turner Classic Movies(TCM) will host a television special Tuesday, Dec. 27, starting at 8 p.m. ET to screen a selection of motion pictures named to the registry this year. Hayden will join TCM host, film historian and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Director and President Jacqueline Stewart, who is chair of the National Film Preservation Board, to discuss the films.

“I am especially proud of the way the Registry has amplified its recognition of diverse filmmakers, experiences, and a wide range of filmmaking traditions in recent years,” Stewart said. “I am grateful to the entire National Film Preservation Board, the members of the public who nominated films, and of course to Dr. Hayden for advocating so strongly for the preservation of our many film histories.”

Films Selected for the 2022 National Film Registry (chronological order)