“Lord of the Rings,” “Return of the Jedi” Join National Film Registry

The Library of Congress has announced the 25 movies being added to the National Film Registry. Each year, a selection of titles are added in accordance with National Film Preservation Act. This list must be made up of films that are at least 10 years old, and are deemed culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.

We’re delighted to see Peter Jackson‘s iconic “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” on this list, as well as “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” and John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos” among others.

“The National Film Preservation Board is very pleased with the inclusion of Return of the Jedi to the National Film Registry,” says John Ptak of the American Film Institute, and member of the National Film Preservation Board. “George [Lucas] has created such great characters with enduring stories that are fresh with every viewing.  The success and influence of the Star Wars series films on filmmakers, the industry and a global audience is remarkable and will stand the test of time.”

You can check out the list below.

Films Selected for the 2021 National Film Registry
(chronological order)

1. Ringling Brothers Parade Film (1902)
2. Jubilo (1919)
3. The Flying Ace (1926)
4. Hellbound Train (1930)
5. Flowers and Trees (1932)
6. Strangers on a Train (1951)
7. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
8. Evergreen (1965)
9. Requiem-29 (1970)
10. The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
11. Pink Flamingos (1972)
12. Sounder (1972)
13. The Long Goodbye (1973)
14. Cooley High (1975)
15. Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
16. Chicana (1979)
17. The Wobblies (1979)
18. Star Wars Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983)
19. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
20. Stop Making Sense (1984)
21. Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1987)
22. The Watermelon Woman (1996)
23. Selena (1997)
24. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
25. WALL•E (2008)

Learn more about the National Film Registry (and peruse the current list) on their official website here.