LOS ANGELES – On January 29, 2026, Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen announced the annual selection of 25 motion pictures that have been added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. These films were selected for inclusion due to their cultural, historic, and aesthetic importance to the nation’s film heritage. Included on this year’s list are DGA Award-nominated films such as The Truman Show (1998), directed by Peter Weir, The Hours (2002) directed by Stephen Daldry, The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) directed by Wes Anderson and Inception (2010) directed by DGA President Christopher Nolan. Also included are classics such as Michael Curtiz’s White Christmas (1954) and John G. Avildsen’s The Karate Kid (1984), both of whom served as members of the DGA National Board prior to their deaths.
“When we preserve films, we preserve American culture for generations to come. These selections for the National Film Registry show us that films are instrumental in capturing important parts of our nation’s story,” said Newlen. “We are proud to continue this important work, adding a broad range of 25 films to the National Film Registry as a collective effort in the film community to protect our cinematic heritage.”
Among the films selected for the 2025 National Film Registry, the following were directed by current or past DGA Members:
- White Christmas (1954) Michael Curtiz
- High Society (1956) Charles Walters
- The Thing (1982) John Carpenter
- The Big Chill (1983) Lawrence Kasdan
- The Karate Kid (1984) John G. Avildsen
- Glory (1989) Edward Zwick
- Philadelphia (1993) Jonathan Demme
- Before Sunrise (1995) Richard Linklater*
- Clueless (1995) Amy Heckerling
- The Truman Show (1998) Peter Weir
- Frida (2002) Julie Taymor*
- The Hours (2002) Stephen Daldry
- The Incredibles (2004) Brad Bird*
- Inception (2010) Christopher Nolan
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) Wes Anderson
*Filmed prior to the Director’s DGA membership.
Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 motion pictures to the National Film Registry. The films must be at least 10 years old. 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.
More than 7,500 titles were nominated by the public. Nominations for next year will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2026, at www.research.net/r/national-fim-registry-nomination-form
CLICK HERE for a full list of all 25 of the newly registered films for 2025.
