“Dirty Dancing” is among 25 films selected Tuesday, Dec. 17, for the Library of Congress National Film Registry. The 1987 Patrick Swayze hit is joined by a group of films spanning more than 100 years of cinema.
The oldest film added to the registry is “Annabelle Serpentine Dance,” an 1895 silent short. The newest movie is 2010’s Facebook origin story, “The Social Network.”
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In a statement, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said the films were chosen due to their “cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.”
The latest additions include several firsts, like 1984’s “Beverly Hills Cop.” It marks Eddie Murphy’s first feature film on the registry. The 1978 film “Up in Smoke” is the first Cheech and Chong film on the registry. “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982) is the first Star Trek film on the registry.
As for newer releases, two films from this century made the cut: 2001’s “Spy Kids” and Best Picture Oscar-winner “No Country for Old Men” (2007).
With these 25 films, there are now 900 titles on the registry. The Library of Congress said the public submitted over 6,700 titles for consideration this year. Nominations for 2025 are being accepted through Aug. 15.
In the meantime, Turner Classic Movies will host a television special Wednesday, Dec. 18, for this year’s selections.
