Since 1989, the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress has been accomplishing the important task of preserving films that “represent important cultural, artistic and historic achievements in filmmaking.” From films way back in 1897 all the way up to 2004, they’ve now reached 725 films that celebrate our heritage and encapsulate our film history. ‘Titanic,’ ‘Die Hard,’ ‘Ace in the Hole,’ ‘Memento,’ and More Added to National Film Registry “Our love affair with motion pictures is a testament to their enduring power to enlighten, inspire and “The selection of a film to the National Film Registry recognizes its importance to American cinema and the nation’s cultural and historical heritage,” Hayden said in an official statement. The 2017 selections bring the number of films in the registry to 725. The additions span 1905 to 2000, and includes Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries, silent movies, animation, shorts, independent, and even home movies. Selected for their “cultural, historic and/or aesthetic importance,” the films picked range from such beloved actioners as “ Die Hard,” childhood classic “ The Goonies,” the seminal “ Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and the mind-bending “ Memento,” with plenty of other genres and styles represented among the list. As is annual tradition, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has announced this year’s 25 film set to join the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.