“Inception,” “The Karate Kid,” “The Incredibles” among films newly named to National Film Registry

(CBS) — Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller “Inception,” the heartwarming tale of mentorship “The Karate Kid,” John Carpenter’s horror film “The Thing,” and the Pixar animated superheroes fantasy “The Incredibles” are among the films named today to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, to be preserved for future generations.

Also among the latest additions:

• “The Big Chill,” a Motown-flavored story of Boomers grappling with middle age.
• The Civil War drama “Glory,” which won Denzel Washington his first Academy Award.
• “Philadelphia,” a legal drama about a gay man fighting for his rights, which won Tom Hanks his first Oscar.
• Wes Anderson’s picaresque comedy “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”
• The teen romantic comedy “Clueless,” Amy Heckling’s updated take on the Jane Austen novel “Emma.”
• “Before Sunrise,” Richard Linklater’s romance starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, which spawned two sequels.
• The Jim Carrey comedy “The Truman Show.”
• “Frida,” starring Salma Hayek as artist Frida Kahlo.
• “The Hours,” a trilogy of stories connected through the writings of Virginia Woolf, starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman.
• Two classic Hollywood musicals, “White Christmas” and “High Society.”Among the nonfiction films that have been selected:
  • Ken Burns’ first documentary, the Oscar-nominated “Brooklyn Bridge.”
  • “Say Amen, Somebody,” a celebration of gospel music.
  • “The Loving Story,” about a couple’s fight against laws banning interracial marriage.
  • “The Wrecking Crew,” about Los Angeles session musicians who performed on some of the most successful recordings of the 1960s and ’70s.

  Each year, as part of its mandate to preserve our nation’s motion picture heritage, the Library selects 25 films for the Registry, chosen for their cultural, historic and aesthetic importance. Begun in 1989, the Registry includes movies of all fiction and non-fiction genres (from comedies, westerns, musicals and science fiction, to experimental films, animation, newsreels and even home movies). Candidates are nominated by filmmakers, academics and film fans. These latest additions (the announcement of which had been delayed due to last fall’s government shutdown) have increased the list to 925.

  There were 7,559 film titles submitted for consideration this year, with “The Thing” receiving the most requests from the public.

  “When we preserve films, we preserve American culture for generations to come,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen. “These selections for the National Film Registry show us that films are instrumental in capturing important parts of our nation’s story.”

  Turner Classic Movies will screen a selection of this year’s Registry additions on Thursday, March 19, beginning at 8 p.m. ET,

  Select Registry titles are also freely available online in the Library’s National Screening Room.