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National Film Registry Criterion Titles

by Eric Levy

Created 07/14/12

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17 comments
★ 16

These Criterion titles are a part of the Library of Congress National Film Registry, which began in 1989.
Films are sorted by year of entry in the Registry, which is listed in the comments, followed by the year of release.
In two cases, shorts from collections are included.
The Registry currently features 600 films, 56 of which are Criterion titles.
Personal statistics: S=Seen, D=Own on DVD, B=Own on Blu-ray Disc, *=non-Criterion edition. Totals: Seen 55, Own 34, DVDs 22, BDs 17.

UPDATES:
9/18/12: Added KOYAANISQATSI, bringing the total to 45 titles.
10/31/12: Added THE NAKED CITY (thanks briclegg!), bringing the total to 46 titles.
11/15/12: Added ON THE WATERFRONT, bringing the total to 47 titles.
12/16/12: Added BADLANDS, bringing the total to 48 titles.
12/19/12: The 2012 additions were announced today. Four Criterion titles were added: ANATOMY OF A MURDER, SLACKER, THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, and TWO-LANE BLACKTOP. There are now 52 Criterion titles on the Registry.
2/15/13: Added MEDIUM COOL and 3:10 TO YUMA (two new additions in one month!), bringing the total to 54 titles.
3/19/13: Added SAFETY LAST!, bringing the total to 55 titles.
5/15/13: Added TO BE OR NOT TO BE, bringing the total to 56 titles.

17 comments

  • By John Espinoza
    July 18, 2012
    11:41 PM

    This is a great list to have. Too bad you can only update once a year...if we be so lucky!
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    • By Eric Levy
      July 20, 2012
      10:55 AM

      Thanks John! Theoretically, I could update the list once per month, if Criterion happens to announce any new titles that are already on the Registry, as happened recently with LONESOME. And a recent illustration hint suggests that ON THE WATERFRONT will be an upcoming title. I'll update as necessary. Glad you like my list.

  • By Donna Ross
    July 20, 2012
    10:33 AM

    Thanks for creating this list, Eric. I plan to link to the National Film Registry website. Donna Ross Boards Assistant Library of Congress National Film Registry
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    • By Eric Levy
      July 20, 2012
      10:56 AM

      What a nice surprise to get a post from you Donna! I'll look for that link.

  • By briclegg
    October 13, 2012
    08:31 PM

    I'm a fan of the registry as well but noticed my count was one higher than yours. After some list comparison, I've found that you've neglected Dassin's "The Naked City", selected in 2007.
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    • By Eric Levy
      October 31, 2012
      04:40 AM

      Wow! Can't believe I missed that one. I thought I was so thorough. It has been added. Thank you so much!

  • By Moviefan777
    December 25, 2012
    10:41 PM

    Have you seen the documentary These Amazing Shadows? It's an amazing documentary on the National Film Registry. Check it out and let's hope Criterion releases it. What a great list.
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  • By Eric Levy
    December 27, 2012
    06:59 AM

    Thanks Moviefan! I have not yet seen THESE AMAZING SHADOWS, but I do know about it, and it is available on DVD and Blu-ray from PBS Home Video. I'm waiting to watch it until I see more Film Registry titles. I've seen over 400 of them, but there are still plenty--even some Criterion titles--that I haven't seen yet, so I'm holding off on the documentary until I see more of them.
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  • By Matthew G
    February 16, 2013
    07:50 PM

    Great list, thanks for putting it together. I assume you've read this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0826429777?ref_=sr_1_1&qid=1361062041&sr=8-1&keywords=national%20film%20registry It's an interesting read and a nice resource, even if I find my tastes don't match up with his all the time.
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    • By Eric Levy
      February 16, 2013
      08:04 PM

      Thanks Matthew. I do know of that book, and I'm dying to get it but haven't yet. I've been so busy watching the Registry films, I haven't had much time to read about them ;-) But the NFR is such a rich list--much more eclectic and interesting than most best-of lists. It's been a thrilling education watching so many. Paying close attention to the Registry over the years, I noticed the large percentage of Criterion titles and came up with the idea for this list.

    • By Matthew G
      February 17, 2013
      09:45 AM

      I'm a Criterion completist, so I know the pleasure of chasing a massive list like this. I think what sets the National Registry apart is the historical slant and a focus on any relevance regardless of taste. It makes for a really interesting group of movies - not to mention an invaluable set of preserved pieces of American history.

  • By BillyBreton
    March 13, 2013
    07:30 PM

    Since one of the requirements for a film to be placed in the registry is for it to be at least ten years old, what movie from 2003 would you like or expect to see in there?
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    • By Eric Levy
      March 14, 2013
      01:55 PM

      Great question Billy. Only five Registry films have been added the first year they were eligible: RAGING BULL, DO THE RIGHT THING, GOODFELLAS, TOY STORY, and FARGO. THE MATRIX (1999) was added last year making it the most recent film on the Registry. So it's a safe bet there will be something from the 2000s announced this year. But to answer your specific question: Allan King's DYING AT GRACE is the only Criterion title from 2003. Pretty unlikely that will be added (and I've never seen it anyway). Following is a list of the eligible (read: American) films I own from that year: AMERICAN SPLENDOR, BAD SANTA, COFFEE AND CIGARETTES, FINDING NEMO, THE LORD OF THE RINGS-THE RETURN OF THE KING, LOST IN TRANSLATION, THE PIANIST, and PIECES OF APRIL. I'd be happy if any of these made the cut this year (though some would surprise me). Two of the films (AMERICAN SPLENDOR and LOST IN TRANSLATION) are directed or co-directed by women, and the Registry has historically included several women directors, so those are possible contenders. So far TOY STORY is the only Pixar feature included; FINDING NEMO is the obvious second choice, though whether it will be picked its first year eligible is hard to say. And I can't predict what they'll do about the LORD OF THE RINGS movies. I could see them adding all three as a single entry, though again, will that happen this year? We'll just have to wait and see. If it was totally up to me, I'd pick FINDING NEMO. Probably a longer answer than you had in mind, but as I'm sure you can tell, this is a topic I love to discuss. Thanks.

  • By David MacDonald
    March 19, 2013
    01:56 PM

    You've gotta watch Hoop Dreams, dude. One of the greatest documentaries ever made.
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    • By Eric Levy
      March 19, 2013
      02:48 PM

      I know. I suspected that if I added my personal stats, people would comment on the ones I haven't seen yet. Believe me, I'm dying to see all of them (and the other NFR films I haven't seen). It's just a question of finding time, and I want to set aside three solid hours to give HOOP DREAMS its proper due, and that's tricky. Soon as I can I will.

    • By David MacDonald
      March 19, 2013
      03:55 PM

      Understandable, I can't imagine when I'm gonna find the time for Shoah.

    • By Eric Levy
      April 28, 2013
      11:36 PM

      Finally watched HOOP DREAMS--amazing! Also saw the exquisite LONESOME. Got to catch the von Sternberg silents next. And should I finally catch Lubitsch's TO BE OR NOT TO BE???

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