The Star Trek franchise is venturing into uncharted territory by joining the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, released in 1982, is among the 25 films added to the registry this year, as announced by the Library of Congress on Tuesday. It now holds a place among 900 titles recognized by the National Film Preservation Board. Cheech Marin’s Up in Smoke is now the inaugural Cheech & Chong film to be included in the registry, and Spy Kids, in which Marin portrays the unofficial uncle to the main characters, was also added this year. According to the Library of Congress's news release, this year's selections reflect almost 130 years of cinema history. Other notable additions to the 2024 list include John Hughes' Pretty in Pink, the iconic Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey film Dirty Dancing, the horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and the silent short film Annabelle Serpentine Dance, which dates back to 1895.
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Several recent titles also made the cut, such as the Oscar-winning thriller No Country for Old Men, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 2007, and Aaron Sorkin's 2010 film The Social Network, which chronicles the rise of Facebook.
Among this year's selections, five films—including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spy Kids, and Up in Smoke—highlight “prominent Hispanic artists or themes,” according to the Library of Congress.
Notably, the 1984 comedy and action film Beverly Hills Cop has also made the list, marking Eddie Murphy’s first feature film to be honored in this way.
“The wealth of American film history can be quite overwhelming, and people often ask how we recommend certain films,” Jacqueline Stewart, chair of the National Film Preservation Board, stated. “It involves extensive research, conversations, and discussions, as well as a dedication to showcasing the true diversity of filmmaking.”
Each year, the board, established in 1988, is responsible for selecting 25 films deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant to American history under the National Film Preservation Act. To qualify, films must be at least 10 years old and are chosen by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with members of the National Film Preservation Board and other film experts.
