The Horror Classic, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Rightfully Secures a Place in the Nation's Film Archives

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The Horror Classic, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Rightfully Secures a Place in the Nation's Film Archives

After half a century, the Library of Congress has finally bestowed one of cinema's most esteemed honors upon Leatherface and his carnivorous kin: 1974's infamous horror flick, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," directed by Tobe Hooper, has been inducted into the prestigious National Film Registry. This year, 25 movies were chosen for preservation, bringing the total to around 900 films in this hallowed collection.

According to a statement, these films are chosen for their "cultural, historic, or aesthetic importance" in safeguarding the country's film legacy. This year's lineup boasts a variety of titles, encompassing numerous genres and cult classics. Joining "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" are films like "Invaders from Mars," "Ganja and Hess," and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." The list also includes popular titles like "Up in Smoke," "Beverly Hills Cop," "Dirty Dancing," and "Spy Kids." The most recent addition is David Fincher's Facebook origin story, "The Social Network," which was released in 2010.

Here's the complete list:

  • "Annabelle Serpentine Dance" (1895)
  • "KoKo’s Earth Control" (1928)
  • "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938)
  • "Pride of the Yankees" (1942)
  • "Invaders from Mars" (1953)
  • "The Miracle Worker" (1962)
  • "The Chelsea Girls" (1966)
  • "Ganja and Hess" (1973)
  • "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974)
  • "Uptown Saturday Night" (1974)
  • "Zora Lathan Student Films" (1975-76)
  • "Up in Smoke" (1978)
  • "Will" (1981)
  • "Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan" (1982)
  • "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984)
  • "Dirty Dancing" (1987)
  • "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt" (1989)
  • "Powwow Highway" (1989)
  • "My Own Private Idaho" (1991)
  • "American Me" (1992)
  • "Mi Familia" (1995)
  • "Compensation" (1999)
  • "Spy Kids" (2001)
  • "No Country for Old Men" (2007)
  • "The Social Network" (2010)

The Library of Congress welcomes public nominations; you have until August 2025 to cast your ballot for a film you believe deserves a spot in the National Film Registry right here. You can also explore the entire list of included films here.

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The inclusion of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" in the National Film Registry highlights the potential for future recognition of other groundbreaking horror films. With advancements in technology, digital preservation methods ensure that these cinematic gems, such as "Invaders from Mars" and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," will continue to be accessible for generations to come.

As the deadline for public nominations for the National Film Regory approaches in 2025, io9 provides crucial updates on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek installments, ensuring that fans stay informed about the future of their favorite franchises.

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