My 2021 National Film Registry nominations

Arguably Brian De Palma's best known film, it has become a staple of pop culture from Al Pacino's performance, the many quotable lines and even the poster. It is considered by many to be one of the best crime films of all time.

Fantastic film with an Altmanesque style of storytelling. It put director Paul Thomas Anderson into the spotlight and helped establish Mark Wahlberg as a serious actor. It also gave Burt Reynolds his only Oscar nomination.

One of the most influential horror films of all time, it is credited with introducing several elements now common in the slasher genre including using power tools as murder weapons and the killer wearing a mask. Ridley Scott cited the film as an influence when making Alien (1979).

Most infamous for being the first X rated animated film, it not only help break American animation out of its family friendly perception but also depicted the counter culture of its time though the use of anthropomorphic animals.

Although set in the 1950s, it has become a quintessential 80s film with themes of friendship and loss. It also brought a rekindled interest in the Ben E. King song in which the film is named after.

The conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy (as well as the only one not yet in the registry) it continued the traditions of the previous two films by creating innovative special effects that still inspire modern blockbusters.

The film features creative special effects for making real life animals talk and is often credited with starting the CGI talking animal revolution. It also has a great story of how being nice can help you succeed.

The film that made Steve McQueen a star, a much-loved story that continues to enchanted audiences. The action scenes had proven to be very influential with the barb-wire jump scene being one of the most iconic in film history.

The film features innovative stop-motion animation and was even nominated for a Best Visual Effects Oscar, a first for an animated film. Through the minds of Tim Burton and Henry Selick, they were able to create characters and images which are still recognised by audiences today. The fact that people debate whether or not it is a Christmas film or a Halloween film is a testament to its popularity.

The last animated feature film that was personally supervised by Walt Disney, it has endured as one of the studios’ biggest successes with top-notch animation, unforgettable characters and memorable musical numbers.

Considered by the director himself to be his first mature work, it caught the attention of critics for its raw look and innovative camerawork and the non-linear structure has been highly influential on later films, such as Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Despite being a box office flop, it planted the seed for his later groundbreaking films.

The first cinematic appearance of Superman, it brought the popular comic book superhero to the big screen without losing the impact he had on readers. It would eventually influence the comics and subsequently the live-action films and television shows.

A story about two men of different races who must work together to survive, offering a powerful message about racism and humanity's survival. It made Sidney Poitier a household name and he became the first black actor to receive a competitive Oscar nomination for Best Actor in addition to being the first to receive top billing.

I can’t talk about it.

Although a critical and commercial failure when it was released, it has since been cited as an influence by directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright, been regarded as one of the best remakes of all time and been considered an iconic 80s horror film.

One of Frank Capra’s many classics and the first of his social-minded comedies, it turned Jean Arthur into a overnight star and gave Gary Cooper his pure all-American screen persona.

Often considered one of the greatest sequels of all time, it (along with Jurassic Park (1993)) revolutionised visual effects and made breakthroughs in CGI such as the first partially computer animated main character.

Filmed in only two days and using sets and actors he already had, Roger Corman still managed to create a memorable film that became a staple of late night television with its strange plot and off-beat sense of humour. It inspired a successful broadway musical and subsequent a film adaptation directed by Frank Oz.

Although highly controversial and even banned in some countries when it was released, it remains an influential exploitation film and the tagline "It’s only a movie" has become somewhat iconic in recent years.

Groundbreaking for its nudity, multiple exposures and intricate editing, it propelled Lois Weber to the front ranks of silent directors.

A popular 1980s comedy with tons of quotable lines and hilarious performances by Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield. It was also the directorial debut of Harold Ramis, who would have later success with National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and Groundhog Day (1993).

One of many Warner Bros. gangster films of the 1930s, it is considered a landmark in the genre and James Cagney's performance is one of his most iconic and imitated. It is also famed for its tracking shots and ambiguous ending.

Wildly regarded as Jean Renoir’s best American film and also gave him his only Oscar nomination, it is notable for its generally bleak tone and garnered controversy in the southern parts of the United States due to the film’s depiction of life there. Nonetheless it has been seen as a rich, unusual and sensitive delineation of the American scene.

Hilarious and though-provoking at the same time, it gave Jim Carrey, previous know for his lowbrow comedies, the opportunity to show his dramatic chops and has been analysed for its themes of celebrity culture and Christianity.

One of the defining screwball comedies of the era but often overlooked at the same time. Notable for sharp dialogue, William A. Wellman's direction and Carole Lombard's performance, it was the first screwball comedy filmed in colour.

A bold depiction of mental illness, well ahead of its time in showing that it can happen to anyone whether your an average joe or a famous celebrity. It is also the feature directing debut of Robert Mulligan and feature producing debut of Alan J. Pakula, who together made six films - including To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).