Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 films to add to the National Film Registry; a collection of films deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. These films are guaranteed to be preserved under the National Film Preservation Act, ensuring generations to come will be able to enjoy these cinematic masterpieces.
Honorees this year include Prince vehicle Purple Rain, Kevin Smith’s Clerks, and the Vietnam war film Platoon. However, two classic Disney films have also been added to the list for 2019!
Sleeping Beauty, the 1959 classic, has been honored with a permanent place in cinematic history. Sleeping Beauty was only the third adaptation of a fairy tale that Disney ever released, and a poor initial showing led them to abandon the genre until the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989. It’s strange to think that Disney went three decades without a princess film, considering how pivotal they are to the brand now!
Of course, Sleeping Beauty was later vindicated by history, becoming as much of a beloved classic as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella. Today, Princess Aurora is one of Disney’s signature princesses, with castles dedicated to her at several Disney parks around the globe. The film’s villain, Maleficent, has also become the headlining Disney Villain, with two live action films of her own.
The second honoree is the 1957 classic Old Yeller, the film that has been making people sob uncontrollably over dogs for more than fifty years. Telling the story of a young boy and his Labrador Retriever, Old Yeller is infamous for its tearjerker ending. While it doesn’t have a massive presence in contemporary Disney media like Sleeping Beauty, it is one of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking films Disney has ever produced.
Both honored films are available to stream on Disney+.
Nominations have just opened for the 2020 National Film Registry List. Which films do you think should be honored next? Let us know in the comments.
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
I’m just trying to figure out how Clerk’s was on the list. Did they see the movie? I’m Gen X and thought it was interesting even funny at times but an American classic worthy of preserving- no.
What the hell took them 62 years to include Old Yeller? Better check the committees pulse, because they must have no hearts.