The Dark Knight and Shrek are among a list of films that have been newly added to the National Film Registry. The likes of A Clockwork Orange, The Blues Brothers, and more joined the superhero classic and animated hit to make the 25 new additions to the list, in a library that preserves films on the grounds of cultural significance for future examination and exhibition. Previous inductions include the classics such as Apocalypse Now and Citizen Kane.
Formed in 1988, the registry highlights influential films throughout history, decided upon by the Nation Film Preservation Board. With 25 movies included every year, some collections have proved more diverse than others, and films that make it onto the registry are usually considered highly esteemed. Besides narrative features, other types of filmmaking like documentaries that highlight vital issues are often included, as demonstrated this year by the addition of the Civil Rights movement documentary Freedom Riders. However, similar to previous inductees The Empire Strikes Back and Jurassic Park, The Dark Knight and Shrek are both very popular films that received critical acclaim and enormous box office earnings many years before their recognition.
Variety reports that 2020's film inductions to the National Film Registry include not only midcentury classics such as A Clockwork Orange, but the 2008 superhero film The Dark Knight and animated fairy tale Shrek, released in 2001. The former is considered one of the best by Christopher Nolan, with the director saying the inclusion is a "great honor" and a "tribute to all of the amazing artists and writers who have worked on the great mythology of Batman over the decades." The latter has remained Dreamworks Animation's most popular series, with the Shrek franchise being the 17th highest-grossing of all time.
In total, 800 films now populate the National Film Registry. It's reassuring to see vastly unrelated movies like Shrek and Citizen Kane on the same list, as it shows that critics and board members recognize the cultural significance of all films. Despite being a children's film at first glance, Shrek is indeed culturally significant. Not only was it followed by three successful sequels and inspired copycat films like 2005's Hoodwinked!, but it turned age-old fairy tale iconography into a fun movie that diverted expectations, with great characters found in the likes of the titular ogre. As for The Dark Knight, that film's inclusion feels long overdue, as, without its impact, now-classic movies such as Skyfall and Birdman would not exist. Its predecessor, Batman Begins, started a trend in action films becoming darker and more realistic, which is still prominent.
The Dark Knight and Shrek's inclusion into the National Film Registry not only highlights a diverse year for the Nation Film Preservation Board but an appreciation for the long-overdue recognition of these films. As with every year, it's difficult to tell what the board will choose next, with some year's choices ranging from obvious to surprising. However, they are all essential films not to be overlooked for many reasons, no matter the genre.
Source: Variety.