The Library of Congress opens up its big mystical vault once a year to toss in 25 films that it deems worthy (by stirring old clapboards into a vat of rat blood and reading the star alignment). This year was a big year that honors some of the fallen members of the community – notably Leslie Nielsen, Blake Edwards and Irvin Kershner.

Safely stowed away as important cultural documents, The Empire Strikes Back, Airplane!, and The Pink Panther join 23 other films that will be forever kept in the hearts of those who care to apply for a Library of Congress library card (a three-step process that includes a photo being taken).

Check the entire list (which is littered with incredible movies) below:

Airplane! (1980)

All the President’s Men (1976)

The Bargain (1914)

Cry of Jazz (1959)

Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (1967)

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Exorcist (1973)

The Front Page (1931)

Grey Gardens (1976)

I Am Joaquin (1969)

It’s a Gift (1934)

Let There Be Light (1946)

Lonesome (1928)

Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)

Malcolm X (1992)

McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971)

Newark Athlete (1891)

Our Lady of the Sphere (1969)

The Pink Panther (1964)

Preservation of the Sign Language (1913)

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Study of a River (1996)

Tarantella (1940)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

A Trip Down Market Street (1906)

Time to start thinking of films to nominate for 2011…