U.S. Library of Congress inducts The Exorcist to the National Film Registry

After shocking audiences worldwide for over 37 years, The Exorcist’s affect on the cultural landscape have been recognized by the American Library of Congress.

On December 29, 2010, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington named The Exorcist, along with 25 other motion pictures reflecting genres from every era of American filmmaking, to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Other films to be included were Airplane!, All The President’s Men, Saturday Night Fever, Malcom X and The Empire Strikes Back, among others.

Upon adding director William Friedkin’s horror masterpiece to the National Film Registry, the Library of Congress stated:

The Exorcist is one of the most successful and influential horror films of all time. Its influence, both stylistically and in narrative, continues to be seen in many movies of the 21st century. The film’s success, both commercially and cinematically, provides a rare example of a popular novel being ably adapted for the big screen.

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

You can view the official press release via the Library of Congress website.