The Library Congress serves as a cultural bastion for American literature, film and music. Every year, it adds 25 movies to its National Film Registry that have been proven to “epitomize the diversity and richness of the nation’s cinematic heritage, have been identified as motion pictures that deserve to be preserved because of their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance.”

In addition to being uniquely American, films must endure the test of time and remain well-loved and significant ten years after their premiere.

This year, one of the movies preserved forever in Congress’ hallowed halls is ‘Top Gun’ (1986), the high-flying action adventure film starring Tom Cruise.

The thrilling exploits of Maverick and Goose were so wildly popular during the film’s run that the Air Force set up recruitment booths in movie theaters to sign up ‘Top Gun’ fans for the military. Though the film isn’t the most historically accurate, it has remained popular nearly 30 years after it hit the big screen. The fact that it was chosen by the Library of Congress to represent the United States speaks volumes of its impact.

“Selecting a film for the National Film Registry recognizes its importance to cinema and America’s cultural and artistic history,” Librarian of Congress David Mao said. “The registry is an invaluable way to advance public awareness of the richness, creativity and variety of our nation’s film heritage.”

‘Top Gun’ may be the newest military film to join the ranks of the National Film Registry, but it’s only the latest in a long tradition of war movies to capture the American spirit. ‘Patton’ was added to the National Film Registry in 2003 and ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was inducted in 2014.

Other movies joining the National Film Registry alongside ‘Top Gun’ include ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and ‘L.A. Confidential.’