Prelinger Archives

3,025–3,072 of 10,346 films, free to watch, from the world's open archives.

Where these films come from, and who sees what

Every film here plays from the archive that keeps it: the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, the NASA Image and Video Library, the Library of Congress and Open Images (the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision). Nothing is copied to this site. Each film's page names its archive, links to its page there, and states its licence or status as the archive does.

Archive films carry no age ratings, so each is placed from the collections it sits in and the subjects the archive gives it, cautiously. Sexual content and nudity are left out altogether.

Little OnesFilms for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool.
KidsCartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature.
TweensDocumentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures.
TeensEverything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower.
AdultSexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage.
Internet Archive Sinclair Driveway Selling and Appearance 1963 · Film · Subtitles 11:10:43:06 Shot from car slowly passing a Sinclair gas station in late 1950s early 1960s, signs outside of gas station advertise �Clean Restrooms� , �Open 24… Internet Archive Parade of the Past 2026 · Film · Subtitles "8th Biennial Reno Run" of antique automobiles to Harrah's in Reno, Nevada, featuring people dressed in period costumes and a few celebrities. A&B silent pix… Internet Archive Boulder Dam: The Pictorial Record of Man's Conquest of the Colorado River 1930 · Film · Subtitles Early Hoover Dam - views of Boulder City, Government houses, roads, city and dam Colorado. Internet Archive Wheels Across Africa (Part II) 1936 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles Armand Davis leads motor expedition in Africa, powered by Dodge cars. Internet Archive [San Francisco: V-J Day] 1945 · Film · Subtitles Scenes of San Francisco streets and the streets of a San Francisco Peninsula city, probably Redwood City, as soldiers and civilians celebrate V-J Day, August,… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Spielvogel collection: Motor Trip Across the Country, 1953] 1953 · Home movie · Subtitles Home movies of the American West. Much exquisite footage; [almost no locations given] gallup rodeo parade, rodeo, hoover dam, old faithfull, mt rushmore, Internet Archive [Fox Hour Promotional Film] 1927 · Film · Subtitles Silent film missing the title but it looks to be a promotional for the Fox Hour educational film series Internet Archive Olds Minute Movies [Futuramic 1948] 1948 · Film · Subtitles Theater advertisements for the first all-new automobile to be placed on the market after World War II, the Oldsmobile Futuramic. Internet Archive Communism 1966 · Film · Subtitles Lots of stock shots worth logging. Internet Archive [Bay Area Rapid Transit] 1972 · Film · Subtitles Audio track taken from Van Amburg and Jerry Jensen channel 7 “News Scene” show. Great stock shots of Bay Area Rapid Transport (BART) in 1970s. 06:57:09:02… Internet Archive World That Nature Forgot 1955 · Film · Subtitles This film explores the intricate relationship between nature and the synthetic world of plastics, detailing how man has harnessed natural elements like air,… Internet Archive Safe Day, A Film · Subtitles Safety in Industry Internet Archive [Home Movies: Western Tourism] 2026 · Home movie · Subtitles fishing boats ferryboat, location unknown aboard ferry; shots of ships passing by old mission: The Alamo? very old western town looking over small city from… Internet Archive Foundation Foods 1951 · Film · Subtitles AT HOME & SCHOOL, KIDS LEARN ABOUT THE 7 BASIC FOOD GROUPS. "SISTER & BROTHER LEARN ABOUT FOOD SOURCES, THE 7 BASIC FOODS & PROPER EATING HABITS." Internet Archive As the Twig Is Bent... 1943 · Film · Subtitles Terrific film about juvenile delinquency during World War II. From the early sensationalist days, before warm and cuddly social guidance films took over.… Internet Archive Best Made Plans, The 1956 · Film · Subtitles Uses the setting of a young child's birthday party to show how Saran Wrap can be used both for food preservation in the refrigerator and freezer and as an… Internet Archive Oldsmobile Presents Motoring's Magic Carpet Hydra-Matic B-44 (1942 Oldsmobile Playlets) 1941 · Film · Subtitles Theatrical screen ad for one of the last pre-World War II automobiles. Internet Archive The Purple Martin Story Film · Subtitles Introduction to the Purple Martin, a type of migrating swallow that, because of its voracious appetite for flying insects, was proposed as a… Internet Archive Big Delivery Wagon, The 1951 · Film · Subtitles Shows transportation system necessary to move agricultural crops from farm to factory, where they are made into Heinz food products, especially ketchup. Internet Archive San Francisco 1939 1939 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles 0589 PA8114 San Francisco 1939 Internet Archive [Alcatraz Prison Scenes & Tom Mooney Rally] 1938 · Film · Subtitles 10:01:04:13 Great shot of 1920s police officers standing in row; five total, two officers in hats on each side of police chief hatless in center of frame;… Internet Archive G Forces (TF 1-8194) 1962 · Film · Subtitles Includes EXCELLENT shot of roller coaster near the beginning of film; from POV facing the riders, and view from the coaster. Internet Archive Knights on the Highway 1938 · Short · 8 min · Subtitles How drivers (especially truckers) can drive safely at night. Internet Archive Machine Master Or Slave 1941 · Film · Subtitles Film about the role of machines in society. Raises questions about whether machines will make consumption more affordable, threaten jobs of working people,… Internet Archive Happy Motoring Ahead! 1945 · Film · Subtitles 15:01:51:01 VS bus and cars passing Esso gas station; cars pulling out of gas station. 15:03:49:08 Father in shirt and tie reading newspaper with young boy on… Internet Archive Secure the Blessings 1951 · Film · Subtitles Shows how American school children are taught the value of democracy, freedom and good citizenship. Internet Archive Three Cities 1943 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles How America mobilizes. Internet Archive Bazaar Talks Fashion (incomplete) 1971 · Film · Subtitles "Bazaar's beliefs, edited and, articulated, by China Machado, Fashion Creative Director of Harper's Bazaar." Internet Archive [Home Movies: On "Location" at Walter's and Helen's and Looping Chicago's Loop] 1931 · Home movie · Subtitles Nice quality early 1930s footage of family Title card. "Helen introduces Thomas Wayne Cornwell -- age 2 weeks -- " parents and baby various titles not… Internet Archive American Fashion and Department Stores: The Pro-Mass Production View (Part I) Film · Subtitles 0648 PA8725 Unidentified: American Fashion and Department Stores: The Pro-Mass Production View Internet Archive Adelante Cubanos 1958 · Film · Subtitles On industry in Cuba: supports buying Cuban-made products and extols the joys of consumerism. Apparently made in 1958 just prior to the revolution. Suburban… Internet Archive Fire and Police Service 1947 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles Vocational film showing the work of emergency service personnel. Internet Archive Universal-International Newsreel 1964 · Newsreel · Subtitles Internet Archive [Gould can 5161.5] 1915 · Film · Subtitles Jack London dies at Glen Ellen, California: Rare footage of writer Jack London, filmed 3 days before his death in 1915. On his California ranch; petting his… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Kansas City to Natchez] 2026 · Home movie · Subtitles Interesting reel. Shot from moving train: traveling through area with damaged buildings (hurricane?) and very large groups standing around, possibly African… Internet Archive Expo 67 1967 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Highballing to Victory 1944 · Film · Subtitles On the Red Ball Express, a truck and air route from the western coast of Europe into the interior, and the importance of conserving rubber for military… Internet Archive American Indian: How He Earns a Living, The 1930 · Film · Subtitles Salmon fishing, probably at Celilo Falls, Oregon (well-shot sequence). Coolidge Dam Native Americans involved in agriculture. Hop picking in Washington state. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Coast to Coast, Part 1] 1946 · Home movie · Subtitles Skeletal entry. Info in logbook. Begins with shots of Plainfieid Avenue house in Edison, New Jersey Very nice Midwest driving POVs (given that they are 8mm) Internet Archive Responsibility 1953 · Short · 13 min · Subtitles Teaching teenagers to come up with their own sense of responsibility. Internet Archive Community Governments: How They Function 1953 · Film · Subtitles Examines the advantages and disadvantages of the mayor-council, city manager and commission forms of government. Stresses the importance of community interest… Internet Archive It's Glen Again 2026 · Film · Subtitles A television talk and musical performance show hosted by blind musician Glen Hurlburt and his wife Dorothy, with a guest appearance by the percussionist… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Levy collection: Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida] 2026 · Home movie · Subtitles Opens in Rochester, Minnesota; dismal, snowy city. VS street scenes including a black woman dancing and smoking a pipe for camera. JACKSON SQUARE in New… Internet Archive [Orphaned Korean Boy Arrives in San Francisco] 1950 · Newsreel · Subtitles 5-year-old, adopted by former serviceman Bill Pond, arrives on the liner President Cleveland in San Francisco. Newsreel story. Internet Archive [China Clipper] 1935 · Film · Subtitles CHINA CLIPPER (Pan American Airways) flying over Oakland and Alameda (California) and through incomplete towers of San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge and… Internet Archive Science and Superstition 1940 · Film · Subtitles Some good shots to be logged. Internet Archive [Home Movies: San Francisco Family: San Francisco and Venice, California Scenes] 2026 · Home movie · Subtitles Marina District; undeveloped Marina Green; boat dock; Lincoln Park circle and front of Palace of Legion of Honor; golf course (Lincoln Park?); brief shot… Internet Archive [Newport Jazz Festival] Film · Subtitles Narration in Japanese. 06:45:27:15 Jazz band playing on stage under banner “Voice of America at the Newport Jazz Festival.” 06:45:52:04 Bing Crosby mansion.…