Prelinger Archives

3,073–3,120 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 The Universe and Other Things Film · Subtitles A sponsored film about the consulting engineering profession. Can/leader note: "Calvin Productions (Kansas City, MO) / Consulting Engineers Council of America… Internet Archive Amateur Film Amusement Park Home movie · Subtitles Internet Archive Case of the Blurred Image, The 1960 · Film · Subtitles The film presents a courtroom-style case against bad weather—specifically snow, sleet, and rain—accusing it of damaging the public image of businesses,… Internet Archive Rivers of the Pacific Slope 1947 · Short · 10 min · Subtitles The Columbia, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Colorado river systems. Internet Archive The Gardens of Victory 1943 · Film · Subtitles "Slogan "food for freedom" expresses the theme of this film, that ties domestic gardening with large scale agriculture, with U.S. overseas wartime… Internet Archive Life Is a Lark at Willow Grove Park 1956 · Film · Subtitles Features bands playing at music stand; plus 20 minute film of amusement park, rides and circus. Internet Archive Mexican Moods Film · Subtitles Describes various aspects of Mexico, including the celebration of Mexico's admittance to the United Nations, silver making in Taxco, airports throughout the… Internet Archive All About Polymorphics 1960 · Film · Subtitles Stop-motion animated short educational feature explaining the idea of networked computing, using wooden blocks with symbols drawn in chalk on construction… Internet Archive La Paz 1943 · Short · 16 min · Subtitles Tour of old and new in Bolivian capital. Internet Archive Oldsmobile Presents Motoring's Magic Carpet Hydra-Matic B-44 (1942 Oldsmobile Playlets) 1941 · Film · Subtitles Advertising Image of woman driver (as if she was seated in driver's seat) dressed in white against dark background Internet Archive Speaking of Rubber 1951 · Film · Subtitles All the script clichés are here: junior sitting in the kitchen complaining, "Aw, who cares about RUBBER anyway?" and gramps, the appreciative rubber factory… Internet Archive [Home Movies: Chicago World's Fair] 1933 · Home movie · Subtitles Chicago World's Fair (Century of Progress Exhibition) 1933 / 1934. New York skyline and cruise ship berths. Salt Lake City. 08:02:39 Aerial view of Fair… Internet Archive It's a Wonderful World 1959 · Film · Subtitles HOOVER FLOOR-POLISHER FILM. Internet Archive Sunshine - A Romance Of A Ray 1929 · Film · Subtitles Silent film looks at the health benefits of sunlight and Vitamin D. A Rothacker Production. Internet Archive Far Western States (2nd Edition) 1955 · Film · Subtitles SURVEYS THE REGIONS'S GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & PRESENT DAY CULTURAL RESOURCES. NOTES THE FAR WEST'S ENORMOUS GROWTH & COMMERCIAL… Internet Archive [Home Movies: My Vacation Trip... (Part 2)] 2026 · Home movie · Subtitles Title reads: My Vacation Trip to Put In Bay Ohio & To Canada & Grosse Pointe & Allen Park & Detroit & Dearborn & Fords River Rouge & Giant River Rouge… Internet Archive [Gould can 5202.6] ("Fires of the Past") 1917 · Film · Subtitles Title: "Fires of the Past" Disastrous fires in San Francisco as a part of Fire Prevention week: Rooming house fire / collapse of building / ambulances /… Internet Archive Wreckless 1935 · Film · Subtitles The film presents a courtroom defense of a young man accused of reckless driving. The defense attorney argues that modern roads and cars are safer than ever,… Internet Archive Industries of the United States: Steel - The Hardest Metal in the World Short · 8 min · Subtitles 0720 PA9053 Industries of the United States: Steel / The Hardest Metal in the World Internet Archive Goodbye, Mr. Roach 1959 · Film · Subtitles TYPES OF COCKROACHES, THEIR HABITS AND METHODS OF EXTERMINATION. SHOWS ROACHES HATCHING FROM EGG BY TIME-LAPSE PHOTOGRAPHY. Internet Archive Good Loser, The 1953 · Film · Subtitles In an era so bound by conformity and predictability, it's no surprise that children were actually taught to lose. Ray always wins contests and has come to… Internet Archive Good Loser, The 1953 · Short · 12 min · Subtitles Learning to accept defeat with grace comes hard to a habitual winner. Internet Archive [Home Movies: Grand Canyon, Boulder Dam, Las Vegas, Los Angeles] 1939 · Home movie · Subtitles Good roll, including Grand Canyon; Boulder (Hoover) Dam; Las Vegas neon signs night scenes; entrance to Walt Disney Studios; Los Angeles Farmers Market; brief… Internet Archive Mining and Preparation of Anthracite Coal Film · Subtitles Underground mining scenes Sequence shows miners leaving work, washing up and going home to greet families. Internet Archive Photographic Studies in Hypnosis: Abnormal Psychology Film · Subtitles 20:44:52:15 MS woman in a chair closing her eyes, strange rapid blinking, beginning to fall asleep in the early stages of being hypnotized. 20:45:13:09 CU… Internet Archive The Battery, Ignition and Electrical Systems 1945 · Film · Subtitles Subtitle: Automotive Operation & Maintenance Preventive Maintenance No. 2. Discusses the importance of taking good care of automotive electrical systems.… Internet Archive [San Francisco Earthquake Aftermath: Riding Down Market Street] 1906 · Film · Subtitles SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE: Horse and wagon / damaged buildings / views of destruction / people on streets / desolation on Market Street Earthquake 1906 San… Internet Archive News Magazine of the Screen, The (Vol. 7, Issue 1) 1956 · Newsreel · 22 min · Subtitles Newsreel stories reformatted for educational presentation. Internet Archive [Reno Flood] 1927 · Short · 2 min · Subtitles Raging floods cut a wide swath through Reno, Nevada. Internet Archive Big Board, The 1958 · Film · Subtitles Presents a study of the working procedures of the New York Stock Exchange. Includes scenes showing the activities of exchange brokers and bidders. Internet Archive Canada - The Prairie Provinces (Second Edition) 1958 · Film · Subtitles Educational film produced from an industrial perspective that argues for the expansion of extractive industries across the Canadian landscape. "Surveys… Internet Archive While the City Sleeps Film · Subtitles Sponsored film about the important role of after-hours evening truck shipping plays in our goods and services. Internet Archive How Do You Do? 1946 · Film · Subtitles Presents the problems of social introductions, designed to help build social poise and self-assurance. Internet Archive Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire Film · Subtitles Minnie Mouse and Pluto save Grease for War effort Internet Archive Wheels of Tragedy 1963 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Bill Garman, 12-Year-Old Businessman 1946 · Film · Subtitles BILL, A TYPICAL AMERICAN BOY, RAISES RABBITS AND HOGS AND PLANS HOW HE WILL SELL THEM. HE FIGURES HIS ACCOUNTS, BANKS HIS MONEY AND PLANS WITH HIS FATHER TO… Internet Archive [Television Commercials: Camera Only: Black and White] Commercial · Subtitles Assembly of black-and-white television commercials. 1. Pillsbury Golden Yellow cake mix. CU birthday cake from above with 9 candles burning. CU slices of… Internet Archive Pictures of Various Member of The Mallinckrodt Organization (1935, Part No. 2) 1935 · Film · Subtitles 12:40:17:07 CU sign for Mallinckrodt Medicinal, Photographic and Industrial Chemicals 12:40:22:03 MS man pointing to sign which reads “No Admittance Except to… Internet Archive Horse Raising Film · Subtitles In this detailed 1950s footage, various aspects of equine care and farm life are showcased. The narrative begins with the proper way to mount a horse from the… Internet Archive The Bridge Film · Subtitles Educational film about the industrialization of the continent of South America and the role that the countries of this continent played in supporting the… Internet Archive Behind the Fashion Curtain 1965 · Film · Subtitles roll 1: "a film report on the highlights of the 5th International Fashion Flight in Stockholm - Moscow - Copenhagen" Men ascending stairway to airplane, shot… Internet Archive San Francisco: Story of a City 1963 · Film · Subtitles Internet Archive Twenty-Six Old Characters, The 1947 · Film · Subtitles "TRACES DEVELOPMENT OF WRITING & TOOLS OF WRITING. SHOWS VARIOUS PARTS OF A FOUNTAIN PEN & DISCUSSES ITS PROPER CARE & USE." Internet Archive Blowing Bubbles Film · Subtitles Some comedy sequences, people running over around and behind bathing changing rooms Internet Archive Story of a Forest Ranger, The 1954 · Film · Subtitles The work of forest ranger: forest management, maintenance, fire suppression. Firefighting sequence. Good forest fire; VS flames and firefighting Internet Archive [Gould can 5113.2] 1928 · Film · Subtitles First section of Posey Tube (automobile tunnel) between Oakland and Alameda, California floated into place.Oakland Tribune �Camera News� newsreel .… Internet Archive Brandon (Part II) Short · 9 min · Subtitles Travelogue portrait of the city of Brandon, in Prince George County, Virginia. Directed and produced by Louise Branch and Frances Flynn Paine.0645 PA8769… Internet Archive Oil for Aladdin's Lamp (revised version) 1949 · Film · Subtitles The romance of the petroleum industry, showing how dependent our society is on oil and petrochemical products. Remake and update of the original (1933)…