Prelinger Archives
3,985–4,032 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 Ones | Films for young children by name: nursery rhymes, lullabies, preschool. |
|---|---|
| Kids | Cartoons and animation, children's and family films, and educational films, unless they deal with war, propaganda, crime, horror or drugs, or carry racial caricature. |
| Tweens | Documentaries, science, nature and space, classic comedies, newsreels, commercials and lectures. |
| Teens | Everything else, including anything we cannot tell about; war, crime, horror and westerns go no lower. |
| Adult | Sexual themes (such as the old "sex hygiene" films), gore, surgery, slaughter, atrocity footage. |
Internet Archive
[Canning: Cold Pack Method]
"For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the simplicity of the One Period Cold Pack Method (as approved by the U.S. Government) we present the following…
Internet Archive
City of Proud Memories
Old Charleston, South Carolina. Historic buildings and street scenes.
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 11761: Midwestern Family Scenes
To come.
Internet Archive
Folgers Coffee Commercial #4
Internet Archive
John Schmidt Collection: Reel 08
Landscape photography of Marin County (California) and Yosemite National Park, closeup studies of various flowers and plants, images of recreation on Ocean…
Internet Archive
Preparedness Among Ants
This film depicts the community life of an ant colony, the differentiation of the members of the colony into three classes: queen, workers, and soldiers, and…
Internet Archive
Ozon Hairspray Commercial
Ozon Hairspray Commercial
Internet Archive
One Bad Knight
0709 PA8686 One Bad Knight
Internet Archive
Educated Feet for Correct Posture
Corrective physical education program in the public schools Much of the film has superimposed titles showing bad and good posture practices VS Kids doing PE…
Internet Archive
Home Movies: Can 11215: Pacific Palisades area and San Francisco Scenes, ca. 1929-1930
Home movies shot around Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, and the city of San Francisco, ca. 1929-30. Includes shots of Telegraph Hill, San…
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 8]
Japanese American family and their nursery large crowd assembled in San Francisco Civic Center people sitting on ground in Civic Center Park, flowerbeds…
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Croft Collection: Can 82: Small Plane]
title at head: "Robert Takes Phyllis for an Airplane Ride -- Detroit Metro Airport, Oct. 30, 1960" This is a lackluster reel compared to the rest of the Croft…
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 97317: Family, Holiday and Children
Viewing notes state: 1950 color family X-mas B-days Very cool metal kiddi car
Internet Archive
Soundie - Once In A While
crooner unknown.
Internet Archive
Electronics at Work
Internet Archive
Soundie - Heaven Help A Sailor On A Night Like This
singers unknown
Internet Archive
Microscope and Its Uses, The
Internet Archive
Take A Good Look
Internet Archive
Desert Venture
Internet Archive
Arm for Defense
The film highlights the role of the National Youth Administration (NYA) in providing practical work experience for youth in defense industries during a time…
Internet Archive
[California State Highway 101 Opening]
Opening of California State Highway 101 at San Francisco: 50,000 people attend ceremony; parade of automobiles from San Francisco Civic Center; Mayor James…
Internet Archive
Monument to the Living: The Episcopal Service
Internet Archive
County on the Move
"The spectacular post-war growth of Bergen County and its impact on government." Great suburban footage -- many excellent shots to be logged Young boy on…
Internet Archive
[Gould can 5123.9]
First Chinese Policeman in America. Los Angeles Police Chief Sebastian appoints first Chinese American policeman for duty in Chinatown. Puts on uniform; poses…
Internet Archive
International Union of Electrical Radio and Machine Workers
One of many films documenting speeches at the IUE meeting at the Parker House, Boston, December 5, 1953. Note that the items listed in the subjects and tags…
Internet Archive
[Frigidaire Imperial Line]
PROMOTES NEW FRIGIDAIRE IMPERIAL LINE OF REFRIGERATORS.
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 2]
Japanese American family goes on Western road trip, though they are not seen much Lake in Sierra Nevada, possibly Donner Lake, summertime but still snow in…
Internet Archive
Snader Telescription - "Daddy"
with Bobby Troup Trio and Virginia Maxey
Internet Archive
[Gould can 5123.10]
Flying boat built for Roald Amundsen Arctic Exhibition. View of motor; designer and local aviator Christofferson works in engine.
Internet Archive
Colaci Home Movies: Family 1952-1956 (Part I)
0642 PA8611 [Colaci Home Movies: Family 1952-1956]
Internet Archive
Los Siete de la Raza
(Newsreel #39) "A film about the oppression of the Latino community, living in the Mission district of San Francisco. It deals specifically with the case of…
Internet Archive
Father Nile (Egypt)
Good shots of Egyptian pyramids. The Nile River.
Internet Archive
Wheat's Worth: The Story of a Grain of Wheat
"The grains of wheat begin the change into whole wheat flour amid the beautiful surroundings of the Wallkill River at Hamburg, New Jersey." On the milling of…
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 7]
Driving POVs through windshield, California highways (partially obscured by wipers) fields Japanese American family members fruit-bearing trees driving POV…
Internet Archive
Tide XK Commercial
Internet Archive
Wonderful World of Wash 'n' Wear, The
Internet Archive
Queer Farms: The Ladybird Farm, The Lion Farm,
On Los Angeles County insectary
Internet Archive
Sewing Simple Seams
This is a very early Centron film.
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Wathen Collection: Canada, Maine, Chicago 1941]
"Shooting Lachine Rapids, St Lawrence River 1941" Augusta Maine, Chicago Ill 1941
Internet Archive
[Gould can 5193: San Francisco Buildings]
SAN FRANCISCO BUILDINGS: Brief clips of buildings and streets in San Francisco including some shots taken from still pictures
Internet Archive
Growth study of Johnny and Jimmy
Internet Archive
Impact '66 (Part I)
Impact '66
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Ivan Besse collection: Britton, South Dakota 1938-39] (Reel 3)
Internet Archive
This Is Color
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 003788
Filmed mostly in and around Southern California, featuring the Pacific Ocean, sailing, and Santa Catalina Island. notes on can:"W.D. Vogel // Home Movies //…
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 97474: St. Louis Area Family, Reel 6
Viewing notes state: backyard fun picnic Dad films himself drinking beer Halloween costumes Girl with broken arm Weiman Pheasant Farm Christmas / doll / books…
Internet Archive
Fire Prevention and the Home
Air force Training Film about fire prevention
Internet Archive
Classics Of Knowledge Issue No 5
Silent. Queer (animal) mascots. Trimming beards (harvesting spanish moss) in Louisiana. A skillful worker (spider spinning web) Klickatat River, Washington.…