Prelinger Archives
4,225–4,272 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
Open Road, The
Internet Archive
Reflections on New Jersey: A Tribute to a State Worth the Knowing
Internet Archive
Newport Cigarette Commercial #8
Internet Archive
Furry Creatures: A Film Lesson in "Nature Study"
Internet Archive
Accidents Don't Just Happen
Discusses and demonstrates underlying factors in accident causation.
Internet Archive
New Spirit for '76, A
On preparations for the United States Bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
Internet Archive
David Hall Story, The
AMERICA'S HANDICAPPED MAN OF THE YEAR RELIVES THE CAR ACCIDENT THAT CRIPPLED HIM FOR LIFE. HE PRESENTS A SAFETY MESSAGE TO YOUNG DRIVERS & THEIR PASSENGERS.
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 98895: Miscellaneous Scenes
First Picnic '56, Home Pictures, Miscellaneous, Incl. House Roof '56, Garden '52, Grandma, Picnic in backyard, Flowers: Peonies, Tulips etc. - '55, Winter…
Internet Archive
Tide Commercial
Internet Archive
Earth: A Film Lesson in General Science, The
Internet Archive
[Television Public Service Announcements and Program Promos]
Skeletal entry tv spots in order: - National Safety Council: Winter Driving Safety tips with Julie Bishop (4 spots) - Women's Army Corps - National Guard (2…
Internet Archive
New York World's Fair (Part 3)
Amateur film of the New York World's Fair (1939-40). Reel 3. Can marked: "Electrical, Industrial, Food and State Buildings; night scenes" LEGACY SHOT LOG:…
Internet Archive
Mother Takes a Holiday
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Can 10824: "New York, Bridgeport, Pittsburgh 1952"]
[Home Movies: Can 10824: "New York, Bridgeport, Pittsburgh 1952"]
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Art Donald Accordion Scenes / Peg in Texas at Miss Lons]
CU toy train running in circular track under Christmas tree Young boy playing accordion spiritedly; middle-aged man in shot also playing Young boy and…
Internet Archive
Crest Toothpaste Commercial 2
Crest Toothpaste TV Commercial
Internet Archive
Bargain Basement Clip
A 1950s television program called "Bargain Basement," where various products are showcased at discounted prices. The show highlights several items, starting…
Internet Archive
[Home movie: 098600: 1958 trip to New York, New England, Michigan]
Tourist views of Manhattan, a Circle Line boat ride views plus stops at the UN, 30 Rock, and other highlights; driving to Michigan with motel stops, roadside…
Internet Archive
Newport Cigarette Commercial #5
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 4]
Japanese American family picnicking at roadside picnic ground, eating bento boxes Near summit of Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County, California Pan down two…
Internet Archive
People Who Live on a Great Plain: A Film Lesson in "World Geography"
About settlement in Latin America (Argentine pampas); Buenos Aires city scenes.
Internet Archive
Home Movies: Can 11259: Trip from Detroit to Beaver, Pennsylvania and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan
Home movies (ca. late 1950s) from a Detroit, Michigan family shot on a trip from Detroit, Michigan to the Beaver, Pennsylvania area to attend a funeral. The…
Internet Archive
Counterattack in Self-Defence
A documentary made for Western consumption in support of China's military actions against Vietnam in 1979.
Internet Archive
David Brinkley's Journal: U.S. Foreign Policy
Offensive content warning: One of the commentators in this program refers to Southeast Asia as "primitive." Episode of the television program, David…
Internet Archive
United News
Lidice, Illinois residents gather to perpetuate memory of martyred village, dedicate memorial. Latest war films from Australia! Canada's logging industry…
Internet Archive
Home Movie: 71156: Untitled Collection 6
To come.
Internet Archive
Target Invisible
Illustrates the use of radar on a dramatized mission over Japan.
Internet Archive
Jersey City: A Blueprint for Opportunity
The film highlights the revitalization efforts in Jersey City, showcasing the collaboration between local government and businesses to address urban…
Internet Archive
[Gould can 5119: Marshal Foch in San Francisco]
French Marshal Foch arrives at the Palace of the Legion of Honor at San Francisco, California. Seen with Mrs. John Spreckels for tree-planting ceremony.…
Internet Archive
Klear Floor Wax Commercial
Klear Floor Wax Commercial
Internet Archive
A Minute A Day
Hal Burdick, a night editor, addresses San Francisco residents about the critical role of the community chest in improving the city's quality of life. He…
Internet Archive
[Home movie: 098241: PA rail fan 9: Alabama trains and rail yards, 1961-63]
14.5 minutes, color. A PA rail fan visits rail yards in Huntsville and Birmingham, AL, in 1961 to 1963.
Internet Archive
[Home Movies: Reinders Collection, Reel 5]
looking out over Oakland from Oakland Hills lookout pan over Berkeley - Oakland Hills, including Hotel Claremont gathering -- a graduation ceremony…
Internet Archive
Live and Learn
Internet Archive
[Bradley: Second to None]
General Omar Bradley inspires Bradley Fighting Vehicle System (army tank)
Internet Archive
Natives of Yosemite
"Yosemite National Park, gifted by nature with a grove of SEQUOIAS, also offers fine chances to study plant and animal life." Big trees; sequoia grove Car…
Internet Archive
[National Geographic Whales 01]
Film about a National Geographic Society / US Army expedition to Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (referred to as Scammon's Lagoon in the film) to study the heart of Grey…
Internet Archive
Golden Eagle, The
Internet Archive
California Highways: Planning for Progress
Great California highway footage.
Internet Archive
Heart Disease: Its Major Causes
Skeletal Entry
Internet Archive
It's Everybody's Business
Skeletal Entry
Internet Archive
[Home movie: 098559: New York subway platform scenes, 1960s]
12 min., black and white, late 1960s. Surreptitiously filmed at the 7th Avenue Subway platform, capturing a cross section of New Yorkers waiting for trains:…
Internet Archive
What To Do In A Gas Attack
Explains what war gas is, how it is used by the enemy, and how simple household items, such as bicarbonate of soda and bleaching solution, may be used to…
Internet Archive
Fresh From the West
The film "Fresh From the West" explores the evolution of vegetable production and distribution in the United States, particularly focusing on the advancements…
Internet Archive
Drifting Through the Rockies
"Chas. J. Belden leads a daring expedition through treacherous rapids, making the first motion pictures even taken of this mighty rent in the Rocky Mountains…
Internet Archive
Barry Goldwater Speaks Out
Internet Archive
Home Movies: Can 11279: Omega Psi Phi Grand Conclave, Detroit, Michigan, December 27-30, 1965
Home movie from the 50th Grand Conclave of the predominantly African American fraternity Omega Psi Phi, shot in and around the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel,…
Internet Archive
Little Journey to England and France: July 7th to August 16th, 1937, A (R2)
Paris in the 1930s.