Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NYT asks writers: Dirty Dancing among 250th-birthday picks

7/5/2026

34 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The New York Times asked ten writers to name an American movie for the United States’ 250th birthday.
The writers selected an eclectic mix of films released between 1932 and 2026.
Melena Ryzik said Dirty Dancing studies class divides, labor, identity, women’s rights, healthcare, and more.
The article invites readers to read the full story for explanations of each film’s inclusion and how the picks reflect postwar America.

1 of 1

Story summary

The New York Times asked ten writers to name an American movie for the United States’ 250th birthday.
The writers selected an eclectic mix of films released between 1932 and 2026.
Melena Ryzik said Dirty Dancing studies class divides, labor, identity, women’s rights, healthcare, and more.
The article invites readers to read the full story for explanations of each film’s inclusion and how the picks reflect postwar America.