North by Northwest, released on July 1, 1959, was a major critical and commercial success, topping the U.S. box office for seven consecutive weeks. It received three Academy Award nominations (Film Editing, Art Direction, and Original Screenplay). The film is now regarded as one of the greatest ever made and a defining work of 1950s cinema. In 1995, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. It has also been highly ranked by the American Film Institute, including recognition among the top mystery films and in several of its “greatest films” and “most thrilling films” lists.