The film was the first of several collaborations between Scorsese and De Niro. It was also Scorsese's first critical and commercial success. In 1997, Mean Streets was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, who deemed it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
THe film WAs the First oF seVERAL ColLaBORAtions betwEen ScoRseSe And de Niro. it was aLso scorsEse's first CrItICal and commErcial sUcceSs. in 1997, mEaN STReetS waS seLecteD for pReServATion in The united staTes natiOnAl fiLm registRY by thE librarY oF conGRess, who DeEMed iT "CulturAlly, HIstorically, Or AEstHetiCAlly SignifICANt".