‘The Skeleton Dance’ and More Mickey Mouse Cartoons Are Set to Enter the Public Domain
The entertainment landscape changed forever on January 1, 2024, when Mickey Mouse lapsed into the Public Domain. 96 years after Mickey debuted in Steamboat Willie, the world’s most recognizable cartoon character could be used freely.
Since the fateful day, the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey has appeared in slasher films and non-Disney merchandise.
Photo: Disney
While Disney lost their copyright to the original version of Mickey, every subsequent incarnation of the character remained protected. In response to fan’s fears about Mickey’s status, Disney released a statement noting:
“More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.”
More Mickey Cartoons Will Enter the Public Domain
Although most iterations of Mickey continue to be solely owned by Disney, with the turning of the calendar, more versions of the character will slip into the Public Domain.
Photo: Disney
On January 1, 2025, the following Mickey cartoons will be free to use:
- The Barn Dance
- The Barnyard Battle
- Jungle Rhythm
- Mickey’s Choo-Choo
- The Jazz Fool
- The Plowboy
- When the Cat’s Away
- Wild Waves
The incarnations of Mickey and Minnie features in these cartoons will also be free to use.
‘The Skeleton Dance’
Perhaps more significant than the minor Mickey cartoons entering the Public Domain is the fact that Disney is also set to lose its copyright to The Skeleton Dance.
Released in 1929, The Skeleton Dance was the first Silly Symphony and has subsequently become one of the most iconic cartoons ever. The dancing skeletons and other graveyard creatures remain seminal Halloween characters.
Photo: Disney+
Based on how Steamboat Willie has been used since entering the Public Domain, it would not be surprising to see The Skeleton Dance characters pop up in a horror movie or two.
Clearly, we are in an unprecedented era of Disney history.
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