Works based on a copyright-free Mickey Mouse

The following is a list of creative works starring Mickey Mouse announced after Steamboat Willie, Plane Crazy and The Gallopin' Gaucho, released in 1928, entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2024. In January, multiple films and video games starring the character were announced immediately.[1][2] This list only includes works that received substantial media attention.

List

Name Type of work Description Release date
MSCHF X Famous Mouse Collectibles Art collective MSCHF created a line of Public Domain Mickey-collectibles. The items could be pre-ordered from August 2021 and became available in 2024.[3][4][5] August, 2021 (pre-orders)
2024 (Available)
Inverse Ninjas VS. The Public Domain Shooter game Video game where public domain-characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Alice, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Monkey King have to shoot an endless group of ninjas.[6] In January, Mickey Mouse was introduced through an update.[7] December 5, 2023 (original release)
January 1, 2024 (Mickey Mouse update)
The Vanishing of S.S. Willie Horror short film Horror short film based on Steamboat Willie and, as so far known, the first film released using its public domain-status.[8][9] January 1, 2024
Mousetrapped Webcomics A daily webcomic-series created by R. K. Milholland, continuing the narrative of Mickey, after the events of Steamboat Willie.[10][11] From January 1, 2024
Steamboat Willie (Brock's Dub) Redubbed original cartoon A redubbed version of Steamboat Willie posted on YouTube. The video received some media notoriety for being the first Steamboat Willie-video to receive and survive a copyright-claim from The Walt Disney Company. On January 6, YouTube revoked the copyright-claim from Disney.[12][13][14] January 4, 2024
One Eyed Bastard Music Video The fourth single of Green Day's fourteenth studio album, Saviors. The music video features Mickey Mouse wearing his Steamboat Willie outfit as well as an eyepatch. January 5th, 2024
Rubber Hose Rampage Shooter game A Cuphead clone run and gun game based on Steamboat Willie.[15] It has been noted for its poor quality and buggy nature, as well as illegal use of still-copyrighted characters such as Betty Boop[16] and character designs from Silly Symphony films.[17] However, its use of the Mad Doctor is permissible as that short is in the public domain, and the Mad Doctor character originated in the short. January 25, 2024
The Mouse Trap Slasher film Slasher film where a mass murderer in a Mickey Mouse mask hunts down a group of teenagers inside an amusement arcade.[18] August 6, 2024
Infestation: Origins Horror game Horror game starring Mickey Mouse as a possessed mouse.[19] TBA 2024
Screamboat[20] Comedy horror film Comedy horror film where Mickey Mouse turns into a mutated creature that starts a murderous rampage on a ferry.[18] January 24, 2025
Mouse: P.I. for Hire Shooter game First-person boomer shooter game loosely based on character designs from the early Mickey Mouse cartoons.[21] TBA 2025
The Return of Steamboat Willie Horror film An upcoming animated horror film[22][23][24] TBA
Savage Dragon #268 Comic Book A comic book issue[25] TBA
Mickey vs. Winnie Horror film An upcoming crossover horror film where murderous versions of Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Pooh come into conflict after both enter the public domain. It is not related to The Mouse Trap or Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.[26] TBA
Jet Set Steamboat Willie Platform game Homebrew game for the ZX Spectrum created by Sloanysoft, based on the game Jet Set Willy.[27] 2024
Bad Cheese Horror game First person psychological horror created by Lukasik.art and published by Feardemic.[28] 2025

See also

References

  1. ^ Loh, Lainey. "5 horror-fic things announced as Mickey Mouse's copyright ends". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ Cain, Sian (2 January 2024). "Mickey Mouse's first 24 hours in the public domain: slasher flicks, horror games and NFTs". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  3. ^ Dafoe, Taylor (23 August 2021). "This Art Collective Is Taking Preorders on a 'Bootleg' Mickey Mouse Collectible Ahead of Disney's Copyright Expiration on the Character". Artnet News. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  4. ^ "MSCHF X Famous Mouse". MSCHF X Famous Mouse. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  5. ^ Hibberd, James (23 August 2021). "'Satan Shoes' Outfit Launches Mickey Mouse Art to Mock Disney's Expiring Copyright". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Inverse Ninjas VS. The Public Domain by Trainwreck Studios". itch.io. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  7. ^ Anne-Marie Ostler (2 January 2024). "It took barely 12 hours for the first Mickey Mouse games to appear after the Disney mascot entered the public domain". gamesradar. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ^ Squires, John (2 January 2024). "'The Vanishing of S.S. Willie' – First Mickey Mouse Horror Project Is a 9-Minute Short You Can Watch Here". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  9. ^ Hamman, Cody (3 January 2024). "The Vanishing of S.S. Willie horror short film takes advantage of Mickey Mouse's public domain status". JoBlo. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  10. ^ Morrison, Matt (3 January 2024). "Popeye Artist Releases New Mickey Mouse Web Comic Based on Steamboat Willie". Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News – SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Mousetrapped". Tumblr. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  12. ^ Binder, Matt (5 January 2024). "Disney backs down from 'Steamboat Willie' YouTube copyright claim". Mashable. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  13. ^ Binder, Matt (4 January 2024). "YouTube demonetizes public domain 'Steamboat Willie' video after copyright claim". Mashable. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  14. ^ James, Chloe (6 January 2024). "Disney Backs Down, Admits It No Longer Owns Mickey Mouse". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  15. ^ Shirey, J. Brodie (2024-02-02). "New Steamboat Willie Game Surprise-Released". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  16. ^ "This Cuphead Clone Uses Public Domain Mickey Mouse but Probably…".
  17. ^ Rubber Hose Rampage | Official Trailer. Retrieved 2024-04-20 – via www.youtube.com.
  18. ^ a b Maddaus, Gene (2 January 2024). "'Steamboat Willie' Horror Film Announced as Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain". Variety. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ McCaffrey, Ryan (1 January 2024). "Mickey Mouse-Inspired Horror Game 'Infestation 88' Announced". IGN. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Untitled Steamboat Willie Horror Film – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  21. ^ Troughton, James (2 January 2024). "Forget Horror Steamboat Willie, There's A Mickey Mouse-like Boomer Shooter". TheGamer. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  22. ^ Megan Garside (January 24, 2024). "Steamboat Willie horror movie is Mickey Mouse meets Five Nights at Freddy's – on a boat". gamesradar.
  23. ^ "The Return of Steamboat Willie | Official Teaser". YouTube. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  24. ^ "The Return of Steamboat Willie - Official Teaser Trailer - IGN". January 22, 2024 – via www.ign.com.
  25. ^ Rich Johnston (February 2024). "Image Comics Publishes Mickey Mouse In Savage Dragon". bleedingcool.
  26. ^ Complex, Valerie (2024-05-01). "'Mickey Vs. Winnie': Glenn Douglas Packard To Direct Horror Slasher Based On Steam Boat Willie And Winnie The Pooh". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  27. ^ "Jet Set Steamboat Willie by Sloanysoft". itch.io. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  28. ^ https://www.ign.com/articles/bad-cheese-announced-for-pc