As we ring in 2025, Disney is gearing up for a pivotal year that bridges its storied past with an evolving future. The highly debated live-action remake of Snow White (2025) will soon hit theaters, reintroducing audiences to the fairy tale that revolutionized cinema 87 years ago. But Snow White isn’t the only legacy Walt Disney’s empire will revisit this year. January 1, 2025, marks a monumental shift for the House of Mouse as several of its early creations enter the public domain.
The Walt Disney Company made headlines last year when Mickey Mouse’s Steamboat Willie became public domain. Suddenly, the iconic 1928 short—and that iteration of Mickey Mouse—was free for anyone to use, reimagine, or parody. Now, as 2025 begins, a new wave of Disney properties will follow suit, ending the company’s exclusive 95-year hold on these classic works.
The latest additions to the public domain include some of Mickey’s most iconic early films. The Opry House (featuring the debut of Mickey’s white gloves), The Karnival Kid (his first-ever talking role), and Mickey’s Follies are just a few of the shorts unlocking new creative possibilities for fans and filmmakers. Joining them are The Barn Dance, The Plowboy, Mickey’s Choo-Choo, Jungle Rhythm, and more.
But the changes go beyond Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney’s groundbreaking The Skeleton Dance (1929)—the first entry in the Silly Symphony series—will also enter the public domain. Directed by Walt Disney, animated by Ub Iwerks, and set to Carl Stalling’s eerie yet playful score, this five-minute masterpiece broke new ground in animation. The whimsical short, which features skeletons dancing through a midnight graveyard, enchanted audiences when it premiered on August 22, 1929. Not everyone was thrilled, though—its macabre humor was deemed “too grotesque” for children in Denmark, leading to a ban.
Despite the controversy, The Skeleton Dance remains a beloved classic. Its haunting score even echoes through Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland to this day, a testament to its lasting impact on Disney’s legacy.
With these properties entering the public domain, creators are now free to reimagine these timeless works in new and exciting ways. Disney, however, has been quick to remind fans that the copyrights for modern versions of Mickey Mouse remain firmly intact.
“Ever since Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie, people have associated the character with Disney’s stories, experiences, and authentic products,” a company spokesperson explained. “That will not change when the copyright in the Steamboat Willie film expires.” They also reassured fans that Mickey’s modern-day image will “continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company.”
While these new copyright expirations mark a turning point for Disney, they’re also part of a broader cultural moment. As ComicBook notes, 2025’s Public Domain Day isn’t just about Mickey Mouse—it marks the point where all books, films, songs, and art from the 1920s become public domain.
This milestone opens the door to countless reinterpretations, giving fans and creators the chance to celebrate and expand upon some of the most enduring works in storytelling history. From Mickey’s first speaking role in The Karnival Kid to the macabre charm of The Skeleton Dance, the possibilities for fresh takes on these legendary creations are endless.
How do you feel about Disney’s latest creations entering the public domain? Could we see another Screamboat (2024) hit the screen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
