"Steamboat Willie" Enters Public Domain

     Today, January 1, 2024, one of the most iconic animated shorts in American history officially entered the public domain. "Steamboat Willie", which was originally produced and released by Walt Disney Animation Studios on November 18, 1928, has entered the public domain after its 95 year copyright finally expired. The copyright expiration means that Disney no longer has the exclusive rights to the versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse that appear in the short, although they will continue to hold the copyright to versions of Mickey and Minnie from shorts released after "Steamboat Willie".

    The entire "Steamboat Willie" short can be seen below.

When will other Mickey Mouse animated shorts enter the public domain?

Based on current U.S. copyright law, which states that a work enters the public domain on January 1st 95 years after a work is first released, the following Mickey Mouse animated shorts will enter the public domain in the following years. (Author's note: I'm only including the shorts that were originally released during Walt Disney's lifetime; also, shorts that are already in the public domain, such as "The Mad Doctor", are not listed here. All shorts listed will enter the public domain on January 1st of the year listed).

2025

Plane Crazy

The Gallopin' Gaucho

The Barn Dance

The Opry House

When The Cat's Away

The Barnyard Battle

The Plowboy

The Karnival Kid

Mickey's Follies

Mickey's Choo-Choo

The Jazz Fool

Jungle Rhythm

The Haunted House

Wild Waves

2026

Fiddling Around/Just Mickey

The Barnyard Concert

The Cactus Kid

The Fire Fighters

The Shindig

The Chain Gang

The Gorilla Mystery

The Picnic

Pioneer Days

2027

The Birthday Party

Traffic Troubles

The Castaway

The Moose Hunt

The Delivery Boy

Mickey Steps Out

Blue Rhythm

Fishin' Around

The Barnyard Broadcast

The Beach Party

Mickey Cuts Up

Mickey's Orphans

2028

The Duck Hunt

The Grocery Boy

The Mad Dog

Barnyard Olympics

Mickey's Revue

Musical Farmer

Mickey In Arabia

Mickey's Nightmare

Trader Mickey

The Whoopee Party

Touchdown Mickey

The Wayward Canary

The Klondike Kid

Mickey's Good Deed

2029

Building A Building

Mickey's Pal Pluto

Mickey's Mellerdrammer

Ye Olden Days

The Mail Pilot

Mickey's Mechanical Man

Mickey's Gala Premier

Puppy Love

The Steeplechase

The Pet Store

Giantland

2030

Shanghaied

Camping Out

Playful Pluto

Gulliver Mickey

Mickey's Steam Roller

Orphans' Benefit

Mickey Plays Papa

The Dognapper

Two-Gun Mickey

2031

Mickey's Man Friday

The Band Concert

Mickey's Service Station

Mickey's Kangaroo

Mickey's Garden

Mickey's Fire Brigade

Pluto's Judgment Day

On Ice

2032

Mickey's Polo Team

Orphans' Picnic

Mickey's Grand Opera

Thru The Mirror

 Mickey's Rival

Moving Day

Alpine Climbers

Mickey's Circus

Mickey's Elephant

2033

The Worm Turns

Magician Mickey

Moose Hunters

Mickey's Amateurs

Hawaiian Holiday

Clock Cleaners

Lonesome Ghosts

2034

Boat Builders

Mickey's Trailer

The Whalers

Mickey's Parrot

Brave Little Tailor

2035

Society Dog Show

Mickey's Surprise Party

The Pointer

2036

Tugboat Mickey

Pluto's Dream House

Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip

2037

The Little Whirlwind

A Gentleman's Gentleman

Canine Caddy

The Nifty Nineties

Orphans' Benefit (color remake of same named short listed above)

Lend A Paw

2038

Mickey's Birthday Party

Symphony Hour

2039

Pluto And The Armadillo

2040-2041

N/A

2042

Squatter's Rights

2043

Mickey's Delayed Date

2044

Mickey Down Under

Mickey And The Seal

2045-2046

N/A

2047

R'Coon Dawg

2048

Pluto's Party

Pluto's Christmas Tree

2049

The Simple Things