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Coverage dated December 31, 2023 to January 2, 2024

Early Mickey Mouse already starring in horror flicks just days into public domain freedom

Headline from FOX 4 Dallas, on the newest of 2 developments

Slashed free of Disney's copyright as of Monday, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” is already the focus of two horror films.

FOX 4 Dallas's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Mickey Mouse horror film is coming as 'Steamboat Willie' enters public domain

    Headline from NWI Times ·

  2. Newest

    Early Mickey Mouse already starring in horror flicks just days into public domain freedom

    Headline from FOX 4 Dallas ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

49 articles, oldest first.

  1. Reason

    Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain. Well, sort of. (opens Reason)

    Published

    Reason's feed description

    Even though only one very specific version of the character is free to use, it still represents a positive step for creative expression.

  2. Hot Air

    Mickey Mouse is Now Public Domain -- Sorta (opens Hot Air)

    Published

    Hot Air's feed description

    Under current law, works released between 1924 and 1978 are copyrighted for 95 years. As a result, the thousands of works copyrighted in 1928 enter the public domain today, meaning anyone can use or r...

  3. NWI Times

    Mickey Mouse horror film is coming as 'Steamboat Willie' enters public domain (opens NWI Times)

    Published

    NWI Times's feed description

    A Mickey Mouse horror movie called "Mickey's Mouse Trap" is on the way as the "Steamboat Willie" version of the Disney mascot has entered public domain.

  4. KTVZ Bend

    Multiple Mickey Mouse horror movies announced as Steamboat Willie enters public domain (opens KTVZ Bend)

    Published

    KTVZ Bend's feed description

    By Samantha Delouya, CNN (CNN) — Mickey Mouse has landed a new role: horror-movie villain. At least two films starring an early version of the Walt Disney Company’s famous mascot were announced this week as the copyright for Disney’s 1928 animated short film, “Steamboat Willie,” entered the public d…

  5. The Guardian

    Mickey Mouse’s first 24 hours in the public domain: slasher flicks, horror games and NFTs (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Steamboat Willie lost US copyright protection on 1 January 2024 – prompting a stream of films, games and parodies that will likely displease Disney

  6. Polygon

    Horrifying Mickey Mouse copycats arrive as Steamboat Willie hits public domain (opens Polygon)

    Published

    Polygon's feed description

    Disney’s mascot already has horror parodies

  7. Foxla

    Disney’s earliest Mickey Mouse from ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters public domain (opens Foxla)

    Published

    Foxla's feed description

    A Walt Disney movie featuring the first appearance of Mickey Mouse moved into the public domain on New Year’s Day.

  8. Rolling Stone

    Murderous Mickey Mouse Movies Emerge as 'Steamboat Willie' Version Hits Public Domain (opens Rolling Stone)

    Published

    Rolling Stone's feed description

    As Disney's 1928 short 'Steamboat Willie' enters public domain, director Steven LaMorte has announced an upcoming Mickey Mouse horror film.

  9. Variety

    ‘Steamboat Willie’ Horror Film Announced as Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    'Steamboat Willie' is about to be adapted as a horror film, now that Mickey Mouse is in the public domain.

  10. Deadline

    Mickey Mouse Horror Movie Trailer Drops: Film Uses ‘Steamboat Willie’ Version Of Character That’s Now In Public Domain (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    At 12:01 am this morning, the earliest iteration of one of the world’s most beloved children’s characters entered the public domain. Shortly thereafter, the trailer for a slasher film c…

  11. AL.com

    As ‘Steamboat Willie’ enters public domain, prepare for a Mickey Mouse horror movie (opens AL.com)

    Published

    AL.com's feed description

    Disney says it will be vigilant in defending trademarks and could sue over any perceived endorsement or affiliation with its brand.

  12. Avclub

    The public domain Steamboat Willies are already here (opens Avclub)

    Published

    Avclub's feed description

    The earliest version of Mickey Mouse has entered public domain, and he's already getting scary

  13. Forbes

    The Mickey Mouse Public Domain Horror Games And Movies Want You To Roast Them (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie have entered the public domain, and terrible horror movies and games are coming. This is why.

  14. Forbes

    Mickey Mouse Gets Horror Film Treatment As Copyright Expires On Original Version (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The original Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain at the start of the new year as Disney’s copyright on the character expired.

  15. Blaze Media

    Mickey Mouse is teased as a ruthless murderer just one day after entering the public domain (opens Blaze Media)

    Published

    Blaze Media's feed description

    Walt Disney's most profitable rodent has scurried out of the company's total control and into bloody new arenas. Despite the corporate giant's desperate lobbying efforts to once again alter American copyright law to suit its purposes, Disney's Mickey Mouse entered into the public domain Monday...

  16. Time

    Mickey Mouse is Now in the Public Domain (opens Time)

    Published

    Time's feed description

    Disney desire to prevent the copyright on the character from expiring has shaped American copyright law.

  17. Entertainment Weekly

    Mickey Mouse horror movie trailer drops after character enters public domain (opens Entertainment Weekly)

    Published

    Entertainment Weekly's feed description

    The trailer for an unhinged new Mickey Mouse horror film, titled 'Mickey's Mouse Trap,' just dropped after 'Steamboat Willie' entered the public domain.

  18. Hot Air

    Aaaaand Here Comes the Mickey Mouse Horror Film No One Wants (opens Hot Air)

    Published

    Hot Air's feed description

    Disney’s copyright to “Steamboat Willie” expired Monday, along with its right to the original versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, though the company still holds copyrights for more modern versions of...

  19. Fortune

    Early Mickey Mouse, just days in the public domain, has already landed roles in 2 very un-Disney-like horror movies (opens Fortune)

    Published

    Fortune's feed description

    With the expiration of the 95-year copyright, the public is allowed to use only the initial versions of Mickey—not the more familiar character design.

  20. FOX 4 Dallas

    Early Mickey Mouse already starring in horror flicks just days into public domain freedom (opens FOX 4 Dallas)

    Published

    FOX 4 Dallas's feed description

    Slashed free of Disney's copyright as of Monday, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” is already the focus of two horror films.

  21. Thv11

    Now in public domain, early Mickey Mouse version will star in horror movies (opens Thv11)

    Published

    Thv11's feed description

    After barely two days in the public domain, the earliest version of Mickey Mouse is already the focus of two horror films.

  22. Waco Tribune-Herald

    First Pooh, now Mickey. In public domain, early Mickey Mouse version will star in horror movies (opens Waco Tribune-Herald)

    Published

    Waco Tribune-Herald's feed description

    Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, already the focus of two horror films.

  23. NPR

    After entering the public domain, Mickey Mouse turns into a homicidal maniac (opens NPR)

    Published

    NPR's feed description

    As an early version of Mickey Mouse enters the public domain, we look at the pros and cons of expiring copyrights.

  24. NBC 6 South Florida

    Trailer for Mickey Mouse horror movie drops as ‘Steamboat Willie' version becomes public domain (opens NBC 6 South Florida)

    Published

    NBC 6 South Florida's feed description

    The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain.

  25. CBS News

    Early Mickey Mouse to star in at least 2 horror flicks, now that Disney copyright is over (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    Disney's copyright on the earliest incarnations of the famous character just ended and other filmmakers aren't wasting any time trying to take advantage.

Showing the first 25 of 26 headlines. ·

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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