Mickey’s Mouse Trap
Summary
As the calendar turned to 2024 , living giantMickey Mousehas entered public domain of a function , shortly to be joined by a litany of other iconic character and franchises in the latter half of the 2020s . As 95 years have passed since the beloved Disney mascot ’s first coming into court inSteamboat Williein 1928,Mickey Mouse ’s right of first publication has officially expired in 2024 , meaning anyone will be able to apply the case in future without catch sound repurcussions . It ’s important to observe that only Mickey ’s specific coming into court inSteamboat Williewill be fair game , as Disney still hold back right to the classic iteration of the character most are familiar with .
The 2020s already saw the loss of one other beloved children ’s character , Winnie the Pooh , who ’s journey into the public domain was immediately marred by the terrible horror adaptation , Winnie the Pooh : Blood and Honey . Alongside Mickey Mouse , several other illustrious characters are soon to be exposed to such a lot at the hands of legally - unbound public creatives . While the 2030s might hold some of the most hoped-for copyright losses , with Superman and Batman ’s first appearance ' copyright expiring in that decade , the rest of the 2020s will have some bait newfangled arrivals in public domain .
10Popeye The Sailor
2025
Another beloved children ’s character from the early 24-hour interval of animation , Popeye the Sailor Man is a spinach - champ powerhouse do it for his plain voice , insensate feats of strength , and legendary cartoon antics . First appearing in a comic strip in 1929 , the rights to Popeye are currently held by Warner Bros. Discovery , who have n’t done much with the property since Gennedy Tartakovsky ’s planned 3 - D animatedPopeyefilm was canceled . Compared to Winnie the Pooh , Popeye may be good suited to repulsion , making the inevitable edgy take on Popeye conform to his entrance into public domain heatedly anticipated .
9Betty Boop
2026
Yet another hallmark cartoon character from the thirties , Betty Boop is a well - known ikon whose double has extend far beyond the scope of her actual medium . First appearing in 1930’sDizzy Dishesas an anthropomorphic poodle , Betty Boop rapidly morph into a human caricature of a Jazz Age flapper . Since the first cartoons to use Betty ’s most well - known alikeness came out the same year asDizzy Dishes , unlike Mickey Mouse , her most iconic iteration will be up for catch alongside the loss of her first appearance ’s copyright .
8Universal’s Dracula
Dracula as a fictional character has long been public domain , with his first appearance in Bram Stoker ’s eponymous novel entering public demesne as early as 1962 . Since then , he has appeared in countless forms , including within famous superhero funny universes like Marvel and DC . However , Bela Lugosi ’s iconic portrayal of the character in Universal’sDracula , released in 1931 , will lose right of first publication protections in 2026 . This means that most people ’s genial figure of speech of Dracula , widow ’s bill and all , will finally be fairish play to adaptation by any creator .
7Universal’s Frankenstein
Alongside his fellow classic Universal graverobber , Dracula , Frankenstein ’s monster will be lumbering into public domain in 2026 . Mary Shelley ’s original novel , Frankenstein , also known asThe Modern Prometheus , has been public domain for some time , having first been released in 1818.Specifically , Boris Karloff ’s depiction of Frankenstein ’s monster , staring with cervix bolts and a dangerously heavy supercilium - ridge , will be able-bodied to be legally reproduce . Universal’sFrankensteinwas first released in 1931 , inspiring sequels likeThe Bride of Frankenstein , which will take a little longer to catch up in public area .
6Pluto
Mickey Mouse is n’t the only marrow Disney mascot to be drop off the privilege of right of first publication in the 2020s . The first visual aspect of his four - legged supporter , Pluto the Dog , was in the 1930’sThe Chain Gang , in which Pluto was a remorseless sleuthhound tracking down Mickey after he escapes from prison house , a far cry from their posterior favorable relationship . Thus , the darling canine ’s entry into the public domain is no enigma , unlikethe differences between Goofy and Plutodespite both character being pawl .
5Conan The Barbarian
2027
Conan the Barbarianis a franchise with a storied chronicle . First seem within a serial of stories by Robert E. Howard in theWeird Talesmagazine in 1932 , Conan has since become one of Arnold Schwarzenegger ’s most iconic role , with the loss of 1982’sConan the Barbarian . While Arnold ’s take on the sword - wielding hero will still be protected , 2027 will see the original conceptualization of theConanmythos enter the public knowledge base , falling out of the grip of the Norse video game troupe Funcom , who has leverage the serial ' imagery in the critically - acclaimed MMORPGConan Exiles .
4Universal’s The Mummy
2028
The last of the big four Universal motion picture monsters to connect the public domain of a function , Universal ’s undead Egyptian , Imhotep , will stumble into public demesne in 2028 . Debuting in the 1932 filmThe Mummy , the nominal zombified creature was once again portrayed by the legendary Boris Karloff . While many undead ma have come and gone since 1932 , include Tom Cruise ’s most late failed endeavor at jumpstartingthe ill - doom Universal Dark Universe , Imhotep specifically will be losing copyright aegis at the tail end of the 2020s .
3King Kong
2029
Considered one of the greatest wight features of all time , 1933’sKing Kongmarked the entry of the classic colossal ape , dazzling audiences in one of the earliest giant monster movies ever made . Thoughthe right to King Kong have long been a mess , Warner Bros. Discovery currently holds the gargantuan gorilla ’s original appearance within their traveling bag . 2029 will see the original movie iteration of the eccentric become free use , though Warner Bros. ' version within the MonsterVerse wo n’t be budging any clip soon .
2Flash Gordon
One of the earliest skill fiction heroes , Flash Gordon first existed within a risible strip in 1934 , indite by American cartoonist Alex Raymond . Since then , the polo - thespian turned galaxy - preserve astronaut has morphed into countless iterations , appear in movies , TV shows , tuner plays , and many more comic . While thesemany iterations of the character have had to signalize themselves from Raymond ’s original existence , thanks to muddy copyright waters , 2029 will see the character ’s official entrance into public domain , allow for anyone to adapt Flash ’s original appearance as they see fit .
1Donald Duck
Never far behind Mickey Mouse , Donald Duck is Disney ’s second - in - command flagship persona whose origins will ultimately have their copyright expire in 2029 . First appearing in 1934’sThe Wise Little Hen , the temper - prone Navy warhorse waterfowl has had a historied career at Disney , from frontlining the propoganda effort in World War II to dancing alongside his crony inMickey Mouse Clubhouse . Though his modern appearing will still be protect , just likeMickey Mouse , Donald Duck will be sailing into public domain just before the 2020s death .
