10 major cartoon characters entering public domain between 2024 and 2034
Mickey Mouse finally entered public domain on January 1, 2024, thanks to the copyright on the 1928 animated short “Steamboat Willie” having expired. (Minnie Mouse and the film’s version of Pete also entered public domain.) As I wrote in a previous post, this is a good thing: copyright shouldn’t be infinite, and even a famous character like Mickey entering public domain is how copyright is supposed to work. It also means various movies, music, books, etc. that also came out in 1928 can now enter public domain, without being handcuffed by some massive conglomerate protecting a cartoon character.
That said, as I figured, a lot of the usage of “Steamboat Willie” Mickey so far has been in various “edgy” one-shot jokes/memes/parodies, most of which would’ve already been protected under parody/fair use even before 2024. (That said, Ruben Bolling’s “Tom the Dancing Bug” has seen pretty hilarious usage of Mickey.) The best extensive usage I’ve seen so far has been “Mousetrapped,” a comic strip by Randy Milholland (the artist on the current “Popeye” newspaper strip) that uses the “Steamboat Willie” Mickey to tell a new storyline. The strip sees Mickey interact with not only Minnie, but also various silent film-era cartoon characters also now in the public domain.
Still, Mickey entering the public domain brings up the question: what cartoon characters enter the public domain next? Below is a list of 10 major cartoon characters entering the public domain over the next decade, with the year they enter the public domain in parentheses. Note these are the earliest versions of the characters entering public domain; like “Steamboat Willie” Mickey, they likely won’t have most of their familiar modern aspects. (So while you can use 1938 Superman when he enters public domain, you’ll have to wait another two decades before you can show or mention his cousin, Supergirl.)
Popeye the Sailor (2025)
Popeye first appeared in the “Thimble Theatre” newspaper comic strip in 1929. He soon became the strip’s star, and Olive Oyl’s new boyfriend (replacing her previous beau, one "Harold Hamgravy"). Popeye made the leap to animation in 1933.
Buck Rogers (2025)
The famous science fiction character made his debut in the newspaper strip “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century AD” in 1929. “Buck Rogers” went on to influence the genre of science fiction, as well as fictional depictions of space travel.
Pluto (2026)
Another major Disney character set to enter the public domain is Mickey’s faithful dog, Pluto, who debuted in the 1930 short “The Chain Gang.” Initially unnamed (and then called “Rover” in his second short), Pluto gained his current name a year after his debut, in 1931’s “The Moose Hunt.” (Which, unsurprisingly for the era, has a few racial stereotypes.) Pluto spoke a few words in his earliest appearances, but has been strictly non-speaking since.
Dick Tracy (2027)
The comic strip “Dick Tracy” made its debut in newspapers in 1931, and soon became a comics staple for decades. The strip’s still running to this day.
Goofy (2028)
Goofy made his debut in the 1932 short “Mickey’s Revue,” initially depicted as an older character named “Dippy Dawg.” After a redesign to make him younger, the character appeared in several other shorts, before gaining his modern name “Goofy” in 1934’s “Orphan’s Benefit.”
Donald Duck (2030)
Although Mickey’s the face of Disney, Donald’s become quite popular in his own right. Donald debuted in the 1934 short “The Wise Little Hen,” and eventually displaced Mickey as Disney’s main shorts star. Given Donald’s popularity in European comics, I expect creators to have a field day with him.
That said, you’ve got a wait to use the rest of Donald’s extensive number of family and friends:
Huey, Dewey, and Louie debuted in the comics in 1937 (and in animation in “Donald’s Nephews” a year later), so will enter public domain in 2033.
Donald’s cousin Gus Goose debuted in the comics in 1938 (and in animation in “Donald’s Cousin Gus” in 1939), and will enter public domain in 2034.
Donald’s girlfriend Daisy Duck first appeared (officially) in the 1940 short “Mr. Duck Steps Out” (though a prototype named “Donna Duck” appeared in a 1937 short), and will enter public domain in 2036.
Donald’s hometown of Duckburg was first named in comics in 1944, with said comic entering public domain in 2040.
Scrooge McDuck first appeared in comics in 1947, and enters public domain in 2043.
Donald’s obnoxiously lucky cousin Gladstone Gander first appeared in 1948, and enters public domain in 2044.
Porky Pig (2031)
The first popular Looney Tunes star (after years of Warner Bros. having middling results with Bosko and Buddy), Porky Pig debuted in the 1935 short “I Haven’t Got a Hat.” Porky became the face of the franchise for the rest of the decade.
The Phantom (2032)
The long-running adventure newspaper strip “The Phantom” debuted in 1936. The Phantom became a strong influence on the early development of superheroes. The strip also saw popularity around the world.
Daffy Duck (2033)
Daffy Duck debuted in the 1937 Looney Tunes short “Porky’s Duck Hunt.” Daffy’s zany, abrasive personality (versus the more mild-mannered Porky) quickly made him a major Looney Tunes star. Along with his own shorts, Daffy was frequently paired up with Porky, and later also Bugs Bunny (whose first short, “A Wild Hare,” enters public domain in 2036, ignoring earlier Bugs prototypes).
Superman (2034)
American comic books’ first successful superhero, Superman debuted in “Action Comics” #1 (June 1938), and was a massive hit. The Man of Tomorrow cemented the superhero genre in comics, with hundreds (if not thousands) of other superheroes following in his wake.
A few of Superman’s “Action Comics” #1 costars also enter the public domain in 2034: Lois Lane and Zatara (whose daughter, Zatanna, is better known nowadays).
Like Donald Duck’s family above, you’ve got a wait to use Superman’s supporting cast:
Jimmy Olsen first appeared as an unnamed “office boy” in 1938, but wasn’t named until the Superman radio show in 1940/“Superman” #13 (1941) in the comics. Those two enter public domain in 2036 and 2037 respectively.
Ma and Pa Kent first appeared in “Superman” #1 in 1939 (though only Ma is named, as “Mary Kent”), and enter public domain in 2035.
Lex Luthor first appeared in “Action Comics” #23 in 1940 (as “Luthor”), and enters public domain in 2036. However, you’ll have to wait until 2056 to use his first name, “Lex” (which first appeared in 1960’s “Adventure Comics” #271).
Superboy (i.e. Superman’s childhood self) first appeared in “More Fun Comics” #101 in 1945, and enters public domain in 2041. However, the town of Smallville wasn’t named until 1949 in “Superboy” #2 (which enters public domain in 2045). If wondering, you’ll have to wait until 2089 for the Kon-El version of Superboy to enter public domain (Kon first appeared in “Adventures of Superman” #500 in 1993). The current Superboy, Jon Kent (Lois and Clark’s son), enters public domain in 2111 (yes, the 22nd century), as he debuted in “Convergence: Superman” #2 in 2015.
Krypto first appeared in “Adventure Comics” #210 (March 1955), which enters public domain in 2051.
Brainiac first appeared in “Action Comics” #242 (July 1958), and enters public domain in 2054.
Supergirl first appeared in “Action Comics” #252 (May 1959), ignoring a few earlier prototypes. Kara enters the public domain in 2055.
Finally, someone who technically isn’t a Superman supporting character, but has close ties to the Superman books anyway, and thus is worth mentioning: Batman! The Caped Crusader debuted in “Detective Comics” #27 (May 1939), and enters public domain in 2035, a year after his pal Supes.
Conclusion
Overall, that’s quite a few major characters entering the public domain over the next decade. (Also various others I didn’t have time/space to delve into: Betty Boop, Flash Gordon, etc.). While they won’t have their modern familiar elements right off the bat (Superman’s heat vision, Donald’s nephews, etc.), the characters will be available to use.