Disney’s Skeleton Dance & Mickey Shorts Are Now Public Domain

Many things entered the Public Domain on January 1, 2025, including Disney’s first “Silly Symphonies” piece, the “Skeleton Dance.” Now, everyone can use it.

12 other Mickey shorts are also in the public domain, including “The Karnival Kid,” which was Mickey’s first speaking appearance.

“The Karnival Kid,” Mickey Mouse’s first talking appearance and the debut of his signature white gloves, along with 11 other Mickey shorts:

• The Barn Dance
• The Opry House
• When The Cat’s Away
• The Barnyard Battle
• The Plowboy
• Mickey’s Follies
• Mickey’s Choo-Choo
• The Jazz Fool
• Jungle Rhythm
• The Haunted House
• Wild Waves

Some other characters like Horace debuted in these, and that iteration would also be in the public domain.

There is a caveat: You can only use the public domain versions of characters. Disney still owns the trademarks on the images and has already said it will enforce them. One can not mislead people into thinking their version is related to Disney.

According to Amundson Davis,

“Trademark law prohibits using Mickey Mouse 1.0 in a way that improperly leads the public to believe a work, product, or service is offered by, sponsored by, or related to The Walt Disney Company. Trademark law also prohibits uses of Mickey Mouse 1.0 that could dilute its status as a trademark. This gives The Walt Disney Company the ability to police, in a limited fashion, the uses of Mickey Mouse 1.0.

Last year, we only saw the nonspeaking version of Mickey Mouse without the trademark gloves. Now, early versions of Talking Mickey with gloves have entered the public domain.

Mickey shorts and “The Skeleton Dance” are not the only important characters or works that entered the public domain yesterday,

The early version of Popeye comics (1929) also entered the public domain, as did several books, films, songs, and more, opening up a world of possibilities for the general public.

How long will we have Popeye horror movies?

I’m just excited about “The Skeleton Dance” because it was always one of my favorites. It also explains why Disney has been making a lot of merchandise based on the cartoon in the last couple of years. Cash in while they can.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!