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Mickey Mouse Horror

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Disney's early version of Mickey Mouse, Steamboat Willie, has entered the public domain, sparking a wave of horror movies and video games featuring the iconic character. The move has raised questions about copyright law and the future of intellectual property.

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On January 1, 2024, the copyright for the original Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Steamboat Willie," expired, entering the character and film into the public domain. Less than three days later, a horror movie titled "Mickey's Mouse Trap" was announced, featuring Mickey Mouse as a ruthless killer. The trailer for the movie quickly went viral , and people expressed a wide range of reactions to the film, from excitement and anticipation to criticism and concern. The announcement of the horror movie came alongside the announcement of a horror video game titled "Mickey Mouse: Infestation 88," although the game later changed its title due to allegations of neo-Nazi references .

The release of "Mickey's Mouse Trap" and "Mickey Mouse: Infestation 88" sparked debates about the commercialization of a beloved and iconic character, as well as the potential impact on the Disney brand. Some saw the public domain status of Mickey Mouse as an opportunity for creativity and new interpretations, while others felt that it cheapened the legacy of the character and was a disrespectful use of intellectual property .

The announcement of the horror movie and video game received widespread media coverage, with articles appearing in numerous publications and news outlets around the world . Many of these articles highlighted the unique nature of the situation, as Mickey Mouse is an incredibly recognizable and influential character.

Overall, the release of "Mickey's Mouse Trap" and "Mickey Mouse: Infestation 88" in the wake of the character's entry into the public domain caused a significant stir and generated widespread interest and discussion. The movies and video game sparked debates about intellectual property, creativity, and the future of iconic characters in the public domain .

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Current Stats

Data

Virality Score 4.6
Change in Rank +12
Thread Age 309 days
Number of Articles 135

Political Leaning

Left 35.6%
Center 46.7%
Right 17.8%

Regional Coverage

US 74.4%
Non-US 25.6%

Recent Coverage

Mickey Mouse entered the public domain. Now he’s a horror movie villain.

The Seattle Times - 307 days ago - The plans for the beloved cartoon rodent's dark turn were unveiled just hours after Mickey Mouse's iteration from "Steamboat Willie" entered the public domain.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/mickey-mouse-entered-the-public-domain-now-hes-a-horror-movie-villain/

Mickey Mouse Horror Trailer Drops Hours After 'Steamboat Willie' Enters Public Domain

huffingtonpostcouk - 307 days ago - The rodent-like villain in the slasher “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” also seems to be inspired by another iconic character.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mickey-mouse-horror-trailer-drops-hours-after-steamboat-willie-enters-public-domain_uk_659687c6e4b0f27b6e36662d

As other Disney characters follow Mickey Mouse to public domain, experts discuss company’s legal options

Fox Business - 307 days ago - Media and legal experts say Disney may rely on trademark laws as more classic children's characters are expected to follow Mickey Mouse into the public domain.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/disney-characters-follow-mickey-mouse-public-domain-experts-companys-legal-options

Less than three days after Mickey Mouse enters public domain, a terrible horror movie is already being made

Boing Boing - 307 days ago - It happened with Winnie the Pooh, and it'll probably happen with the next beloved children's character to enter the public domain. After (specifically the 1928 version of) Mickey Mouse entered…

https://boingboing.net/2024/01/03/less-than-three-days-after-mickey-mouse-enters-public-domain-a-terrible-horror-movie-is-already-being-made.html

A new era for Mickey Mouse

The Atlantic - 307 days ago - As of January 1, an early version of the character is in the public domain.

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/01/a-new-era-for-mickey-mouse/677015/

Will Mickey Mouse Be Public Domain?

MovieWeb - 307 days ago - Mickey Mouse may have entered the public domain, but it is not as clear-cut as many have made it out to be. Here is what you need to know.

https://movieweb.com/will-mickey-mouse-be-public-domain-steamboat-willie/

Mickey Mouse Horror Trailer Drops Hours After 'Steamboat Willie' Enters Public Domain

The Huffington Post - 307 days ago - The rodent-like villain in the slasher “Mickey’s Mouse Trap” also seems to be inspired by another iconic character.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mickey-mouse-horror-trailer-public-domain_n_6595a5dce4b0f27b6e3620c0

Mickey Mouse enters public domain, will star in horror movies

Boston Globe - 308 days ago - Slashed free of Disney’s copyright as of Monday, the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” is already the focus of two horror films.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/03/arts/mickey-mouse-public-domain/

Mickey Mouse Horror Movie Divides Disney Fans

Newsweek - 308 days ago - The horror movies shows a character dressed as Mickey Mouse terrorizing a bunch of teens in a games arcade.

https://www.newsweek.com/mickey-mouse-horror-movie-public-domain-disney-1857387

Mickey Mouse horror films and video game announced - just hours after copyright expired

SkyNews - 308 days ago - Mickey's Mouse Trap is set to be released in March, while an untitled slasher film and a video game named Infestation: Origins have also been announced - just hours after Disney's copyright on the earliest version of Mickey Mouse expired.

https://news.sky.com/story/mickey-mouse-horror-films-and-video-game-announced-just-hours-after-copyright-expired-13041470

Mickey Mouse horror ‘Infestation ’88’ changes title after neo-Nazi allegations

NME - 308 days ago - Upcoming Mickey Mouse horror game 'Infestation '88' has changed its title after allegations of Neo-Nazi symbolism.

https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/mickey-mouse-horror-infestation-88-changes-title-after-neo-nazi-allegations-3565093

Early Mickey Mouse to star in at least 2 horror flicks, now that Disney copyright is over

CBS News - 308 days ago - 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.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mickey-mouse-at-least-2-horror-movies-disney-copyright-over/

Public domain Mickey Mouse is already being used to create controversial memes

Indy100 - 308 days ago - 2024 is only a few days old and we've already been treated to one of the best memes of the year - one that is likely to run and run. No, we're not talking about darts sensation Luke Littler but Mickey Mouse, or should we say Steamboat Willie, entering the public domain after the copyright on the 192...

https://www.indy100.com/viral/steamboat-willie-mickey-mouse-memes

Mickey Mouse entered the public domain. Now he’s a horror movie villain.

Washington Post - 308 days ago - The “Steamboat Willie” version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain this year. Two directors said the character will be the villain in new horror movies.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/01/03/mickey-mouse-horror-movies-public-domain/

Steamboat Willie Becomes Edgy With Cigarettes & Beard Stubble In Art After Entering Public Domain

ScreenRant - 308 days ago - Steamboat Willie is transformed into a much edgier version of Mickey Mouse in new art, just after the character has entered the public domain.

https://screenrant.com/mickey-mouse-steamboat-willie-edgy-art/

Mickey Mouse horror movies announced as 'Steamboat Willie' enters public domain

Market Watch - 308 days ago - The earliest iteration of Mickey Mouse is on a rampage, barely two days in the public domain.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mickey-mouse-horror-movies-announced-as-steamboat-willie-enters-public-domain-1c997232

Everything entering the public domain this year besides Steamboat Willie

AV Club - 308 days ago - Mickey Mouse grabbed the spotlight, but plenty of other notable works and characters are shedding copyrights in 2024

https://www.avclub.com/everything-entering-the-public-domain-this-year-besides-1851134991