At a Glance
- Betty Boop and Blondie enter public domain Jan. 1, 2026
- Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh also become public domain
- Classic films and songs from the 1930s join the public domain
- Why it matters: Creators can now freely use these works without permission or payment
The first wave of 95-year-old U.S. copyrights has expired, freeing beloved characters, books, films and songs for anyone to remix, adapt or sell. From the iconic cartoon girl Betty Boop to the hard-boiled detective Sam Spade, a wide array of cultural touchstones has slipped into the public domain as of Jan. 1, 2026. This opens a floodgate for new creative projects and commercial use.
Cartoons & Comics
Betty Boop, originally a dog in the 1930 short “Dizzy Dishes,” is now public domain. The character was created by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures, and was based partly on singer Helen Kane. The public domain status allows filmmakers and artists to use the earliest Boop in new works, though the Fleischer trademark remains protected.
- Betty Boop (1930)
- Blondie (1930)
- Mickey Mouse (1928)
- Winnie the Pooh (1926)
- Pluto (1930)
Books & Detectives
Three famous detectives appear in the public domain: Nancy Drew, Sam Spade, and Miss Marple. Nancy Drew’s first four books began in 1930, written by Mildred Benson as Carolyn Keene. Sam Spade debuted in Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon (full book version) and Miss Marple’s first mystery is Christie’s Murder at the Vicarage.
- Nancy Drew (first four books, 1930)
- Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon)
- Miss Marple (Murder at the Vicarage)
- As I Lay Dying (Faulkner)
- Dick and Jane (Elson Basic Readers)
Classic Films
The public domain now includes the Marx Brothers’ Animal Crackers, the German film The Blue Angel, King of Jazz, and the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front and Cimarron. These films were released in the early 1930s and have long been cultural touchstones.
| Film | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crackers | 1930 | Marx Brothers |
| The Blue Angel | 1930 | Marlene Dietrich |
| King of Jazz | 1930 | First screen appearance of Bing Crosby |
| All Quiet on the Western Front | 1930 | Best Picture (1930) |
| Cimarron | 1931 | Best Picture (1931) |
Songs & Music
Songs from the Great American Songbook also slip into the public domain, including four Gershwin classics, Georgia on My Mind, and Dream a Little Dream of Me. Recordings from 1925 such as Rodgers and Hart’s “Manhattan” and Bessie Smith’s “St. Louis Blues” also qualify.
- Gershwin classics: Embraceable You, I’ve Got a Crush on You, But Not for Me, I Got Rhythm
- Georgia on My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell)
- Dream a Little Dream of Me (Gus Kahn, Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt)
- Rodgers and Hart’s “Manhattan” (Knickerbockers)
- Bessie Smith’s “St. Louis Blues” (with Louis Armstrong)
Key Takeaways
- Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, and other 1930s icons enter public domain Jan. 1, 2026.
- Classic films and songs from the era are now free to use.
- Creators can remix, adapt, and sell these works without needing permission.
With these works now free, creators and businesses can explore fresh adaptations, merchandise, and new media without the constraints of copyright, while still respecting existing trademarks.
