Legendary Characters Poised to Become Part of the Public Domain

As time progresses, many beloved characters from your childhood—and possibly adulthood—are nearing the age required to enter the public domain. Visual Capitalist highlighted key additions, ranging from Popeye in the coming year to Bambi in 2038.

In the U.S., a work typically enters the public domain either 70 years after the creator's death or 95 years after its initial publication. However, copyright laws are complex, and rights holders often resist losing control over—and revenue from—popular characters.

A significant complication is the evolution of characters. When Mickey and Minnie Mouse entered the public domain earlier this year, it came with a major restriction: Only their depictions from the 1928 short film Steamboat Willie were free to use. Modern versions remain under strict protection, and Disney is notoriously aggressive in pursuing legal action against unauthorized use, even once blocking Winnie the Pooh from being engraved on a child’s tombstone.

Adaptation presents a unique challenge. While the story of Sleeping Beauty, which dates back centuries, is free for creative use—including the Grimm Brothers’ 1896 published version and the name Sleeping Beauty—using Disney’s depiction of Aurora in her iconic pink or blue gown for merchandise could lead to legal trouble. Disney’s 1959 film Sleeping Beauty remains protected, as do their versions of Snow White, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan. The original tales and characters are fair game, but Disney’s adaptations are off-limits.

In summary, review the list below with a focus on the earliest iterations of each character and a clear understanding of what’s too recent to use. While Batman and Superman will enter the public domain by 2035, that doesn’t grant permission to reimagine 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to improve its cinematic quality.