Mickey Mouse horror film unveiled as copyright ends

The slasher movie trailer featuring Mickey Mouse was released as the iconic cartoon character’s copyright expired, entering the public domain.

The trailer for the slasher movie was released as the cartoon character Mickey Mouse entered the public domain.

A teaser for a horror flick emerged on January 1st, showcasing a masked assailant donning a twisted Mickey Mouse guise—timed strategically with the expiration of Disney’s copyright on the earliest renditions of the beloved character in the US.

The film’s director remarked, “We aimed for some lightheartedness with this project.”

Simultaneously, a fresh Mickey-inspired horror game hit the scene, depicting the iconic rodent adorned with ominous bloodstains.

With the entry of Steamboat Willie, the 1928 short film featuring the initial, voiceless iterations of Mickey and Minnie, into the public domain on New Year’s Day, creators across mediums—from artists to writers and filmmakers—now have the liberty to reimagine and utilize the earliest incarnations of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Certainly! Creators have swiftly embraced the new regulations, showcasing their work without needing permission or incurring expenses. One such example is a trailer released on the same day for a horror comedy thriller titled “Mickey’s Mouse Trap,” featuring violent scenes.

In this film, a young woman’s surprise birthday celebration at an amusement arcade takes a dark turn when she and her friends encounter a knife-wielding assailant dressed as Mickey Mouse.

The trailer proclaims, “A place for fun, a place for friends, a place for hunting. The mouse is out,” in bold red text.

Director Jamie Bailey commented, “We’re talking about Steamboat Willie’s Mickey Mouse committing murders. It’s absurd. However, we took the idea and ran with it, thoroughly enjoying ourselves, and I believe it reflects in the final product.”

While the film’s official release date is yet to be confirmed, it’s anticipated to hit screens in March.

Nightmare Forge Games has revealed a new video game featuring the 1928 version of Mickey Mouse, titled Infestation 88. This survival horror game plunges players into an outbreak of vermin that takes a sinister turn.

The trailer begins with an anxious voice exclaiming, “I thought it was just rodents, but there’s something else in here.” Suddenly, a menacing and blood-stained Mickey appears amidst scurrying mice.

The game puts players in the shoes of exterminators, confronting “mysterious infestations caused by distorted renditions of beloved characters and urban legends.”

Winnie the Pooh underwent a shift into the horror genre with an R-rated film titled Blood and Honey after entering the public domain. This movie, widely considered one of last year’s worst-rated films, transformed the beloved character into a chilling figure.

The copyright laws in the United States grant a 95-year window for character rights. Consequently, characters from Steamboat Willie, including Mickey Mouse, transitioned into the public domain on January 1, 2024.

Disney has grappled with the potential loss of copyright over its original cartoons on multiple occasions. Initially slated for entry into the public domain in 1984, Congress extended the term by 20 years. Subsequently, another 20-year extension was passed before the 2004 expiry date.

Termed the “Mickey Mouse Protection Act,” Disney’s endeavors to safeguard its characters have been noteworthy. However, the symbolic moment arrived when these characters finally entered the public domain, although Disney retains a trademark on Mickey as a brand identifier and corporate mascot. This allows the company to impose limitations on the public’s use of these images.

Disney has emphasized its intent to uphold copyright protection for modern iterations of Mickey Mouse. “We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright,” the company affirmed.