Iconic Characters and Classic Works Officially Enter the Public Domain

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Each year, copyrighted works become freely available for anyone to use, and 2025 brought some iconic characters and stories into the public domain. That included the very first version of Mickey Mouse, along with Tintin, Popeye, Disney’s animated short ‘The Skeleton Dance’, and classic novels like William Faulkner’s ‘The Sound and the Fury’ and Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’. Now, everyone is wondering what creative works will become public domain in 2026.

As a film buff, I was thrilled to discover a treasure trove of movies and cartoons now in the public domain! The Duke Law School’s Center for the Study of Public Domain has put together a fantastic list of works from 1930 that are free for everyone to enjoy. And get this – the early version of Betty Boop is among them! It’s a bit different than the flapper we all know – she actually debuted as a dog in a short called Dizzy Dishes before becoming human. It’s funny, because Disney’s Pluto (originally called Rover) from The Picnic is also now free to enjoy – so it seems like canine characters are having a moment this year!

The list also includes William Faulkner’s novel As I Lay Dying, Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage, the first four Nancy Drew mysteries, the Blondie comic strip by Chic Young, and the Marx Brothers’ film Animal Crackers.

1930’s Anti-War Classic ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Becomes Public Property


Universal Pictures

Fans of classic films have reason to be excited: the anti-war masterpiece All Quiet on the Western Front is now in the public domain. Directed by Lewis Milestone and adapted from Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel, the film was a critical success, winning two Academy Awards – for Outstanding Production (later known as Best Picture) and Best Director – from its four nominations. Here’s what the movie is about, according to its official description:

All Quiet on the Western Front tells the story of Paul Bäumer, a young German who joins World War I with his friends. They quickly discover the horrific truth of fighting in the trenches. As they experience constant violence and loss, their initial patriotic feelings fade, and Paul finds himself losing touch with life back home. The film is a moving depiction of how war destroys a generation.

Edward Berger, the director of Conclave, recently remade All Quiet on the Western Front in 2022. The updated film received widespread critical acclaim after its release on Netflix. It went on to earn nine Academy Award nominations and won Oscars for Best International Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.

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In a review for MovieWeb, Julian Roman praised Edward Berger’s direction of All Quiet on the Western Front, calling it masterful. The film powerfully depicts the harsh realities of trench warfare, including the use of chemical weapons and the constant struggle against the elements. The trenches themselves are shown as places of utter despair, and the young, enthusiastic recruits are dramatically changed by their experiences. The film realistically portrays the physical toll of war, showing a character’s teeth yellowing from dirt and exposure. Visually, All Quiet on the Western Front is stunning, with remarkable use of smoke, mist, and flares to create a sense of atmosphere during the battles. The film also contrasts the brutal fighting with the beautiful, yet ultimately ravaged, French countryside.

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2026-01-04 22:18