The original Popeye, Tintin and other works from the Roaring ’20s are now in the public domain

The year 2025 has brought with it a new batch of works that are now in the public domain – and there are some iconic creations on the list.

In the United States, the duration of copyright protection for works published before 1978 is 95 years. This means that works from 1929 and recordings from 1924 will be available to everyone in the US starting January 1, 2025. These are all the films, books, songs and works of art released in the Roaring 20s that no longer have copyright protection.

Duke Law School’s Center for the Study of Public Domain has a helpful summary, but highlights include Hergé’s original Tintin character as he appeared in Le magazine’s comic strip “Les Aventures de Tintin, The Karnival Kid.” Petit Vingtième (Mickey Mouse’s first speaking appearance). and the debut of his signature white gloves) and Alfred Hitchcock’s first sound film, Blackmail.

The most notable inclusion, however, is the original Popeye (who did not eat spinach to gain strength), as he appeared in the Thimble Theater comic strip Gobs of Work, created by E.C. Segar. “Everything he says, all of his traits, his personality, his sarcasm… that’s in the public domain,” Jennifer Jenkins, director of Duke’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain, told NPR. “If you want to be on the safe side with the spinach, you should wait.”

On January 1, 2024, the first version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain and just a day later a Steamboat Willie horror film was announced. Winnie the Pooh’s Tigger also entered the public domain last year, as the character first appeared in AA Milne’s The House in Pooh Corner in 1928. Tigger subsequently appeared in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, the sequel to Rhys Waterfield’s child-destroying horror film. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3 is in the works.

However, the year 2025 is of particular interest because 1929 was the first year for film with sound. It’s no surprise then that there are already a number of Popeye horror films in the works. “Popeye the Slayer Man” is one, ITN Studios’ “Popeye,” which is reportedly both raunchy and gory, is another. Maybe we’ll get a Tintin slasher in the next few years.

In 2026, works from 1930 will lose their copyright, including the earliest versions of Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse’s dog Pluto, teenage detective Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.

Wesley is the UK news editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].