History WesternAnimation / MickeyMouse

* Mickey's Mellerdrammer
* [[YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe Ye Olden Days]]

* Pluto's Dream House

Now in 2024, due to ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'' and the silent version of ''WesternAnimation/TheGallopinGaucho''[[note]]the sound version, although released on December 30, 1928, had its trademark registered in 1929, so that version is still copyrighted until 2025[[/note]] entering PublicDomain in the United States, the early version of Mickey featured in those shorts are now a PublicDomainCharacter, along with their iterations of Minnie and Pete. Note that this ''only'' applies to those versions; Mickey designs resembling his modern appearance (most notably his small eyes and pale pinkish face) are still off-limits to anyone but The Walt Disney Company. In addition, Mickey's trademark still applies; one cannot use Steamboat Mickey in a misleading fashion to make it seem like a product was approved by or associated with Disney.

Now in 2024, due to ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'' and the silent version of ''WesternAnimation/TheGallopinGaucho''[[note]]the sound version, although released on December 30, 1928, had its trademark registered in 1929, so that version is still copyrighted until 2025[[/note]] entering PublicDomain in the United States, the early version of Mickey featured in those shorts are now a PublicDomainCharacter, along with their iterations of Minnie and Pete. Note that this ''only'' applies to those versions; Mickey designs resembling his modern appearance (most notably his small eyes) are still off-limits to anyone but The Walt Disney Company. In addition, Mickey's trademark still applies; one cannot use Steamboat Mickey in a misleading fashion to make it seem like a product was approved by or associated with Disney.

Now in 2024, due to ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'' and the silent version of ''WesternAnimation/TheGallopinGaucho''[[note]]the sound version, although released on December 30, 1928, had its trademark registered in 1929, so that version is still copyrighted until 2025[[/note]] entering PublicDomain in the United States, the early version of Mickey featured in those shorts are now a PublicDomainCharacter, along with their iterations of Minnie and Pete. Note that this ''only'' applies to those versions; Mickey designs resembling his modern appearance with gloves and proper eyes are still off-limits to anyone but The Walt Disney Company. In addition, Mickey's trademark still applies; one cannot use Steamboat Mickey in a misleading fashion to make it seem like a product was approved by or associated with Disney.

Getting Mickey off the ground wasn't an easy task, though. Two cartoons, ''WesternAnimation/PlaneCrazy'' and ''The Gallopin' Gaucho'', were made and given limited release, but they failed to impress audiences or find a distributor. For the third film, ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'', they added a synchronized soundtrack. The addition of sound to the series paid off and made Mickey one of the most prominent cartoon stars of the time.

Now in 2024, due to WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie and WesternAnimation/TheGallopinGaucho entering the United States Public Domain, the early version of Mickey featured in those shorts are now a PublicDomainCharacter, along with their iterations of Minnie and Pete. Note that this ''only'' applies to those versions; Mickey designs resembling his modern appearance with gloves and proper eyes are still off-limits to anyone but The Walt Disney Company. In addition, Mickey’s trademark still applies; one cannot use Steamboat Mickey in a misleading fashion to make it seem like a product was approved by or associated with Disney.

Now in 2024, due to WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie and WesternAnimation/TheGallopinGaucho entering the United States Public Domain, the early version of Mickey is now a PublicDomainCharacter, along with Minnie

* PublicDomainAnimation: "WesternAnimation/TheMadDoctor" is one of the very few Disney shorts to slip into the PublicDomain, although its extremely rare for it to appear in compilations (the only known time is in "Attack of the 30s Characters" from Thunderbean) due to legal fears over the usage of a copyrighted character like Mickey.

* The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Released as segment #3 in ''Fantasia'' and inspired the Sorcerer version of Mickey Mouse that became the studio's [[Creator/WaltDisneyHomeVideo corporate icon for home entertainment]] through the 80's and early 90's with the 1986 Walt Disney Home Video logo and the early 90's ''Walt Disney Classics'' logos.)

* TheArtifact: Some animators noted that as time went by and the characters got more and more realistic, Mickey's old-school abstract design, as well as his perspective-defying ears got more and more outdated and out of place. A full-on redesign was out of the question due to familiarity, so Disney briefly tinkered with Mickey's design in the early 40's, making his design more loose and organic, as well has having his ears work in perspective--this can be seen most prominently in the short "The Little Whirlwind". For some reason, they quickly went back to the original design afterwards. However, the ears not matching up with perspective was {{Handwaved}} as early as 1929, in "The Karnival Kid": [[spoiler:Those aren't really Mickey's ears--it's a loose fitting hat.]]
* ArtEvolution: Mickey's design has changed in may ways, some subtle and some obvious, since the 1920's.

* DependingOnTheArtist: Between the 1950's and 1990's Mickey either had eyebrows or he didn't in animation and merchandise. It wasn't until the late 1990's that his eyebrows were removed permanently. The only time Mickey is seen with eyebrows now is when he makes live appearances.

* OutOfFocus: Later on WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck, WesternAnimation/{{Goofy}} and even WesternAnimation/{{Pluto| The Pup}} became far more popular, being the characters who had an easier time adapting to the ScrewballSquirrel and IronButtMonkey archetypes becoming more popular in animation in the 40's. Though Mickey remains the symbol of Creator/{{Disney}}. Modern productions often try to reverse this.

* PublicDomainAnimation: "WesternAnimation/TheMadDoctor" is one of the very few Disney shorts to slip into the PublicDomain, although its extremely rare for it to appear in compilations (the only known time is in "Attack of the 30's Characters" from Thunderbean) due to legal fears over the usage of a copyrighted character like Mickey.

* TheQuietOne: Mickey was this in several of his 1930's shorts.

* {{Retraux}}: The 2013 shorts returned Mickey and his friends back to their rubberhose roots from the late 20's-mid 30's, while the backgrounds resemble those from 50's and 60's cartoons.

The early Mickey Mouse cartoons are some of the most prominent examples of MickeyMousing ever done in a cartoon--it was done to the point where many, many cartoons were built ''solely'' around the novelty of the characters being able to tap or move to the beat of the soundtrack.

* AlliterativeName

!Media featuring Mickey

Notable Mickey shorts:

Feature films:

Television shows:

* ''Mickey [=MouseWorks=]'' / ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse''

{{Video game}}s:

* ''VideoGame/DisneyInfinity'' (Two playable versions of him exist; a Sorcerer's Apprentice variant from 1.0, and a standard figure in 3.0)

* ''VideoGame/DisneySpeedstorm''

Comic books:

His current official voice actor since 2009 is Bret Iwan in all productions except for the ''WesternAnimation/{{Mickey Mouse|2013}}'' shorts, Ride/MickeyAndMinniesRunawayRailway, and ''WesternAnimation/TheWonderfulWorldOfMickeyMouse'', where he is instead voiced by Creator/ChrisDiamantopoulos. Creator/WaltDisney himself was the original voice of Mickey, and Diamantopoulos's vocal portrayal is a throwback to Disney's portrayal. The most famous, and memorable, Mickey voice, however, has got to be the late Creator/WayneAllwine, who voiced the iconic mouse from the mid-1970s until his death in 2009.

* "Just Mickey" Walt Disney March 14

* [[spoiler:''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'' (currently the only major Disney character to appear AsHimself)]]

* HalfDressedCartoonAnimal: His classic outfit consists of only a pair of shorts and yellow shoes. During his AudienceAlienatingEra they ditched the simple, iconic look to put him in full outfits, making him look like your bland neighbor. Of course, this isn't to say that a fully clothed Mickey is strictly indicative of his audience alienating era. Modern appearances of Mickey tend to go back and forth depending on what's needed, using the classic shorts as a default, but if Mickey needs an alternate look more suited to a specific plot or setting, it will be a full outfit, such as his suit in ''House of Mouse'', or his adventuring clothes in ''Kingdom Hearts''.

* RedOniBlueOni: The blue to WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck's red, [[{{Irony}} ironically enough]].

* StandardizedLeader: In many of his pairings with {{Jerkass}} Donald and TheDitz Goofy, Mickey is the most competent, reliable, or just the least wacky of the trio. So, while often with plenty of personality of his own, his companions are the ones adding flavor to the team whilst Micky is the one making sure stuff gets done. DependingOnTheWriter however, he is sometimes distinguished as an eccentric [[ThePollyanna Pollyanna]] or an ExtremeDoormat.

* TheSpeechless: In his earliest shorts, up until ''The Karnival Kid''. The video ''The Spirit of Mickey'' hangs a lampshade on it when two different versions of him interact:
-->'''1970s!Mickey:''' ''[addressing 1920s!Mickey]'' Hey! Hey, you! [...] Are you the first original Mickey Mouse?\\

In 1999, Disney blessed Mickey with a TV revival called ''Mickey Mouse Works'', later retooled into ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse''. Essentially lower-budget versions of the original cartoons, both programs went on to be big hits.

In 2006, Mickey received a preschool show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse''. It quickly became one of his most popular and successful TV shows ever. Even after it ended in 2016, it still remains the definitive version of Mickey and his friends for a whole generation. The show's success would pave the way for more preschool shows starring Mickey and his friends, such as 2017's ''WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheRoadsterRacers'' (later renamed ''Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures'') and 2021's ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseFunhouse''.

In 2010, Disney once again attempted a DarkerAndEdgier Mickey Mouse story, but this time with a video game--headlined by Creator/WarrenSpector, creator of ''VideoGame/DeusEx'' and ''VideoGame/SystemShock'' and then-closet Disney fanboy. The video game, ''VideoGame/EpicMickey'', brought the mouse back to his roots, reuniting many of the classic Disney characters, including Disney's original cartoon star and Mickey's long-lost half-brother, WesternAnimation/OswaldTheLuckyRabbit. Critical reception was hit or miss, but the game was a hit, selling over a million copies on release. A sequel was made called ''Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two'', but it didn't sell very well, causing Disney to close down Junction Point Studios so they could detour their gaming production elsewhere, ending the franchise.

* TheHero: ''Who else?!'' He's one of ''the'' most iconic fictional characters for a reason.

As time went by, Mickey's shorts became less and less frequent in number, overshadowed by his contemporaries and reduced to a bit player. While another attempt at a comeback was done via the Mickey And The Beanstalk segment of ''WesternAnimation/FunAndFancyFree'', it was once again a failure. In 1953, Disney finally retired Mickey, with the last of his original theatrical cartoons being ''The Simple Things''.

In 2013, Disney hired Paul Rudish to produce a series of [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013 new Mickey Mouse animated shorts]] for Creator/DisneyChannel, Disney.com and Disney's official Website/YouTube channels. The first season began airing on Disney Channel on June 28th of that year, starting with "[[Recap/MickeyMouseS1E1NoService No Service]]". The show ran for a total of five seasons and also recieved two [[Recap/MickeyMouseS3E21DuckTheHallsAMickeyMouseChristmasSpecial half-hour]] [[Recap/MickeyMouseS4E9TheScariestStoryEver specials]]. Every short made can be seen online [[http://video.disney.com/ here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyShorts/videos here]]. The show was later retooled as ''The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse'' for Disney's streaming platform, Creator/DisneyPlus, in 2020.

In 1999, Disney blessed Mickey with a TV revival called ''Mickey Mouse Works'', later retooled into ''WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse''. Essentially lower budget versions of the original cartoons, both programs went on to be big hits.

In 2004, Mickey recieved a direct-to-video film along with Donald and Goofy called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyDonaldGoofyTheThreeMusketeers''.

In 2006, Mickey received a preschool show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse''. It quickly became one of his most popular and successful TV shows ever. Even after it ended in 2016, it still remains the definitive version of Mickey and his friends for a whole generation. The show's success would pave the way for more preschool shows starring Mickey and his friends, such as ''WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheRoadsterRacers'' (since renamed ''Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures'') in 2017 and ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseFunhouse'' in 2021.

In 2006, Mickey received a preschool show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse''. It quickly became one of his most popular and successful TV shows ever. Even after it ended in 2016, it still remains the definitive version of Mickey and his friends for a whole generation. The show's success would pave the way for more preschool shows featuring Mickey and his friends, such as ''WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheRoadsterRacers'' (since renamed ''Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures'') in 2017 and ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseFunhouse'' in 2021.

The Epic Mickey series wasn't Mickey's only major contribution to the video game medium. In 1990, Disney licensed ''VideoGame/CastleOfIllusion'', developed by Creator/{{Sega}} for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis and UsefulNotes/SegaMasterSystem. It was a 2D side-scrolling platform game with Mickey as the main character. The game became a major hit and is considered to this day as an all-time classic which even had a sequel: ''VideoGame/WorldOfIllusion'', released in 1992. He also plays a prominent role in the popular ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' series from Creator/SquareEnix, in which he displays a BadassAdorable personality and [[Franchise/StarWars Yoda]]-like combat skills.

His current official voice actor since 2009 is Bret Iwan in all productions except for the ''WesternAnimation/{{Mickey Mouse|2013}}'' shorts, Ride/MickeyAndMinniesRunawayRailway, and ''WesternAnimation/TheWonderfulWorldOfMickeyMouse'', where he is instead voiced by Creator/ChrisDiamantopoulos. Creator/WaltDisney himself was the original voice of Mickey, and Diamantopoulos's vocal portrayal is a throwback to Disney's portrayal. The most famous, and memorable, Mickey voice, however, has got to be the late Creator/WayneAllwine, who voiced the iconic mouse from the mid-1970s until Allwine's death in 2009.

In 2013, Disney hired Paul Rudish to produce a series of [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013 new Mickey Mouse animated shorts]] for Creator/DisneyChannel, Disney.com and Disney's official Website/YouTube channels. The first season began airing on Disney Channel on June 28th of that year, starting with "[[Recap/MickeyMouseS1E1NoService No Service]]". The show ran for a total of five seasons and also recieved two [[Recap/MickeyMouseS3E21DuckTheHallsAMickeyMouseChristmasSpecial half-hour]] [[Recap/MickeyMouseS4E9TheScariestStoryEver specials]]. Every short made can be seen online [[http://video.disney.com/ here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyShorts/videos here]].

In 2006, Mickey received a pre-school show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse''. It quickly became one of his most popular and successful TV shows ever. Even after it ended in 2016, it still remains the definitive version of Mickey and his friends for a whole generation.

In 2013, Disney hired Paul Rudish to produce a series of [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013 new Mickey Mouse animated shorts]] for Creator/DisneyChannel, Disney.com and Disney's official Website/YouTube channels. The first season began airing on Disney Channel on June 28th of that year, starting with "[[Recap/MickeyMouseS1E1NoService No Service]]". The show ran for a total of five seasons and two [[Recap/MickeyMouseS3E21DuckTheHallsAMickeyMouseChristmasSpecial half-hour]] [[Recap/MickeyMouseS4E9TheScariestStoryEver specials]]. Every short made can be seen online [[http://video.disney.com/ here]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyShorts/videos here]].

In 2017, Mickey received another pre-school show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheRoadsterRacers'', since renamed ''Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures''. In 2021, Mickey received yet another pre-school show called ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseFunhouse''.

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Series/TheMickeyMouseClub The leader of the club that's made for you and me.]]''[[note]]"90 Years of Mickey Mouse" painted by Disney artist Tim Rogerson; center: Mickey's modern design; clockwise from top: ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}}'', ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'', Paul Rudish's ''[[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013 Mickey Mouse]]'', ''WesternAnimation/TheBandConcert'', ''Series/TheMickeyMouseClub'', WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts, ''WesternAnimation/PlaneCrazy'', and ''WesternAnimation/BraveLittleTailor''.[[/note]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Series/TheMickeyMouseClub Made for you and me.]]''[[note]]"90 Years of Mickey Mouse" painted by Disney artist Tim Rogerson; center: Mickey's modern design; clockwise from top: ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}}'', ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'', Paul Rudish's ''[[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013 Mickey Mouse]]'', ''WesternAnimation/TheBandConcert'', ''Series/TheMickeyMouseClub'', WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts, ''WesternAnimation/PlaneCrazy'', and ''WesternAnimation/BraveLittleTailor''.[[/note]]]]

In 1928, Creator/WaltDisney had just lost the rights to his biggest cartoon star, WesternAnimation/OswaldTheLuckyRabbit, to Charles Mintz at [[Creator/{{Universal}} Universal Studios]] and needed a replacement. Creator/UbIwerks, one of three animators[[note]]the other two being Les Clark and Johnny Cannon[[/note]] who had stuck with Walt after the Oswald fiasco, designed a mouse inspired by a pet mouse Walt had back in his farm life. Walt [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally intended to name the new character Mortimer Mouse]] (which would later go on to be the name of the sleazy CasanovaWannabe who would always unsuccessfully pine for [[WesternAnimation/MinnieMouse Minnie's]] affection), but his wife, Lillian Bounds, suggested he go with the cuter-sounding name of Mickey.

* [[spoiler:''VideoGame/TwistedWonderland'' (the only major Disney character to appear AsHimself)]]