Public Domain Mickey Mouse Disrespected AGAIN — This Time By The Minions

So earlier this year, Mickey Mouse — or one iteration of the character — became public domain.

That means that this version of Mickey can be used by ANYONE without needing to get Disney’s permission or acquire licensing rights. So if you’ve been wondering why versions of Steamboat Mickey are popping up everywhere, now you know why. Well, now, even The Minions have decided to take advantage of the public domain version of Mickey.

The Minions posted a video of one of the Minions AS Steamboat Willie whistling the Steamboat Willie song shortly after the Super Bowl game. Honestly, we wouldn’t expect less from the Minions, and, well, maybe we laughed a little.

Stuart take the wheel, see you next year in NOLA #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/5AO3l53wYp

— #Minions (@Minions) February 12, 2024

Of course, you’re seeing a LOT of The Minions right now because Despicable Me 4 just recently dropped a new trailer (making fun of AI art in true Minions fashion) — that film will release on July 3rd, 2024.

Since Steamboat Willie Mickey became public domain, we’ve seen a horror movie announced with the character, as well as a horror video game. Adult Swim made a video with the character, AND comedian John Oliver jokingly used a foul-mouthed Steamboat Willie for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

We’re sure we’ve only seen the beginning of Steamboat Willie turning up just about everywhere, so we’ll keep an eye out for more folks taking advantage of this version of Mickey Mouse being public domain. Keep in mind that it’s ONLY the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey that is available to the public, though. All other versions of Mickey still belong to The Walt Disney Company.