The Walt Disney Company

The start of 2024 saw a major milestone in U.S. copyright law as Steamboat Willie—and with it the very first versions of Mickey and Minnie Mouse—entered public domain for the first time. As with classics before it, in record time people took to announcing what is now inevitable for any new public domain work: what if this classic work was dark and twisted actually?Let’s Eat a Chocolate Xbox ControllerAfter Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey already turned A.A. Milne’s children’s tale into a gory, atrocious horror film, now…

There have been so many words written about the expanse of genre here at io9, and 2023 was a wildcard of a year for entertainment (including Marvel Studios, Star Wars, DC Studios, and Max), theme parks, and games. We covered a lot of ground, from union-strong solidarity during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes to…Read more... There have been so many words written about the expanse of genre here at io9, and 2023 was a wildcard of a year for entertainment (including Marvel Studios, Star Wars, DC Studios, and Max), theme…

Earlier this year, Disney filed a lawsuit against Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s other elected officials. The corporation apparently isn’t done hitting the state quite yet, as it’s now suing Florida again while also facing a lawsuit from one of its recent actors.Biggest Questions After Watching the Original WillowAs far as the former’s concerned, ClickOrlando reveals Walt Disney Parks & Resorts filed a suit this past Friday. It accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (or CFTOD) of…

January 1, 2024 won’t just be the start of a new year. It’ll also see Mickey and Minnie Mouse enter the public domain.Lucy & Danny Devito Tell io9 About Their Love for Looney Tunes and Ren & StimpyCome that date, Disney’s exclusive copyright on the two iconic characters’ Steamboat Willie incarnations from 1928 will have run out, after which anyone can do anything they want with them. So if you’ve got a song, cartoon, movie, whatever, starring one or both of those characters that you’ve been sitting on for some…

Image: BoxLunch, WB Discovery Consumer Products, Lucasfilm, Disney Consumer ProductsTime’s just about up for holiday shopping, and the pressure is on for anyone doing last-minute runs to the mall or searching online for the quickest delivery. If you’re looking for that perfect Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, One Piece, Wonka, or Disney100 gift—don’t worry, io9's got you covered with this handy list of fandom retailers.With locations you can visit—including BoxLunch, Target, Gap, and Forever 21, among others—procrastinators…

Image: Walt Disney PicturesThe House of Mouse celebrated its centennial in 2023 through monumental film and television releases and Disney Parks experiences, while dealing with real-world repercussions during historic writers and actors’ strikes. And then, of course, there was the whole ongoing skirmish with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Disney100 was one for the books with incredible peaks and challenging valleys for the Walt Disney Company as Bob Iger returned to lead the studio into the waters of 2023. This year, Star…

Screenshot: Disney+Disney+ subscribers may have already noticed a new addition to the carousel on the app’s home screen: along with Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, there’s now a link to access Hulu content. The two apps won’t officially merge until March, but the beta test is now live.Zillow Says You’ll Buy Your Next House With… AI? | AI UnlockedDisney is currently in the process of buying out Comcast’s share in Hulu, a long-teased deal made official earlier this month. Right now, the Disney Bundle Duo…

Image: Atsuko, Casetify, BoxLunch, Stoney Clover Lane, RSVLTS, DollsKillIt’s almost time to jet-set for the holiday season in your fandom best to turn heads and raise brows at airport lounges. Whether you’re packing up for a trip to Disney Parks or back home for winter break, there’s a ton of practical travel gear to make sure you’re not without those essential needs to fly or drive out of town. Including Stranger Things tech gear, Star Wars luggage, Disney adult accessories, One Piece adventure gear, and more—here’s our…

Image: Disney ParksIt’s approaching peak time for festive merriment, both for travelers packing for those winter trips and locals getting their holiday theme park fixes. Here’s what’s going on at Disney Parks, Universal Studios, Meow Wolf, and other immersive experiences just in time for the season of cheer. Things kicked off this past weekend with Marvel Studios star Brie Larson hosting Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional. There’s upcoming Christmas movie fun to be had in theaters with the 20th anniversary of Elf, and…

The Marvels is likely going to end up one of Marvel Studios’ worst-performing films in a considerable period of time—and at a time when people are largely questioning the direction of a franchise that has dominated cinema for 15 years, that’s not an ideal bit of publicity. Also not ideal? The weirdly public way Disney has decided to paint director Nia DaCosta in the wake of its release.“Even AI Rappers are Harassed by Police” | AI UnlockedIt started earlier this month, just as The Marvels was preparing to release, when a…