Works Becoming Public Domain in 2026: Betty Boop, Nancy Drew, and Others
This year, the public domain in the U.S. is set to expand even further, with the inclusion of numerous copyrighted books, legendary characters, and artistic gems from 1930. Beginning January 1, 2026, the protections will have expired for everything from the classic Betty Boop to Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage, making it possible for anyone to utilize or elaborate on these works freely and without the need for permission.
In the realm of pop culture, standout mentions include Rover, who has been transformed into Mickey Mouse’s loyal dog Pluto since his debut in 1930. Rover was initially featured in Disney’s The Chain Gang as an unnamed bloodhound, later appearing in The Picnic as Mickey’s pet, closely resembling Pluto with his large eyes, floppy ears, and cheerful grin. Nonetheless, this character remains unique, portrayed in a less humanoid manner compared to his contemporary version.
Similar to Rover, the initial—but not modern—design of Betty Boop has also become part of the public domain. First showcased in Fleischer Studios’ Dizzy Dishes cartoon, which took place in a restaurant full of anthropomorphic animals, this rendition of Betty features her recognizable kiss curls, sulking lips, doe-like eyes, and flapper style. What sets this version of Betty apart, however, is a set of elongated dog ears, a trait that was eventually discarded and transformed into the character’s iconic golden hoops. Additionally, Betty’s facial expressions blend with more animal-like traits throughout the cartoon, including her cheeks, which sometimes sag like a bulldog’s jowls.
Moreover, notable literary works are up for grabs this year. Perhaps most notably is William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, a book that helped bring the Southern Gothic genre to prominence in the U.S. and beyond. Regarded as one of the outstanding novels of the 20th century, As I Lay Dying features a driving, stream-of-consciousness narrative, depicting a impoverished rural family’s struggle to lay their matriarch to rest in her hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi. Accompanying Faulkner’s masterpiece is an exciting collection of children’s literature, including Watty Piper’s illustrated edition of The Little Engine That Could and the first four books in the Nancy Drew series, starting with The Secret of the Old Clock.
Lewis Milestone’s All Quiet on the Western Front highlights the films available in the public domain this year. This Academy Award-winning movie is adapted from the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, delivering a poignant portrayal of World War I through the perspective of a young German soldier. Other films include Victor Heerman’s Animal Crackers, featuring the Marx Brothers; Soup to Nuts, which starred later members of the Three Stooges; The Big Trail, in which John Wayne achieved his first leading role; Alfred Hitchcock’s Murder!; and even a film co-written by Salvador Dalí, titled L’Âge d’Or.
“Copyright grants rights to creators and their heirs that encourage innovation,” stated Jennifer Jenkins, director of Duke University’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain, in a CBS News 2024 interview. “However, the public domain truly serves as the foundation for future creativity.”
Sound recordings from 1925 have also entered the public domain, including a performance by civil rights leader Marian Anderson in Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen, and The St. Louis Blues recorded by Bessie