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What Jon Favreau accomplished with The Mandalorian can't be summed up in a few words. I mean, we shouldn't be surprised - this is the man responsible for kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man, so we should have expected some major things from him when it came to Star Wars. That's what we got when the Disney Plus series premiered back in 2019.

Arriving on the same day that the streamer went live, The Mandalorian quickly became one of the biggest shows in the world - or, should we say galaxy? - successfully bringing the classic Lucasfilm movie franchise to the small screen. There was no going back for Star Wars or series star Pedro Pascal, who became an overnight sensation (if he already wasn't one after his role on Game of Thrones). And now Mando is heading to the big screen in next year's The Mandalorian and Grogu,...

“Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’, a cartoon character created by Walt Disney in 1927, continues in development as a comedic, animated, live-action hybrid TV series, to be produced by “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau, starring Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Ryder Allen as the three leads:

Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks for Universal Pictures, ‘Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’…

…got ‘lucky’ in more than 25 cartoon shorts.

Looking to cash in on their own character, without interference from Universal, Disney and Iwerks created ‘Mickey Mouse’…and the rest is history…

Click the images to enlarge…...

'Screamboat' director Steven Lamorte hopes Disney "won't come after us" because the horror comedy mocks everything about the corporation.Lamorte helmed the reimagining of the Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks 1928 animated short film 'Steamboat Willie', with the gore-filled flick following a group of New Yorkers who are picked off by a monstrous mouse named Steamboat Willie.Animation 'Steamboat Willie' is considered to be the public debut of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and although Disney retains exclusive rights to its own Mickey Mouse universe, the 'Steamboat Willie' version of the character entered the public domain on January 1, 2024, with 'Screamboat' being announced a day later.Lamorte admits his new movie lampoons many aspects of Disney and he hopes the corporation will see the funny side.Speaking to the new issue of SFX magazine, he said: "We lovingly poke fun at all things Disney; it's corporate culture, TV shows,...

Whatever you do, don't call him Mickey!

Screamboat is set to hit theaters for a limited run on April 2, and Sleight of Hand Productions has released the final trailer for the Steamboat Willie horror parody, which stars David Howard Thornton - who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier films - as a twisted take on the classic cartoon character.

As we're sure many of you will be aware, Steamboat Willie debuted in a 1928 animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, which is generally viewed as the first appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. For all intents and purposes, Willie is the iconic Disney mascot, but something tells us this character won't be referred to as Mm in the movie.

This project is not part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, aka the "Poohniverse," but by the looks of this reprehensible rodent, he'd fit right in.

“I’m...

Quick LinksDisney’s Ub Iwerks Used Cutting Edge Techniques to Create the Special Effects in the BirdsHitchcock Made Major Changes Adapting The Birds From Page to ScreenCritics Had Mixed Opinions About Hitchcock’s The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock's iconic 1963 film The Birds is remembered for its high concept and cutting-edge special effects of the time. Considered by Hitchcock to be potentially "the most terrifying motion picture" he had ever made, it centered around a small town attacked by its local avian population. It was based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier. Hitchcock adapted another of the acclaimed author's stories, Rebecca, in 1940 to great success. And even though she would not be as pleased with his second endeavor, it would still go on to become one of his most well-known movies.

The Birds was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Special Effects at the 36th Oscars ceremony. Hitchcock...

“Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’, a cartoon character created by Walt Disney in 1927, is in development as a comedic, animated, live-action TV series, to be produced by “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau:

Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks for Universal Pictures, ‘Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’…

…got ‘lucky’ in more than 25 cartoon shorts.

Looking to cash in on their own character, without interference from Universal, Disney and Iwerks created ‘Mickey Mouse’…and the rest is history…

Click the images to enlarge…...

Jon Favreau is reportedly developing a new hybrid live-action/animated series centered on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The Walt Disney Studios project, which Favreau is writing and producing, marks the latest effort to spotlight one of Disney’s most historically significant characters.

Oswald’s Legacy and Disney’s Long Journey to Bring Him Home

Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a precursor to Mickey Mouse, in 1927. The character starred in 27 animated shorts. However, in 1928, control of the character shifted to Universal Pictures, prompting the duo to create Mickey Mouse as a replacement.

Oswald’s return to The Walt Disney Company became a personal mission for CEO Bob Iger, who secured the rights to the character in 2006. Since then, Oswald has made limited appearances in merchandise, theme parks, and special projects, but this new Disney+ series marks his most prominent role in decades.

A New Chapter for...

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the cartoon character Walt Disney created before Mickey Mouse, is finally getting the spotlight with his own Disney+ series. Moreover, a filmmaker with connections to brands like Star Wars and MCU is at the helm: Jon Favreau. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927 and was featured in 27 animated shorts. However, Universal Pictures, who distributed the cartoons, took control of the character and forced Disney out. This resulted in Disney starting over from scratch, ultimately leading to the creation of Mickey Mouse. In 2006, Disney acquired the trademark of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit by trading the services of Al Michaels as play-by-play announcer on NBC Sunday Night Football to NBCUniversal.

Deadline reports that Favreau, the director of Iron Man and the creator of The Mandalorian, is set to write and produce a Disney+ series based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The...

The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau is staying in business with Disney. The filmmaker, who was also behind the company's live-action/CG reimaginings of The Jungle Book and The Lion King, is set to bring one of Walt Disney's first breakout cartoon characters back to the small screen.

According to Deadline, Favreau will write and produce an animation/live-action hybrid show centered around the saucy and self-absorbed Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Disney+. The cartoon character was co-created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks for Universal Pictures, starring in 27 animated shorts between 1927 and 1938. However, Universal took control of the character in 1928, leading Disney to create a new character as Oswald's replacement. Enter Mickey Mouse, who would go on to become the face of The Walt Disney Company. When Bob Iger became CEO of Disney, he became committed to acquiring the trademark of Oswald, succeeding in 2006.

Following Oswald's return to Disney, the...

Disney’s history stands to repeat itself as the mouse-eared studio reaches deep into the vault for Jon Favreau’s latest project. After delivering hits like The Mandalorian, The Jungle Book, and one of Disney’s most lucrative franchises, The Lion King, Jon Favreau will write and produce a TV series featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Disney+.

The live-action/animated hybrid stars Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, an all-but-forgotten character who helped Mickey Mouse rise to fame. Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks created Oswald in 1927 and starred in 27 animated shorts. However, when Universal gained control of the character in 1928, Disney pivoted to Mickey Mouse, and the rest is history.

Oswald first appeared in the short film Trolley Trouble on September 5, 1927. Interestingly, Oswald can disassemble and reshape his body at will, leading to wacky scenarios and sticky situations. Unlike the affable Mickey Mouse, Oswald is a brash, feisty, and overconfident character...

Cartoons from the first half of the 20th century are creepy for a lot of reasons. For one, many of the lead animators in the early days of film had dark senses of humor. In addition, while cartoons came to be associated with kids in the age of television, these early animators weren't necessarily making films that were family-friendly.

Modern filmmakers, game designers, and artists often lift imagery from the early years of animation to make a work creepier. But long before Bendy and the Ink Machine or Cuphead,animators were doing just fine creeping out their audiences on their own.

Updated by Robert Vaux on February 12, 2025: These cartoons are representative of a different time in animated filmmaking, from techniques to aesthetics. Many of these cartoons were designed to be scary for children; however, as animation evolved and tastes changed, "scary" became "creepy" in a way the animators likely didn't intend.

Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, Bambi, Peter Pan, and now Mickey Mouse... kinda!

The first teaser for Iconic Events Releasing's upcoming Screamboat movie didn't actually reveal the murderous mouse, but thanks to a new promo image (via Variety), we now have a first look at David Howard Thornton - who plays Art the Clown in the Terrifier films - as a twisted take on the classic cartoon character.

This project is not part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, aka the "Poohniverse," but by the looks of this reprehensible rodent, he'd fit right in.

As we're sure many of you will be aware, Steamboat Willie debuted in a 1928 animated short film directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, which is generally viewed as the first appearance of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. For all intends and purposes, Willie is the iconic Disney mascot, but something tells us this character won't be referred...

With Mickey Mouse's first official appearance entering the public domain on January 1st, 2024, a Steamboat Willie horror movie entitled Screamboat was quickly announced. The 1928 short created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks depicts Mickey as a steamboat captain who gets into various cartoon antics involving early versions of Disney characters like Pete and Minnie Mouse. The short was notable for a host of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that it was one of the earliest synchronized sound cartoons. On top of that, it introduced Mickey Mouse to the world.

Due to copyright law, Steamboat Willie entered into the public domain on the first day of 2024, meaning it could be used for any purpose as long as the artist doesn't claim ownership of the original piece. As the 2020s wear on, this has become a more common sight as popular intellectual properties like Winnie the Pooh lapse into the public domain.

No Disney watch party is complete without 101 Dalmatians. The 1961 classic is one of the most beloved entries in Disney’s iconic lineup. Alongside Mary Poppins, it also marked one of the last films made under Walt Disney’s leadership, as the studio’s namesake founder died in 1966.

It’s the quintessential Disney film. Its bright animation, comedy, and action appeal to younger audiences. Its romantic subplot and dramatic interludes draw in older viewers. 101 Dalmatians easily cemented itself as the all-ages fun expected of a Disney film. It earned a massive profit and drew near-universal acclaim. So, why did Walt Disney hate it?

Walt Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Is One of the Most Beloved Animated Films Ever

101 Dalmatians is based on a novel by Dodie Smith. During its debut in 1961, 101 Dalmatians earned the title of eighth most profitable film. The canine adventure film has been one of Disney’s most successful series,...

Washington Irving‘s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” heralded an enduring Halloween icon with the Headless Horseman, an unforgettable, imposing character that practically begged to be translated into a visual medium. While Disney’s classic feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad wasn’t the first to adapt Irving’s short, the more family-friendly approach and distinct Halloween setting to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow segment ensures that it’s a holiday staple that still holds up well 75 years later.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was released in theaters on October 5, 1949, but the road getting there was tough and winding thanks to World War II. The film pairs two unlikely tales together: The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Both were intended as separate feature-length animated films, but the company was dealing with financial strife at the time and was forced to pivot.

You know Mickey Mouse. I know Mickey Mouse. Everyone knows Mickey Mouse, and that he was created by Walt Disney… right? While that statement isn’t categorically wrong, it’s also not the whole truth. There’s no arguing that Walt Disney was a visionary, but he was not a one man show. Meet Ub Iwerks, the son of a German immigrant, a talented animator, an incredible artist, and a pivotal inventor who altered the course of Hollywood history. Without his contributions to the industry, some of your favorite movies, cartoons, and even theme park attractions may have never been made. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood...

One of the greatest visionaries of the 20th Century; Walt Disney ushered his empire to heights that no other entity has been able to reach. His accomplishments exceed that of any normal man and while he had his dated flaws, he was always looking at ways to be different and to exceed. As an animator, film producer, and entrepreneur, Disney created some of the most memorable films and characters in existence. The world knows his name and he is responsible for developing the medium that we all use to grow up watching on Saturday mornings. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment,...

Quick Links Screamboat Latest News Screamboat Is Confirmed Screamboat Cast Screamboat Story Details Steamboat Willie: Further News & Info

With Mickey Mouse's first official appearance entering the public domain on January 1st, 2024, a Steamboat Willie horror movie entitled Screamboat has already been announced. The 1928 short created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks depicts Mickey as a steamboat captain who gets into various cartoon antics involving early versions of Disney characters like Pete and Minnie Mouse. The short was notable for a host of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that it was one of the earliest synchronized sound short cartoons. On top of that, it introduced Mickey Mouse to the world.

Due to copyright law, Steamboat Willie and its imagery entered into the public domain on the first day of 2024, meaning it could be used for any purpose as long as the artist doesn't claim ownership of the original piece.

Rod Serling's anthology series "The Twilight Zone" may not have had a perfect run all the way through (you can check out our ranking of the original classic seasons right here), but it sure kicked off with a bang. Its second episode, "One For The Angels," was tonally much different than the show's unconventional pilot, and fairly quickly, audiences learned that they were going to be seeing many familiar faces pop up across the show's delightfully twisted and thought-provoking episodes. One such face belonged to Ed Wynn, who audiences would have known at that time for his many stage, film, and TV roles, including leading the Peabody- and Emmy-winning variety series "The Ed Wynn Show." Wynn carried this "Twilight Zone" episode on his shoulders, playing a pitchman who is visited by the personification of Death and trying to outsmart him, only to eventually have to give the pitch of his...

While Walt Disney Animation Studios has tried to teach children lessons in as palatable a format as possible, there are still a few harsh realities to life. Even Disney animated movies know they have to address some of the darker aspects of living. This has led to some darker Disney movies than one would expect.

Several dark movies have been released in the Disney animated canon over the years. While countless movies have had grim moments, these movies have incredibly dark themes. They are real and teach lessons in their own way, even if it feels a bit grim in the making. Some moments have stuck with viewers through various stages of their lives.

Updated on June 4th, 2024 by David Giatras: While Disney animated movies are geared toward children, quite a few can be surprisingly dark, even for adults. This list has been updated to Cbr's current standards and...

Once upon a time, Walt Disney was just a regular American struggling to succeed. He goes from little guy to big cheese with the help of a mouse in How Disney Built America, six-part History Channel docuseries featuring original dramatic re-creations, expert interviews and archival material. Here, we sketch out each hourlong episode ahead of the April 28 series premiere. Episode 1: The Birth of Mickey (April 28) In 1920s Hollywood, a young Walt loses creative control over his first successful cartoon character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, to a powerful middleman. Walt and animator Ub Iwerks create Mickey Mouse and make the first synchronized sound animated short, Steamboat Willie. It’s a hit. Episode 2: Animation Expansion (May 5) At his studio, Walt still faces soaring costs, mounting criticism and tight deadlines. He pushes the limits of technology to create the first full-length animated feature with sound and color, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,...

There isn't an animated character who is more recognized than Mickey Mouse. Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928 after the loss of their first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, he quickly became the mascot for Walt's new company when he appeared in "Steamboat Willy", one of the first shorts to use synchronized sound. For the rest of the 1920s, Iwerks animated several hilarious and innovative shorts, before leaving Disney in 1930.

The History Channel’s How Disney Built America dives into the history of the Disney brand and its impact on generations of fans. The six-episode nonfiction series is set to premiere April 28, 2024 at 10pm Et/Pt, with new episodes arriving on Sundays.

Produced by A+E Factual Studios group, the new addition to the network’s That Built franchise is executive produced by Sharon Scott, Steve Ascher, Matthew Pearl, Kristy Sabat, and Andy Seestedt. The History Channel’s Mary E. Donahue, Jim Pasquarella, and Alex Hicks also serve as executive producers.

The network released this lengthy description of the six-part series:

“How Disney Built America is a nostalgia-filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he and his brother Roy Disney built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney’s history including creating the world’s most recognizable characters,...

Many legendary animators and artists have worked at Disney over the years, such as Ub Iwerks, the co-creator of Mickey Mouse. However, the most famous animators have to be the Nine Old Men. Nicknamed after Franklin D. Roosevelt's comment about his nine Supreme Court Justices, these men were trained on Disney's Silly Symphony cartoons before working on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They would become Disney's main core animators up to The Rescuers, and in 1989, were all named Disney Legends.

After losing the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney decided he needed a new character for his animated shorts. With his friend and fellow animator, Ub Iwerks, he co-created Mickey Mouse, and his popularity would see him become the mascot of the Walt Disney Corporation. As of 2024, all Mickey Mouse cartoons released in 1928 have entered the public domain, and the ones from 1929 will come in 2025.

As of January 1st, the earliest versions of Mickey Mouse – seen in the animated shorts Plane Crazy, The Gallopin’ Gaucho, and most famously Steamboat Willie – became public domain. Then director Jamie Bailey and writer/producer Simon Phillips revealed they’re already taking advantage of Mickey’s new public domain status by using a version of the character in their slasher movie Mickey’s Mouse Trap. A trailer for that movie made its way online, but it doesn’t have a release date yet. So technically, the first horror project to use Mickey Mouse is actually the short film The Vanishing of S.S. Willie, which was released through the Night Signal Entertainment YouTube channel yesterday. You can check it out in the embed above.

Here’s the info on The Vanishing of S.S. Willie: A lost 1928 documentary about a missing ship is discovered, and its dark secrets unearthed. A...

Mickey Mouse has got a knife. With those simple words, and the corresponding horror movie trailer which goes with them, it’s become clear that the 21st century is about to get weird. Well, weirder, at any rate.

Nearly a hundred years after Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks animated the short film “Steamboat Willie,” which introduced a rodent who helped Walt build an empire, the same short cartoon has entered the public domain as of Jan. 1, 2024. And already there have been as many new Mickey Mouse slasher projects announced as there’ve been days in the New Year.

The first and clearly most advanced is Mickey’s Mouse Trap, a film set in a fictional amusement park where teenagers are picked off one at a time by a man with uncomfortably familiar-looking mouse ears. The logline promises (or warns?): “It’s Alex’s 21st Birthday, but she’s stuck...

The fraudulent Michelangelo who performed at Mar-a-Lago isn't the only imposter version of an iconic animated anthropomorphic animal on the loose at the dawn of 2024.

As of January 1 this year, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks's "Steamboat Willie" -- the benchmark 1928 black-and-white cartoon short featuring Mickey Mouse in his earliest form -- has officially entered the public domain. That means it's open season for anyone and everyone who wants to use that iteration of the Walt Disney Company's mascot. So, naturally, there's already an influx of horror-themed films and even video games aiming to parody the rodent's family-friendly image. (Nobody tell them that Kevin Smith basically already did that 25 years ago with the Mickey-inspired Mooby the Golden Calf in "Dogma.")

Up first? "Mickey's Mouse Trap." Directed by Jamie Bailey, the slasher film centers on Alex, a young woman who's stuck spending her 21st birthday working a late shift at...

M-i-c-k-e-y will soon belong to you and me.

With several asterisks, qualifications and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.

In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.

“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat,...

Walt Disney is one of the most recognized individuals of the early 20th century. A pioneering businessman, animator, and filmmaker, he is best remembered for his numerous contributions to American popular culture. These include co-creating the iconic character Mickey Mouse alongside legendary animator Ub Iwerks, co-founding the Walt Disney Corporation in 1923 with his brother, Roy O. Disney, and his theme park, Disneyland, which opened in 1955. A heavy smoker, Walt died on December 15, 1966, due to complications from lung cancer, but his company went on to become one of the largest media conglomerates in the world.

All Jack Frost Films Ever Made(Photo Credit –IMDb)

Santa Claus is and will always be the face of Yuletide. He’s an old, polite, white-bearded man who gives everyone gifts; what’s not to love there? So, it is safe to say no one can replace the good old Santa Claus. However, there are some Christmas figures that do not nearly get as much love from the world as Santa, despite being as interesting, if not more, than Father Christmas. One such character is Jack Frost.

While technically not a ‘Christmas figure,’ Jack Frost has always been associated with the festival. He’s essentially the face of winter, the personification of cold, and the guy who gives everyone the frosty fingers and snowed-in days. The first recorded mention of Jack Frost in literature was in 1734 in a book called “Round About Our Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments.”

Jack Frost...

As Disney has been enthusiastically reminding us all year, 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio by Walt and Roy Disney. Walt was an animator whose previous company, Laugh-o-Gram Studio, which he founded with Ub Iwerks, had just gone bankrupt. Meanwhile Roy was still suffering from tuberculosis. Yet the studio they founded would come to be ranked number 53 on the Fortune 500 list of the biggest companies in the United States in 2022. More impressive still, the company has achieved the ever elusive mystique of being a brand adored and respected around the world.

The Walt Disney Company (as it has been known since 1986) has expanded into all sorts of areas over the years, from theme parks to superhero movies to streaming documentaries, but the heart and soul of the endeavour is still, at the end of things, Walt Disney Animation Studios, which was put into...

Walt Disney originally planned for his company's mascot to be called Mortimer Mouse, but his wife didn't like the name and it was changed to Mickey Mouse instead. Mortimer Mouse was later reintroduced as Mickey's rival in a 1936 short film called "Mickey's Rival," where he tried to win Minnie's affection but failed hilariously. Although Mortimer Mouse didn't become the company's mascot, he has since made appearances in various Disney cartoons, continuing to play a significant role in Mickey Mouse's history.

The title of Disney's mascot nearly went to one of Mickey Mouse's classic rivals. Since his appearance in the 1929 cartoon, Steamboat Willie, the cheerful, friendly mouse has appeared in more than 130 movies, comics, cartoons, and video games. But there was a time when another mouse character nearly held the position of Disney's mascot.

As Mickey Mouse's popularity rose, more characters were created by the company, ranging from Minnie Mouse to Donald Duck.

Disney has evolved from its early beginnings in animation to become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, with a wide range of content across film, TV, streaming, literature, video games, theme parks, and more. Key milestones in Disney's history include the creation of Mickey Mouse in 1928, the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 1937, the debut of Disney Channel in 1983, and the acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm in later years. The launch of Disney+ in 2019 has further strengthened Disney's position, providing a platform for both licensed and original content and allowing the company to reach a global audience. Disney's influence in entertainment shows no signs of slowing down.

Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and looking back at the company’s history in film and TV, it’s clear why it’s still a powerhouse in the world of entertainment. Although Disney is best known for its...

Disney's animated short film, The Skeleton Dance, was banned in Denmark in 1929 for being "too macabre" and dark for audiences. The Skeleton Dance was part of Disney's Silly Symphonies series and was one of the first cartoons to synchronize animation and sound together simultaneously. Despite the controversy and criticism at the time, The Skeleton Dance is considered an animated masterpiece and has had a significant impact on cartoons.

Walt Disney Studios has released some successful horror films, but in 1929, one horror movie was banned for being too dark for audiences. Disney's animated short The Skeleton Dance is one of the most essential animated shorts in cinematic history; it brought animation out of the silent era and was one of the first cartoons released in the golden age of animation between 1928 and 1969. However, the circumstances of its release were quite unique, especially compared to other Disney features and short films.

The...

October 16, 2023 marks the official 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. While many enterprises now make up the conglomerate — from theme parks to sports broadcasting — animation has been at its core since the beginning.

The legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios continues strongly today. 2023 also sees the theatrical debut of "Wish" — the studio's first original fairytale — from the co-director of "Frozen" and starring Ariana DeBose as Asha, the story's protagonist. "Wish" is accompanied in theaters by a new short film, "Once Upon a Studio," starring Mickey Mouse and featuring characters from every feature-length film in the Disney Animation canon.

Even for a studio with such a rich, beloved filmography as Disney's, the past 100 years have been an ebb and flow of highs and lows, hits and bombs, artistic phenomena and creative scarcity. With each generation, Disney Animation must redefine itself for its audience while retaining the signatures that make it iconic.

The latest episode of "Futurama," titled "The Prince and the Product," is the show's seventh anthology episode, and it's the weirdest one to date.

The "Futurama" anthology episodes began back in the series' second season with "Anthology of Interest I", and featured stories that were too outlandish, even for the already-bizarre show. The conceit behind the anthology format, at least at first, was merely to sensationalize the drama in a 1950s style, complete with an over-the-top announcer (Maurice Lamarche) yelling things like "You've seen it! Now you can't unsee it!" As the show progressed, however -- and the showrunners wanted to get even wilder -- the conceit fell away, and anthology shows would be presented just for fun.

The episode "Reincarnation", for instance, merely featured a trio of segments in different animation formats. One was a black-and-white Ub Iwerks-style cartoon, another appeared to have been animated on an Atari...

Updated with full schedule: Disney has revealed the full schedule for what it terms “the Biggest Disney Fan Event of the year,” Destination D23, which will take place from Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

The event, tied to the company’s 100th anniversary this year and put on for members of its D23 fan club, promises a “journey through every era of Disney, as we venture back through the last century of storytelling and look forward to a limitless future for the company.”

Below is a simplified graphic followed by the detailed full schedule revealed today:

Friday, September 8

7 a.m. – 8 p.m. :

Guest Services / International Credential Pick-Up Open

East Registration

Shopping Check-In Open

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. :

Gift Pick-Up Open

Sorcerer’s Apprentice 2

Mickey’s of Glendale Shopping Open

Ballroom of the Americas, 2nd Floor...

Mickey Mouse, created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928, is an unparalleled cultural icon and the epitome of animation's global impact. With his cheerful demeanor, iconic ears, and plentiful adventures, Mickey became the face of an entertainment empire that revolutionized storytelling and captured the hearts of generations. His popularity and role as the cornerstone of The Walt Disney Company reflect the evolution of animation and his ability to transcend time, language, and culture, cementing his status as a universally recognized symbol of joy, imagination, and creativity.

After watching the Disney+ docuseries “The Imagineering Story” in 2019, Warner Bros. executives approached Leslie Iwerks about documenting their studio’s history.

“They said, ‘We’d like you to tell honest stories about us,” recalls the Oscar-nominated director, granddaughter of Mickey Mouse designer Ub Iwerks.

Three years later, Iwerks has two docs out about Warner Bros.: The first, “100 Years of Warner Bros.,” which pays homage to the output of the studio over the past century, debuted on Max in May, the same month that the series premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The director’s sophomore documentary for Warner Bros. Discovery, “Superpowered: The DC Story,” arrives July 20 on Max. The three-part series, which Iwerks co-directed with Mark A. Catalena, is a deep dive into the history and legacy of DC Comics, home to superheroes including Batman and Superman. The series also details the rivalry between DC and Marvel.

Narrated by Rosario Dawson,...

The original mascot for the Walt Disney Company was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, not Mickey Mouse. Founded by Walt Disney and his brothers in October 1923, the Walt Disney Company embarked on a journey that would forever shape the entertainment industry. Unfortunately, by 1927, the fledgling studio faced considerable financial challenges. Their groundbreaking and highly profitable animated masterpiece, Snow White, was still a decade away from captivating audiences. The studio found itself in dire straits, desperately seeking a reliable source of income to sustain its operations and fuel its growth.

Enter Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a creation of Walt Disney himself, alongside his talented animator, Ub Iwerks. While Mickey Mouse went on to achieve global fame and became the enduring symbol of Disney, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's significance cannot be overstated. Oswald's contribution to Disney's early years as a source of income and inspiration underscores the resilience, creativity, and determination that define Disney's enduring legacy.

“You know, it’s funny, I went to the other side of the tracks, didn’t I?” admits Leslie Iwerks as she begins talking about the four-part docuseries “100 Years of Warner Bros.: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of” that she directed for Max. Why the other side? Because the Oscar and Emmy nominee grew up as the daughter of longtime Disney executive Don Iwerks and granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, the Disney animation legend who worked side-by-side with Walt Disney and co-created Mickey Mouse. Yet here Leslie was tasked with putting together the ultimate history of a studio (Warner Bros.) that has long been a chief competitor of Disney. How did that happen? Her 2019 documentary “The Imagineering Story” that told the tale of Disney Imagineering came to the attention of the Warner Bros. folks. “They really liked it and asked if I could do something similar for them (to celebrate their 100th),” Iwerks says.

Clockwise from top left: A Trip To The Moon (Flicker Alley), 2001: A Space Odyssey (Warner Bros.), King Kong (Warner Bros.), Avatar (Disney), The Matrix (Warner Bros.)Graphic: AVClub

Though they may seem a recent phenomenon, special-effects driven movies have been with us since the dawn of cinema. From the...

With HBO Max transitioning to Max on May 23, the studio is unveiling new content to entice people to check out the new combined HBO Max/Discovery+ streaming service. One such piece is “100 Years of Warner Bros.,” a four-part documentary that honors the centennial of the studio that gave us the entire Max universe.

Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks (“The Imagineering Story”), granddaughter of Disney legend Ub Iwerks, the documentary series looks at the founding of the iconic Warner Bros. studio, founded in 1923, all the way to present-day. Talking heads include a cavalcade of stars from George Clooney and Keanu Reeves, to directors Baz Luhrmann and Martin Scorsese.

The first trailer certainly whets the appetite, showcasing nearly every major Warner Bros. movie, from “The Jazz Singer” to “Elvis,” with an eye towards showing why the studio was considered an outlier in the game. The fractious relationship between the four Warner brothers themselves is discussed,...

For years, Awesome Art We’ve Found Around The Net has been about two things only – awesome art and the artists that create it. With that in mind, we thought why not take the first week of the month to showcase these awesome artists even more? Welcome to “Awesome Artist We’ve Found Around The Net.” In this column, we are focusing on one artist and the awesome art that they create, whether they be amateur, up and coming, or well established. The goal is to uncover these artists so even more people become familiar with them. We ask these artists a few questions to see their origins, influences, and more. If you are an awesome artist or know someone that should be featured, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.This month we are very pleased to bring you the awesome art of…

Chogrin...

(Welcome to 100 Years of Disney Magic, a series examining the history, achievements, and legacy of The Walt Disney Company over the last century. Part 4, "Disney's Steamboat Willie Didn't Just Revolutionize Mickey Mouse — It Revolutionized Cartoons," examined the history of one of the most globally recognized icons ever created. In Part 5, we look at the next stage in Disney's history: the Silly Symphonies.)

As someone who is more interested in the history of the Walt Disney Company than its recent offerings, I've noticed some interesting gaps in terms of popular coverage. When people do talk about the company itself and its early contributions to the world of animation, the conversation is usually focused on the Mickey Mouse shorts and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." If a nerd film historian is really showing off their deep understanding of Disney lore, they may also bring up Oswald the Lucky Rabbit or even...

(Welcome to 100 Years of Disney Magic, a series examining the history, achievements, and legacy of The Walt Disney Company over the last century. Part 2, "The Dream Comes True: The Birth Of Disney Brothers Studio," investigated the animator arriving in Hollywood and founding the Disney Brothers Studio with his brother Roy. In Part 3, we explore the rise and fall of Walt's first breakout hit, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.)

When we think "Walt Disney," one iconic cartoon character comes to mind -- the shrill-voiced optimist, Mickey Mouse. Much like Kermit the Frog is to Jim Henson, the squeaky lil' anthropomorphized rodent is a reflection of his creator. Mickey Mouse is humble, yet bold. He works hard. He loves his friends and family. He's distinctly American. Heck, Mickey was even voicedby Walt Disney initially. It's no wonder that mouse ears became a trademark icon for the Disney brand as a whole, appearing on T-shirts,...

Harry Houdini in Haldane Of The Secret Service Image: Harry Houdini Pictures While a lot of people are looking ahead to the movies that are coming in 2023 (we’ve done it too), The A.V. Club thought this would also be a good moment to take a look back. Way, way back.

Walt Disney Co. Archives director Becky Cline has spent the past several months shuttling between the studio’s Burbank lot and Philadelphia, where a sprawling exhibit is debuting in February as part of the conglomerate’s yearlong 100th anniversary celebration in 2023. After Philly’s famed Franklin Institute, Disney100: The Exhibition will embark on a global five-year tour. The 15,000-square-foot spectacle will showcase more than 250 items, including Mickey Mouse sketches through the years, the storybook seen in 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the snow globe from 1964’s Mary Poppins, not to mention Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and Pixar paraphernalia.

None is more important than the contract signed by Walt Disney and his brother Roy O. Disney on Oct. 16, 1923, to make a series of six Alice in Wonderland-themed cartoons for distributor M.J. Winkler, who booked animated shorts to play before silent movies. The pact marked the founding of the Disney Brothers Studio,...

Disney has gone back to the inkwell many times before but this is ridiculous! Walt Disney Animation Studios has released a brand new short starring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, nearly a century after his debut.

The film, titled Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, runs just over one minute but is an utterly charming short. You can watch at the end of this article.

The short is part of the studio’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration/campaign. It is directed by Annie Award winner Eric Goldberg, who worked on such Disney movies as Aladdin, Pocahontas (director) and The Princess and the Frog. On the character and creation of the short, Goldberg said, “Oswald is such a plucky scamp. We wanted to bring Oswald back, and in the short, he literally returns to his original home: the movie screen. We wanted to have Oswald do all of the ‘squash-and-stretch,’ ‘rubber hose’-animation style,...