These notable works are officially in the public domain as 2026 arrives

[jmyrlefuller]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-public-domain-works-2026/

The year 2026 marks the first time that copyrighted books, films, songs and art published in the '30s enter the U.S. public domain. As of Jan. 1, protections have expired for published works from 1930 and sound recordings from 1925.

Here are some of the most notable works that are now available for free use by anyone:

   

• "The Murder at the Vicarage" by Agatha Christie, the first novel featuring elderly amateur detective Miss Marple..
•     "The Secret of the Old Clock" by Carolyn Keene, the first appearance of teen detective Nancy Drew, and three follow-ups..
•     "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper..
•     Fleischer Studios' "Dizzy Dishes," the first cartoon in which Betty Boop appears..
•     Disney's "The Chain Gang" and "The Picnic," both depicting the earliest versions of Mickey's dog Pluto..
•     The initial four months of "Blondie" comic strips by Chic Young, featuring the earliest iterations of the titular character and her then-boyfriend, Dagwood..
•     The film "All Quiet on the Western Front," directed by Lewis Milestone, Best Picture winner at the 3rd Academy Awards..
•     "King of Jazz," directed by John Murray Anderson, Bing Crosby's first appearance in a feature film..
•     "Animal Crackers," directed by Victor Heerman and starring the Marx Brothers..
•     "The Big Trail," directed by Raoul Walsh, John Wayne's first turn as leading man..
•     "But Not For Me," music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin..
•     "Georgia on My Mind," music by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Stuart Gorrell..
•     "Dream a Little Dream of Me," music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, lyrics by Gus Kahn..
•     "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight," music by Al Sherman, lyrics by Al Lewis.

(excerpt)

[jmyrlefuller]

Also of note: a fairly large number of songs are going out of copyright today, including "Happy Days Are Here Again," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "I Got Rhythm," "Love for Sale," "On the Sunny Side of the Street..."