Take a look back at Steamboat Willie, the legendary 1928 black-and-white animated short that introduced Mickey Mouse to audiences and helped launch one of the most recognizable characters in entertainment history. Released by Walt Disney Animation Studios on November 18, 1928, Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released to the public, even though it was the third Mickey short produced.
Historical Milestones:
Why Steamboat Willie Matters:
This video preserves and presents the classic cartoon as an important piece of animation history, early sound film development, and American pop culture.
Steamboat Willie remains one of the most important animated shorts ever released, with lasting appeal for viewers interested in classic animation, Disney history, public domain films, and early cartoon technology.