When a work enters the public domain, it’s like releasing an immortal animal into the wild after it has been caged for a hundred years. Now freed from copyright restrictions, the work can be studied, reinterpreted, and explored in ways that better reveal its true nature. Scholars, creators, and fans are granted new freedoms to dive deeper into the essence of each work, uncovering layers of meaning that may have been obscured by legal limitations.
This list explores ten extraordinary works that will enter the public domain in 2025. The list includes essays, novels, movies, and music. In most cases, works enter the public domain 95 years after they were first published. In some countries, works also become public domain 70 years after the death of their author. Once free of copyright, these works belong to the world.
Related: 10 Frequently Misunderstood Works of Literature
10 Popeye the Sailor Man
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Popeye the Sailor Man, the world’s best-known spinach-loving cartoon character, was introduced to the world on January 17th, 1929. His first appearance was in a daily comic strip called Thimble Theatre, which was created by a very talented cartoonist named Elzie Crisler Segar (1894-1938). Popeye quickly became a star character and the primary focus of the comic strip.
Popeye was a character very different from anything that came before him: he was a gruff, pipe-smoking sailorman who gained superhuman strength after consuming spinach. Not only did Popeye capture the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide, but he also made one of the most unpopular dietary habits in the world, eating spinach, cool. Popeye was initially very well-liked, but his popularity really soared during World War II, as his image of strength and resilience resonated in the United States, which had joined the war effort.
Following WWII, the comic strip’s popularity waned, but it experienced a significant comeback during the 1980s due to the highly successful 1982 live-action film starring the comedic genius Robin Williams. The movie introduced Popeye to a new generation of fans.
In 2025, more than 100 years after his creation, Popeye is going to enter the public domain. This means that anyone will be able to use the Popeye character freely without the need to pay royalties. There are still some restrictions on how Popeye can be used, such as using Popeye’s image on products for sale, but Popeye entering the public domain will be one of the most significant events of 2025.[1]
9 William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner (1897–1962) is considered to be one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. His foremost skills were his innovative narrative techniques and his deep philosophical exploration of the universal human condition. Faulkner was born in Mississippi, and much of his work is rooted in the American South. For The Sound and the Fury (and for many of his other books), he created the fictional Yoknapatawpha County as the backdrop for his story. His works often deal with themes such as race, identity, and the passage of time, all filtered through his unique style of prose.
The Sound and the Fury was first published in 1929, and it is one of Faulkner’s most celebrated novels. The book tells the tragic story of the Compson family, former Southern aristocrats who have fallen into disarray. Faulkner uses a stream-of-consciousness technique, weaving together four narratives, each told from a different perspective, including that of Benjy, a man with a cognitive disability. The fragmented timeline and shifting points of view create an engrossing portrait of memory, loss, and human frailty.
The title, drawn from a line in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, reflects the novel’s themes of chaos and the futility of human struggle. Critics have celebrated The Sound and the Fury for its daring structure and emotional depth. Like another item on this list, Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, The Sound and the Fury is considered to be a modernist masterpiece.
Almost 100 years after it was first published, The Sound and the Fury will enter the public domain in 2025.[2]
8 Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, first published in 1929, is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of 20th-century American literature. Hemingway finished the book on October 29, 1929, the day that the U.S. stock market crashed. Drawing upon his own experiences as an ambulance driver during World War I, Hemingway painted a story that explored light and dark themes that resonated deeply with readers at the time: love, loss, and the brutality of war.
By the time Hemingway wrote this book, he had developed a very concise and understated prose style, now famously known as the “Iceberg Theory.” This technique involves only showing the “tip” of the story’s meaning on the surface while leaving the deeper truths and complexities submerged, inviting readers to interpret and uncover them on their own. His revolutionary style has influenced countless writers who came after him.
The story follows Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver serving in the Italian army, and his relationship with Catherine Barkley, a British nurse. What begins as a flirtation during wartime quickly evolves into an intense and consuming love set against the grim realities of World War I. The novel takes readers through Frederic’s experiences on the frontlines, his struggles with loyalty and duty, and his attempts to escape the chaos of war with Catherine.
Hemingway doesn’t shy away from depicting the physical and emotional toll of the conflict, and his portrayal of love as both a sanctuary and a source of pain deepens the narrative. The interplay between tenderness and destruction creates a hauntingly unforgettable story. A Farewell to Arms was both an entertaining narrative and a philosophical analysis of the human condition. Its gritty portrayal of wartime disillusionment and raw realism made it a critical and commercial success upon release.
The novel’s final lines, devastating in their simplicity, remain some of the most quoted in literature, a result of Hemingway’s gift for emotional resonance. Its realistic depiction of war and antiheroic tone sparked controversy in its day, leading to challenges and occasional bans in schools over the decades. Despite these challenges, the book has endured as a literary classic, has been studied in classrooms, and remains cherished by readers worldwide.
When A Farewell to Arms enters the public domain in 2025, Hemingway’s exploration of love and war will be freely accessible to a new generation of readers.[3]
7 Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Fats Waller (1904-1943) was a very popular American jazz pianist and entertainer. He was born Thomas Wright Waller on May 21, 1904, and grew up in New York City, where his father was a church pastor and his mother an organist. Waller was a very gifted and charismatic entertainer, and he was also a prolific songwriter who composed over 400 songs. He often collaborated with his musical partner, lyricist Andy Razaf, and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was one of their most famous works. The song will enter the public domain in 2025.
Composed by Waller and Razaf in 1929, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is considered to be one of the defining pieces of music associated with the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age. The song debuted in the Broadway musical Connie’s Hot Chocolates, where it quickly became one of the era’s biggest hits. Waller’s playful piano style and the clever, heartfelt lyrics resonated with audiences, making the song an instant classic.
The lyrics of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” express devoted love, with lines like “I’m savin’ my love for you.” These sentiments were very different from the carefree, indulgent, and hedonistic lifestyle common in the Roaring Twenties. Over the years, the song has been performed by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole, each bringing a unique interpretation to the jazz standard.
When “Ain’t Misbehavin’” enters the public domain, new artists and creators will begin to reinterpret and share the masterpiece without any legal restrictions. This freedom will likely lead to a resurgence in the song’s popularity.[4]
6 Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery
Agatha Christie (1890–1976) was a literary juggernaut: her books have sold over two billion copies worldwide, and her works have been translated into more than 100 languages. Christie is known as the “Queen of Mystery” and the “Queen of Crime.” Her most popular works focused on the themes of murder, justice, human psychology, greed, and betrayal. In 2025, one of her notable works, The Seven Dials Mystery, enters the public domain.
Agatha Christie wrote The Seven Dials Mystery in 1929, and by the time she penned this book, she had mastered her style of weaving tales of intrigue, murder, and surprising plot twists. The novel is a sequel to her earlier work, The Secret of Chimneys, and features a blend of Christie’s signature elements: an English country house setting, a group of colorful characters, and a baffling yet compelling murder mystery. Unlike her more famous works starring Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple, The Seven Dials Mystery introduces readers to a secretive organization called “The Seven Dials Club,” adding an exciting air of espionage and mystery.
The story begins with a prank gone wrong at Chimneys, the stately home of Lord Caterham, leading to the death of a guest. What initially seems to be a simple case of accidental death evolves into a layered plot involving coded messages, hidden alliances, and international intrigue. Christie was a master of misdirection, introducing unexpected plot turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
While The Seven Dials Mystery may not be as universally acclaimed as Murder on the Orient Express or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, it captures the essence of the interwar period in England, where aristocratic charm and the looming presence of modernity blend and blur.
In 2025, The Seven Dials Mystery will enter the public domain, unlocking new opportunities for adaptations, reinterpretations, and scholarly analysis. This development could inspire filmmakers and writers to explore the lesser-known corners of Christie’s oeuvre, bringing a fresh perspective to her work. For fans of classic detective fiction, the public domain status of this novel offers an exciting chance to revisit or discover one of Christie’s intriguing mysteries.[5]
5 Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail
Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980), often called the “Master of Suspense,” is one of the most respected filmmakers in cinematic history. Born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, England, Hitchcock grew up in a strict Catholic household, which profoundly influenced his themes of guilt and morality. Throughout his 50-plus-year career, he directed more than 50 feature films, including his best works: Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, and North by Northwest. Hitchcock was a pioneer in creating suspenseful narratives that psychologically captivated audiences.
Blackmail was released in 1929, and it was Hitchcock’s first sound film. The film was initially shot as a silent movie, but the transition to “talkies” prompted Hitchcock to rework key scenes with synchronized sound. The story follows Alice White, a young woman who kills a man in self-defense after he attempts to assault her.
The aftermath involves blackmail, police investigations, and Hitchcock’s signature use of visual symbolism and innovative camera techniques. One of the most memorable sequences is the climactic chase through the British Museum, which foreshadowed Hitchcock’s future penchant for using iconic landmarks as the backdrop for tense and exciting action scenes.
Blackmail was both a critical and commercial success, and it solidified Hitchcock’s reputation as a master filmmaker. Its exploration of themes such as guilt, morality, and the consequences of violence makes it a timeless movie that remains relevant almost a century after its release.
When Blackmail enters the public domain in 2025, it will offer filmmakers, scholars, and cinephiles the opportunity to explore and reinterpret one of Hitchcock’s earliest masterpieces. A whole new generation of film students will be excited to study this landmark work.[6]
4 Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
Georges Remi (1907–1983), better known by his pen name Hergé, was a Belgian cartoonist and writer who singlehandedly changed the direction of comics with his fresh and innovative work. Born in Etterbeek, Belgium, Hergé began drawing at a young age, and his artistic talent became evident almost immediately. He started his career as an illustrator for a Catholic newspaper, Le Vingtième Siècle, where he created Tintin for the children’s supplement Le Petit Vingtième.
Hergé’s clean-line drawing style, later known as ligne claire, became his signature trademark, and his works were of extremely high quality due to his meticulous research, gripping narratives, and powerful sense of humor. Over his lifetime, Hergé authored 24 Tintin albums, which have been translated into more than 70 languages and sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Even though he died several decades ago, he remains one of the most influential figures in the history of comic art.
Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is the first adventure of Tintin, the intrepid young reporter, and his loyal dog, Snowy. Originally serialized in 1929, this comic strip introduced readers to the characters that would go on to feature in some of the most beloved graphic novels in history. In this debut story, Tintin travels to the Soviet Union to investigate and expose the flaws of communism, masterfully navigating through danger, intrigue, and humor.
While the art and storytelling in the first edition were less polished than Hergé’s later works, Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is significant for establishing the foundation of what would become a worldwide phenomenon. It showcased the early stages of Hergé’s talent and offered a snapshot of the political and cultural climate of the late 1920s.
In 2025, Tintin in the Land of the Soviets will enter the public domain, allowing new creators to freely reinterpret the classic work. Whether through modern adaptations or historical analysis, this new freedom will offer fans and scholars a chance to explore Tintin more deeply than ever before.[7]
3 Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own
Published in 1929, A Room of One’s Own is a seminal feminist essay by Virginia Woolf, one of the most influential figures in modernist literature. Woolf (1882–1941) was an English writer widely recognized for her atypical narrative style and her unprecedented exploration of themes like identity, gender, and mental health. She was also a prominent member of the Bloomsbury Group, a collective of writers, artists, and intellectuals who lived in or near Bloomsbury, London. This group, active in the early 20th century, shared progressive ideas about art, philosophy, and social issues, and its members, such as economist John Maynard Keynes and painter Vanessa Bell, Woolf’s sister, had a profound influence on modernist thought.
In A Room of One’s Own, Woolf argues that women’s rights and education are necessary for women to achieve financial independence and personal space to nurture their creativity and intellectual pursuits. The essay challenges traditional norms that have historically restricted women’s agency, and it critiques societal structures that limited women’s opportunities. It is celebrated as a critical work in feminist theory and literature that connected with people and changed their minds through Woolf’s eloquence.
Over the decades, A Room of One’s Own has inspired many theatrical and cinematic adaptations. In 1989, British actress Eileen Atkins performed a one-woman play based on the essay, which she later adapted into a television film for the BBC in 1991. These adaptations brought Woolf’s thought-provoking arguments to life through dramatic monologues, allowing audiences to experience her prose in an intimate and engaging setting.
The essay has also been referenced in feminist documentaries and literary festivals, where Woolf’s voice continues to resonate many decades after her death. With its entry into the public domain in 2025, creators will have the freedom to reimagine Woolf’s work in new and innovative ways, perhaps leading to adaptations that incorporate modern themes while retaining her timeless message of equal opportunity.
It will be fascinating to see A Room of One’s Own and its ahead-of-its-time ideas become accessible to everyone without restriction.[8]
2 Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 3
Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953) was a Russian composer and pianist whose music helped to shape the course of 20th-century classical music. He was born in Sontsivka (now Sotsji), Ukraine, which was then part of the Russian Empire. Prokofiev demonstrated amazing musical talent from a young age. By the time he studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, his bold and unconventional style had already set him apart from his peers. Over his career, Prokofiev became known for blending beautiful melodies with daring, edgy harmonies and rhythms, and his music remains among the best remembered of his contemporaries.
Symphony No. 3 was composed in 1928, and it is one of Prokofiev’s most recognized compositions. It grew out of his opera The Fiery Angel, which didn’t achieve much success in its original form. Rather than letting the music go to waste, Prokofiev adapted it into a symphony. The symphonic version is a dark and gripping piece that captures the opera’s themes of obsession, spiritual conflict, and inner turmoil.
The symphony is about 34 minutes long, and it has four movements, each packed with raw emotion. It opens with a brooding introduction, followed by a fiery and relentless allegro. The third movement is hauntingly beautiful, offering a moment of reflection before the explosive finale brings everything to a dramatic close. Prokofiev’s use of dissonance and bold, unexpected twists gives the symphony a haunting edge. Listening to it, you can almost feel the tension of the world Prokofiev was living in, a time of political and social upheaval. I’ve linked to a full performance of the symphony by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025, Symphony No. 3 will enter the public domain, meaning that anyone will be free to play, study, or adapt it however they like. This exciting development opens the door to fresh interpretations of Prokofiev’s bold and daring piece.[9]
1 The Cocoanuts: The Cinematic Debut of the Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers—Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo—were born into a lively and artistic Jewish family in New York City. Their mother, Minnie Marx, played a catalytic role in shaping their careers. Recognizing her sons’ talents early on, Minnie pushed them toward intensive musical training, and she relentlessly encouraged their comedic and theatrical development. The brothers honed their skills on the vaudeville circuit, where they combined music, slapstick, and quick-witted humor to captivate audiences. By the 1920s, they had become one of the most popular acts in vaudeville. This success paved the way for their transition to Broadway and, eventually, to film.
The Cocoanuts was the Marx Brothers’ cinematic debut, and it was released in 1929. Adapted from their successful Broadway musical, it was produced by Walter Wanger and directed by Robert Florey and Joseph Santley. The movie was set in a struggling Florida hotel during the 1920s land boom. The plot involves Groucho as a scheming hotel manager, Harpo and Chico causing chaos, and a subplot centered around a daring jewel heist. By 1929, the Marx Brothers had mastered their signature comedic style: absurd wordplay, physical humor, and hilarious satire, along with, of course, wonderful music. Irving Berlin wrote the film’s memorable musical score.
I really enjoyed compiling this list, and I learned a great deal while writing it. The Cocoanuts is my personal favorite item on this list, so I saved it for last. Like all the other items on this list, The Cocoanuts will enter the public domain in 2025. I’ve linked to the entire movie on YouTube. If you have time to watch it, it really is a treat. Thank you so much for reading this list![10]