In 1928, the world of animation was forever changed with the debut of Steamboat Willie and its iconic lead, Mickey Mouse. Ever since that short, Mickey has become the figurehead of Disney and cemented himself in entertainment history, appearing in numerous films, cartoons, shows, comics, and video games.
To think that such a simple mouse has remained relevant for over eighty years is remarkable. While he is still the rascally underdog that audiences know and love, he's evolved over the years and grown since his first appearance. When looking over his vast filmography, it becomes clear that Mickey Mouse has changed in at least ten ways since 1928.
10 His appearance: Once the film industry moved toward technicolor, Mickey needed a new look
The first change people think of is Mickey's transition from black-and-white to color. Once the film industry moved toward technicolor, Mickey needed a new look. It started with making his shorts red and making his face more flesh-colored.
As the years went on, his pie-eyes changed to regular white and his outfits changed depending on the cartoon. Nowadays, Mickey has two designs: his modern aesthetic and his Paul Ruddish-design. No doubt he'll gain more designs as time goes on.
9 His Voice: Carl W. Stalling was the first to voice the mouse, but it was Walt Disney who took up the mantle for years to come
Just about everyone in the world can recognize Mickey's bubbly voice, but he didn't start with it. Voicework back in the 1920s was still primitive so Mickey was limited to shrill cries, exclamations, and cheeky laughter. It wasn't until 1929, in The Karneval Kid, that he got his first speaking line as a hot dog vendor.
Carl W. Stalling was the first to voice the mouse, but it was Walt Disney who took up the mantle for years to come. Since his passing, every voice actor has done their best to capture Walt's performance while adding their take.
8 Suburban Lifestyle: Mickey settled down & got a home
One of the best aspects of Mickey Mouse is that he is a versatile character that can fit into any role. Mickey can be placed into any location or time the cartoon calls for, whether it's the wild west or the medieval ages. As society progressed and living in the suburbs became the norm, Mickey settled down and got a home.
While he still goes on escapades in various locations, more often than not his adventures take place in scenic small towns or the big city. Tying together his everyman archetype.
7 His Treatment of Animals: Thankfully, he's changed his tune, otherwise, they'd never let him have a dog
Everyone knows Mickey has a noble, helpful fellow, but in the early shorts, he tended to mistreat animals. Obviously, since these are cartoons, the abuse isn't graphic and played for laughs, but some stuff wouldn't fly. Like in Steamboat Willie, where he grabs various animals and plays them like instruments by pulling the tails of piglets and cats, stretching a duck's neck, and ending with him hitting a parrot with a potato.
There's also Plane Crazy where he rips the tail feathers off a turkey for his plane or The Plowboy where he uses a pig to plow the fields. Thankfully, he's changed his tune, otherwise, they'd never let him have a dog.
6 Becoming A Pet Owner: his love for his pets is undeniable
Nobody exemplifies the relationship between man and dog better than Mickey Mouse and Pluto. Pluto's introduction presented Mickey in a new light as a caring pet owner willing to take on any challenge with his trusty pet by his side.
In recent years, Mickey has taken on other pets but few of them have recurring roles. The exception to this being Gubbles, his pet fish from the Paul Ruddish cartoons. While certainly not the greatest pet owner, his love for his pets is undeniable.
5 Treatment of Minnie: he's abandoned inappropriate behavior in favor of chivalry & kindness
When people think of Mickey and Minnie, they picture the two having the ideal relationship. Though there was a time when Mickey made some inappropriate moves on Minnie. Nothing explicit, but there were moments in Plane Crazy and The Plowboy where he attempted to steal a kiss from her when she wouldn't consent.
It was a different time back then and Mickey has long since abandoned that kind of behavior, treating Minnie chivalrously and kindly. Leaving the role of rude, misogynist to his rivals Pete and Mortimer.
4 His Relationship with Donald & Goofy: Over time, the trio would be grouped as co-workers & their friendship blossomed
It's hard to imagine Mickey without his friends, Donald and Goofy, but they weren't always the best of pals. Goofy was mostly delegated as a background extra and once a romantic rival in Ye Olden Days under the name Dippy Dawg.
As for Donald, he had his shorts and played an antagonizing vendor to Mickey's conductor in The Band Concert. Over time, the trio would be grouped as co-workers and their friendship blossomed. Forcing Mickey into a new position of their group dynamic.
3 Becoming A Leader: Mickey continued to be placed at the center of attention
Mickey Mouse is considered many things but rarely do people think of him as a leader. Looking over his progression across his filmography, the proof suggests otherwise.
While he started as a playful scamp, Mickey soon became the right man to antics of his accident-prone friends. As he matured, Mickey continued to be placed at the center of attention and his friends looked to him for answers. He may not have sought such a position but he's stuck with it whether he likes it or not.
2 Becoming a Hero: In most of Mickey's early outings, he was a simple guy with normal goals
He was either at one of his various jobs or just getting into harmless mischief. In comics, Mickey was placed in more daring scenarios and with his resurgence in the late '80s and '90s, he found himself in more harrowing adventures.
It's remarkable to believe that the impish mouse seen in Steamboat Willie would be facing off against Maleficent in Fantasmic or foiling Pete in The Three Musketeers. None of that can compete with his most unique outing.
1 Kingdom Hearts: he's become a competent, skilled swordsman that wards off the forces of darkness
Kingdom Hearts is by far one of the most ambitious video game projects out there featuring Disney and Final Fantasy characters co-existing. It's also one of the most distinct depictions of Mickey Mouse that has never been attempted before.
Not only is he king, but he is also an accomplished Keyblade master that journeys to other worlds fighting the Heartless. It is surreal seeing Mickey not as a clumsy, innocent underdog but rather as a competent, skilled swordsman that wards off the forces of darkness from snuffing out all life. At the end of the day, he is still the friendly, loveable Mickey but this is a stark contrast from his debut in 1928.