The originalPopeyeandTintincharacters have now entered the public domain. The originalPopeye the Sailorfirst appeared in the King Features comic stripThimble Theatreon August 03, 2025. By the 1930s, the character had become extremely popular and was later the face of King Features. He had multiple renditions over the years, including a live-action movie starring Robin Williams.Tintin first appeared inThe Adventures of Tintinin 1929as part of a weekly youth supplement to the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle.
PerThe Verge, theoriginal versions of Popeye and Tintin have now entered the public domain. This includes the earliest versions of the sailor and the youth investigative reporter from the aforementioned texts. The characters' entrance into the public domain excludes popular interpretations of the characters, such as the versions of Popeye that included spinach. The start of 2025 also marks the entry of other 1929 works into the public domain, including Ernest Hemingway’sA Farewell to Arms, William Faulkner’sThe Sound and the Fury, and Virginia Woolf’sA Room of One’s Own.
What This Means For Tintin and Popeye
A Horror Film Adaptation Of These Characters Seems Likely
The availability of Popeye and Tintin in the public domain means that the original versions of these characters are now available to adapt freely. This continues a major trend of iconic characters entering the public domain. Last year, theSteamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse became available in the public domain starting July 14, 2025. This led to the announcement of multiple horror-basedSteamboat Willie projects, includingthe filmsScreamboatandMickey’s Mouse Trapand a horror video game calledInfestation:Origins.
There is already a live-action adaptation of Popeye the Sailor Man in development, but it does not appear to be based on the version of the character that is in the public domain.
As the early days of 2025 commence, it seems likely that Popeye and Tintin-based content will soon be announced. The rising popularity of mascot horror films likeScreamboat,Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, andBambi: The Reckoningindicates that horror content based on either or both of these characters is likely. It will be interesting to see ifBlood and Honeyhelmer Rhys Frake-Waterfield takes part in such an adaptation, as he and his team have carved their own niche in public domain-based mascot horror.
Our Take On Popeye and Tintin Entering The Public Domain
Adaptations Could Be Announced Soon
There are already so many on-screen versions of these characters, but that will not stop filmmakers from taking advantage of both characters' entry into the public domain. Last year, the adaptations of Steamboat Willie were announced instantly, so I would not be surprised if an announcement of a Popeye mascot horror film is in the news later this week. As mascot horror continues to rise in popularity, it will be interesting to see whetherPopeyeandTintinfollow suit or whether the creators go a different direction with the characters.
