When it comes to beloved fictional characters, copyright laws are often at play; these laws are meant to protect the creative works of artists, legally discerning who can profit from a fictional character’s likeness and story. Yet, some beloved characters are exempt from these stipulations and join what’s called the public domain, a term that refers to all creative works that are not subject to intellectual property laws. In other words, characters in the public domain are available for anyone to use and adapt in the way they see fit.

Throughout the years, characters from books, movies, and even Greek mythology have become a part of the public domain. From Tarzan to Thor, we explore some of the most well-known movie characters who have since entered the public domain and recount the stories that helped make these characters household names.

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14 Jay Gatsby

     Warner Bros.

Jay Gatsby is the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale, The Great Gatsby. Though the book was released in 1925, Jay Gatsby only became a part of the public domain in January 2021, nearly 100 years after the hotshot was introduced to the public.

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One of the most recognized adaptions was 2013’s The Great Gatsby, where Leonardo DiCaprio adopted the role of Jay. Here, Jay was shown to be as dazzling and love-struck as ever; with director Baz Luhrmann’s fast-paced camerawork and unique visuals, the classic character was given new life amidst a glittering 1920s-based backdrop.

13 Peter Pan

     Walt Disney Pictures

Today, Peter Pan is often widely recognized thanks in part to Disney’s 1953 film Peter Pan. However, the boy who refused to grow up originated from Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie decades before Disney had the chance to adapt the story.

Peter Pan entered the public domain in January 1987. Since then, more movies that use the character have been produced including 1991’s Hook, 2003’s Peter Pan, and 2004’s Finding Neverland. Though the films all tell a unique story, each holds true to the original characterization of Peter Pan, the stubborn but brave-hearted young boy who refused to grow up.

12 Tarzan

Tarzan is another character who rose to prominence thanks to Disney’s adaptation, aptly titled Tarzan. Tarzan is a man who was raised by apes; after a freak accident lands him alone and vulnerable in the jungle, a family of silverback gorillas raise the boy as their own and show him how to survive in the environment. Disney’s version specifically follows Tarzan when he meets an Englishwoman named Jane; here, he must learn to adapt to life as a human.

Today, Tarzan is a part of the public domain and has seen his story retold numerous times, both in television and film. Regardless, Tarzan is a character who is as intriguing as he is athletic, making him a wonderful addition to both the public domain and the creative world.

11 Flash Gordon

Flash Gordon originated from a 1938 comic strip created by Alex Raymond. The original strip centers around space adventure, following Flash as he encounters strange beings and worlds throughout the universe. Known for his dashing good looks and athleticism, Flash Gordon is a character that certainly made an impact both on paper and on screen.

Flash Gordon has seen television adaptions as well as movie adaptions. One of the most well-known films is the 1980 production entitled Flash Gordon. Here, Flash is seen protecting the Earth and keeping up with his usual hero work.

10 The Wizard of Oz

     Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Since its release in 1939, The Wizard of Oz has undoubtedly cemented itself as a classic film, based on the original story by L. Frank Baum. However, the titular character is perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the story; as the almighty and powerful ruler of Oz, this wizard is shown to be one of the wisest, most magical beings in the land.

9 Mad Hatter

Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland has definitely seen its fair share of cinematic adaptions. Yet, one of the most polarizing characters is certainly the Mad Hatter, a zany tea-party host who is clad in a unique top hat.

Disney created both an animated and live-action version of Alice in Wonderland, each of which takes the Mad Hatter in a different direction. However, both movies showcase the character as being highly unpredictable, jittery, and at times goofy. The Mad Hatter is perfectly fit for a world called Wonderland and brings the right amount of kookiness to any situation!

8 Hercules

Hercules is the first character here who originates from Greek mythology, perhaps making him the oldest character on this list. In fact, the character is so old that he existed before copyright laws even existed, making him automatically exempt from laws of this kind.

The character got his own cinematic release in 1997 in Disney’s Hercules. However, the character has seen multiple creative reworks both in film and television. Overall, Hercules is known for his God-like strength and superhuman abilities. He is tall, handsome, and certainly muscular, sharing qualities of both the Gods and humans.

7 Queen of Hearts

Another Alice in Wonderland addition to this list, the Queen of Hearts is the tyrannical ruler of the fictional Wonderland. Known for her love of all things red, the Queen of Hearts certainly has an explosive temper that she shows off in a not-so-graceful way.

The character is the main antagonist in the original Lewis Carroll story as well as in Disney’s adaptions. Like the previously mentioned Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts is as zany as her Wonderland counterparts, causing trouble and chaos everywhere she goes.

6 King Kong

King Kong is a character who has been around for decades. From his first appearance in 1933’s King Kong all the way to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, the gigantic ape-monster has terrorized innocent civilians and the big screen for nearly 100 years.

Whether he’s scaling the Empire State Building or battling it out with Godzilla, this is one unpredictable beast you don’t want to mess with. Known for his mutant animalist strength, King Kong has the power to destroy entire cities within seconds. Today, King Kong is a pop-culture phenomenon, known as one of the most recognizable classic monsters.

5 Robin Hood

Robin Hood is another old character on this list, originating from English folklore that dates back centuries. The character is best known for stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

The character has been used in a multitude of films and television shows; one of the most well-known adaptations is the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which follows the titular character as he works to protect his kingdom. However, other versions of the film show the character in his typical hero-fashion, like Disney who animated the classic tale in 1973’s Robin Hood.

4 Ebenezer Scrooge

     National General Pictures 

Ebenezer Scrooge is the main antagonist and eventually, the protagonist in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Scrooge has seen plenty of screen time in movies like 2009’s A Christmas Carol and 1970’s Scrooge.

Ebenezer Scrooge is known for his signature phrase “bah humbug,” his sinister outlook on life and especially the holidays, as well as his ability to reflect on his actions and change for the better. He is a highly complicated but ultimately redeemable man who learns his lesson after being visited by three ghosts on one very special Christmas Eve.

3 Frankenstein’s Monster

     Universal Pictures

All classic monsters are a part of the public domain, but perhaps the most notable is Frankenstein’s Monster. The character was created by author Mary Shelley but has since been re-imagined by modern filmmakers and producers.

Frankenstein’s Monster, often shortened to just Frankenstein, was created in a laboratory by a mad scientist. In pop culture, the character is now known for his green skin, bolted forehead, and distinct walk with his arms out in front of him. 1931 saw the release of the classic movie Frankenstein, which further helped solidify this monster’s icon status for decades to come.

2 Thor

     Marvel Studios / Disney

Today, Thor might be known as the lovable, funny Avengers hero played by Chris Hemsworth. However, unlike some of the other Marvel superheroes, Thor originates from Norse mythology and thus exists in the public domain.

Known as the son of the God Odin, Thor is recognized for his strength, enormous power, and courageous attitude. He is considered to be the Norse God of Thunder, working to protect the Earth and carry out heroic duties. In the popular Marvel Universe, Thor is shown wielding his mighty hammer and fighting alongside the greatest superhero league in the world.

1 Sherlock Holmes

     First-run syndication

Sherlock Holmes is perhaps one of the most famous public domain additions of all time. The classic character is a London-based detective, known for his ability to crack tough cases.

Created by author Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes has seen multiple theatrical releases, many of which center on his keen eye and ability to solve intricate mysteries. The character has since become a cultural icon, known for his pipe-smoking and signature tweed coat. Today, Sherlock Holmes is now able to be freely re-imagined by any studio looking to tackle his story; only time will tell what new works are created!