18 notable highlights of Mickey Mouse’s onscreen career

The opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios in Disney World centers around a “new film” starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – “Perfect Picnic.”

Mickey debuted on the silver screen and went on to appear in a series of 130 animated short films from 1928 to 1953, with four additional shorts released between 1983 and 2013.

Since 1955, he has been a frequent presence on television as well.

So, let’s take a look at some of the notable highlights of Mickey’s onscreen career:

“Steamboat Willie” (1928) – The first Mickey Mouse cartoon released (although it was the third Mickey cartoon made) was also the first animated short with synchronized sound. Mickey is a mischievous deckhand on a riverboat under the command of the tyrannical Captain Pete; Minnie is a tardy passenger who joins Mickey in music-making.

“The Karnival Kid” (1929) – The first cartoon where Mickey speaks (“Hot dogs! Hot dogs!”). He also famously tips his ears to Minnie, foreshadowing the Mickey and Minnie ear headwear popular today.

“The Chain Gang” (1930) – The first appearance of a dog who would quickly develop into canine sidekick Pluto.

“The Moose Hunt” (1931) – Pluto officially appears as Mickey’s dog.

“Mickey’s Revue” (1932) – The first appearance of Goofy, as “Dippy Dawg.”

“Parade of the Award Nominees” (1932) – Mickey’s first color cartoon appearance, this two-minute short was only shown at the Nov. 18, 1932, Academy Awards banquet and was never intended for the public. As such, it was not seen again until the 2001 DVD release “Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color.”

“Orphan’s Benefit” (1934) – The first appearance of Donald Duck in a Mickey cartoon.

“The Band Concert” (1935) – The first “Mickey Mouse” short in Technicolor. The film provided the thematic inspiration for Silly Symphony Swings at Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort.

“Fantasia” (1940) – Walt’s legendary animated musical originated as an ambitious short film based on the “symphonic poem” by French composer Paul Dukas, which was based on Goethe’s 1797 poem of the same name. The short was proving so expensive that Walt expanded it into a “concert feature,” marking Mickey’s first feature film appearance and the debut of theatrical stereophonic sound in cinemas.

“The Simple Things” (1953) – Released April 18, 1953, this short was the final regular entry in the “Mickey Mouse” theatrical cartoon series.

“The Mickey Mouse Club” (1955-1959) Mickey was the heart of this daily hour-long TV variety series for children. The famous Mickey ears were a costume staple of the cast, and Mickey’s cartoons were often aired on the show. “Mickey Mouse Club March” by show host Jimmie Dodd opened and closed every show.

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (1983) – An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this was the first original “Mickey Mouse” theatrical cartoon produced in more than 30 years.

“Prince and the Pauper” (1990) – This animated featurette was inspired by the Mark Twain story of the same name. It was Disney’s final use of the traditional ink-and-paint and camera processes before they were replaced by digital equivalents.

“Runaway Brain” (1995) – Mickey’s first big-screen film since 1990 was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

“Fantasia 2000” (1999) – Mickey’s memorable turn as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” was the one segment from the original “Fantasia” that returned for this sequel, along with a new interstitial appearance.

“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” (2006-2016) – Disney’s first computer-animated series starring Mickey, this show also featured Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Daisy, who all joined Mickey in a vivid, interactive world that invited young viewers to help solve challenges and overcome obstacles. Guided by a specific curriculum, the learning-focused, song- and fun-filled series was designed to introduce problem-solving and early mathematics skills in an entertaining way.

“Mickey Mouse” Cartoon Shorts (2013-present) – This Emmy Award-winning ` series of shorts presents Mickey, Minnie and pals in a broad range of humorous situations that showcase their pluck and rambunctiousness, along with their long-beloved charm and good heartedness.

“Mickey and the Roadster Racers”/“Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures” (2017-present) – Mickey, Minnie and their friends go on zany adventures all around Hot Dog Hills in fun locales including the racetrack, Mickey’s new gadget-filled house, and the Mixed-Up Motor Lab at Mickey’s Garage. Minnie and Daisy also run a successful business solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand.