Top copyrighted works that are now free to enjoy in 2025
Each year, January 1st brings a treasure trove of creative works into the public domain. For 2025, we get a slice of 1929 — the roaring '20s in all its artistic glory! But first, what does "public domain" even mean?
Simply put, works in the public domain are no longer protected by copyright laws. That means you can use them without permission or fees. Want to remix a Hemingway novel into a modern soap opera? Go for it! Dreaming of turning a classic tune into your next TikTok RedNote hit? It's all yours.
New works in the public domain this year
Here are some of the most popular works now ripe for rediscovery.
Books we can't put down (again)
"A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway. War, love, and loss, Hemingway-style. This tale of an ambulance driver and a nurse in WWI is now yours to reimagine. A rom-com spin-off, anyone?
"The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Get ready for stream-of-consciousness storytelling that put Faulkner on the map. The Compson family's drama might inspire your next experimental screenplay.
"A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf. Woolf's groundbreaking essay on women, creativity, and independence feels as fresh today as it did in 1929. Maybe it's time for a TED Talk adaptation?
Tunes to hum, remix, or belt out
"Singin' in the Rain" by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb. You know the tune. Record it, mash it up, or just sing it in your shower — no royalties required.
"An American in Paris" by George Gershwin. This jazzy orchestral masterpiece practically begs to score your next indie film or dance recital.
"Boléro" by Maurice Ravel. That hypnotic melody and building crescendo? Yup, it's free game for your next dramatic YouTube video.
Films that shaped cinema
"Blackmail" by Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock's first talkie brought suspense and early cinematic genius. How about a modern reboot with smartphones and social media twists?
"The Cocoanuts" with the Marx Brothers. Zany comedy and biting satire? Classic. Add a 2025 spin, and you've got a viral meme machine.
"The Skeleton Dance" from Disney. Dancing skeletons in a graveyard — adorably spooky. It's time for a remix or Halloween costume tribute!
Iconic characters make their move
Popeye the Sailor Man. He's strong to the finish, and now he's yours to use! Imagine a gritty reboot or a spinach-centric health campaign.
Tintin. Hergé's adventurous journalist debuted in 1929, and now his escapades are ready for a fresh take. Tintin in the Metaverse, anyone?
Why this matters
These works aren't just for nerds and history buffs (though they're welcome, too). When great art becomes free for everyone, creativity flourishes. You can reinterpret, adapt, or simply enjoy these gems as they were. It's all part of keeping culture alive and vibrant.
