Musical Staples and Early Screen Classics: See Which Media Will Turn to Public Domain in 2026

As the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2026, a massive catalog of cultural treasures will officially enter the public domain in the United States. A recent article from Digital Music News states that according to the latest analysis from Duke Law’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain, the "Class of 2026" includes thousands of works published in 1930, alongside a significant wave of sound recordings from 1925. This legal transition allows creators, musicians, and the general public to freely use, remix, and distribute these works without seeking permission or paying licensing fees, marking one of the most significant expansions of shared culture in recent years.

The entry of these works is facilitated by the Music Modernization Act of 2018, which established a 100-year protection term for sound recordings. Consequently, 2026 marks the moment that recordings from 1925—a pivotal year for early jazz and blues—become available for sampling and reissue:

Jazz Standards and Early Blues Recordings

Among the most notable musical compositions entering the public domain are several "Great American Songbook" staples. Fans of jazz and traditional pop will soon see the 1930 versions of 'On the Sunny Side of the Street', 'Georgia on My Mind', and 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' lose their copyright protections. These works join other legendary compositions from that year, including George and Ira Gershwin’s 'I Got Rhythm' and 'But Not For Me'.

On the recording front, the expiration of the 100-year term for 1925 efforts brings iconic performances into the public space. This includes Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong’s definitive version of 'St. Louis Blues', as well as Gene Austin’s 'Yes Sir, That’s My Baby'. The availability of Marian Anderson’s 'Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen' is particularly noteworthy, providing creators access to some of the most soulful vocal performances of the early 20th century.

Iconic Characters and the Dawn of Talkies

The 2026 list extends far beyond sheet music and records, capturing the transition of Hollywood into the "talkie" era. Bing Crosby’s first on-screen appearance in the Technicolor musical revue 'King of Jazz' will enter the public domain, as will Howard Hughes’ aviation epic 'Hell’s Angels'. Film historians also highlight 'Soup to Nuts', a 1930 release that featured the first appearance of The Three Stooges (then known as Ted Healy and His Stooges).

Animation fans have much to watch for as well. The earliest iterations of Betty Boop, debuting in the cartoon 'Dizzy Dishes', and Disney’s Pluto (originally introduced as 'Rover' in the short 'The Picnic') are set to become public property. However, legal experts at Duke Law caution that only these specific 1930 designs are entering the public domain; later, more recognizable versions of these characters remain under copyright.