Disney Closes Curtains On Mickey Mouse Shorts With Ending That Comes Full Circle
Among the hundreds of characters that have emerged from the creative minds at Disney, Mickey Mouse is no doubt the most iconic.
While not having starred on the silver screen in recent years, the cartoon rat still makes an appearance in several television programs, such as Mickey Mouse Funhouse and the long-running Mickey Mouse shorts.
Alas, it seems to be the end of the road for the latter as the studio confirmed that the decade-long series—which debuted in 2013 and launched a sequel in 2020—will be taking its final bow. In total, over 120 episodes of The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse have been aired.
'THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MICKEY MOUSE' has officially ended today. (2013-2023) pic.twitter.com/GxYD0wAlrD
— Cartoon Base (@TheCartoonBase) July 28, 2023
During its time, according to ComicBook.com, these shorts have received critical acclaim, winning numerous Emmy and Annie Awards, and even having been screened at the Venice Film Festival.
Heartwarmingly, the end of the era brings the tale full circle with its latest episode: “Steamboat Silly.” The special short brings the first cartoon that started it all, Steamboat Willie, into the modern, 21st-century world of Mickey Mouse. The character was first created all the way back in 1928.
Both the current iteration of the mouse and the vintage, black-and-white Steamboat Willie feature in the episode, as the duo sits next to each other watching an old film reel of the original cartoon.
The reel then begins to tear apart, leading Mickey to believe the precious memory is lost. However, Willie comes to life and saves the day by alluding to the two taking off on a new adventure together.
There’s only been one Mickey Mouse… until now. ✨
— Disney (@Disney) July 28, 2023
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse: Steamboat Silly is now streaming on @DisneyPlus. #Disney100 pic.twitter.com/bRbcNHGYG2
“The beloved Emmy Award-winning The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse shorts culminate with a final episode titled ‘Steamboat Silly,’ which follows Mickey Mouse and his friends as they must stop hundreds of old film reel versions of Mickey from wreaking havoc all over town,” the episode’s description reads.
Unfortunately, it does seem many of Disney’s instantly-recognizable cartoons are leaving the screens. As per Gizmodo, the Looney Tunes Cartoons recently ended its run on Max.
Will the studio be able to come up with other shows to replace these incredible staples of animation? Only time will tell.
[via Gizmodo and ComicBook.com, cover image via Disney Plus]
