For decades, Mickey Mouse has grown into one of the most well-known characters of all time. Fans of the mouse have watched his ever-evolving image take shape over the years as he has morphed into the mouse many are familiar with today. Whether people love him or not, there’s no denying the effect Mickey has had on pop culture around the world.

The reasons as to how and why the famous mouse has changed throughout the years reflect the time he was in, and the new documentary by Disney will dive into the topic of Mickey’s image. Comprised of interviews and archival footage, Mickey: The Story of a Mouse seeks to explore the evolution of Mickey and his story as the most recognizable mouse in the world. Here’s what we know about the film so far.

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Mickey: The Story of a Mouse: The Plot

On the heels of this year’s D23 Expo, Disney announced its upcoming documentary about the company’s most beloved character, Mickey Mouse. Directed by Jeff Malmberg, Mickey: The Story of a Mouse will chronicle the history of the famous mouse including his evolving imagery throughout his many films and television shows within pop culture across the globe. The film is sure to tug at the heartstrings of every Disney fan as it appears to be the first of many movies and shows set to showcase the company’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration, which commemorates the company’s founding in October 1923 when Walt Disney and his brother Roy created the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood, California.

Mickey Mouse first appeared in the animated short “Steamboat Willie” in 1928, and since then has grown into one of the most recognizable characters around the world. The documentary will explore the highs and lows of the famous mouse and touch on the global phenomenon that is Mickey Mouse, both positive and negative. While the film is said to include some topics considered to be a bit taboo, viewers shouldn’t expect explosive revelations from the documentary. Although according to the film’s director, the documentary is more than just a fluff story about the famous mouse, which is surprising considering how closely Disney has guarded the image of Walt Disney and his beloved Mickey Mouse in the past.

While the documentary will surely explore the magic, Malmberg has stated that the film will also dive into a few controversial topics that have surrounded Mickey over the past 100 years. However, given the duration of the film, which clocks in at about an hour and a half, he’s aware that any discussion of controversial topics throughout the film won’t necessarily find a hardened resolution. As a result, such topics are unlikely to be explored too deeply, so viewers looking for a tell-all piece about the dark side of Mickey Mouse should find another documentary.

Nonetheless, Malmberg has expressed that he’s happy the documentary brings up some issues of the past Disney rarely seems to address, even if it’s brief, because it initiates a necessary conversation. Such topics will include copyright battles surrounding Mickey and Mickey’s previous moments involving blackface. However, given that Disney has endorsed and promoted the documentary on their platform, viewers are sure to see Mickey painted in a generally positive light upon the documentary’s conclusion.

At the end of the day, Mickey: The Story of a Mouse is sure to be a family film, just as Mickey the character has continued to be painted as one of the most family-friendly symbols across the globe.

Mickey: The Story of a Mouse: The Cast

     Disney+

Interviews and archival footage will be the ultimate driving force behind the trajectory of Malmberg’s documentary. Such interviews included throughout the film will come from former CEO of The Disney Company, Robert Iger, as well as archival footage from Walt Disney himself discussing the ever-evolving imagery of Mickey Mouse, which initially began with his dream and drawings. Eric Goldberg, an animator known for his work on classic Disney movies like Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Princess and the Frog, Moana, and Winne the Pooh, is credited as himself in the documentary and will likely provide an interview discussing a behind-the-scenes take on the image of Mickey and how it has changed over recent decades.

Other Disney insiders like Floyd Norman, a writer known for his work on Disney movies such as Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Dinosaur, as well as Mark Henn, a director known for his work on The Lion King, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid, are sure to provide interviews of the same fashion as they both have unique perspectives on the imagery regarding Mickey Mouse and The Disney Company.

Viewers should expect to see an array of interviews from many others within the professional Disney family as they recount their take on the beloved mouse throughout the years and weigh in on the controversial topics discussed throughout the film.

Release Date

Mickey: The Story of a Mouse will be available to stream on Disney+ on November 18, 2022, in honor of Mickey’s 94th birthday.