Rudolph is one of the most popularChristmascharacters, yet the beloved reindeer has not been in that many holiday movies. The song “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” chronicles how Rudolph was laughed at and excluded by Santa’s other reindeer for having a glowing red nose. However, Rudolph saved the day on Christmas by using his light to guide Santa’s sleigh through inclement weather. Afterward, Rudolph was accepted by the other reindeer, and kids all over the world sang his song every December.
However, while “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is one of the most popular Christmas songs, Rudolph is not necessarily one of the most popularChristmas movie characters. This is not because Rudolph is not a fun character who people would not want to see in theirfavorite Christmas movies, but is instead due to copyright issues.Rudolph has appeared in a surprisingly small number of Christmas filmsdue to those issues, and it will take a while before it becomes easier for films to use the character.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Is Not In The Public Domain Like Santa’s Other Reindeer
The Character Of Rudolph Was Created In 1939
Santa’s other reindeer, such as Dasher, Prancer, and Comet, are all in the public domain. Therefore, they can be included in any Christmas movie. However,because of Rudolph’s unique origin, he is still not in the public domain. According toCreative Law Center, in 1939, Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward tasked one of their employees, Robert L. May, with creating a children’s story. He wrote Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the copyright was initially owned by Montgomery Ward since May worked for the company.
The Rudolph Company currently holds the rights to Rudolph, and the current copyright has not expired yet.
The president of Montgomery Ward gave May the copyright back to May in 1947, and the children’s bookRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerwas published that same year.May renewed the rights to Rudolph in 1967and established The Rudolph Company before he passed away in 1976. The Rudolph Company currently holds the rights to Rudolph, and the current copyright has not expired yet. This is why it is much easier to include all the other reindeer than Rudolph.
Rudolph’s Copyright Have Limited His Movie Appearances Over The Years
Many Of The Best Christmas Movies Have Not Included Rudolph
Because of Rudolph’s complicated copyright issues, many movies have not been able to include him, which is a shame since he is arguably Santa’s most famous reindeer.Tom Allen’sSanta Clausemovies, for example, saw Santa work with all of his reindeer, except for Rudolph. While this allowed for other reindeer, such as Comet, to shine, it is still disappointing sinceRudolph has such an inspiring Christmas story. A more recent example of Rudolph being excluded from a Christmas movie isRed One.Rudolph did not appear inRed Onealongside other famous Christmas characters due to copyright issues.
Rudolph is the star of the 1964 animated television specialRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, however, which is considered one of the best Christmas specials to revisit every year.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerexpands on the Christmas song and sees Rudolph travel through the North Pole and encounter other Christmas characters, such as Yukon Cornelius, Hermey the Elf, and Sam the Snowman. Therefore, while Rudolph does not get to appear in many Christmas movies, the loveable reindeer excels in the 1964 Christmas classic. Rudolph not being in many films makesRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeereven more special.
Rudolph’s Movie Future Will Change In 2034
Rudolph Enters The Public Domain In 2034
The copyright to the 1939 version of Rudolph expires in 2034, which means that Rudolph will finally enter the public domain. Therefore,starting in 2034, there will likely be a spike in Christmas movies featuring Rudolph. Many studios will likely want to tell the story of Rudolph and make the reindeer the main character, just like he was in the 1964 Christmas special. Additionally, Rudolph will also undoubtedly be included as a supporting character in other Christmas movies.
10 Exciting New Christmas Movies Releasing In 2024
The year is coming to an end, but there are still plenty of fun Christmas-themed movies coming out to get into the holiday spirit.
The aforementioned Tim AllenSanta Clausefilms and the recently releasedRed One, among countless other Christmas movies, simply wouldn’t have been able to use Rudolph without reaching an agreement with the right owners. However, starting in 2034, studios do not need permission to include the most recognizable version of the reindeer in films. As such, it is safe to assume thatChristmasfilms made after 2034 will include Rudolph alongside other classic Santa reindeer, not to mention all the solo projects that might be made centered around him.
