To say Mickey Mouse is an icon of the animation industry would be a gross understatement. With such a long and colorful career, it was only a matter of time before the mouse went modern.
Disney's Mickey Mouse is a series of short films similar to Mickey's golden years, but with a modern art style by Disney artist Paul Rudish. Not only does the series pay tribute to the master Mouse himself, but it also features appearances by several classic Disney characters, some of which haven't seen the screen in some time. Pay close attention to some of the familiar faces that have graced the world of Mickey Mouse.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
In the episode "Wish Upon a Coin" Mickey and Minnie have to stop Pete when he steals a familiar wishing well's collection of coins. Right out of the gate, viewers are treated to a guest appearance by Snow White and her seven pint-sized companion.
Never one to shy away from poking fun at their own success, Disney lampoons their first animated feature to great effect and with some seriously gorgeous animation.
Pinocchio
Although the episode is more of a parody of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it features a cameo by two other familiar characters that were tossed under the ocean.
When Mickey Donald and Goofy embark on a voyage in a submarine, Mickey and Donald Have a brief run-in with Geppetto and Pinocchio in the jaws of a giant squid. Although they are a few leagues away from Monstro the Whale, it's still a fun reference.
Cinderella
The premiere episode of Mickey's current series pulled out all the stops in terms of animation, excitement, design, and classic characters.
On a mission to deliver fresh baked goods to Minnie's cafe, Mickey and his motor scooter turn the streets of Paris into their own X Games as they zoom across various monuments and locations, including a very familiar castle where Cinderella and her prince are seen putting on her famous slipper.
The Three Caballeros
Some of the best episodes of the series are the ones that take place in another part of the world and that use the location's native dialect. So it should come as no surprise that when Mickey and friends take a trip south of the border down Mexico way, the episode gets a cameo appearance by the Three Caballeros.
Instead of the average cartoon mariachi band, Disney provided fans with some musical accompaniment from Panchito Pistoles, Jose Carioca, and of course Donald Duck.
Chernabog
The series has featured several cameos by classic Disney villains. While fans have yet to see the likes of Scar or Jafar, they did get a full-on appearance from the fiend of Fantasia, Chernabog.
In "Touchdown and Out" Mickey, Donald, and Goofy face off in a football match against Pete, the Beagleboys, and the aforementioned demon himself. Needless to say, the opposing team does not play fair, especially when one of the members is over a mile high.
Prof. Ludwig Von Drake
One member of the Mickey Mouse crew not seen nearly enough nowadays is Professor Ludwig Von Drake, but thankfully he has found a home in several episodes of Mickey's modern series.
Still playing the role of the kooky mad scientist, the professor hasn't lost his touch for wacky experiments, his thick Austrian accent, or his penchant for physical humor. Now if only Disney could get him to do the Spectrum Song again.
Scrooge McDuck
Scrooge McDuck might have gotten a modern makeover in the DuckTales reboot, but he gets a special mention on this list because the version in the Mickey Mouse universe featured the last iteration of the original character.
Not only was this version of the Richest Duck in the World the last one to feature his original design, but his original voice actor as well, Alan Young. Young played Uncle Scrooge from the beginning to the end, so how fitting it was that this would be the actor's final performance?
Belle and the Beast
Seeing modern Disney characters amongst all the animated stars of yesteryear is a rarity in the series, but when it does happen, fans will definitely take notice. A bandstand in a park isn't exactly a royal ballroom, but that made no difference to this famous Disney pair.
Although seeing them in a more contemporary setting is a bit unusual, watching Belle and the Beast dance together will truly earn more than a few smiles. That is until Donald throws off the Beast's groove.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit makes not one, but three cameos in Disney's Mickey Mouse. While the first ones might have just been small appearances as a background character, he makes a full-bodied appearance in "Canned" as Mickey assists an elderly lady with her trash bins.
It might be a tad self-destructive watching the studio's first character get mucked out with the trash, but it's a notable cameo from a piece of Disney history.
Walt Disney
The episode "Nature's Wonderland" is absolutely stuffed with theme park references, namely ones pertaining to Big Thunder Mountain and Frontierland. However, there is one cameo that absolutely has to make the top of the list.
It's none other than Walt Disney himself. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo on Mickey's map to the Rainbow Caverns, appropriately positioned beside the words "Welcome, this magical kingdom is yours." What better way to pay tribute to the man who started it all?