Original Creator and Public Domain Status
The Addams Family was created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. His original single-panel cartoons first appeared in The New Yorker starting in the 1930s. Because Charles Addams died in 1988, his original cartoon artwork is generally in the public domain in the United States.
Television and Film Rights
The recognizable television and film versions of the characters are controlled by the estates of Charles Addams and the studios that produced the adaptations. The 1960s TV series was produced by Filmways, later absorbed into Warner Bros. Television. The modern animated and live-action films are primarily associated with MGM and its successors, with distribution and licensing often handled by major studios such as Warner Bros. Pictures.
Merchandise and Licensing
Merchandise, theme park appearances, and other commercial uses typically require approval from the rights holders. Warner Bros. Discovery and its subsidiaries manage much of the licensing for classic Addams Family properties, while MGM and its parent companies control newer adaptations. For an overview of how entertainment rights are managed, see the general overview at Britannica.
