steamboat willy be not the first cartoon to feature mickey mouse . the first film to star america friend be plane crazy . plane crazy be release may 15th 1928 in hollywood california and in the silent movie format . steamboat willy be release november 18th 1928 a a sound movie ( it be also release july 29th 1928 a a silent film ) . thus make steamboat . the first sound film of mickey but not the first film for the little american mouse . while many game show have use the question represent what be the first appearance of mickey mouse . the true answer be plane crazy not steamboat willy . these date can be checkout on imdb under release date .