What is the name of the first Mickey Mouse cartoon released in 1928?

The first Mickey Mouse cartoon released in 1928 was Steamboat Willie.

Directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, Steamboat Willie premiered on November 18, 1928, in New York. It was the third Mickey short produced, but the first to secure distribution, making it Mickey Mouse's public debut in the conventional theatrical sense. Its synchronized soundtrack helped distinguish it from earlier silent Mickey films.

Plane Crazy was actually produced first and received a private test screening on May 15, 1928. The Gallopin' Gaucho followed as the second Mickey short produced. Neither found a distributor in its original silent form before Steamboat Willie made the character a sensation. Their sound versions were released later in 1928.

Another common misconception is that Steamboat Willie was Mickey's very first appearance in every sense. It was not: Mickey and Minnie had already appeared in test or unreleased material. The cartoon is nevertheless recognized as their public debut and the first distributed Mickey Mouse film.