Beginning in 1965, long before streaming services, DVD players and VCRs, you only had one chance to catch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas on CBS or you would have to wait another year later to see them. In 2000, the rights to the specials were sold to ABC who aired them for 20 years. In 2020, they were sold to Apple and we all feared that we’d never seen these iconic stories ever again. People were really upset. Fortunately, they heard us.
Apple TV has been kind to us Peanuts fans by offering free “streaming windows” in which non-subscribers can enjoy It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (celebrating its 60th anniversary), A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas at no cost. And this year, Apple TV subscribers will get the opportunity to watch an all-new Peanuts special. (You’ll notice a change has been made in the naming of the specials – Charlie Brown’s name has been dropped in favor of his pet beagle.)
The free streaming windows are as follows:
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Join the Peanuts gang for a timeless adventure as Charlie Brown preps for a Halloween party, Linus patiently waits for a pumpkin patch miracle and Snoopy sets his sights on the Red Baron.
Stream for Free: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
For over 50 years now, Peppermint Patty has invited herself and her friends to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, even though he is already going to celebrate at his grandmother’s. With the help of Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock, Charlie makes his own version of the holiday meal.
Stream for Free: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, 2026
A Charlie Brown Christmas
In this beloved Peanuts special, Charlie Brown is feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas. To help him recapture that feeling, Lucy recruits Charlie to be the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Stream for Free: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2026
Other Peanuts Holiday Things to Watch on Apple TV+
Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy
If you and your family are Peanuts fans, then Apple TV is for you. In addition to the iconic holiday specials, the streamer offers a large number of Peanuts shows and specials. This year they are debuting a brand-new holiday special – Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy inspired by the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz.
In the newest special, the Peanuts gang are on their best behavior so that Santa doesn’t pass them by. But Snoopy has landed on the naughty list! With just 12 days until Christmas, Snoopy sets out to prove he’s not such a bad beagle after all, discovering along the way that the season is about more than gifts.
Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy features original music from an all-star lineup, including “Get Ready” by John Legend, “Trying To Get There” by Kamasi Washington, featuring Leon Bridges; and a performance of the holiday classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Laufey.
Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy premieres on November 13.
The Snoopy Show: Happiness is Holiday Traditions
In “Happiness Is Holiday Traditions,” Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper; Woodstock gets trapped in a window display; and Snoopy and Woodstock visit Spike for Christmas.
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales
Celebrate the merriest time of the year with the Peanuts gang in this special from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide. Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Sally each star in Christmastime tales adapted from the original Peanuts comic strips.
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
All Lucy and Linus’ little brother, Rerun wants from Santa is a dog, but his mother won’t let him have one. Spending time with Snoopy provides the perfect pick-me-up. But when Snoopy gets too busy to play with Rerun, they call in a substitute — Snoopy’s brother Spike.
It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
This is a collection of Christmas-themed vignettes. Charlie Brown tries to sell wreaths; Peppermint Patty worries about her Christmas book report; Charlie Brown tries to buy gloves for Peggy Jean; and the gang is in a Christmas play, where Sally worries about her single line and Peppermint Patty plays a sheep.
The Snoopy Show: Happiness is the Gift of Giving
In “Happiness Is the Gift of Giving,” Snoopy adapts a Christmas poem to help Sally sleep, Charlie Brown makes gifts for his pals and Snoopy finds waiting to open his presents a challenge.
And Coming Next Year…
Snoopy Unleashed
“When Snoopy runs away from home, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang go on an emotional and wondrous journey to the vibrant Big City as they search for Snoopy, meet exciting new friends along the way, and discover that real friendship means loving each other just as they are.”
That’s the plot for the upcoming movie, Snoopy Unleashed which is coming to Apple TV sometime in 2027.
Leave a Reply