Tricks, Treats & Charlie Brown! Where to Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown This Halloween
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As Halloween approaches, it’s time to gear up for a spooky good time with the Peanuts gang! The iconic animated special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, is a must-watch classic that has been captivating audiences for decades. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, making the upcoming holiday season extra special for fans.
Melissa Menta, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Peanuts Worldwide, shared that the period between Halloween and Christmas is considered the “Super Bowl of Peanuts” due to the enduring popularity of the franchise. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” created by Schulz, Lee Mendelson, and Bill Melendez in 1965, was a groundbreaking success, becoming a staple in American households during the holiday season.
Originally premiering in 1966, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been a perennial favorite, initially airing on CBS until 2000 before moving to ABC. However, in 2020, Apple TV secured the rights to the Peanuts specials, making them exclusive to the streaming service. Despite the shift from traditional TV broadcasts, fans can still enjoy the Halloween classic through Apple TV this year.
In the beloved special, viewers join Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang as they embark on autumn adventures. From Halloween parties to trick-or-treating escapades, the Peanuts kids bring the spirit of the season to life. Notably, Linus fervently awaits the arrival of the Great Pumpkin, a whimsical figure embodying the essence of Halloween cheer.
Apple TV holds the key to experiencing the magic of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, along with other Peanuts classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Their recent extension of the partnership with WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions guarantees exclusive access to these timeless specials until 2030, ensuring that fans can continue to relish in the nostalgia year after year.
For those without an Apple TV subscription, there is good news! It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will be available for free streaming on the platform for a limited time this Halloween. Non-subscribers can tune in on Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19 to catch the festive special and join in on the Halloween fun alongside the Peanuts gang.
Unfortunately, network TV viewers will not find It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on their screens this year, as the special remains exclusive to Apple TV. With the convenience of on-demand streaming, fans can enjoy the heartwarming adventures of Charlie Brown and friends whenever they please, capturing the essence of Halloween for audiences of all ages.
As the holiday season approaches, the timeless appeal of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown continues to enchant viewers, offering a nostalgic escape into the charming world of the Peanuts characters. So gather your friends and family, grab some treats, and immerse yourself in the magic of this Halloween classic, ensuring that the spirit of the Great Pumpkin lives on for generations to come.