Created by the iconic Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts features characters that are as memorable as the strip itself. Among its numerous adaptations into animation, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown stands out as a hallmark of the Halloween season.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: A Halloween Classic
Introduced to television in 1966, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown quickly became synonymous with Halloween. The story revolves around Linus's belief in the "Great Pumpkin," a Santa Claus-like figure that he believes visits the most sincere pumpkin patch on Halloween.
Much like other Peanuts adaptations, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown special tackles profound themes, interweaving them with humor and childlike innocence.
While the rest of the gang engages in Halloween activities, Linus's faith and subsequent disappointment becomes the focal point of the special.
Vince Guaraldi's jazz-infused score perfectly adds to the mood of the Halloween special.
Other Notable Peanuts Shows & Specials
Schulz's characters have been the subject of numerous animated specials, but few have achieved the iconic status of:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): Perhaps the most famous of all Peanuts specials, it tells the story of Charlie Brown's search for the true meaning of Christmas amidst commercialization. Guaraldi's score, including the track "Christmas Time Is Here," is now a staple of the holiday season.
Charlie Brown's All-Stars (1966): Charlie Brown's baseball team is offered a real baseball uniform, bringing hope, excitement, and challenges to the lovable team of misfits.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973): Another holiday classic, it features Charlie Brown trying to host a Thanksgiving dinner for his friends, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments.
Peanuts: Its Legacy and Impact
Peanuts left an indelible mark on pop culture. From the iconic dance sequences to philosophical musings, Schulz's world has influenced generations. The adaptations, especially It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, serve as annual reminders of childhood, innocence, and the simpler things in life.
Beyond the specials, the brand has ventured into movies, musicals like You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and even NASA missions (Snoopy as the Apollo 10 lunar module's name).
Where Can You Stream and Watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown In 2023
In 2018, Apple secured exclusive rights to the Peanuts collection, embracing classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
This year, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown joins other specials in streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Hence, you won't be able to find it on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube, or Disney+.
For Apple TV+ members, rejoice: you're covered. However, non-subscribers also have a chance to enjoy this Halloween tale during a unique complimentary streaming period.
If you're not an Apple TV+ subscriber you can still watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for free! This year, 2023, you can watch the special for free on Apple TV+ Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, Oct. 22.
You can watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on Apple TV+ by clicking here!
Where Can You Buy It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
If you are looking to own It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, there are several options available, including the animated special and the paperback book! We've also included links to several of the other Peanuts classics that you may be interested in owning:
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Origins of Peanuts
Peanuts made its debut on October 2, 1950, in nine newspapers, giving the world its first glimpse into the lives of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their companions. With its innocent charm and humor, Peanuts rapidly grew in popularity. By the time of Schulz's retirement in 2000, the comic strip was syndicated in over 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and translated into 21 languages.
Schulz had a knack for capturing complex emotions through simple drawings and dialogue. The Peanuts comics dealt with themes such as childhood anxieties, failures, and small victories. Despite its seemingly childlike artwork, Peanuts has resonated deeply with adults and children alike.
Charles M. Schulz: The Man Behind Peanuts
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1922, Charles Monroe Schulz always displayed a passion for drawing. The seeds for Peanuts were sown in his earlier comic strip, "Li'l Folks," which contained the prototypes for many Peanuts characters.
Despite facing struggles in his personal life, including bouts with anxiety and depression, Schulz never missed a day of his strip. Over his fifty year long career, Schulz's dove into human psychology, relationships, and existential ruminations through his comic strip. All of these from a child's perspective.
Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts is not merely a comic strip but a reflection on the joys, sorrows, and complexities of life, wrapped in humor and innocence. Its TV specials, particularly "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," embody the magic of Schulz's world, making them timeless classics cherished by all ages.