Today marks the 59th anniversary of the premiere of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which began a beloved annual Halloween tradition. However, watching it now is more difficult than it used to be, thanks to changes in how we watch things online. Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts has been a cultural staple since the original comic strip appeared, and its many animated specials played a big part in that success. For years, these specials aired on television every year, and their enduring charm means they still feel fresh and enjoyable today.
The classic Halloween special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, first aired on CBS on October 27, 1966, and has been a yearly tradition on television ever since. However, due to recent changes in streaming rights, watching it now requires a subscription to Apple TV+. Sadly, this has diminished some of the special’s nostalgic appeal that made it so beloved over the years.
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Started a Whole New Halloween Tradition
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was the second holiday special and the third animated film made from the Peanuts comic strip. The story takes place on Halloween night and centers around Linus, who firmly believes in the Great Pumpkin. He writes a letter to this legendary figure, hoping it will appear in a pumpkin patch and fulfill his wish. Despite being teased by his friends, Linus is determined to wait all night, and Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, decides to join him.
Of course, the Great Pumpkin never shows up, and Linus faithfully waits until 4 AM, hoping something will happen. Even though it doesn’t work out, he’s determined to try again the following year, despite Charlie Brown’s attempts to convince him otherwise. This highlights Linus’s strong belief in magic, similar to what we see in A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it’s played for laughs here. For decades, the special aired every year on CBS, but when Apple acquired the rights, it changed how and where people could watch it.
How the Streaming Era Changed Charlie Brown
Apple TV+ now has the exclusive streaming rights to classic Peanuts specials like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown through 2030, following their 2020 purchase of the entire animated library. While it’s convenient to watch them anytime, this move takes away from the tradition of these specials being yearly TV events that signaled the start of the holiday season. These programs, once freely available on broadcast television, are now only accessible with a subscription.
For years, everyone with a TV could enjoy this Halloween tradition – you didn’t need cable or internet. Now, it’s only available on Apple TV+, meaning you have to subscribe to the service to watch it. It’s disappointing to see something so beloved become part of the growing number of shows locked behind different streaming services.
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2025-10-27 19:11