Where to Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving This Year For Free

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As a gamer with a heart of gold who grew up watching Peanuts specials every holiday season, I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia whenever November rolls around. The annual tradition of gathering ’round the TV to watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” has been a cherished part of my life for as long as I can remember.

As we approach mid-November, there’s only one thought on everyone’s mind: Thanksgiving is nearly upon us! This time of year brings a special kind of anticipation, not just for the traditional turkey feast, but also for other cherished events. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the shopping extravaganza known as Black Friday (for those who enjoy it), and the timeless Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” are all part of this annual tradition that has been gracing our celebrations for 51 years. For many, it’s a must-see holiday tradition, and we’re here to guide you on how and where to watch it for free this year.

Originally aired on CBS on November 20, 1973, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” has been a beloved holiday tradition for many years. The special was broadcast almost annually from its debut (it missed 1982, 1983, and 1988) until 1989. During the 1990s, it found homes on The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon before settling with ABC in 2001, where it remained until 2019. However, starting from 2020, Apple TV+ holds exclusive rights to not only “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” but the entire Peanuts library. Fortunately for fans of the special, Apple TV+’s agreement includes a clause that makes the special available for free viewing during a window in November each year.

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20204 offers a complimentary viewing period for “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th. During this span, you can watch the special without a subscription to Apple TV+. This is completely free for non-subscribers. If you’re an Apple TV+ subscriber, you can access the special along with the entire Peanuts collection, including classics like “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, all year round. Also, Apple TV+ provides a free, seven-day trial for those interested in exploring the platform and potentially enjoying some holiday Peanuts specials. (We won’t judge if you decide to binge.)

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To explain A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, this TV special – the first Peanuts production with its unique, self-written script instead of relying on the comic strips – revolves around Peppermint Patty inviting everyone to join Charlie Brown for Thanksgiving. However, things become a bit complex as Charlie already has arrangements to visit his grandmother during the holiday. Meanwhile, Snoopy gets into the spirit of the season and decides to collaborate with friends to create his own interpretation of a Thanksgiving meal.

The special isn’t just adorably nostalgic for many, especially those who recall it from their childhood; it has also sparked numerous discussions online recently. Topics range from analyzing Woodstock’s bird friend, whose consumption of Thanksgiving turkey has led some to speculate about cannibalism, to debates (and criticism) over the placement of Franklin, Peanuts’ primary black character at the time, which was a controversy that Jean Schulz, wife of the late creator Charles M. Schulz, addressed in a previous blog post on the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Website.

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Although we can’t determine who created that specific scene at this moment, one thing is certain – it was free from any hidden agendas. This reminds me of Peppermint Patty’s apology to Charlie Brown after she criticized his Thanksgiving meal, stating ‘There are enough troubles in the world as it is without adding more misunderstandings.’ In essence, her words imply that the show’s messages revolve around family, kindness, and appreciation. To presume it conveys any other themes is essentially searching for a problem where none exists.

On the weekend of November 23rd and 24th, it’s possible to catch a free screening of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” on Apple TV+, even if you don’t have a subscription.

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2024-11-17 19:09