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Apple TV+ will remain the exclusive streaming home of the beloved Peanuts franchise until at least 2030, following a renewed deal with rights holders WildBrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions. That means Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends aren’t going anywhere — and new content is on the way.
A long-term home for the Peanuts gang
This extended partnership ensures that the beloved Peanuts specials so many of us grew up with — like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas — will continue streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Those cozy, nostalgic moments we’ve long associated with the holidays are now part of Apple’s annual lineup.
Beyond preserving the classics, Apple is also investing in new adventures. Original Peanuts content is already on the platform, including the sweet and playful Camp Snoopy series and the just-released Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical. These newer additions aim to speak both to children discovering Peanuts for the first time and to adults who still treasure the charm of Charles M. Schulz’s creations.
Honestly, as someone who watched A Charlie Brown Christmas every year on TV as a kid, I was worried that these specials might just disappear behind a paywall. But Apple’s approach here is more inclusive than expected, especially this year. To read Pluribus finale shocks fans as season 2 faces long wait
Holiday specials offered for free
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the original Peanuts comic strip, first published on October 2, 1950, Apple TV+ is giving something back. The platform will temporarily make three iconic holiday specials available to everyone — even non-subscribers — on specific dates toward the end of the year.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — available October 18 and 19
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving — available November 15 and 16
- A Charlie Brown Christmas — available December 13 and 14
It might not be quite the same as catching these on broadcast TV, but it’s a thoughtful compromise. Tara Sorensen, head of children’s programming at Apple TV+, said it well: these are “time-honored, comforting traditions”, and it’s clear Apple wants to maintain that feeling for as many people as possible.
A second Peanuts film is on the way
While details are still under wraps, a second Peanuts animated feature is now in production. This project will again involve WildBrain and suggests Apple is thinking long-term about keeping the Peanuts universe fresh and alive for a new generation.
The first Peanuts Movie in 2015 was charming, but also cautious — it paid tribute to Schulz without taking many risks. I’m hoping this next film daringly explores deeper emotions, in the spirit of the original strips, which had a surprising honesty beneath their simplicity.
What this means for fans
This new deal isn’t just about rights and dates — it’s a signal. Apple seems genuinely committed to treating the Peanuts franchise with care. This matters because, let’s face it, some beloved characters have been pushed through too many reboots and lost their spark. With Peanuts, there’s still something pure and quietly profound at its core. To read Taylor Swift opens up in final Eras Tour docuseries episode
And while some may miss the days when these specials aired on network TV for everyone to stumble upon together, the fact that Apple is offering limited-time free access shows there’s still room for shared cultural moments.
For lifelong fans and curious new viewers alike, the message is clear: Snoopy’s doghouse isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
