Where to watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ in 2024
Nearly 60 years ago, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first debuted on TV in 1965 and almost instantly became a classic.
Since then, watching the animated feature has become an annual tradition for many families and holds a special place in the hearts of kids and adults with its timeless message of the power of the Christmas spirit.
If you don’t already own the holiday movie on DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS, you may be wondering where to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this holiday season.
You might be surprised to learn that unlike other Christmas movies like, say, “Elf,” “A Christmas Story” and “Home Alone” this Peanuts special isn’t available to stream on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney or Amazon.
In fact, there’s only place to view the beloved TV special and we’ve got all the details below.
But first, a bit of background.
Based on the characters from Charles M. Schulz’s popular “Peanuts” comic strip, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” follows Charlie Brown as he searches to find the true meaning of Christmas amid increasing commercialism.
Despite some bumps along the way, it’s a quest that fortunately has a happy ending, and you’ll be hard-pressed not to shed a tear or two watching Charlie and the rest of the gang gather ’round the tree and sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
Whether it’s your first time or 50th, here’s how and when to stream the special this year.
Where to watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ in 2024
Back in 2018, Apple acquired the rights to “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” as well as the rest of the “Peanuts” catalog, including other classics like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”
Because of that, Apple TV+ is the only streaming platform to offer the holiday special this year. That means you won’t find the Christmas movie on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu or Disney.
If you’re already an Apple TV+ subscriber, you can watch the TV movie anytime you’d like. Even if you aren’t, you can still watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” free of charge if you sign up for Apple TV+’s 7-day trial.
You can also catch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” during Apple’s free viewing window, which occurs once during the holiday season.
When can you watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for free in 2024?
According to spokesperson, in 2024, the Apple TV+ free viewing window will occur on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to join Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally, Lucy, Snoopy and the rest of their friends as they celebrate Christmas.
What is ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ about?
The first of many animated specials made from Charles Schulz’s comic strip “Peanuts,” the story follows Charlie Brown as he searches for the meaning of Christmas.
Feeling depressed over how materialistic the holiday has become, Charlie Brown agrees to direct a Christmas pageant but is mocked by his friends after he picks a humble Christmas tree that everyone considers a “disaster.”
All ends well when Charlie and the rest of the Peanuts gang realizes that Christmas isn’t about glitzy decorations or a fancy tree at all, but the love of friends and family.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ trivia
If “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is one of your favorites, here are a few bits of trivia you might not know about the Christmas classic.
- When “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered on Dec. 9, 1965, roughly half of the United States tuned in to watch.
- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” producer Lee Mendelson wanted to add a laugh track to the animated feature, but creator Charles Schulz refused.
- Despite concerns over alienating the viewing audience, Charles Schulz insisted on having Linus recite a passage from the Gospel of Luke.
- According to Recording Industry Association of America, the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has sold more than 5 million copies to date.
- In 2011, Vince Guaraldi’s iconic soundtrack for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was inducted into the Library of Congress Music Registry for its cultural significance.
- In 1966, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” won an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program.