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As much a part of the holiday build up as hanging up the stockings, Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas is a bonafide Christmas classic. Here's how to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" online and from anywhere with a VPN.
Free stream: Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
Global stream: Apple TV Plus
With a message around the commercialisation of Christmas that feels way ahead of its time, the 1965 “Peanuts” animation sees young Charlie Brown feeling depressed as the holidays draw near, but what better way to force yourself to feel some festive cheer than directing the annual Christmas play. So begins a Christmas quest for Charlie that involves a sad tree, a competitive dog and uncooperative Christmas Queen.
The first of the iconic “Peanuts” holiday shorts, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has been a free to watch staple of American Christmases for generations. And while Apple’s acquisition of the franchise came with concerns all that was a thing of Christmas past, their annual free streaming window is back for 2024.
So, whether you’re a subscriber looking to watch right now, or planning to make an appointment with the special free stream, read on to find out how to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas” online and from anywhere.
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' in U.S., U.K. and Australia
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the special via your subscription? Don't worry, you can watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from anywhere thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world so is ideal for viewers currently traveling abroad. Our favourite is NordVPN – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
All you need to know about 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' official Apple TV+ trailer
Who is in the cast of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'?
Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown
Christopher Shea as Linus van Pelt
Tracy Stratford as Lucy van Pelt
Kathy Steinberg as Sally Brown
Chris Doran as Schroeder and Shermy
Geoffrey Orstein as Pig-Pen
Sally Dryer as Violet
Ann Altieri as Frieda
Bill Melendez as Snoopy
Karen Mendelson as Patty
What can we expect from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'?
The official synopsis from Apple reads: "In this beloved Peanuts special, feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Lucy recruits Charlie Brown to be the director of the gang’s holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ preference for dancing over acting, find the “perfect” tree and discover the true meaning of Christmas?"
Are there other Charlie Brown specials?
Far too many to list here. "A Charlie Brown" Christmas was the first animated special to be based on Charles M. Schulz' "Peanuts" comic strip, but there's since been a plethora of animated shorts, cartoon series and movies based on the adventures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang.
Most notable, and also receiving free streaming windows from Apple at the relevant times of year, are "It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."
More from Tom's Guide
- Best Apple TV apps and games
- HBO Max vs Max: Everything that's changed
- Best iPhones: which should you buy?
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
