How to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving online for free

how to watch a charlie brown thanksgiving
(Image credit: Apple)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cheat sheet

Free on Apple TV: Nov. 25–27
Run-time:
30 minutes
Director:
Bill Melendez, Phil Roman
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Original release date: Nov. 20, 1973

Trying to figure out how to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving online? Well, even though it's not on TV anymore — you missed the window by a few days — you can still catch it for free.

Yes, after the news broke that Apple was taking the Charlie Brown holiday specials and making them Apple TV Plus exclusives, the company decided to save some face by making these specials available without paying for them. That began on November 22, when PBS broadcast the Thanksgiving special, and it continues on December 13, when A Charlie Brown Christmas airs again on the Public Broadcast Station. 

But, yes, Apple won't make you pay to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. 

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving began streaming on Apple TV Plus behind the paywall on Nov. 18, and it will be free to watch between Wednesday (Nov. 25) and Friday (Nov. 27). Similarly, A Charlie Brown Christmas will be free between Dec. 11 to 13. 

This is a welcome change of plan, as the specials feel as ritualistic and important to the holidays as some of our favorite side dishes. In A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Charlie's got a traditional sitcom problem: having to bring himself to two Thanksgiving tables — back and forth. 

There's even some good old fashioned football, or rather the traditional game of Lucy playing spoiler for Charlie's aspirational punting goals.

Want a taste? Here's a snippet from the special:

And here's everything you need to know to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for free:

How to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with a VPN

If you're stuck abroad — in one of the few countries where Apple TV Plus is not available — you will likely run into geo-fenced restrictions on the platforms and services you can use. But with the help of a virtual private network (VPN), you can watch On The Rocks and all the other services you already pay for no matter where you are. 

Based on our testing, the best VPN is ExpressVPN, which is easy to use and delivers fast internet speeds, making it simple to set up for streaming in no time at all. It also works on practically any device, starting with iOS and Android and including streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Apple TV. Plus, game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

ExpressVPN

Our favorite VPN service, ExpressVPN, is a top choice for those looking to watch On The Rocks. It's got a solid mix of safety, speed and ease-of-use. Plus, you get an extra 3 months free if you sign up for a year. If you've never used a VPN before and are curious and not sure, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you just want to give it a try.

How to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on streaming

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is already on Apple TV Plus, and it's free to watch between Nov. 25 and 27. 

Apple TV Plus 7-day free trial

If you're trying to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving after Nov. 27, you can stream it as a new member taking advantage of the Apple TV Plus 7-day free trial. Apple TV plus costs $4.99 per month thereafter, and features excellent programming such as Ted Lasso, Beastie Boys Story and The Morning Show. 

Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.