8 Best Peanuts Specials of All Time, Ranked

Image via Apple TV+ Published Sep 24, 2026, 1:18 PM EDT Remus is a writer, editor, journalist, and author with an eye for detail and an extremely active imagination. He is an enthusiast of everything to do with the graphic medium, whether it's Western comics and their adaptations or manga and anime. Remus is also the author of the sci-fantasy novel Once Upon a Time in Hyperspace and several works of short fiction in the mystery, comedy, and horror genres. Sign in to your Collider account As you probably know, the Peanuts specials are animated adaptations of Charles M. Schulz’s classic comic strip featuring the two most iconic cartoon characters of all time. For six decades, these animated television specials have remained a comfort watch for children and adults alike, making the weight of life feel a little lighter every time. Through these specials and other works, Charlie Brown and Snoopy have successfully charmed fans of every generation with their silly antics, heartwarming adventures, and surprisingly profound messages. What started as a one-off holiday special in 1965 with A Charlie Brown Christmas soon turned into a tradition, leading to some of the most beloved works of animation ever made. However, among the half a hundred or so specials that have been produced so far, the classic animated Peanuts specials remain evergreen and nostalgic favorites and are unarguably some of the best screen adaptations of the legendary cartoon. So, without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of the best Peanuts specials. 8 ‘It’s Your First Kiss Charlie Brown’ (1977) Image via WB The 16th Peanuts special, It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown, sees Charlie Brown being chosen to escort the Homecoming Queen to the dance. When it turns out to be the Little Red-Haired Girl, his longtime crush, Charlie Brown begins to panic about giving her a kiss as per the Homecoming traditions. The episode also gives a name and a face to the Little Red-Haired Girl whom Charlie has adored for years, who is revealed to be named Heather. Arrin Skelley voices Charlie Brown, with Daniel Anderson as Linus and Michelle Muller as Lucy. Directed by Phil Roman and produced by Bill Melendez, who also voices Snoopy, It’s Your First Kiss Charlie Brown is considered to be one of the most controversial of all the Peanuts specials. The definitive personification of Little Red-Haired Girl and the unfair treatment of Charlie Brown’s character caused a negative reaction among fans. However, in the years that followed, It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown has remained memorable for its big moment that gave Charlie a major personal victory. 7 ‘Snoopy!!! The Musical’ (1988) Image via WB An animated adaptation of the 1975 musical of the same name, Snoopy!!! The Musical is the 31st primetime Peanuts special episode. The episode features a series of vignettes, each of which contains a song by Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Woodstock, and Snoopy. Unlike other episodes, this one does not have an overarching plot and includes musical numbers and comedic sketches about all the members of the Peanuts gang. The episode stars the voices of Sean Collins as Charlie Brown and Bill Melendez and Cam Clarke as Snoopy. Snoopy!!! The Musical is one of only two musicals in the Peanuts franchise that feature Snoopy with a speaking voice, which only the audience can hear. The TV special was quite well-received by fans, who often rank it on par with 1985’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. While the episode did not earn high praise among critics, fans find the individual sketches, Snoopy’s various alter-egos, and the simple, catchy tunes quite fun. 6 ‘Snoopy’s Reunion’ (1991) Image via WB This Peanuts special episode opens with Snoopy’s childhood at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, where he was one of eight in the litter. Snoopy’s Reunion follows how the family is torn apart as each of the littermates gets adopted, with Snoopy getting adopted twice, and later the grown-up beagles decide to have a family reunion. To cheer up a nostalgic Snoopy, Charlie Brown organizes the reunion at the same farm where he got separated from his family. The episode is one of the few Peanuts specials to feature adults on-screen and stars Philip Shafran as the voice of Charlie Brown. Snoopy’s Reunion remains an all-time fan-favorite, featuring Snoopy’s heartwarming backstory and bringing his whole family together. Filled with tender moments and adorable pups, this Peanuts episode is truly a special one that really tugs at the heartstrings. At the time of its premiere, Snoopy’s Reunion was praised for its charm and nostalgic music, even though it did not become as popular as the holiday specials. Collider Exclusive · Universe Personality Quiz Which Iconic Universe Do You Belong in the Most? Star Wars · Lord of the Rings · Harry Potter · Game of Thrones · Star Trek Five legendary universes. Five completely different visions of what the world could be — or already was. One of them is the world your instincts, your values, and your particular way of existing were built for. Eight questions will tell you which one. 🚀Star Wars 💍Lord of the Rings 🧙Harry Potter 👑Game of Thrones 🖖Star Trek FIND YOUR UNIVERSE → 01 What gives your life its deepest sense of meaning? Every universe is built around a different answer to this question. ABeing part of something larger than myself — a cause, a rebellion, a fight for freedom that outlasts me. BThe journey itself — the places I'll go, the companions beside me, the world I'll discover on the way. CLearning — unlocking what I'm capable of, understanding the world's hidden mechanics, growing into something more. DLegacy — the name I leave behind, the power I build, the mark I make before the world moves on without me. EUnderstanding — exploring what exists beyond the horizon and asking what it means to be alive in a universe this vast. NEXT QUESTION → 02 Which kind of world do you most want to inhabit? The environment shapes who you become. Choose carefully. AA galaxy of planets, each with its own culture — connected by conflict, trade, and the Force. BAncient lands of breathtaking beauty, deep history, and a creeping darkness at the edges. CA world hidden inside our own — full of wonder, community, and magic waiting to be learned. 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You think it's the only thing worth working toward. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ 5 ‘Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown’ (1975) Image via WB In the 13th primetime special episode, Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, Linus develops a huge crush on his teacher, Miss Othmar, and tries to express his feelings with a box of chocolates. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown eagerly hopes to be showered with Valentine’s Day gifts at school and carries a big briefcase in anticipation, while Snoopy pursues his own comedic antics. The special features Duncan Watson as the voice of Charlie Brown, Melanie Kohn as Lucy, Stephen Shea as Linus, and Lynn Mortensen as Sally. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is childish fun at its best and full of adorable, sweet Valentine’s Day moments that are nostalgic for an entire generation. There is drama, tender romance, and lots of funny moments with the central characters. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown was also one of the many Peanuts specials to get a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children’s Special. 4 ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ (1973) Image via CBS The third holiday-themed Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving features a very Snoopy-style Thanksgiving dinner after Peppermint Patty invites herself, Marcie, and Franklin over to Charlie Brown’s house for the occasion. Forced to prepare the entire dinner, Snoopy and Charlie Brown put together a feast full of snacks, candies, and other favorite foods, which ends up teaching an important lesson to their guests and the audience as well. Todd Barbee and Peter Robbins voice Charlie Brown, Hilary Momberger voices Sally, and Christopher DeFaria voices Peppermint Patty. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is the first Peanuts special episode to use an original script outside of the original comics, with the exception of the opening gag. Though it is not as widely acclaimed as the other two holiday episodes, it has since grown into a holiday season favorite and remains a Thanksgiving Day tradition for many. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Specials and is widely considered the most popular animated Thanksgiving television special of all time. 3 ‘Happy New Year, Charlie Brown’ (1986) Image via CBS In the 30th Peanuts special, the entire gang is set to bring in the New Year with Peppermint Patty throwing a party to celebrate. Unfortunately, Charlie Brown is stuck in a corner preparing his book report on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, while also wondering about his crush, the Little Red-Haired Girl. Happy New Year, Charlie Brown stars the voices of Chad Allen as Charlie Brown, Jeremy Miller as Linus, and Kristie Baker as Peppermint Patty. A New Year special episode, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown packs a lot of comedy with Charlie Brown’s utter misery and fun musical moments. The episode is often ranked a mid-tier episode among all the Peanuts specials and lacks the cultural impact of the holiday episodes from the 1960s, which rank among the most acclaimed. However, among its audience, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown is a well-known and nostalgic episode that serves as a fond reminder of the franchise’s retro television catalog. 2 ‘It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ (1966) Image via CBS The second holiday special and easily one of the top two Peanuts specials, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a classic Halloween watch. Written by Charles M. Schulz himself and directed by Bill Melendez, the episode follows the Peanuts gang as they prepare to celebrate Halloween, while Linus swaps trick-or-treating for a vigil at the pumpkin patch for the arrival of the mythical Great Pumpkin. Meanwhile, Snoopy imagines himself as a WWI flying ace and crashes a children’s party. Peter Robbins voices Charlie Brown and Christopher Shea voices Linus. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown received widespread acclaim and massive viewership at the time of its release, earning praise for its style and musical score, with Snoopy’s dogfight sequence becoming a pop culture landmark. The episode’s huge success paved the way for Halloween specials, evolving as a particularly popular niche in television, leading to seasonal favorites like The Simpsons’ "Treehouse of Horror" episodes. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has since remained one of the best Peanuts specials of all time and is widely hailed as an iconic holiday television special. 1 ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ (1965) Image via CBS The very first entry in what became a long-running television tradition, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first-ever screen adaptation of Charles M. Schulz’s classic comic strip. Written by Schulz and directed by Bill Melendez, the holiday special finds Charlie Brown feeling depressed while everyone else seems cheerful during the holiday season. At Lucy’s suggestion, Charlie attempts to direct a Christmas play in his neighborhood but is mocked instead for his scrawny Christmas tree. A Charlie Brown Christmas laid the foundations of the Peanuts franchise, which today enjoys a 60-year legacy. Contrary to all expectations, A Charlie Brown Christmas was a phenomenal success and earned critical acclaim, setting a high benchmark for all the specials that followed, and became a popular holiday tradition. The episode has been widely praised for the melancholic jazz soundtrack and charming voice performances by Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Tracy Stratford, Kathy Steinberg, and others, who were all actually children at the time. In the years that followed, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree has come to symbolize the true essence of the festive season and the rejection of holiday commercialism.