Sadly for some, ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown’ will not be aired on television this season. If you’re one of those who hoards the candy, cooks the fudge, and grabs the popcorn balls just to sit and watch this classic each year, we’re here to tell you how and where to watch!

Ever since its debut in 1966, ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ has been a favorite family tradition in homes everywhere. Much like its predecessor, ‘Rudolf, The Red-Nosed Reindeer’ in 1964, and ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ which came later in 1969, the tale of the pumpkin patch became a special holiday treat for kids everywhere. I have fond memories of sitting down with my brothers and my parents and watching all three of these shows while eating Mama’s homemade fudge.

Every year kids would sit down in front of their televisions just like we did, and watch with wide eyes as Linus tried to convince the gang to wait with him for the Great Pumpkin to rise up out of the pumpkin patch on Halloween night. Just as Santa delivers toys, this pumpkin was supposed to bring candy to boys and girls all over the world.

Of course, the Great Pumpkin never showed up, and any kid who spent Halloween night sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting missed out on Trick or Treating, and likely ended up with no candy. Sad and disappointing? Maybe, but unlike the joys of Christmas, Halloween is supposed to be mysterious, frustrating, and a little scary. 

Much like the tale itself, kids who sit around on Halloween night waiting for the Great Pumpkin to show up on television will be disappointed. BUT, we live in a streaming world now, and that means that anyone with internet access and streaming service will be able to watch, but only if it is a streaming service that is showing the film.

Charles M. Shultz’s classic tale of Halloween distress was first introduced to the world on October 27, 1966. It did quite well, beating out ‘My Three Sons’ and tying with ‘Bonanza’ for viewership. The fact that successful ratings have followed the movie every year since probably has a lot to do with the fact that Apple+ bought out the rights to Charlie Brown TV specials in 2020.

According to TV Guide, Apple TV is the only place to watch ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ in 2022. Apple did make a deal in 2021 that allowed PBS Kids to show the film, but a Tweet from the children’s network made it seem doubtful that will happen this year. 

Apple Insider has explained that the film will be shown for free for a few days to anyone with an Apple ID. Of course, you will still need to own an Apple device such as an iPad, iPhone, Apple TV app, etc. You will also have to create an Apple ID if you don’t already have one, but a 7-day trial is free, and afterward, you will be charged $4.99 a month. 

So, basically, if you don’t own an Apple product and do not want to create an Apple ID, then once again, the Great Pumpkin isn’t going to show up for Halloween. Perhaps instead, we can grab the kids and settle in with Phantom Pups on Netflix. It’s a little spooky, a little fun, and a whole lot of puppies!

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