Raising It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is rated G (general audiences) on Apple TV's US listing, and the UK's BBFC rated it U, finding "no material likely to offend or harm." The 1966 Peanuts special runs about 25 minutes. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 4 and up, noting kids in ghost costumes running from skeletons and words like "stupid" and "blockhead." It hasn't aired on network TV since 2020; it streams on Apple TV.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
Apple TV: G; BBFC: U - –Violence in rating descriptors
BBFC U: no material likely to offend or harm - –Scary content in rating descriptors
None in Apple TV or BBFC ratings - –Bad language in rating descriptors
None in Apple TV or BBFC ratings - –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
None in Apple TV or BBFC ratings - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
BBFC: U
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Peanuts animated TV special (1966), about 25 minutes, now streaming on Apple TV source |
|---|---|
| US (Apple TV listing) | G (general audiences; all ages admitted); released October 27, 1966 source |
| UK (BBFC) | U (universal; suitable for all) — "no material likely to offend or harm" (2010 home release) source |
| Common Sense Media | 4+ — "stupid" and "blockhead"; kids in ghost costumes run from skeletons |
| Where to watch | Apple TV (subscription); Apple holds Peanuts streaming rights through 2030. Free window: October 17–18, 2026 source |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
Short answer: A Peanuts Halloween TV special from 1966, based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strip.
Linus waits all night in a pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin, while the rest of the Peanuts gang goes trick-or-treating. It runs about 25 minutes. Apple TV's listing names Bill Melendez as director, with Peter Robbins, Sally Dryer and Christopher Shea in the voice cast. Common Sense Media lists faith and perseverance among its messages.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: what's in it
Short answer: It's rated for all ages in the US and the UK, and Common Sense Media lists 4+.
- US (Apple TV): G.
- UK (BBFC): U, "no material likely to offend or harm."
- Common Sense Media: 4+.
Common Sense Media notes that kids dressed as ghosts run from skeletons and specters, that "stupid" and "blockhead" come up several times, plus "crazy" and "good grief!", and that one character has a crush, drawn with floating hearts.
Where to watch it in 2026
Short answer: On Apple TV, which has had the Peanuts specials since 2020.
Apple TV holds streaming rights to the Peanuts specials through 2030, according to MacTrast, so the special no longer airs on broadcast networks. Subscribers can watch any time. Apple made it free for everyone on October 17–18, 2026, per MacTrast and Cult of Mac; that window has passed.
The habit kids may copy: waiting all night
Linus waits in the pumpkin patch for something that never comes, while everyone else is out trick-or-treating.
Try tonight: whose basket?
Draw two baskets on paper. Name a few Halloween things: your costume, the weather, what a neighbor puts in the candy bowl. For each, ask: "Is this up to me, or not up to me?" In our program, this is the lesson "Two Baskets": what's up to me, and what isn't.
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FAQ
What is It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown rated?
It's G on Apple TV's US listing and U in the UK, where the BBFC found "no material likely to offend or harm."
Where can I watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
On Apple TV with a subscription. Apple made it free for everyone on October 17–18, 2026.
Is It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on TV?
It hasn't aired on network TV since 2020; Apple TV holds streaming rights to the Peanuts specials through 2030.
How long is It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?
About 25 minutes, per Apple TV's listing.
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