When we speak about timeless animation, Peanuts specials always come up in our minds, and there is a very good reason for that. These stories have shaped numerous holiday traditions, introduced unforgettable characters to audiences, and given Snoopy countless chances to steal scenes without saying a single word.
Even though everyone focuses on the whole gang, Snoopy’s creativity and mix add an extra layer of fun. Here are five of the most beloved Peanuts specials that we, as fans of Peanuts, still return to year after year.
5. Charlie Brown’s All Stars! (1966)
In this special, we see how all the spotlights shift to baseball and how the emotional stakes are getting higher. When the team is offered a place in the Little League, Charlie Brown faces a moral dilemma involving Snoopy and the girls because they are allowed to play for the team. But through all of that, our favorite blockhead manages to bring humor to the field with his dramatic slides, poses, and competitive flair, balancing the story’s more heartfelt moments.
4. Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975)
This is a very sweet Valentine’s Day special, which is surprisingly kind of sad and relatable. We see how Charlie Brown hopes for just one Valentine, while Snoopy plans an elaborate chocolate gift of his own. When the day doesn’t go as planned, Snoopy quietly steps in with a thoughtful gesture that reminds everyone how deeply these characters care for each other, despite their own differences.
3. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Only Snoopy can be the chef who could turn toast, popcorn, and jelly beans into a holiday dinner. Don’t blame him because he is a beagle after all. And when we see how Peppermint Patty invites herself and everyone else over to Charlie Brown’s home, Snoopy scrambles to put together a meal. The special ends with the warmth and sincerity that define the series.
2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Every Halloween conversation that we have eventually leads back to this classic. Linus is convinced the Great Pumpkin will appear, as we see Sally is dragged into his pumpkin-patch vigil, and Charlie Brown famously ends up with nothing but rocks by being a ‘Blockhead.’ Between all that, Snoopy takes off into his own world, imagining an aerial duel with the Red Baron.
1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
This is said to be one of the most beloved Peanuts legacies. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and packed with the kind of sincerity that never fades. While Charlie Brown questions the overwhelming commercialism of the season, Snoopy breaks out the dance moves and decorates his doghouse with over-the-top festive flair. The special’s emotional core, with Linus’s simple explanation of Christmas, remains one of the most memorable moments in animation history.
