Apple Is Taking Charlie Brown and Snoopy to the Big City in a New Feature Film

There’s little doubt that Apple has taken its role as the custodian of the Peanuts franchise very seriously, and now it’s taking another bold new step with a new full-length feature film for Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang.

It will be the second movie in the franchise, following 2015’s The Peanuts Movie, which ironically can only be found dreaming on Disney+ due to rights issues (although, like many films, it can also be purchased from iTunes). However, it will be the first major Charlie Brown project since Apple became “the official streaming destination for all things Peanuts” (except the 2015 film).

Apple announced the project today, noting that it will be directed by Steve Martino, who also helmed the 2015 film and is known for his work on other animated films such as Horton Hears a Who! and Ice Age: Continental Drift. The original story is co-written by the same team from The Peanuts Movie, which includes Craig Schulz and Bryan Schulz, the son and grandson of the legendary Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz.

Peanuts fans have been clamoring for another feature for years, and this film will bring joy to our millions of fans around the world.

Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz

Other members of the writing and production team include screenwriter Karen Kirkpatrick of Chicken Run, Smallfoot, and Over the Hedge, and producer Bonnie Arnold, a two-time Academy Award nominee known for the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, and Toy Story, among others.

According to Apple’s press release, the as-yet-untitled film will “see the Peanuts gang go on an epic adventure to the Big City, learning the true meaning of friendship, while meeting some surprising new friends along the way,” as Snoopy and Charlie Brown “face their biggest challenge yet.”

We can’t wait for everyone to experience this heartwarming new adventure with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang in the Big City.

Tara Sorensen, Apple’s head of children’s programming

Apple’s collaboration with Snoopy goes back nearly to the inception of Apple TV+. In early 2019, Apple partnered with WildBrain (then known as DHX Media), which owns 41% of the Peanuts franchise through Peanuts Worldwide, with the remainder held by Sony Music Entertainment Japan (SMEJ) and the family of Charles M. Schulz.

The initial deal focused on producing educational “STEM” programming such as Snoopy in Space, but the partnership was so successful that it expanded the following year to turn Apple TV+ into the exclusive streaming destination for almost everything related to Peanuts — including the entire catalog of iconic holiday specials.

Although Apple promised to offer classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas for free on Apple TV+ during the holiday seasons (and continues to do so), the move caused some chagrin among Peanuts fans who had become accustomed to seeing them on ABC for years. While going back to a for-profit broadcaster would have been out of the question, Apple struck a deal with PBS to run special broadcast airings that first year.

However, Apple never intended merely to sit on the existing collection of Charlie Brown specials. During the 2021 holiday season, Apple unveiled the first new Peanuts holiday special in nearly 20 years, breathing new life into the franchise with a heartwarming New Year’s Eve tale centered on Lucy van Pelt.

This was followed up with It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown, an Earth Day special that featured Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, To Mom (and Dad) With Love which explored Peppermint Patty’s struggles on Mother’s Day, and One of a Kind Marcie that brought the franchise’s most loveable introvert into the spotlight.

All these were produced in partnership with WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide; however, this new project will represent the first “three-way partnership” between Apple and the two companies. The partnership also allowed Apple to bring Snoopy to the Apple Watch in watchOS 10.

The new film is slated to begin production in 2024 at WildBrain Studios. It’s unclear right now if Apple plans to lead with a theatrical release for this one before bringing it to Apple TV+.

In the meantime, Apple will be offering free viewing windows for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV+ on November 18 and 19 and A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 16 and 17. However, both episodes and many other Peanuts specials are available to Apple TV+ subscribers anytime.