sign in
register
Watch
Apple TV Plus
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Apple TV Plus
JustWatch
Remove ads

A Charlie Brown Christmas

1965
Comedy
Family/Kids
TV Special
25m
Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. (imdb)
Directed by:
Bill Melendez
Written by:
Charles M. Schulz
Starring:
Peter Robbins Peter Robbins Christopher Shea Sally Dryer Kathy Steinberg Ann Altieri Tracy Stratford Karen Mendelson Geoffrey Ornstein Chris Doran
More
Franchise:
Peanuts
Genres:
Comedy, Family/Kids, Animation
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
See title update history
Suggest an edit
Show Less
Your probable score
?

A Charlie Brown Christmas

1965
Comedy
Family/Kids
TV Special
25m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 66.84% from 1595 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1595)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
beedubBeeDub
Rated 09 Jul 2015
100
97th
A timeless Christmas classic.
Rated 09 Jul 2015
matthias99Matthias99
Rated 10 Jul 2008
93
85th
I'm a sucker for this one, as it's a Christmas holiday tradition at my family's house (along with "A Christmas Story".) Heartwarming in that this-was-made-before-everyone-in-the-world-was-cynical kind of way. Even if you're not particularly religious (and my family isn't), it's hard not to appreciate the spirit of the story and Schulz' attempt to tease out the true meaning of Christmas from the "modern" commercialism that he saw taking over even 40 years ago. A brilliant score as well.
Rated 10 Jul 2008
jstryjstry
Rated 10 Feb 2008
92
95th
I watch this every single year and it warms my heart every time. Oh, Charles Brown. And let's not underestimate the soundtrack, which is awesome.
Rated 10 Feb 2008
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 26 Jul 2009
62
14th
Meh, I found it boring, preachy and badly animated. Some stuff near the beginning is good but it goes downhill.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
88th
The standard against which all Christmas animation sould be judged. End of story.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gtown1479gtown1479
Rated 28 Feb 2008
89
93rd
Good movie. My favorite Christmas short. The Linus speech is pretty good. And Snoopy does a good job decorating his house.
Rated 28 Feb 2008
jacobclark12jacobclark12
Rated 27 Dec 2020
90
86th
There's something oddly comforting and relieving to me about this holiday classic. Its moral ambiguity, anti-commercialism stance, and melancholy help a lot of people (including myself) get their voices heard in a season that can so often be about distraction and manufactured joy. In the middle of it all, though, is a message of redemption and resurrection of the existential sadness that can affect the human spirit so easily and readily. And all of this happens in less than half an hour.
Rated 27 Dec 2020
starsirenStarSiren
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
86th
My favorite Charlie Brown cartoon. I watch it every year it's on t.v. It never gets old and is an essential holiday film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
astralartistAstralArtist
Rated 13 Dec 2008
100
99th
The definitive Peanuts cartoon, & the definitive Christmas animated feature. For me personally, the Christmas season simply has not arrived until I have seen this. Enough said.
Rated 13 Dec 2008
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 23 Dec 2008
9
90th
Yeah, I celebrate chanuka but some of these short films carry a real message and are quite enjoyable. I finally know where that song from "Arrested Development" comes from :).
Rated 23 Dec 2008
maikomaiko
Rated 13 Nov 2007
100
81st
You just can't go wrong with Charlie Brown and the Gang.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 24 Feb 2009
35
37th
Charlie is depressed, Lucy makes him the director of the play to cheer him up, he is then depressed that no one will listen to him because they are busy having fun and he isn't, gets a bad tree and then is depressed when no one likes it, Linus tells everyone the real meaning of Christmas, Charlie goes home and tries to spruce up tree doesn't work, everyone uses Snoppy's decorations stripped from his house he worked hard on to finally fix it. Moral, bitch enough and others will make you happy.
Rated 24 Feb 2009
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 21 Jan 2008
95
96th
The soundtrack alone puts it up there, but otherwise it's charming and something nice to watch with the family at or around Christmas.
Rated 21 Jan 2008
tonydaltonydal
Rated 25 Sep 2007
95
97th
Offering the only real competition to the Grinch as greatest holiday-season special.
Rated 25 Sep 2007
unohav1unohav_1
Rated 26 Aug 2007
100
98th
I LOVED this. My favorite is the sad tree Charlie Brown gets. I talked my father into getting a rejected last tree at a treestand on Christmas Eve solely because of this film.
Rated 26 Aug 2007
doctor7doctor7
Rated 08 Jan 2011
78
68th
Though I was never a fan of the Peanuts comic strip A Charlie Brown Christmas seems to be more and more relevant with each passing year. Sure it's a bit ham-fisted in it's meaning and the directly stated Christian over-tones date this animation quite a bit but ultimately it can still be watched and appreciated for the fact that Christmas can be about more than just physical accumulation of goods.
Rated 08 Jan 2011
jimmynmujimmynmu
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
84th
A fantastic film for the holidays.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
filman7filman7
Rated 15 Jan 2010
100
94th
The true meaning of Christmas (the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ) truly shines through. A true Christmas classic.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 06 Oct 2007
3
45th
Childhood nostalgia.
Rated 06 Oct 2007
runforrestrunforrest
Rated 15 Mar 2009
90
89th
Great Christmas film, the best to watch if you don't want it to take up your entire evening.
Rated 15 Mar 2009
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 24 Jan 2016
100
99th
Simply the best Christmas movie of all time.
Rated 24 Jan 2016
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 08 May 2008
9
93rd
How can you not love this?
Rated 08 May 2008
slrsoapboxSlrSoapbox
Rated 17 Mar 2008
65
30th
I've always found it kind of hypocritical that the story's about the overcommercialization of Christmas, and yet this is one of the most overcommercialized Christmas specials out there.
Rated 17 Mar 2008
greatscott85GreatScott85
Rated 29 Apr 2011
100
98th
My all-time favorite Christmas special. Feels so unique in how honest, thoughtful and intelligent it is.
Rated 29 Apr 2011
howellchuckhowellchuck
Rated 04 May 2010
100
97th
What else is there to say - best Christmas Special Ever!
Rated 04 May 2010
icarusIcarus
Rated 14 Dec 2010
95
96th
Magnificent. The simplicity of this film conceals its power. Schultz's narrative focuses attention on two things: the rampant commercialism of the season and the true meaning of Christmas. He handles the former with a deft touch and much humor, but it's the latter that is so striking. In a simple shot of Linus on stage, Schultz has his character simply recite Luke 2. No fanfare. No special graphics. As a contrast to what's come before, it works exceedingly well.
Rated 14 Dec 2010
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 03 Oct 2008
85
88th
Classic this nice animation. Simple and captivating. Today is not child-quality animation like this.
Rated 03 Oct 2008
spazzpp2spazzPP2
Rated 25 Jun 2009
2
45th
Great Soundtrack!
Rated 25 Jun 2009
joojooJooJoo
Rated 31 Jul 2010
5
80th
Of cultural importance.
Rated 31 Jul 2010
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 24 Dec 2013
5
42nd
Jesus was born and then died for our sins, y'all. I was never big on Peanuts except for Snoopy and Woodstock, who are undeniably great. I have a Woodstock shirt, actually.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
dsterndstern
Rated 08 Mar 2008
52
50th
Cool.
Rated 08 Mar 2008
tevtev
Rated 21 Jul 2023
50
51st
don't remember it
Rated 21 Jul 2023
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 25 Nov 2019
90
97th
Charlie Brown's tree has three sparse boughs on it, yet somehow, at the end, it turns into a tree worthy of Rockefeller Center. WTF were they smoking at that afterparty?
Rated 25 Nov 2019
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 06 Jun 2007
80
63rd
This is possibly the best of the incredibly lovable Peanuts films. The music is memorable and the characters are some of the best that the world of comic strips has to offer. Really good!
Rated 06 Jun 2007
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 09 Oct 2010
77
93rd
Another endearing piece of my childhood. That poor sad sack Christmas tree. Brilliant.
Rated 09 Oct 2010
haydnhaydn
Rated 01 May 2008
90
94th
You cannot mess with classics, top notch.
Rated 01 May 2008
jessjess125Jessjess125
Rated 11 Aug 2022
95
91st
True timeless classic. I try to watch it every year.
Rated 11 Aug 2022
magdabagmagdabag
Rated 23 Dec 2013
93
89th
I love Charlie Brown.He's My favorite.
Rated 23 Dec 2013
ivytivyt
Rated 07 Apr 2009
80
86th
The moral of this story: be original! Best moral of a story I can remember for a long damn time better than all that golden rule shit.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
ununniliumUnunnilium
Rated 26 Dec 2020
82
77th
Recently rewatched this, and while there's a lot of good moments, I was struck by how tonally and thematically inconsistent it is. Charlie Brown directing a play has little to do with looking for a good Christmas tree, which doesn't have much to do with trying to find the true meaning of Christmas. Plus, it's more cynical than I remembered, and more "put the Christ back in Christmas"-y. The individual moments still work well, mind you, and I had a good time - it's just funny how memory betrays.
Rated 26 Dec 2020
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 20 Nov 2011
63
73rd
A charming little Christmas TV classic. There's something about the music, the characters, and the thought put into this is that's simply heartwarming.
Rated 20 Nov 2011
blocker17Blocker17
Rated 16 May 2022
95
77th
The plot + writing - 9 The acting - 9 The entertainment value - 10 The look - 10
Rated 16 May 2022
pratchett3Pratchett3
Rated 23 Dec 2019
9
87th
they somehow nailed all the tone and timing and pacing in this. when linus calls for the lights and gives his little speech it's like all the tension just goes away, then after that it's chill, great ending, many of the jokes still slay. just a perfectly crafted little thing.
Rated 23 Dec 2019
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 02 Jun 2008
83
83rd
it's not that the movie is great, it's because of vince guaraldi's genius as a composer. the story here is about at good as schulz can write, and will appeal to anyone born within forty years afterward.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
beladonnesbeladonnes
Rated 20 Sep 2007
85
79th
This is probably one of my favorite Christmas movies. It really captures what Christmas means to me.
Rated 20 Sep 2007
bellamyrbellamyr
Rated 13 Jan 2008
82
67th
I shouldn't like it but I did. Quite fun and although it hits you with a fairly unsubtle message, its a message we could all do to hear.
Rated 13 Jan 2008
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 10 Dec 2018
70
53rd
Charlie Brown: "I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed."
Rated 10 Dec 2018
thereminjamThereminJam
Rated 19 May 2012
60
21st
It is what it is.
Rated 19 May 2012
simpliciosimplicio
Rated 17 Dec 2010
75
58th
A classic, solid effort at rooting out the meaning of Christmas. Given its characters and scope, it's probably best that it stays polarized in its portrayal of the Christmas spirit. Schultz's view of commercialism has an intriguingly dystopian edge that I appreciate. Great music, supporting an underlying theme: having fun with other people is Good. Side note: I feel like half of Woody Allen's oeuvre is basically the Peanuts translated into Judaism.
Rated 17 Dec 2010
dmbbearcatdmbbearcat
Rated 07 Jun 2011
89
85th
A true classic.
Rated 07 Jun 2011
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 15 Jun 2012
100
98th
Beautiful, even now
Rated 15 Jun 2012
stainStain
Rated 24 Jun 2007
40
23rd
The video that recuts this footage to Outkast's "Hey Ya" is a HELL of a lot better
Rated 24 Jun 2007
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 20 Dec 2018
65
39th
rvw. it's not consistently that good but seeing them is
Rated 20 Dec 2018
martrynmartryn
Rated 12 Jan 2008
86
88th
Man, I love Charlie Brown. Shit is gold. Classic Christmas animation, right here.
Rated 12 Jan 2008
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 15 Nov 2008
85
98th
The music playing when he picks out the tree makes me cry.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
dawne3dawne3
Rated 08 May 2010
100
95th
Perfection. Is there any kid cuter than Linus?
Rated 08 May 2010
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 13 Sep 2013
79
70th
A melancholy classic.
Rated 13 Sep 2013
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 04 Jul 2014
85
87th
I'm an atheist and this movie still gives me a warm feeling at Christmastime.
Rated 04 Jul 2014
dullshimmerDullshimmer
Rated 23 Dec 2017
95
81st
One of my favorite Christmas specials. Re-watching it as an adult I realized how simple this show is. I was always expecting a bit more than it gives, but what it gives is satisfying. It's interesting that of the popular holiday specials, this is really the only one that connects Christmas to the birth of Christ even though it is over 50 years old. The music, the message, and the slow, thoughtful style all come together for something special.
Rated 23 Dec 2017
andrewpkeyandrewpkey
Rated 18 Sep 2009
95
95th
beautiful score
Rated 18 Sep 2009
orangeamelOrangeAmel
Rated 27 Dec 2017
80
74th
A heartwarming Christmas story. Who would have thought that the commercialisation was present in the '60s! The message of the short is absolutely up-to-date. Even though it's aimed for kids and has its cringe moments, I'd still show it to people who can't appreciate the Christmas spirit and joy. On the side note, it's funny to see credits which aren't written with capital letters - almost 50 years before it was cool.
Rated 27 Dec 2017
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 19 Jun 2007
3
38th
Funny, entertaining, and surprisingly meaningful. I was never big on Peanuts as a comic strip but the Charlie Brown shorts were awesome.
Rated 19 Jun 2007
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 20 Jan 2011
78
42nd
A Christmas Classic.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
brandt64brandt64
Rated 15 Jul 2009
85
76th
Classic soundtrack, good message.
Rated 15 Jul 2009
unclesausageunclesausage
Rated 21 Feb 2010
10
10th
Velcro feels good, yeah maybe, IN ITS SLEEP
Rated 21 Feb 2010
anjinashanjinash
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
74th
Classic Christmas special, almost required viewing each December.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 03 Jan 2007
85
78th
Em honra de Peter Robbins (1956 - 2002). Nada melhor do que passar o aniversário num binge de Peanuts em honra do menino que fez a voz do Charlie Brown nos anos 60. Não há nada para não amar aqui, como usual na dobradinha Schulz/Melendez. BlurayRip CiNEFiLE.
Rated 03 Jan 2007
smacfarlsmacfarl
Rated 26 Jul 2009
90
77th
Classic. Wonderful. Animation values not high. Christmas values appropriate.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
jimmyg21189JimmyG21189
Rated 19 Jan 2017
100
96th
The soundtrack is one of my favorite albums and the movie itself is so nostalgic. I know it's in the suburbs, but Charlie Brown just screams Manhattan to me. With all of his neuroses and idiosyncrasies, Charlie Brown is like a mini Woody Allen for kids. If you haven't, see this movie. It's timeless.
Rated 19 Jan 2017
dremetriusdremetrius
Rated 15 Aug 2022
70
45th
Torn on this one. It's a nostalgic childhood favorite, but also it really pushes religion. Not as noticeable back in the day when I was being raised in said religion and also being raised severely ignorant of the real world. Now, in my adulthood, and these days, while most of it is charming the religious interlude is grating, uncomfortable and unwelcome.
Rated 15 Aug 2022
janusjanus
Rated 02 Jan 2009
90
94th
A perfect visual translation of Schulz's style and an indispensable piece of American pop culture. Great soundtrack too. The secularist in me balks a bit at the Christmas=Jesus hardlining.
Rated 02 Jan 2009
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 25 Dec 2021
70
82nd
Even in 1965, people were appalled by the over-commercialization of Christmas in America. It has never changed. That's pretty sad, but this is still a neat special. Charmingly animated, with a timelessly catchy score and the most adorable little tree ever committed to animation.
Rated 25 Dec 2021
ktappektappe
Rated 12 Feb 2008
95
88th
How can you NOT give this high ratings? You grew up with it, you can recite it word for word, and you quote it as often as the most popular movies. It has no violence, no harsh language, no adults, and a touching moral. Grab a nice crunchy dog bone, decorate your tree and house, and enjoy this classic. Also, the soundtrack from this one is the ultimate X-mas party CD--a must own!
Rated 12 Feb 2008
judicaretjudicaret
Rated 07 May 2015
60
57th
A kid who isn't looking forward to christmas, how cute can you get. While Peanuts tv specials and films improved later on, this is still warm and sweet. There's the religious speech, but it's nicely enough presented as pov of one of the characters.
Rated 07 May 2015
pmanPman
Rated 25 May 2010
100
96th
Another perfect family holiday film, no matter how old I get!
Rated 25 May 2010
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 26 Dec 2020
88
91st
Jazz makes everything better. Except hands.
Rated 26 Dec 2020
netmonknetmonk
Rated 14 Dec 2009
50
5th
Simplistic animation and very american - I wanted to like it but found it a bit dull. Probably best if mixed in with a healthy bit of nostalgia and Pavlovian conditioning from childhood christmas celebrations
Rated 14 Dec 2009
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 24 Jan 2012
93
94th
Why are you reading this review? Either you know how fantastic it is, or you should close up Criticker and go watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgsznmPlJOo
Rated 24 Jan 2012
caocaocaocao
Rated 20 Jul 2008
78
92nd
a true christmas classic.
Rated 20 Jul 2008
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 24 Dec 2017
60
69th
Old school Christmas classic.
Rated 24 Dec 2017
snailcriticsnailcritic
Rated 03 Apr 2014
90
79th
Classic Christmas film starring the Peanuts.
Rated 03 Apr 2014
robmagusRobMagus
Rated 08 Apr 2013
69
33rd
Dated, but charming. The music is fantastic.
Rated 08 Apr 2013
karamazovkaramazov.
Rated 24 Dec 2014
71
91st
Beautiful, quiet, astonishing.
Rated 24 Dec 2014
weirdyodaweirdyoda
Rated 08 Jan 2007
100
99th
The best peanuts and the best animated christmas short special. Uplifting and heartwarming.
Rated 08 Jan 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 06 Dec 2020
46
32nd
Seen: 3+.
Rated 06 Dec 2020
rihreyrihrey
Rated 08 Dec 2023
67
90th
It was genuinely great up until the Christian propaganda showed up.
Rated 08 Dec 2023
eddo42eddo42
Rated 03 Sep 2008
100
99th
"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!!"
Rated 03 Sep 2008

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...