Apple TV+ Surprise: Peanuts Special Tops Charts Overnight

Originally posted on Total Apex Entertainment
By Liesel Booker | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 11:29 AM ET

You’re a hit, Charlie Brown! Apple TV+ put out a new Peanuts special, Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical. Now, since the Peanuts comic strip ended back in 2000 and its creator Charles Schulz died right before the last strip was published, you’d think Peanuts would be old news by now.

Nope, it turns out that Snoopy and Charlie Brown still have some life in them. To everyone’s surprise, Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical became the Number 1 most-streamed movie on Apple TV+ within 24 hours of its debut.

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical is Number 1 on Apple TV+

According to CBR.com, Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, which debuted on August 15th, was the Number 1 most-streamed movie on Apple TV+ by August 16th, ahead of even the Indiana Jones-inspired film, Fountain of Youth. Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical tells the story of the Peanuts gang going to summer camp and having to put on a festival in an attempt to save the camp from closing down.

The special is meant to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip, and features original songs by Ben Folds. The film is directed by Erik Wiese and written by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano.

Why Was Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical Such a Hit?

Top 10 Movies: Who Are You, Charlie Brown? | Courtesy of Apple TV+

Despite receiving mixed reviews, Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical might have drawn in so many viewers because of the nostalgia factor. Those who grew up watching A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! will likely be drawn to new Peanuts specials to see what their favorite gang of kids is up to these days.

In addition, the special hearkens back to the days when kids used to actually spend their summers outdoors instead of scrolling through the internet. Parents of young children might hope that the special event will inspire their kids to go outside and play.

How Many Peanuts Specials Are There?

Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical marks the fifty-second time that the Peanuts strip has been adapted for the small screen. Apple TV+ subscribers can revisit the old gang whenever they want. Peanuts has endured for more than half a century, and judging by all the views that Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical has brought in, it can still connect with modern audiences.

Perhaps right now, our phone-obsessed culture needs to be reminded that the world outside still has a lot to offer, and Snoopy and Charlie Brown might be the perfect reminders of that.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Entertainment and was syndicated with permission.

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