New special episodes of ‘The Snoopy Show,’ ‘Frog and Toad,’ ‘Sago Mini Friends,’ and ‘Shape Island’ coming in December; streamer offers free viewing windows for classic holiday ‘Peanuts’ specials ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’
Apple TV+ has revealed its line-up of animated holiday programming with all-new holiday special episodes of The Snoopy Show, Frog and Toad, Sago Mini Friends, and Shape Island. The streamer also announced free streaming windows of iconic holiday specials from Mendelson/Melendez Productions and Peanuts Worldwide, including (subscribers have access anytime):
Stream for Free – November 18-19
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Stream for Free - December 16- 17
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
Previously Released Holiday Content (currently streaming includes)
- I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
- Interrupting Chicken: A Chicken Carol Holiday Special
- Pretzel and the Puppies: Merry Muttgomery!
- The Snoopy Show: Happiness is the Gift of Giving
- Fraggle Rock: Night of the Lights
Premiering December 1
Frog and Toad - “Christmas Eve”
Frog and Toad look forward to spending the winter holiday together, but a last-minute errand into town sidetracks Frog, causing Toad to wonder if his best friend will make it home in time.
The voice cast includes Academy Award winner Nat Faxon (Our Flag Means Death, The Connors) and Emmy Award nominee Kevin Michael Richardson (The Simpsons, Family Guy) with appearances by Ron Funches (Trolls); Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune); Cole Escola (At Home with Amy Sedaris); Aparna Nancherla (The Great North); John Hodgman (Up Here); Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted); Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs); Emmy Award nominee Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants); Selene Luna (Coco, Mayans M.C.); Emmy Award nominee Margaret Cho (Fire Island); and Betsy Sodaro (Duncanville, Tiny Toons).
Shape Island – “The Winter Blues”
The chilly season leaves Square feeling sad, so Circle and Triangle try to cheer him up by creating a new holiday: Yeti Night.
The voice cast includes Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), and Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted). It is co-created by Barnett and Klassen, who serve as executive producers alongside Bix Pix Entertainment’s Emmy Award-winners Kelli Bixler and Drew Hodges. Ryan Pequin serves as co-executive producer and head writer.
The Snoopy Show – “Happiness is Holiday Traditions”
Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper; Woodstock gets trapped in a window display; and Snoopy and Woodstock visit Spike for Christmas.
An Apple TV+ original series from Peanuts and WildBrain, Josh Scherba; Anne Loi; Stephanie Betts; Paige Braddock; Craig Schulz; and Mark Evestaff serve as executive producers. Alex Galatis serves as executive story editor.
Premiering December 22:
Sago Mini Friends – “New Year's Steve”
In the new holiday special, Harvey makes a wish to stay awake until midnight when a firefly swoops in to help—and kickstarts a scavenger hunt for the whole crew.
Daytime Emmy Award nominees Jennifer Dodge (PAW Patrol), Ronnen Harary (PAW Patrol), Tone Thyne (Wonder Pets!), and Dustin Ferrer (Esme & Roy) are executive producers. Daytime Emmy Award nominees Laura Clunie (PAW Patrol) and Toni Stevens (PAW Patrol) serve as co-executive producers, with Chad Hicks (Kingdom Force) as series director. Spin Master Entertainment produces, with animation by 9 Story Media Group’s Brown Bag Films.
Holiday Animation Now Streaming:
Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales
The Peanuts gang – Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and Sally – each star in a collection of Christmastime tales from the original Peanuts comic strips.
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock – “Night of the Lights”
It’s the most Fraggily holiday of the year, and the Rock is filled with songs and cheer. When Jamdolin encourages Wembley to make a special wish, the Fraggles head out on an adventure to find the brightest light and, maybe, the true meaning of the holiday.
Get Rolling With Otis – “A Winter’s Cow Tale”
It’s Christmas Day, and Rosalie is due to have her baby. Daisy can’t wait to be a big sister, but she’s disappointed when she can’t decorate the tree with her mama. Otis rolls into action to help Daisy decorate the tree, and when the snow builds up too high, he plows his way through the snow so Daisy can meet her new baby sister.
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
All Rerun wants from Santa is a dog, but his mother won’t let him have one. Spending time with Snoopy provides the perfect pick-me-up. But when Snoopy gets too busy to play with Rerun, they call in a substitute—Snoopy’s brother Spike.
Interrupting Chicken – “A Chicken Carol”
Ebenezer Wolf decides to cancel the holidays, so Piper teams up with the Three Little Pigs and some ghostly friends to change his mind.
It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
A collection of Christmas-themed vignettes, including: Charlie Brown tries to sell wreaths; Peppermint Patty worries about her Christmas book report; Charlie Brown tries to buy gloves for Peggy Jean; and the gang is in a Christmas play, where Sally worries about her single-line and Peppermint Patty plays a sheep.
Pretzel and the Puppies – “Merry Muttgomery!
When a heavy snowfall jeopardizes the annual holiday festival, the pups find unique ways to celebrate with all the snowed-in dogs in the city.
The Snoopy Show – “Happiness Is the Gift of Giving”
Snoopy adapts a Christmas poem to help Sally sleep, Charlie Brown makes gifts for his pals, and Snoopy finds waiting to open his presents a challenge.
Stillwater – “The Way Home”
While helping Stillwater make treats to celebrate the winter solstice festival, the kids learn he plans to share some with a neighbor they’re wary of.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
The poignant and heartfelt journey follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse traveling together in the boy’s search for home.
Source: Apple TV+
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
