Is the Great Pumpkin Harmless Fun? A Christian Parent’s Review of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown reviews image - pumpkins in a mound with a big pumpkin at the top.

This nostalgic Peanuts special is a tradition in many homes. The story centers on Linus, who waits faithfully in a pumpkin patch for the mythical “Great Pumpkin.” It’s whimsical, safe, and simple. While free of language, sexual content, or true violence, the special still has opportunities for Christian parents to engage their children in deeper conversations about faith.

Content Snapshot (What to Expect)

• Language: None.

• Sexual Content: None.

• Violence/Scary: Snoopy’s “Red Baron” fantasy sequence is the only slightly tense moment.

• Substances: None.

Christian Lens — What It TeachesLinus’s unwavering faith in the Great Pumpkin provides a wonderful springboard for talking about real faith. Faith in Christ is not wishful thinking or blind belief in a myth—it’s trust in the living God who keeps His promises. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Talk It Over

• “How is faith in Jesus different from believing in something pretend?”

• “What does it mean to stand firm in your belief when others make fun of you?”

Filter It (VidAngel / Enjoy Movies Your Way)This one is safe for all ages. At most, parents might choose to mute name-calling like “blockhead,” but otherwise it requires no filtering.

VerdictA wholesome, classic family watch that naturally opens the door to conversations about faith, patience, and hope.