Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Peanuts New Year's movie is cute but not iconic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne
What's the Story?
SNOOPY PRESENTS: FOR AULD LANG SYNE is a New Year's Eve celebration with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. The special begins with Lucy being over-the-top excited that her grandma is coming to visit for Christmas. When her grandma calls to cancel the visit, Lucy is despondent. She wonders: If her own grandmother doesn't even want to visit her, maybe that means she's actually unlovable? True to typical misguided Lucy logic, she decides that a good way to cheer herself up is to throw a New Year's Eve party. That way, she'll be surrounded by friends telling her how great she is. She enlists brother Linus to help her prepare for "Lucy's Gala: A New Year's Eve Celebration of Elegant Perfection." Meanwhile, all of Snoopy's siblings have come to town to celebrate the holidays. Snoopy's brother Spike is feeling as unloved as Lucy; he's repeatedly unable to get his siblings to pose for the family picture he so desparately wants. Charlie Brown is also experiencing some end-of-year woes after realizing he didn't accomplish a single resolution he set for himself last New Year's. Lucy uses this to her advantage and convinces Charlie that he'll cross one goal off his list if he helps decorate for her party. She also makes other members of the Peanuts gang responsible for the food and music for her party. New Year's Eve finally arrives, and Lucy predictably ruins the party by trying to micromanage it to make it perfect according to her own standards. She and Linus have a disagreement right before midnight, and everyone leaves the party. Lucy returns home convinced that the party is proof that she really is unlovable. Linus and Charlie bring all of their friends to cheer her up and sing "Auld Lang Syne," reminding Lucy that even the most "unlovable" have friends who really care.
Is It Any Good?
Peanuts fans hoping this movie might reach the bar of holiday classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas or It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown will be disappointed. That said, the preschool audience who doesn't have that context will enjoy the sweet For Auld Lang Syne New Year's special. True to the brand, the piano-based score is lovely and Snoopy and Woodstock's visual gags are very silly. The episode also does hit the same sort of melancholy-but-hopeful tone as Charlie Brown Christmas, but the somewhat abstract lesson may be lost on little kids. Also, the story progresses in a way which makes it seem like Lucy might finally get her comeuppance and learn the consequences to her meanie ways. However, the special doesn't quite resolve that plot opportunity. Instead, Lucy is sad that she feels unloved but doesn't express remorse for treating her friends poorly. That said, her friends do show her tremendous compassion in the end. By showing her unconditional love she probably doesn't deserve, the Peanuts gang make sure that the episode ends on a positive note.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Lucy learns in Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne. Do you think she'll appreciate her friends more after the New Year's party? What do you think she could do differently to be a better friend?
Do you understand what the "Auld Lang Syne" song means? (A lot of grown-ups don't either!). Linus explains how the song means we should remember people who are important to us when we celebrate New Year's Eve. Who are some people that are important to you that you want to think about?
Spike, Snoopy's brother with the camera, feels like maybe his family doesn't appreciate him. How do you think Snoopy and his brothers and sisters could have made Spike feel more loved?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 10, 2021
- Cast : Etienne Kellici , Hattie Kragten , Charlie Boyle
- Director : Clay Kaytis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Apple TV / Apple Original Films
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 38 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate