Though A Charlie Brown Christmas has become a holiday classic, it was originally uncertain it would ever be a success. Before the special, the Peanuts characters had only ever appeared in comic strips and several short ments. The special was created in 1965 after being commissioned by Coca-Cola. Since then, it has lost its commercial quality, making A Charlie Brown Christmas a classic for audiences of all ages.

The special centers around the little-known facts about A Charlie Brown Christmas, including its rocky development before its release.

Hardly Anyone Thought A Charlie Brown Christmas Would Do Well (Including Its Director)

The Production Was Rushed On A Low Budget

When A Charlie Brown Christmas was first commissioned in 1965, it only had a week of development. The creation of the special was originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, who wanted to capitalize on the success of Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts comic strips. Reportedly, the concept was developed in one afternoon, with the rest of the special being created in only six months. Everyone on the team, including the director Bill Melendez, was skeptical the work could be completed in time but persisted anyway.

After the work was completed but before its official premiere, Melendez still thought the special was a failure.

After the work was completed but before its official premiere, Melendez still thought the special was a failure. This fear was amplified by the film's unusual tone and music, as well as the untrained child actors voicing the characters, which producers and the network thought the video seemed unprofessional. The special was originally only going to air once to fulfill the contractual obligation with Coca-Cola. However, the special aired on CBS to an estimated 15.5 million homes, many of whom found comfort in the comic strip brought to life.

Why A Charlie Brown Christmas Is Still Popular Decades Later

Its Enduring Themes Paved The Way For The Peanuts Franchise

A Charlie Brown Christmas set a precedent for half-hour animated holiday specials. This included How The Grinch Stole Christmas! the following year and Frosty the Snowman. Previous to this, Christmas specials were typically an hour long. The short and palatable special has become a staple on many audience's holiday watch lists due to its enduring themes and lovable characters. The special also won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1966 and a Peabody Award.

Not only did A Charlie Brown Christmas help the holiday genre, but the special paved the way for many other Peanuts television films. In their first official non-commercial animated appearance, A Charlie Brown Christmas established the franchise's style and themes, as well as its iconic vocals and musical score. With over 40 other television films, the Peanuts world was developed, becoming more widely known and beloved among audiences. Almost six decades since A Charlie Brown Christmas' premiere, it is still considered a holiday classic.