Who Are You, Charlie Brown? – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Lupita Nyong'o narrates a warm documentary about Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the man who created them—gentle nostalgia with actual substance.

90%

6.9

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Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

movie

2021

75%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Lupita Nyong'o narrates a warm documentary about Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the man who created them—gentle nostalgia with actual substance.

90%

6.9

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90%

6.9

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a lovely little film that does exactly what it sets out to do: celebrate Peanuts and its creator with warmth and substance. The 90% Rotten Tomatoes score isn't hype—it's genuinely well-made.

That said, let's be real: this is a documentary, which means it's not going to compete with Encanto or Spider-Verse for your kid's attention. If your family already vibes with Peanuts' gentle, melancholy humor, this is a great watch. If you're trying to introduce Peanuts to kids raised on high-octane animation, you might get some glazed-over eyes during the interview segments.

The new animated Charlie Brown story woven throughout helps keep younger viewers engaged, and at 55 minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome. It's enriching without being preachy, nostalgic without being dusty, and safe as milk. Perfect for a cozy family movie night when you want something with actual substance.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12, especially kids who already love Peanuts or families looking for gentle, educational content. Older elementary kids will appreciate the biographical elements; younger ones will enjoy the animated segments even if the documentary parts lose them.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Peanuts has always modeled gentle life lessons about friendship, perseverance, and kindness through Charlie Brown's endearing failures and Lucy's bossy charm. This documentary celebrates those values while exploring Schulz's life and legacy. The tone is warm and reflective, perfect for families who appreciate slower-paced, thoughtful content.

Imaginative

The documentary format itself isn't particularly imaginative—it's celebrity testimonials and archival footage—but it does include a new animated Charlie Brown story woven throughout. Peanuts as a franchise has always sparked imagination through its simple yet profound storytelling, and this film honors that tradition while exploring Schulz's creative process. However, it's more retrospective than actively creative.

Safe

This is quintessentially safe content. Common Sense Media rates it for age 6+, and Peanuts has never trafficked in anything shocking or inappropriate. No violence, no scary content, no mature themes beyond mild melancholy (which is Charlie Brown's whole vibe). The documentary format means no surprises—just wholesome nostalgia and gentle animation.

Enriching

Strong educational value here: kids learn about Charles M. Schulz's life, the creative process behind a beloved franchise, and how art can influence culture across generations. Celebrity interviews show how Peanuts shaped real people's lives. The blend of documentary and animation makes it accessible for younger viewers while offering meaningful insights about creativity, persistence, and emotional authenticity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces kids to the creative process and legacy of Charles M. Schulz in an accessible way
Blends documentary footage with new Charlie Brown animation so it's not just talking heads
Celebrity fans share genuine stories about how Peanuts shaped their lives—models how art can matter
Wholesome through and through, with Peanuts' signature gentle humor and emotional honesty
At 55 minutes, it's short enough to hold attention without overstaying its welcome

⚠

What to Watch For

Documentary pacing is slower than typical kids' content—this isn't Bluey energy
Kids unfamiliar with Peanuts might not connect as deeply (though it works as an introduction)
Some younger viewers may zone out during the interview segments, even with Lupita's narration

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Charlie Brown keeps trying even when things don't go his way?"
"What's something you've created that you're proud of, like how Charles Schulz created these characters?"
"Which Peanuts character do you relate to most—Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, or someone else?"
"How do you think a comic strip from the 1950s is still popular today?"

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