There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy, on Apple TV+

Snoopy's doghouse is a lot like the Tardis. It seems to hold infinite storage space. Of course, that is really just the power of his imagination. Still, it is such a shame to lose it. Technically, it was Sally’s fault, but it is still gone just the same in There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy, the new Peanuts animated special directed by Ridd Sorensen, which premieres today on Apple TV+.

It is time for Charlie and Sally Brown’s annual yard sale. Honestly, it really more of Sally’s yard sale, because he has trouble letting go of his old stuff, for sentimental reasons. In contrast, Sally has no sentimentalism when it comes to money. That’s how she accidentally sells Snoopy’s doghouse. Of course, she was so intoxicated by her sudden revenue, Sally cannot remember who bought it. Somehow, Snoopy will have to scrounge up another deerstalker cap and magnifying glass to track it down. At least his loyal “owner” Charlie Brown will stick with him every step of the way.

Like all of Apple TV+’s Peanuts specials, There’s No Place Like Home is just as cute and endearing as you might expect. In fact, thematically, it sometimes feels closer to Shulz era specials, except that Charlie Brown is maybe a bit more proactive.

Like its predecessors, the latest special was scored by Jeff Morrow. This time around, his themes and cues sound particularly inspired by the legendary Vince Guaraldi. Indeed, the jazziness of his scores has continued to increase, which gives the specials extra added nostalgic appeal. While the original song, Allen Stone’s “Home, Where Your Heart Found Me,” has an early 90’s “Waiting for a Star to Fall” kind of vibe, they are not as distinctive as Ben Folds’ previous tunes for “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” and his standout title song for “It’s the Small Things Charlie Brown.”

For some reason, Apple TV+ continues to use the “Snoopy Presents” branding for its Peanuts special, which technically and awkwardly makes the new special’s official title: Snoopy Presents: There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy. Maybe it doesn’t truly matter, but it feels like de-emphasizing Charlie Brown loses some of Shulz’s deeply felt empathy for everyone who ever felt like a luckless loser blockhead. Regardless, this is still one of the better scored and written specials, so parents can stream it with confidence. Highly recommended, There’s No Place Like Home, Snoopy starts streaming today (7/31) on Apple TV+.