Let’s get one thing obviously straight; the Peanuts are awesome!
Beginning as a comic strip by Charles Schulz, these introspective kids with distinct personalities went on to star in specials, films and TV. The conversations and personal journeys of Lucy, Linus, dog Snoopy, and especially Charlie Brown had very simple animation, but like any story or script, it was all in the writing. Oh, and that awesome piano theme entitled "Linus and Lucy"!
There have been newer Peanuts specials released in relatively recent years, but none that have brought the gang back into a broader popularity. A new computer-animated Peanuts film had been announced recently with a heartwarming teaser trailer, and another teaser was just leaked as well. Despite some impressively simple CG animation, the characters will attempt to entertain both older fans and newer generations of kids.
The Celebrity Café counts down the top 10 Peanuts characters.
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10. Pig-pen
Mostly a visual gag, this kid is constantly dirty. Wherever he walks, he always drums up a dust cloud with his feet, which kind of makes you wonder about his family. He may not be as memorable when compared with other characters, but the recurring visual joke of non-cleanliness helps him stand out.
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9. Schroeder
While he also isn’t known for the most memorable lines, Schroeder is famous for his piano-playing skills. With his tickling of the ivories, he can woo other characters and have them dancing in no time. Of course, he also attracts Lucy, much to his dismay.
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8. Marcie
The best friend of Peppermint Patty, Marcie is smart although she doesn’t act like it at times. She always calls Peppermint Patty “sir” while oblivious to Patty’s displeasure, and even twists simple directions around, like how to make Easter eggs. While not as prevalent as Peppermint Patty, she still manages to have some of the best jokes of the two.
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7. Woodstock
A second hand to Snoopy at times, Woodstock is a cute little bird who’s just as much of a character. He can also be mischievous at times when things don’t go his way. Talking in squeaks, Woodstock can communicate with Snoopy, making them the best animated animal pals.
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6. Sally Brown
Charlie Brown’s younger sister, Sally can act girly at times, and at other times act tough. She also has a major crush on Linus, and would even follow him into a pumpkin patch to catch the Great Pumpkin. Like any young kid, she can be loud and demanding, but she also shows smarts for her age knowing what restitution is.
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5. Peppermint Patty
Considered a tomboy, Peppermint Patty is a tough girl who uses her toughness to convince people to do things. She can especially push Charlie Brown into doing something, sometimes being overly controlling. Just look at what happens when they share a desk at school.
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4. Lucy van Pelt
Nasty and mean much of the time, Lucy is also an entrepreneur with an advice stand in the neighborhood, where she’ll offer advice in exchange for five cents. However, she also deceives Charlie Brown many times, especially in football. She’s a real blockhead!
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3. Linus van Pelt
Charlie Brown’s best friend and Lucy’s sister, Linus has wisdom beyond his years. At the same time, he carries a blanket everywhere with him, not to mention his obsession with the Great Pumpkin. Nonetheless, that wisdom and philosophy masks the fact that those quirks still makes him a kid.
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2. Charlie Brown
Sure, he has the worst luck of anybody imaginable, but you can’t deny his optimism. Charlie Brown is still such a sympathetic character, overcoming adversity even when he fails at something. It makes you wonder why he’s a target for a lot of the characters’ ridicule.
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1. Snoopy
Sorry Charlie, but your dog takes the top spot. While the kids can be somewhat quirky and rely on personally-crafted dialogue for their humor, Snoopy relies on his animated personality and imagination. Whether its fooling Lucy into a kiss or hunting down the Red Baron, this dog’s one cool dog, making him the best Peanuts character.