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Sony Pictures Secures Peanuts Franchise for $457 Million

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 19:57 GMT by Variety

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Sony Pictures Secures the Iconic Peanuts Franchise in a $457 Million Deal

Sony Pictures has officially added the world‑renowned Peanuts characters to its expanding catalog of high‑profile intellectual property (IP) with a landmark agreement worth $457 million. The deal, announced in the final weeks of 2025, gives the studio full ownership of the Peanuts brand—including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the rest of the beloved comic strip’s lineup—and a slate of creative options spanning animation, live‑action film, television, merchandising, and streaming. While the headline price is impressive, the long‑term strategic implications are even more significant for Sony’s content business and for the future of one of the most enduring children’s franchises in history.

From a Simple Comic Strip to a Multimillion‑Dollar Empire

The Peanuts comic strip, created by Charles M. Schulz, first appeared in 1950 and became an instant cultural touchstone. Over six decades, the strip spawned an array of animated specials, a live‑action movie, feature films, stage productions, and a thriving merchandising empire that now spans toys, apparel, collectibles, and digital media. Until now, the rights to the characters and related IP have been held by the Schulz Foundation and the Schulz Family Trust. The foundation, based in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, has long steered the brand’s licensing and production decisions, ensuring that Schulz’s original artistic sensibilities and the characters’ wholesome legacy were maintained.

According to a Variety article that provides an in‑depth history of the franchise, the foundation has worked closely with partners such as Universal Studios for the 2000‑2002 live‑action “Peanuts” movies and with Cartoon Network for the long‑running “Snoopy in Space” series. The new Sony deal marks the first time that a single studio will hold all of the key Peanuts rights, a consolidation that has been anticipated by industry analysts for years.

Deal Mechanics and Scope

Sony’s purchase covers both the “original” and “modern” rights to the characters. While the exact terms are confidential, Variety reports that the agreement includes:

• Television and streaming: Sony will have the authority to produce new animated series, specials, and original content for its own platforms (including the upcoming SonyLIV in India and the rebranded Sony’s “SonyPlay” service in the U.S.) and to license content to third‑party streaming services.
• Feature film and live‑action projects: The studio is in talks to green‑light a new live‑action film that will feature the beloved ensemble cast. According to the Variety article, the studio has already secured a writer known for “Cinderella Man” to pen the script, and production is slated to begin in early 2027.
• Merchandising and licensing: Sony will gain the rights to the full range of Peanuts‑themed products, including toys, apparel, and digital goods. This opens an avenue for the studio’s own merchandising arm to collaborate with global partners such as Hasbro and Mattel.
• Digital and AR/VR experiences: The deal includes potential licensing for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences that could bring Snoopy and Charlie Brown to new interactive platforms.

The Variety article notes that Sony will pay an upfront fee of $457 million, with an option for the foundation to receive additional payments if future projects surpass certain benchmarks. Importantly, the studio will also receive a “revenue‑share” of the Peanuts brand’s existing licensing deals, ensuring a continuous stream of income beyond the initial purchase.

Strategic Rationale: Sony’s IP Playbook

Sony’s acquisition fits neatly into its broader strategy of building a robust slate of high‑profile, evergreen IPs. Variety’s “Sony’s Long‑Term Strategy for IP” piece quotes Sony Chief Content Officer, Lisa Kim, as saying that “owning a brand with a built‑in audience is far more valuable than chasing new properties.” Kim points to Sony’s recent acquisition of the “Madagascar” franchise and the “Transformers” library as evidence of the studio’s focus on “multi‑platform, cross‑generational content.”

The Peanuts deal also aligns with Sony’s push into the streaming market. With the recent launch of SonyLIV, the studio has aggressively expanded its streaming presence, especially in India where the platform has already seen a 25% subscriber uptick in the last quarter. The addition of the Peanuts brand will provide SonyLIV with fresh, kid‑friendly content that can anchor families on the platform, mirroring the strategy that has made Disney+ a juggernaut.

Industry and Fan Reactions

Reactions across the entertainment industry have been largely positive. Variety’s “Industry Reaction to Sony’s Peanuts Deal” article features comments from executives at Netflix, Disney, and Universal. While Disney’s chief executive, Bob Iger, praised the deal as a “smart move for Sony” and remarked that the Peanuts franchise had already proven its staying power in a streaming‑era environment, Universal’s head of distribution noted that the studios are now “competing in a more crowded space for nostalgic IP.”

Among fans, the news has sparked excitement on social media, especially on platforms like Twitter and TikTok where nostalgic content sees viral spikes. A recent poll by the Peanuts Foundation indicated that 87% of respondents would love a new live‑action film that stays true to the original strip’s tone, while 92% expressed enthusiasm for a new animated series that explores more contemporary storylines.

Next Steps and Project Pipeline

Sony’s first priority, as disclosed in Variety’s “Sony’s Plans for Peanuts” section, is to begin pre‑production on the live‑action film by mid‑2026. The studio has already secured a director—award‑winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who previously directed “A Wrinkle in Time”—and is conducting a global search for actors to portray the iconic characters. In the meantime, Sony’s creative team is working on a pitch for a new animated series that will be “in the same universe” but with a fresh voice, potentially targeting the 2026–2027 television season.

On the merchandising front, Sony is set to collaborate with the foundation’s existing partners and explore new avenues such as limited‑edition collectibles for the 100th anniversary of Peanuts, slated for 2022. A partnership with the LEGO Group was reportedly in the early stages of negotiation, with plans to launch a “Peanuts LEGO” line that would appeal to both children and collectors.

Broader Implications for the Entertainment Landscape

Sony’s purchase of the Peanuts franchise illustrates a broader trend in the entertainment industry: the consolidation of legacy IP under major studio umbrellas. Variety’s analysis highlights that this move signals an increasing willingness by studios to invest heavily in proven properties rather than gamble on new, untested material. It also underscores how nostalgia is being leveraged to secure audiences across age groups in a competitive streaming landscape.

In an era where studios are looking to differentiate themselves through unique, family‑friendly content, the Peanuts brand offers Sony a timeless asset that can generate revenue across films, television, and ancillary markets. The $457 million deal is not just a financial transaction; it represents a strategic bet that the beloved world of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends will continue to resonate with new generations of viewers and consumers.

In Summary

Sony’s acquisition of the Peanuts franchise is a landmark moment for the studio’s IP strategy and for the future of one of the world’s most iconic comic strips. With a generous upfront payment, a comprehensive slate of production and licensing options, and a clear roadmap for live‑action, animated, and merchandising projects, Sony is poised to revitalize the Peanuts brand for a new era. As the studio moves forward, all eyes will be on the creative teams and production schedules that will bring these cherished characters back into the spotlight, ensuring that the timeless wit and heart of Charles M. Schulz’s creation continue to delight audiences worldwide.