12 One-Time-Only Animated Specials From The ’70s You’ll Never Forget
Back in the ’70s, before streaming queues and endless reboots, TV had a special kind of magic.
Animated specials would air just once, then disappear like a dream you weren’t sure really happened.
No reruns, no recordings — just you, the couch, and a few unforgettable characters lighting up the screen for one night only.
These quirky, charming, and sometimes downright bizarre cartoons burned themselves into childhood memories and earned a permanent spot in retro pop culture legend.
1. Puff the Magic Dragon (1978)
Everyone’s favorite melancholy song about childhood’s end sprang to life in this heartstring-tugging adaptation.
Jackie Paper and his dragon pal Puff explored the magical land of Honalee, bringing the Peter, Paul and Mary folk classic to animated glory.
The special expanded on the original tale with new adventures and characters.
Bursting with whimsical imagery and gentle life lessons, it captured the bittersweet essence of growing up that made the song a cultural touchstone.
The animation’s soft watercolor style added just the right dreamy quality.
2. The Cat in the Hat (1971)
Rainy days became magical when this DePatie-Freleng adaptation burst onto TV screens!
The animators brilliantly captured Dr. Seuss’s distinctive illustration style while bringing the chaotic cat to life with perfect comedic timing.
Allan Sherman voiced the mischievous feline with just the right blend of charm and mayhem.
Unlike later adaptations, this special stayed remarkably faithful to the source material, right down to the fish’s exasperated protests.
The unforgettable theme song had kids singing “Cat, hat, in French chat, chapeau” for weeks after its single broadcast.
3. The Point (1971)
Narrated by Dustin Hoffman (and later Ringo Starr), this trippy fable followed Oblio, the only round-headed kid in a kingdom where everyone had pointy heads.
Poor Oblio gets banished to the Pointless Forest with his faithful dog Arrow. The film’s psychedelic animation style perfectly complemented Harry Nilsson’s unforgettable soundtrack featuring “Me and My Arrow.”
Despite airing just once on ABC, this counterculture gem became a cult classic that resonated with both kids and their hip parents.
4. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974)
Santa cancels Christmas after receiving an insulting letter from Junctionville! A clockmaker mouse and his human friend must build a special musical clock to apologize and save the holiday.
Rankin/Bass knocked it out of the park again with this charming twist on Clement Moore’s classic poem.
The special featured delightfully memorable songs like “Even a Miracle Needs a Hand” and “Give Your Heart a Try.”
Unlike their stop-motion specials, this traditionally animated gem showcased the studio’s versatility while delivering their signature heartwarming holiday magic.
5. The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)
Swimming against the hibernation stream, Ted E. Bear decides to stay awake to experience Christmas while all the other bears snooze away.
Voice acting legend Tom Smothers brought the perfect innocent curiosity to this lovable character.
Ted’s journey to the big city leads to charming misadventures and an unexpected friendship with a lonely human.
The animation had that distinct ’70s feel—slightly wobbly but full of personality. Many kids related to Ted’s determination to discover something magical that everyone else took for granted.
6. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (1975)
Mongoose versus cobra! This adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic story featured stellar voice work from Orson Welles as the narrator.
The Chuck Jones animation brought the deadly garden battles to life with nail-biting tension.
Set in colonial India, the special followed the brave mongoose Rikki as he protected his adopted human family from sinister cobras Nag and Nagaina.
The animation captured both the lush beauty of the garden setting and the lightning-quick combat sequences. Jones’s distinctive style gave the characters personality without sacrificing their animal nature.
7. A Pink Christmas (1978)
The coolest cat in cartoons tackled holiday homelessness in this surprisingly touching special.
The Pink Panther, freezing in a snowy city, tries various jobs to earn money for a Christmas feast, encountering both kindness and cruelty.
Completely dialogue-free (as the best Panther cartoons were), the special relied on visual storytelling and Henry Mancini’s jazzy score to convey emotion.
Despite the comedic mishaps, the special took a poignant turn that taught kids about compassion. That final scene where the Panther shares his hard-earned meal with a hungry dog still warms hearts decades later.
8. The First Easter Rabbit (1976)
Before he became the Easter Bunny, Stuffy was just a beloved toy rabbit discarded after his owner fell ill.
Rankin/Bass transformed this premise into a magical origin story narrated by the legendary Burl Ives (who also voiced Sam the Snowman in “Rudolph”).
Rescued by a kindly fairy, Stuffy becomes the first Easter Rabbit, bringing spring to children everywhere.
The special featured that distinctive Rankin/Bass animation style and memorable songs like “The Easter Bunny is Comin’ Today.”
The villain Zero, who wanted eternal winter, gave kids just enough scary thrills without causing nightmares.
9. The Cricket in Times Square (1973)
Chester Cricket accidentally travels from Connecticut to New York City in a picnic basket and finds himself in Times Square!
Based on George Selden’s beloved children’s book, this charming special followed Chester’s friendship with Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat.
The animation captured both the grimy subway station and the magical moments when Chester’s music transformed the space.
Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny) brought Tucker Mouse to life with perfect comedic timing.
The special beautifully conveyed the book’s themes about friendship, homesickness, and finding beauty in unexpected places.
10. Clerow Wilson and the Miracle of P.S. 14 (1972)
Comedian Flip Wilson lent his voice and likeness to this groundbreaking Christmas special set in an inner-city school.
When the kids of P.S. 14 learn their school might close, they stage a Christmas pageant to save it.
The special boldly addressed issues of urban decay and educational inequality while maintaining a hopeful message.
The diverse cast of characters reflected America’s changing television landscape.
With Clerow (Flip’s real name) as narrator and several musical numbers, the special balanced entertainment with meaningful social commentary—rare for children’s animation of that era.
11. A Cosmic Christmas (1977)
Three aliens visit Earth to discover the true meaning of Christmas in this Canadian-produced space-age nativity allegory.
Landing in a small town, they befriend a young boy and his grandmother while observing human holiday traditions.
The distinctive animation featured bold colors and stylized designs that screamed “1970s sci-fi.”
Produced by Nelvana (before they became famous for Care Bears), this special blended religious themes with sci-fi elements in a uniquely ’70s way.
The aliens’ glowing blue skin and futuristic technology fascinated kids, while the message about peace and goodwill transcended any specific belief system.
12. The Hoober-Bloob Highway (1975)
Dr. Seuss took viewers on a wild ride down the highway from which new babies come to Earth!
Mr. Hoober-Bloob, the dispatcher of newborns, shows an unnamed baby what life on Earth entails before the child decides whether to be born.
The special featured classic Seuss wordplay and that unmistakable visual style that made his work instantly recognizable.
Bob Holt’s energetic voice performance as Mr. Hoober-Bloob perfectly matched the character’s frantic energy.
The catchy songs, including “That’s Just the Beginning,” showcased Seuss’s gift for making complex ideas accessible through rhythm and rhyme.