1. The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t (1979)
This one had that perfect mix of spooky and silly that stuck with kids long after it aired. It starred Judd Hirsch as a no-nonsense Dracula who had to convince the Witch to save Halloween. The whole thing felt like it came from a dusty old VHS tape you’d find at a sleepover, and for many of us, that’s exactly how we saw it. The special aired on NBC just once, but reruns on cable in the ’80s and early ’90s helped cement its cult status shares ReMIND Magazine.
What made it memorable was its slightly eerie vibe mixed with light-hearted comedy. The costumes were cheesy, the acting was over-the-top, and yet it completely charmed its audience adds Screen Rant. It felt like a live-action cartoon in the best way. Even if you only saw it once, you probably never forgot the line about “saving Halloween.”
2. The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)
This animated special had a strange, cozy magic about it. It followed Ted E. Bear, who decided to skip hibernation so he could finally find out what Christmas was all about. The animation wasn’t flashy, but it had a softness to it that felt almost dreamlike. Narrated by Casey Kasem, it only aired once on NBC but left behind a warm, sleepy feeling that people carried with them says CBR.
There was something oddly emotional about it—maybe it was the loneliness of Ted wandering through a sleeping city. Or maybe it was just the earnest way he chased a holiday he’d never experienced. Either way, it stayed lodged in people’s memories. The toys, the lights, and the gentle soundtrack made it a one-time wonder that somehow became a lifelong favorite.
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Though this iconic special has aired countless times since its debut, it originally aired just once on CBS in 1965, marking the beginning of what would become an annual tradition. Based on Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters, A Charlie Brown Christmas told the story of Charlie Brown’s struggle to find the true meaning of Christmas. The special’s gentle humor, paired with Vince Guaraldi’s unforgettable jazz score, struck a chord with audiences from the start. The simple animation and quiet moments allowed viewers to connect with the characters in a way that felt personal and nostalgic, even in 1965 adds the Conversation.
What made it stand out was how it tackled real emotions—Charlie Brown’s frustration with the commercialism of the holiday and Linus’s heartfelt speech about the meaning of Christmas. It wasn’t just another holiday special; it was something that resonated on a deeper level. Even though it only aired once originally, it became so popular that it’s now considered an essential part of the holiday season. Its timeless message about peace, goodwill, and the true spirit of Christmas continues to captivate audiences year after year.
4. The Lorax (1972)
Everyone remembers The Lorax, but not everyone realizes it only aired once as a special on CBS. Dr. Seuss’s message about protecting the environment hit hard, even for kids who didn’t totally get it yet. The animation was groovy and a little dark, with a haunting musical score that really stuck with you. The Once-ler’s slow descent into greed was pretty intense for a children’s show.
It wasn’t afraid to be a little sad, and that’s probably why it lodged itself in people’s hearts. That final scene with the Truffula seed and the whispered “unless” left a mark. It didn’t need repeat airings to make an impression—it just needed one good one. And judging by how many people can quote it, one was all it took.
5. Witch’s Night Out (1978)
This weird little animated special had the kind of trippy animation that could only come from the late ’70s. Gilda Radner voiced the Witch, which gave it this oddball, Saturday Night Live edge. It was originally aired on NBC and was about a witch helping some kids truly transform for Halloween. There was glitter, glam, and a neon pink ghost named “Tender.”
The special was both spooky and funny, but also a little unsettling in that way ’70s animation sometimes is. It aired just once, but that was enough for it to become a sort of underground legend. If you were lucky enough to catch it, you probably never forgot the Witch’s raspy cackle or the dreamy pastel colors. It was Halloween wrapped in a glitter bomb.
6. The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy (1978)
This one was simple but heart-tugging in a big way. It followed a puppy named Petey who was desperately looking for a boy of his own to spend Christmas with. The animation was nothing fancy, but it had a kind of sweetness you couldn’t fake. Based on a popular children’s book, it only aired once on ABC but left viewers teary-eyed and charmed.
The idea of a dog wanting a human companion was such a flip from the usual story, and it made the ending all the more emotional. There wasn’t a big cast or dramatic climax—just a pure little story that hit people right in the feels. And if you saw it, you probably remember exactly how it made you feel, even decades later. It’s the kind of thing that leaves a paw print on your memory.
7. Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus Caper (1978)
Raggedy Ann and Andy weren’t huge TV stars, but for one night, they were Christmas heroes. This special had them saving Santa’s workshop from an evil inventor who wanted to seal all the toys in unbreakable plastic. It aired on CBS and had that early Rankin/Bass feel, even though it wasn’t one of theirs. The villain, Alexander Graham Wolf, was voiced with over-the-top flair that made him a standout.
The special was short, sweet, and filled with a sort of homemade charm. Kids loved the moral about keeping toys fun and free, and adults appreciated the sly consumerism commentary. It only aired once, but that was enough for a generation to remember it. Plus, that “Gloopstik” glue sound effect is probably still rattling around in some people’s brains.
8. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Technically it came with a theatrical release first, but its one-time network TV airing became the way most kids saw it. This special managed to take Dickens’ classic and turn it into something magical and bite-sized. Scrooge McDuck playing Ebenezer was a match made in heaven, and the animation was top-notch for a special. The ghosts were genuinely spooky in that Disney kind of way—especially Goofy as Marley.
Even though it was just a short film, it packed a big emotional punch. Seeing Mickey as Bob Cratchit was almost too sad to bear. It aired once on NBC and then went to home video, but that one night is when it became a Christmas memory for a lot of families. It might’ve been brief, but it left a big impression.
9. The Point (1971)
This one was narrated by Dustin Hoffman (later re-recorded by Ringo Starr for VHS) and told the story of Oblio, a boy born without a point in a land where everyone had one. If that sounds trippy, it absolutely was. The animation was stylized and strange, and the music—by Harry Nilsson—was beautiful and melancholy. It was broadcast once on ABC and felt more like a folk rock album come to life than a children’s show.
Kids who saw it might not have understood all of it, but they felt it. The story had themes of acceptance and non-conformity, which weren’t exactly common for a cartoon back then. It was weird, it was emotional, and it was unforgettable. You might’ve only seen it once, but it probably stayed with you forever.
10. Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1974)
This animated special told the real-life story of the little girl who wrote to the New York Sun asking if Santa was real. Based on the famous editorial from 1897, it was a surprisingly moving little half-hour. It only aired once on ABC, but the animation and voice acting gave it a kind of gentle sincerity that made it stand out. There was no wild adventure, just a quiet, thoughtful reminder of belief.
It had a more old-fashioned feel than most children’s programming at the time. It wasn’t loud or colorful, but it felt real. And the final line—“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”—landed with all the warmth of a fireplace. Even with one showing, it became a sentimental favorite for those who saw it.
11. The Electric Grandmother (1982)
Based on a Ray Bradbury story, this was one of those specials that made you feel something before you even knew what those feelings were. It aired just once on NBC and featured Maureen Stapleton as a robotic grandmother sent to care for three children after their mother’s death. It was soft and surreal, and the whole thing had a quiet sadness to it. It wasn’t your typical “fun” kid’s special, but it was absolutely unforgettable.
The imagery was haunting, from the glowing green drink she poured to the way she just… knew what everyone needed. It wasn’t scary, but it was deeply eerie and tender at the same time. It dealt with grief and healing in a way that stuck with viewers. Kids who watched it might not have fully understood it, but they never forgot it.
12. The Trouble with Miss Switch (1980)
Miss Switch was a schoolteacher with a secret: she was a witch. This animated special aired once on ABC as part of the ABC Weekend Special series, and it was unlike anything else on at the time. Based on a book, it had a mystery vibe mixed with just enough magical fun to keep you hooked. The voice cast included June Foray, and the animation was simple but endearing.
It leaned into spooky themes without ever going too dark, which made it feel thrilling but safe. There was even a talking computer sidekick named Bathsheba. For a lot of kids, it was their first brush with the idea of adults having secret lives. It didn’t need sequels or reruns—it carved out a little space in people’s memories all on its own.
13. Intergalactic Thanksgiving (1979)
Also known as Please Don’t Eat the Planet, this Canadian-made special was part of Nelvana’s early work. It told the story of humans and aliens coming together over a Thanksgiving-style feast and solving a planet-wide crisis in the process. It was bright, weird, and full of sci-fi silliness. It aired just once in the U.S., and those who saw it never forgot the bizarre visuals and quirky characters.
There was a robot turkey, musical numbers, and a strong environmental message baked into the plot. It felt like Schoolhouse Rock! collided with Star Wars. The voice acting was top-tier, and the animation had that unmistakable late-’70s charm. Even if you couldn’t explain the plot now, you’d probably recognize the wild character designs in a heartbeat.
14. A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978)
This isn’t to be confused with Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, which was the more polished and widely repeated special. A Special Sesame Street Christmas aired just once on CBS and featured an odd mix of celebrities like Leslie Uggams and Michael Jackson in a strange, dreamlike setting. It had some of the usual Sesame Street cast but also had a very different tone—quirky and slightly surreal. It felt like it was made in a fever dream.
The plot jumped around, the jokes were hit or miss, and yet there was something so charmingly off about it. People who saw it once were left wondering if they imagined the whole thing. It never re-aired and wasn’t included in most Sesame Street holiday rotations. But it left a very weird, very real footprint in people’s holiday memories.