46 Classic Animated Specials from Rankin/Bass

Noel, a songwriter battling a creative block, begins taking his frustrations on his family. His daughter Dakota, rewarded with a wish for a good deed, asks for her father to write a hit song. A minor storyline about kindness to…

Toad, known for his recklessness, finds himself in trouble and must enlist the aid of his friends to try and save Toad Hall.

Based on the popular Saturday Night Live sketch, this animated pilot follows the Coneheads as they arrive on Earth with plans to take over. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when they begin to embrace domestic life.

A conflict is growing between magic and logic, threatening the magical world. The wise wizard Carolinus creates a permanent barrier to protect it, but the evil wizard Ommadon opposes this protection. To stop Ommadon and keep peace between the two…

A wealthy big game hunter (Boone) and his hunting party are unexpectedly transported to prehistoric times. There, they find themselves hunted by a fearsome dinosaur.

A young shepherd named Lucas is blinded by lightning and found by nuns at a nearby abbey. Sister Catherine describes snow to him, as he has never seen it before. Lucas is chosen to play an angel in the abbey's…

Following a kidnapping and subsequent escape, young drummer Aaron searches for his camel. He discovers the animal at the Nativity scene, alongside the Baby Jesus. Aaron offers the infant Jesus his only possession: a song played on his drum.

The historic ship Mayflower is caught in a violent storm. The story unfolds through the eyes of Willum, a church mouse aboard. It begins with the pilgrim preachers' decision to journey to America and their embarkation on the Mayflower. A…

Two swindlers trick a king into believing they've created a suit of invisible cloth, visible only to those lacking intelligence. To avoid appearing foolish, the court pretends to admire the nonexistent garment, even though the king is completely unclothed.

First broadcast on Christmas Day, 1950, this was Disney's inaugural television special. It showcases Edgar Bergen and his characters, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, at a Christmas party hosted by Walt Disney. The program features movie clips, animated shorts, and…

To avoid a flood of letters, the Mailman answers questions about Sunny, a baby rabbit adopted by Kidville, a town populated entirely by children. Sunny delivers Easter eggs to a neighboring town, where he discovers no children and a rightful…

A spirited young unicorn sets out on a quest for truth and belonging after receiving a mysterious message from a butterfly. Believing she is the last of her kind, she seeks answers about what happened to the other mythical creatures,…

Aaron, a young drummer, must defend a bellmaker's valuable silver bells from being taken by Roman soldiers.

Nestor the donkey has unusually long ears, far longer than any other donkey in his herd. One cold night, he's left out in the desert. He journeys across the vast landscape, discovering new places and facing difficulties. He learns about…

"Pardon-me Pete: The Tale of Jack Frost" follows Jack Frost's journey as he transforms from a mythical being into a human, seeking love and acceptance. Hoping to win the heart of a lovely woman, Jack asks Father Winter for help.…

"Ballad of Smokey the Bear" recounts the origin of Smokey's name. Smokey and his woodland companions discover an unfamiliar creature responsible for starting fires. Smokey discovers his purpose in confronting this unusual animal.

A magical snowman named Frosty returns to his town after years at the North Pole, prompted by news of the first snowfall. The film is a story about loyalty, friendship, and the Christmas spirit, brought to life with stunning animation.…

A ceremonial samurai sword, intended as a gift from the Emperor of Japan to the American ambassador, is stolen. The search for the blade brings together American sailors and Japanese samurai.

A close-knit town is cut off from Santa's deliveries after a prank letter reaches the North Pole. With Christmas Eve near and presents untouched, the townspeople band together to persuade Santa to change his mind and bring back the holiday…

This story keeps Dorothy in Oz with her magical shoes. A tornado carries her back to the magical land. The Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion have lost the gifts they received from the Wizard of Oz MGM film, destroyed by…

A sinister force named Winterbolt aims to turn the peaceful North Pole into his own dark domain. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a group of quirky friends team up to stop him. The heroes face danger and…

This period drama tells the story of Anna Loenowens, a Welsh woman who becomes a governess and English tutor to King Mongkut of Siam's many wives and children. As Anna adjusts to the royal court and its traditions, she frequently…

A remarkable adventure begins when a light-colored ape escapes from a freighter headed to Bermuda. On the island, two anthropologists see a chance to protect this unusual animal from being exploited. But local authorities, fearing the unknown and bound by…

Sam the snowman tells the story of Rudolf, a young reindeer with a distinctive red nose who feels like an outsider. He joins Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, a prospector looking for a…

*The Mad, Mad, Mad Comedians* is a 1970 American animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. Following *Frosty the Snowman* (1969), it was their second animated project outsourced to Osamu Tezuka's Mushi Production in Tokyo, Japan. The show aired on…

Mother Goose and her classic fairytale companions team up to thwart a band of cunning spies in this animated adventure for children.

This adaptation of Oscar Wilde's story follows Dorian Gray, an actress determined to achieve international fame. She makes a pact to trade her soul for the perfection of her image on film. As she sleeps and skillfully manipulates her way…

Peter Cottontail aspires to be the top Easter Bunny, a goal supported by everyone in April Valley… Except for his rival, Evil Irontail. To earn the coveted position, Peter must deliver more Easter eggs than Irontail, ensuring Easter for all…

This charming animated musical adapts Charles Dickens' beloved story, *A Cricket on the Hearth*. It follows a poor toymaker and his daughter, who befriend a helpful Cricket named Crocket on Christmas morning. When misfortune befalls the family, Crocket steps in…

Two unlikely heroes, Frodo and Sam, begin a difficult journey to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom. They face danger as they are hunted by Sauron, who wants the Ring's power for evil. Their friends fight Sauron's armies to…

This adventure follows Bilbo Baggins, an ordinary hobbit who becomes involved in a grand quest. Gandalf the Wizard visits him one evening, bringing with him a company of dwarves who ask for his help. They explain that their kingdom has…

This film blends live-action and animation to tell the epic story of Marco Polo's travels to the exotic East. A significant portion of the narrative focuses on Polo's relationship with the influential Kublai Khan.

This heartwarming story follows St. Nicholas as he feels disconnected from the children he loves and questions his role as Santa Claus. He decides to take a break from his duties, but Mrs. Claus and two elves, Jingle and Jangle,…

S.D. Kluger, a postman fascinated by Santa Claus, tells the story of Kris, a baby raised by elf toymakers, the Kringles. Kris grows up wanting to bring joy by delivering toys to the children of Sombertown. But the town's mayor…

From the creators of classic Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer comes this animated take on A Christmas Carol. This 49-minute musical features Walter Matthau as the miserly Scrooge and Tom Bosley as B. Humbug, Esq., a narrator in…

Young Willy McBean teams up with a monkey from Mexico named Pablo for a journey through time. Their mission: to prevent the villainous Professor von Rotten from altering the course of history.

A team of scientists exploring the ocean's depths faces a double threat: a captivating young woman who appears to have risen from the dead, and a primeval sea monster lurking within the treacherous Bermuda Triangle.

To ease his studies, a young Hans Christian Andersen seeks enlightenment in a mythical Garden of Paradise. There, each time he dozes off, he dreams vivid stories of the characters he will later create: The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The…

A cherished stuffed rabbit is chosen by a fairy to become the very first Easter Rabbit.

After a long absence, Dr. Gulliver returns home and excitedly shares his incredible experiences from unexplored lands with his doubtful family. He describes giant creatures and amazing landscapes in detail, leading them to wonder if his stories are the product…

This adaptation of the Rankin/Bass cartoon "The King Kong Show" follows the story where Dr. Who tasks King Kong with mining for Element X after a robot, Mechani-Kong, fails. The task escalates into a massive battle between the two Kongs…

On New Year's Eve, a brave reindeer named Rudolph undertakes a critical mission: to find Happy, a missing baby symbolizing the arrival of the new year. As midnight nears, Rudolph journeys through snowy lands, facing obstacles in his search for…

The Great Ak convenes a council of immortals to petition for Santa Claus's immortality, recounting his origins as justification. The Ak discovered an abandoned infant and entrusted him to a lioness and a fairy for upbringing, naming him Claus. Witnessing…

While searching for a Christmas tree, cabin boy Dinty Doyle arrives on a strange, unknown Irish island. He inadvertently frees a grumpy banshee from her prison in a pine tree. Leprechaun Blarney Kilakilarney warns that the banshee will try to…

During the Christmas season, Geppetto prepares for the holidays while Pinocchio embarks on an adventure. Joining a puppet show to earn money for a gift, Pinocchio falls in love with Julietta, a fellow puppet. Pinocchio's new romance changes his life,…

A world-weary Dr. Frankenstein gathers Dracula, the Werewolf, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Mr. Hyde to choose his successor in the art of creating monsters. But the position isn't the only prize. Frankenstein has discovered a dangerous secret…