Every December, the same animated holiday specials return like clockwork — Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty the Snowman. But once upon a time, TV was full of other animated Christmas stories that aired once or twice, then quietly disappeared.
They weren’t bad — many were charming, weird, or downright moving — but they got lost to changing networks, syndication rights, or the march of cable and streaming. Here are some of the forgotten Christmas cartoons that deserve to be remembered.
The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)
Ted E. Bear just wants to stay awake to find out what Christmas is. This Rankin/Bass-style special originally aired on NBC, featuring Tom Smothers as the voice of Ted. It’s warm, funny, and one of the most heartfelt lost gems of 70s holiday TV.
Christmas Comes to Pac-Land (1982)
When Santa crash-lands in Pac-Land, the Pac-Family has to save Christmas from the Ghost Monsters. A surreal blend of arcade energy and Saturday morning charm, it’s pure early-80s nostalgia.
The Smurfs Christmas Special (1982)
Airing on NBC, this cozy adventure sees Gargamel up to his usual tricks as the Smurfs race to rescue travelers lost in the woods. The gentle animation and catchy carols made it a favorite for one generation, even if it’s vanished from reruns today.
The Snowman (1982)
Based on Raymond Briggs’ picture book, this British short became a Christmas Eve tradition in the UK but is rarely seen on American TV now. Its haunting song “Walking in the Air” still evokes instant nostalgia for those who remember it.
The Cabbage Patch Kids’ First Christmas (1984)
An animated tie-in to one of the decade’s biggest toy fads, this CBS special followed the dolls’ search for the true meaning of Christmas. It’s commercial, yes, but surprisingly sincere for its era.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985)
Rankin/Bass adapted L. Frank Baum’s origin story of Santa, complete with forest creatures, immortals, and a young Kris Kringle learning the ropes. It’s more mythic than merry — and one of their strangest, most imaginative stop-motion creations.
A Flintstone Christmas (1977)
Fred takes over for Santa after an accident on Christmas Eve. Full of Hanna-Barbera’s familiar sound effects and warm humor, it remains an underappreciated comfort watch from the pre-cable years.
A Cosmic Christmas (1977)
A Canadian animated special produced by Nelvana, featuring three aliens who visit Earth to learn the meaning of Christmas. The art style feels more like *Heavy Metal* than *Frosty*, giving it an otherworldly charm that stands out even decades later.
The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree (1979)
Before their full TV series, the Bears starred in this standalone special that used the books’ gentle morals to explore selflessness during the holidays. Simple, wholesome, and still relevant.
Ziggy’s Gift (1982)
The wordless comic strip hero starred in this Emmy-winning short about kindness and holiday spirit. Directed by Richard Williams (*Who Framed Roger Rabbit*), it’s gorgeously animated and quietly profound — a lost masterpiece.
Why These Cartoons Disappeared
Many aired only once as network events or were lost in the shuffle when broadcast rights changed hands. Some never made it to home video, and others sit buried in studio archives. But for those who grew up watching them, these cartoons represent an era when even the simplest stories could make Christmas feel magical.
