1. Sigmund the Sea Monster
If you were a kid in the ‘70s, you probably remember Sigmund the Sea Monster, that odd little creature from Sid and Marty Krofft’s psychedelic world. Unlike most sea monsters, Sigmund wasn’t terrifying—he was a total softie who wanted nothing more than to escape his mean, bullying sea monster family. Covered in orange and green seaweed-like fur, with big, goofy eyes, Sigmund was as bizarre as he was adorable.
Sigmund’s adventures mostly revolved around him trying to live on land with two human boys who kept him hidden from the world. His biggest fear? That his monstrous, grumpy relatives would drag him back into the ocean. The show had that unmistakable ‘70s weirdness—trippy sets, campy acting, and puppetry that was both charming and unsettling. Even though the show only lasted a couple of seasons, Sigmund and his weird world remain burned into the memories of kids who grew up watching.
2. The Banana Splits
Before animatronics became a horror movie staple, there were The Banana Splits—a group of oversized, trippy animal mascots that danced, played music, and told corny jokes. They were supposed to be fun-loving rock stars, but let’s be honest—something about them always felt just a little off. There was Fleegle, the dog; Bingo, the gorilla; Drooper, the lion; and Snorky, the elephant. Their chaotic antics were part kids’ show, part fever dream.
The Banana Splits’ weirdness wasn’t just in their costumes—it was in their entire vibe. The show was a mix of live-action, animation, and surreal humor that felt like it belonged in a late-night variety hour, not a kids’ program. But for ‘70s kids, they were an unforgettable part of Saturday mornings. If you ever saw them, you either loved them… or had nightmares about them.
3. H.R. Pufnstuf
H.R. Pufnstuf wasn’t just weird—he was straight out of a psychedelic dreamland. Imagine a giant, walking dragon with a big yellow head, stubby little arms, and a voice that sounded like he had smoked one too many cigars. He ruled over Living Island, a place where everything—trees, clocks, houses—had a face and could talk. If you were a kid in the ‘70s, this show either delighted you or totally freaked you out.
The show followed a boy named Jimmy who got stranded on Living Island after a magical boat ride went wrong. His best friend? A talking flute named Freddy. Yes, a flute. It was the kind of show that felt like an acid trip disguised as children’s entertainment. H.R. Pufnstuf was supposed to be the lovable protector, but his oversized head and too-friendly grin made him feel… just a little too eager.
4. The Great Space Coaster’s Goriddle Gorilla
If you thought regular gorillas were weird, wait until you meet Goriddle Gorilla from The Great Space Coaster. He wasn’t just any gorilla—he was a talking, singing, joke-cracking primate who hung out in space. Dressed in a funky, retro jumpsuit, Goriddle was always trying to crack a joke, whether it landed or not.
The Great Space Coaster was already a bizarre blend of puppetry, live-action, and outer-space shenanigans, and Goriddle fit right in. He was part comedian, part sidekick, and part “wait, why is this happening?” character. Even if you don’t remember much about the show, his face—a mix of cute and unsettling—probably stuck with you.
5. The New Zoo Revue’s Freddie the Frog
The ‘70s were full of weird human-animal hybrids, but Freddie the Frog from The New Zoo Revue might be one of the strangest. He was a life-sized, bipedal frog with an unsettlingly human face. Unlike cartoonish animal mascots, Freddie had detailed, realistic eyes that seemed to stare right into your soul.
Freddie and his friends, Henrietta Hippo and Charlie the Owl, were supposed to teach kids moral lessons about kindness and patience. But many kids remember him for being just plain eerie. His unnervingly slow movements and deep voice gave him an almost hypnotic quality. Watching him felt less like a fun kids’ show and more like a fever dream.
6. Dr. Shrinker’s Mutant Creatures
Dr. Shrinker was part of The Krofft Supershow, which means it was automatically weird. But what made it even stranger was the twisted premise—an evil scientist who used a shrinking ray on three teenagers, making them tiny humans trapped in a world of oversized objects.
Dr. Shrinker’s lab was full of bizarre mutant creatures, some of which looked like rejected sci-fi monsters. If you watched the show, you probably remember the unsettling half-human, half-animal hybrids that scurried around his lair. The mix of goofy humor and creepy special effects made the show an unsettling but unforgettable experience.
7. Land of the Lost’s Sleestaks
If you ever caught an episode of Land of the Lost, you probably still remember the Sleestaks—those tall, scaly, bug-eyed reptilian creatures that moved like they were underwater. They were the villains of the show, lurking in caves and hissing in the most unsettling way possible.
Sleestaks had blank, soulless stares, long claws, and a slow, eerie walk that made them the stuff of childhood nightmares. They didn’t talk—they just hissed, lurked, and grabbed at their victims with slow, deliberate movements. Even though Land of the Lost was meant to be an adventure show, the Sleestaks made sure there was always an underlying feeling of unease
8. The Muppets’ Sweetums
Everyone loves The Muppets, but Sweetums was different. He wasn’t a cute little felt puppet—he was a massive, lumbering, shaggy beast with wild hair, a huge mouth, and disturbingly human-like eyes. Unlike the rest of the Muppets, who were small and cartoony, Sweetums was a full-body costume, which made him look way too real for comfort.
Sweetums wasn’t exactly a bad guy, but his deep voice and clumsy movements made him a little scary. He often showed up chasing after people, yelling in his booming voice, “Hey, guys, wait for me!” as he stumbled after them. His unpredictability was what made him unnerving—you never knew if he was going to hug you or swallow you whole.
9. The Krofft Supershow’s Bigfoot and Wildboy
Bigfoot has always been a mysterious legend, but in the ‘70s, he became a full-blown TV superhero. Bigfoot and Wildboy was a show about a young boy raised by a giant, hairy Bigfoot who fought crime in the woods. It was a strange mix of wilderness survival, superhero action, and B-movie absurdity.
Bigfoot was portrayed as a massive, muscular, gorilla-like creature who could jump 30 feet in the air, wrestle bad guys, and communicate with grunts. He wasn’t scary, exactly, but he was definitely weirdly intense for a kids’ show. Watching him sprint through the forest and hurl villains like rag dolls was both exciting and totally bizarre.
10. The Bugaloos
Take a group of teenagers, put them in bright, spandex bug costumes, give them wings, and make them sing. That was The Bugaloos, a very strange attempt at combining a rock band with insect-themed superheroes. They were supposed to be cool and futuristic, but instead, they came off as weirdly unsettling.
Their wings flapped just a little too slowly, their antennae wobbled in a distracting way, and their outfits looked like something out of a low-budget sci-fi film. They lived in a magical land, constantly on the run from an evil villain named Benita Bizarre. The whole thing was trippy, slightly unsettling, and very, very ‘70s.
