H.R. Pufnstuf was the name of a children's television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft, which ran from 1969 to 1977. The show introduced the Kroffts' most-used plot scenario, revolving around a boy ("Jimmy", played by Jack Wild) who had accidentally stumbled into an alternate fantasy world. The leader of the community of this world was a friendly dragon named H.R. Pufnstuf (played by Van Snowden and voiced by Lennie Weinrib , who also wrote the episodes). Jimmy had been lured to the island by Freddy the "magic flute," which was another of the main characters. Their nemesis was a wicked witch named Witchipoo who rode on a broomstick with a steering wheel.

The show's popularity in the psychedelic era of the 1960s led to the release of a movie based on the show, called Pufnstuf, in 1970. Both show and movie were notable for bright colors, talking mushrooms, and disjointed storylines. Cameo appearances were also a common feature.