A bizarre new Pinocchio-themed political ad drew major media attention on Thursday for its computer animated depiction of Ted Cruz's nose growing like a python around his neck. By some accounts, it was kind of creepy.

The 30-second ad came from New Day for America, a PAC supporting John Kasich, and it hit Cruz on issues of honesty.

But it's just the latest in a long string of unorthodox video spots that have upended traditions in political ads during this primary cycle. Typical ads have failed to gain much traction, with their serene candidate monologues and menacing narrations over black-and-white b-roll.

Instead, the Internet has opted for the quirky or unexpected, at times choosing the most befuddling attempts at political outreach and sending them viral.

There was, for example, a pro-Bush PAC ad with a pair of legs, sporting Marco Rubio's famous boots and dancing redundantly for 90 seconds to a karaoke mock-up of "These boots were made for walking."

Mike Huckabee's campaign also produced a mock music video, laying b-roll from the campaign trail over a spoof of Adele's chart-topping single "Hello," with lines like, "Try the pork chops, backed beans, just as good as Pizza Ranch and Le Mars ice cream."

On Instagram, Donald Trump in February posted a 15-second video ad featuring Russian president Vladimir Putin doing judo, an unidentified clip from some militant propaganda and Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton barking like a dog.

Is this what we want for a President? A video posted by Donald J. Trump (@realdonaldtrump) on Mar 16, 2016 at 9:15am PDT

Trump also drew confounded attention in January when he tweeted a highly doctored portrait of Cruz, turned bald and chubby.

The Cruz campaign has been at the forefront of innovative political ads, churning out videos with vibes like Super Bowl commercials. One ad featured black-suited lawyers charging through desert scrub, briefcases in hand. Other official campaign ads showed Cruz, face smeared in camo paint, supposedly hunting ducks alongside a reality TV star, or children smashing a doll house with a Trump action figure.

Another Cruz campaign ad depicted a counseling session for disillusioned Republican voters, but it was pulled offline after revelations that it featured a porn actress.