Since its 2005 revival, the Doctor Who Christmas special has become a beloved tradition, offering a unique blend of holiday cheer and sci-fi adventure. These specials have delivered everything from thrilling alien invasions to poignant regenerations, heartwarming reunions to tearful farewells. But with so many festive episodes, which ones truly capture the magic of Christmas and the wonder of Doctor Who?
We’ve revisited every Doctor Who Christmas special since the reboot to rank them from worst to best, considering what makes each episode special. Our criteria included: How festive is the Christmas spirit? How engaging is the story itself? And what’s the emotional impact?
From lighthearted fun to deeply moving moments, the best Doctor Who Christmas specials remind us of the joy and adventure that only a Time Lord can bring. Here’s our definitive ranking of every Doctor Who Christmas special, counting down to the very best.
15. “The Christmas Invasion” (2005)
Kicking off the Doctor Who Christmas special tradition, “The Christmas Invasion” introduces David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor in a story centered around Rose Tyler’s (Billie Piper) Christmas at home. However, the festive season is disrupted by the newly regenerated, and initially comatose, Doctor, alongside killer robo-Santas and a sinister Christmas tree.
While “The Christmas Invasion” holds a special place for initiating this holiday custom and showcasing Tennant’s energetic portrayal of the Doctor, the episode itself is somewhat uneven. The newly regenerated Doctor spends much of the episode incapacitated, leaving Rose to carry the narrative. While there’s enjoyment in watching the Tenth Doctor’s first adventure unfold, some elements haven’t aged gracefully. The infamous moment where the Doctor defeats the Prime Minister with a sexist remark feels jarringly out of place, overshadowing the episode’s otherwise celebratory tone. Despite its historical significance, “The Christmas Invasion” ranks lowest due to its weaker plot and questionable moments.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Christmas Invasion” is available for streaming on Max.
14. “The End of Time: Part 1” (2009)
“The End of Time: Part 1” marks the beginning of the Tenth Doctor’s farewell, setting a somber tone for a Christmas special. This episode is heavy on Doctor Who lore, bringing back Bernard Cribbins as Wilf, Donna Noble’s grandfather, alongside the prophetic Ood and the chaotic return of John Simm’s Master, who quickly escalates from cannibalism to cloning the world’s population. Adding to the bizarre mix, the Doctor casually mentions marrying “Good Queen Bess,” hinting at a scandalous secret in Queen Elizabeth I’s past.
As a Christmas special, “The End of Time: Part 1” feels underwhelming, primarily because it’s only half a story, concluding with the perplexing reappearance of the Time Lords. Simm’s Master, while energetic, lacks the nuanced villainy of Missy. Furthermore, the episode teases a Donna reunion that frustratingly never materializes. Christmas elements are minimal, despite Wilf’s festive reindeer hat, making it less than ideal for holiday viewing. It’s more setup than substance, lacking both festive cheer and genuine emotional depth.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The End of Time: Part 1” is available for streaming on Max.
13. “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” (2016)
While some Doctor Who episodes set in New York City are iconic (“The Angels Take Manhattan”), “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” doesn’t reach those heights. This special explores the premise of Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor encountering an American kid, resulting in a superhero pastiche reminiscent of Superman. We see familiar tropes: super speed flight, glasses as a disguise, a gravelly hero voice, and general superheroics.
The story begins on Christmas Eve 1992, where a young comic book enthusiast accidentally gains superpowers from a wishing gem. Fast forward to 2016, journalist Lucy Fletcher (Charity Wakefield), the Doctor, the comical Nardole (Matt Lucas), and the superhero known as The Ghost (Justin Chatwin) team up against evil. However, the blend of Doctor Who and superhero genres feels disjointed. There’s a sense of satire, as if writer Steven Moffat is using the special to comment on America’s superhero obsession. This results in a Doctor Who Christmas special that feels uniquely underwhelming and tonally confused.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” is available for streaming on Max.
12. “Last Christmas” (2014)
Santa Claus battling Dream Crabs might sound like a concept from a B-movie, but it’s the quirky and enjoyable premise of “Last Christmas.” This holiday special unites Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) with a wonderfully jolly Santa Claus, played by Nick Frost. They must save a North Pole research base besieged by brain-eating parasites.
For viewers who enjoy a blend of Christmas festivity with a touch of creepiness, “Last Christmas” delivers. Santa transforms into an action hero, arriving on a bucking Rudolph and deploying toys as weapons. The episode offers plenty of amusement as a tough-talking Santa convinces skeptical scientists of his existence. However, the multiple layers of dream twists become somewhat convoluted and tiresome. Despite this, the inclusion of Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody” during a tense scene adds a memorable and humorous touch. Overall, “Last Christmas” is a fun, albeit slightly flawed, rewatchable special.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “Last Christmas” is available for streaming on Max.
11. “The Time of the Doctor” (2013)
“The Time of the Doctor” served as Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor’s swan song, and he departed with characteristic flair. This ambitious episode combines classic Doctor Who villains – Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels, Sontarans, and the Silence – with a classic holiday sitcom trope. Clara is preparing a Christmas dinner and needs a date, prompting her to invite her alien best friend to play the part. The Doctor’s initial appearance is, naturally, unclothed (in a family-friendly manner).
However, the episode’s core plot revolves around a crack in the universe, Gallifrey’s secrets, and an ominous message for the Doctor. While this makes for an exciting episode, revisiting it can be less smooth due to the dense lore, potentially requiring viewers to pause and research details rather than simply enjoying the story. Despite some confusing plot points, Smith’s energetic performance and the sheer spectacle of numerous iconic enemies make it a worthwhile rewatch. It’s also amusing to recall the initial suggestion that this would be the Doctor’s final regeneration.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Time of the Doctor” is available for streaming on Max.
10. “The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe” (2011)
“The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe” evokes classic Hollywood charm, centered around Madge Arwell (Claire Skinner), a resilient wife and mother facing wartime hardships with grace. In 1938, Madge encounters a bewildered spaceman and kindly offers him assistance. Three years later, he returns the favor in a grand fashion.
With her husband missing in action during World War II, Madge is preoccupied with her children, even before one of them stumbles into a time portal, transporting him to a mysterious forest with a looming danger. The Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), disguised as a quirky caretaker, steps in to help Madge save Christmas for everyone. This episode blends sci-fi adventure with C.S. Lewis-inspired fantasy and a strong portrayal of maternal strength, delivering a heartwarming, “humany wumany” emotional experience.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe” is available for streaming on Max.
9. “A Christmas Carol” (2010)
“A Christmas Carol” begins with Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) in a scenario familiar to Doctor Who fans: a resort spaceship in peril. Adding to the familiarity, Amy is in her police uniform and Rory in his centurion costume – revealing the couple is enjoying a romantic, role-playing holiday.
Amidst the playful innuendo, the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) arrives to rescue Christmas Day, descending down a chimney like Santa himself. A humorous highlight: he presents a bewildered child with a photograph of himself alongside Frank Sinatra, Albert Einstein, and “Jeff” (Father Christmas).
This episode offers a sci-fi twist on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, featuring Michael Gambon as Kazran Sardick, Doctor Who‘s version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Kazran is a ruthless moneylender determined to be unpleasant during the holidays. Instead of traditional ghosts, the Doctor manipulates Kazran’s past to transform him into a more benevolent figure. With festive flair, father-son themes, and flying sharks, “A Christmas Carol” is a delightful Christmas gift of an episode.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “A Christmas Carol” is available for streaming on Max.
8. “The Next Doctor” (2008)
Following the emotional rollercoaster of “Journey’s End,” “The Next Doctor” offered fans a fun and festive respite. Russell T Davies delivered a story of child abduction and Cybermen, ultimately leading to a surprisingly uplifting conclusion (by Doctor Who standards).
The Tenth Doctor lands in 1851 London on Christmas Eve and encounters a confident gentleman (David Morrissey) who also claims to be “The Doctor,” complete with a capable and charming companion (Velile Tshabalala as Rosita Farisi).
Initially, our Doctor is intrigued and amused by this apparent future incarnation. However, he soon realizes something sinister is afoot. A compelling mystery forms the core of this episode, while the Victorian setting evokes a Dickensian, Christmas Carol atmosphere. Ultimately, “The Next Doctor” celebrates the joy of finding someone who truly understands the Doctor, making it a heartwarming and enjoyable special.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Next Doctor” is available for streaming on Max.
7. “Joy to the World” (2024)
“Joy to the World” marks the return of former showrunner Steven Moffat as writer, featuring Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor in a Time Hotel that initially seems like a dream destination. “All of human history now available for mini breaks,” the Doctor marvels, observing doors leading to various historical periods, from the Stone Age to Julius Caesar’s assassination. However, amidst the costumed tourists, a mysterious man with a briefcase hints at an impending nightmare.
Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan stars as Joy, who is unexpectedly swept into the Doctor’s adventure from her quiet London hotel holiday. With help from new allies, a familiar foe, and classic Moffat-esque callbacks, “Joy to the World” delivers laughs, thrills, mind-bending moments, and a touching conclusion. Like the best Doctor Who holiday specials, Moffat’s latest explores themes of love and loss, essential elements in any meaningful Christmas story. Its finale features a Christmas icon even more universally recognized than Dickens’ characters or Santa Claus.
How to watch: Doctor Who, “Joy to the World” is available for streaming on Disney+.
6. “The Snowmen” (2012)
Sentient snowmen take center stage in “The Snowmen.” Following the Eleventh Doctor’s loss of Amy and Rory in “The Angels Take Manhattan,” this Christmas special is packed with both new and returning faces. Set in Victorian England, a frequent backdrop for Doctor Who Christmas specials, the episode features reptilian detective Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her human wife Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart), their Sontaran butler Strax (Dan Starkey), and the enigmatic Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman). Together, they assist the Doctor in battling vicious, people-eating snowmen and their icy human accomplice, played with chilling intensity by Richard E. Grant.
Embracing the holiday horror genre, this mid-season special is full of festive frights and delights: menacing snowmen with sharp fangs, Sherlock Holmes-style investigations, and witty banter. “The Snowmen” is a thoroughly enjoyable and inventive Christmas episode.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Snowmen” is available for streaming on Max.
5. “The Runaway Bride” (2006)
“The Runaway Bride” marks the hilarious beginning of the DoctorDonna saga. Donna Noble’s (Catherine Tate) Christmas wedding is dramatically interrupted when the TARDIS inexplicably abducts her. Donna, understandably, is far from thrilled about being snatched away on her big day.
Unlike Rose and Martha, who were romantically interested in their respective Doctors, Donna is openly unimpressed and even disgusted by the “skinny spaceman” (David Tennant). Her brash personality is central to the episode’s charm, which involves an alien arachnid queen intent on conquering Earth. While it would be some time before Donna rejoined the Doctor’s timeline, “The Runaway Bride,” with its blend of action, impending doom, and Tate’s sharp wit, made their eventual reunion highly anticipated and worthwhile.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Runaway Bride” is available for streaming on Max.
4. “Twice Upon a Time” (2017)
Christmas often signifies change, and in Doctor Who, it sometimes means regeneration. “Twice Upon a Time,” the last Christmas special for five years, sees Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor’s final stand. He passes the TARDIS to Jodie Whittaker, who continued the holiday special tradition with New Year’s episodes. Fittingly, Capaldi’s final story is about acceptance and letting go.
At the South Pole, the Twelfth Doctor encounters his first incarnation (David Bradley, stepping in for William Hartnell). The two Doctors must collaborate when a mysterious glass entity and a World War I soldier appear. More importantly, the current Doctor confronts his past. In the First Doctor, he sees how much he has evolved, especially when his companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie), mysteriously resurrected, is taken aback by the older Doctor’s sexist attitudes. Amidst the humor of two Doctors interacting, this episode is a poignant farewell to Capaldi and his companions, including Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Nardole (Matt Lucas). While Christmas elements are limited to snow and battlefield carol singing, and the central mystery is somewhat thin, “Twice Upon a Time” excels in emotional catharsis, making it a deeply resonant Doctor Who holiday special.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “Twice Upon a Time” is available for streaming on Max.
3. “Voyage of the Damned” (2007)
Remember when the Doctor crashed into the Titanic? This time, it’s not the Earth Titanic, but an ill-fated, nuclear-powered interstellar cruise ship named Titanic, owned by the recklessly wealthy Max Capricorn (George Costigan). The episode’s title and the lavish displays of wealth hint at impending disaster.
From the outset, the ship’s doom seems inevitable. However, writer Russell T Davies infuses the story with heartbreak by introducing Astrid Peth (played by Kylie Minogue), a captivating one-off companion, only to tragically kill her off by the episode’s end. Astrid, a humble waitress yearning to see the stars, is precisely the Doctor’s type, and he quickly takes notice. As the Titanic and its passengers hurtle towards destruction, this brave duo fights to prevent history from repeating itself. While Astrid’s fate is devastating for viewers (and Minogue fans), it provides a bittersweet and beautiful, yet heartbreaking, conclusion.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “Voyage of the Damned” is available for streaming on Max.
2. “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023)
After a five-year hiatus, the Doctor Who Christmas special triumphantly returned in 2023 with “The Church on Ruby Road.” This episode marked the full debut of Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor. Set squarely during Christmas, this joyful adventure introduces Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), a 19-year-old foundling and Christmas baby. On her birthday, she joins the Doctor to rescue another Christmas baby from singing goblins aboard a pirate ship!
“The Church on Ruby Road” is a pure delight, devoid of excessive melancholy or convoluted plots, largely due to Gatwa’s infectious charisma. He brings energy and charm to the role, dancing, quipping, and running with enthusiasm. Filled with Christmas decorations, festive cheer, and family-friendly adventure, this holiday episode warms the heart like a cozy fire. This Doctor also expands the celebrity name-dropping, mentioning a “hot summer” with Harry Houdini. It’s a thrilling start to Season 14, leaving viewers eager for more.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Church on Ruby Road” is available for streaming on Disney+.
1. “The Husbands of River Song” (2015)
Spoilers ahead! “The Husbands of River Song” is a masterpiece: beautiful, bizarre, and profoundly poignant.
Set on Christmas Day in 5343, this episode reunites the Doctor with his time-traveling wife, River Song (Alex Kingston). However, their romance faces a few complications. This incarnation of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) has not yet encountered River, and she acts as if she doesn’t recognize him, introducing him as her – uh – ailing husband, King Hydroflax (Greg Davies). But this is River Song; there’s always more than meets the eye.
Throughout their adventures, River has been a force of nature, playfully flirting with the Doctor while keeping his ego in check. This dynamic takes a dramatic turn when a heist goes wrong. In a tear-jerking monologue, River explains what it truly means to be the wife of the Doctor. And, at long last, the Doctor finally reveals the depth of his feelings for her. “The Husbands of River Song” is a bittersweet and unforgettable Christmas special, ending with a heartbreaking, yet beautiful “goodbye, sweetie.” It rightfully earns the top spot as the best Doctor Who Christmas special.
How to watch: Doctor Who: “The Husbands of River Song” is available for streaming on Max.
