‘Physician Who’ Christmas specials ranked, and the place to observe them

Completely happy Christmas, Whovians! To rejoice the vacation and the debut of “Pleasure to the World,” we have re-ranked each Physician Who Christmas particular to determine that are the very best to rewatch while you wish to get into the spirit.

For the reason that collection rebooted in 2005, a yuletide particular has meant massive issues for the Physician and his companions, starting from alien invasion to regeneration, tearful goodbyes, and raucous reunions. However what makes some higher than others? In our analysis, we thought of the next: How Christmas-y is that this Christmas particular? How satisfying is its story? What sort of emotional wallop does it pack?

Whether or not heartwarming or heart-wrenching, the very best of the batch made us really feel alive the way in which solely a heroic Time Lord can! Listed here are the Physician Who Christmas specials, ranked worst to greatest.

15. “The Christmas Invasion” (2005) Season 1: Episode 14

The primary Christmas particular of the rebooted collection centered on Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) coming house for the vacations. Other than reconnecting along with her mother (Camille Coduri) and deserted boyfriend Mickey (Noel Clarke), she’s additionally introduced an uninvited visitor — the newly regenerated Tenth Physician (David Tennant). Starting the episode comatose, he has to get again within the swing of issues shortly, as robo-Santas (aka pilot fish Santa) and an unhinged Christmas tree rush to make a large number of the celebrations. 

There is a pleasure to be present in Ten figuring all of it out, particularly as he riffs in a bathrobe in entrance of a conquering alien invader. Irreverent, swaggering, and unapologetically excitable, Tennant presents an ideal introduction to his tackle the Physician. Because the particular that began the franchise’s custom, this episode has earned a number of love from followers. However Rose and the Physician affinity apart, it is an odd one. Not solely does this Physician find yourself quoting The Lion King at size, but additionally he pulls a sexist trick on the feminine prime minister to defeat her: “Do not you suppose she appears to be like drained?” That does not age properly. Not even the merry makeover after that may shake the dangerous style from my mouth over that one. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Christmas Invasion” is now streaming on Max.

14. “The Finish of Time: Half 1” (2009) Season 4: Episode 17 

This Tenth Physician particular is the start of his finish because the titular Time Lord. (Effectively, type of.) As you may count on, a number of lore is folded in, starting from the return of Donna’s granddad Wilf (Bernard Cribbins) to a prophesizing Ood and the resurrection of the Grasp (John Simm), who swiftly went from consuming individuals to turning the world’s inhabitants into his clones. Plus, the Physician casually reveals that in his off time, he bought married to “Good Queen Bess,” after which cheekily implies Queen Elizabeth I can now not be appropriately referred to as “the Virgin Queen.” 

Anyhoo, as Christmas specials go, this one was fairly unsatisfying — partly as a result of it is simply the primary half of a narrative, ending with the confounding return of the Time Lords. (Half two aired on New 12 months’s Day, 2010.) Then, as Large Bads go, Simm’s cackling cannot examine to the depraved enjoyable of Missy (Michelle Gomez). It is also irritating watching the Physician come SO CLOSE to a Donna reunion solely to run away. On prime of all that, there’s little Christmas-y about this one (although Wilf tries together with his reindeer cap), so re-watch high quality is low. It is a number of setup with too little enjoyable — or heartbreak even! 

watch: Physician Who: “The Finish of Time: Half 1” is now streaming on Max.

13. “The Return of Physician Mysterio” (2016) Season 9: Episode 14

A number of the greatest Physician Who episodes have been set in New York Metropolis (see “The Angels Take Manhattan”) — however this is not one among them. Right here, author Steven Moffat imagines what would occur if the Twelfth Physician (Peter Capaldi) met an American child, and the reply is knockoff Superman stuff: flying like a dashing bullet, sporting glasses to look tremendous regular, growly hero voice, and common derring-do. 

The story begins in 1992 on Christmas Eve, when an 8-year-old comedian e book lover mistakenly swallows a wishing gem that provides him superpowers. Lower to 2016, when journalist Lucy Fletcher (Charity Wakefield), the Physician, his bumbling companion Nardole (Matt Lucas), and a superhero referred to as The Ghost (Justin Chatwin) group as much as struggle evil. Frankly, the mash-up in kinds would not work. Maybe as a result of there is a tinge of mockery all through, as if Moffat is utilizing the particular as a platform to snark about America’s obsession with the superhero style. To his credit score, that is a novel model of bummer for a Physician Who Christmas particular. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Return of Physician Mysterio” is now streaming on Max.

12. “Final Christmas” (2014) Season 8: Episode 13

Santa versus the Dream Crabs feels like one thing out of MST3K, nevertheless it’s the daffy but pleasant idea of this vacation particular. Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and the Twelfth Physician (Peter Capaldi) group up with Father Christmas (a terrifically jolly Nick Frost) to save lots of a North Pole analysis facility beneath siege by brainwashing parasites. 

In the event you like your Christmas episodes creepy with a facet of goopy, you may relish this one. Plus Santa goes motion hero, using in on a bucking Rudolph, sending in toys and tangerines as his infantry. And there is a number of glee available from tough-talking Santa making believers of the under-siege scientists one after the other. Nevertheless, the ultimate twist (upon twist upon twist) of this particular will get a bit tedious. Nonetheless, we do love that “Merry Christmas All people” from Slade bit, the place a scared scientist will get down to save lots of her mind. So, throughout, a enjoyable — albeit funky — rewatch.

watch: Physician Who: “Final Christmas” is now streaming on Max.

11. “The Time of the Physician” (2013) Season 7: Episode 16

Matt Smith’s run because the Eleventh Physician ended with this Christmas particular, and he goes out in loads of type. This outrageous ep combines basic Physician Who villains just like the Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels, the Sontarans, and the Silence with a basic vacation comedy ploy. Clara is internet hosting a Christmas dinner, and she or he wants a Christmas date. So, she calls on her socially awkward alien bestie to play the half. Naturally, he turns up bare (however in a cheeky, appropriate-for-family-viewing method). 

Nevertheless, this isn’t the true focus of the episode. That includes a crack within the universe, secrets and techniques of Gallifrey, and an ominous message for the Physician. All this makes for a really thrilling episode, however a tough revisit, as a lot lore may need you head-scratching or googling as an alternative of hooting and laughing. However even in case you’ve grown foggy on some particulars, Smith’s enthusiasm and the overwhelming onslaught of memorable foes make this one a worthy rewatch. It is also amusing to recollect the time when the present feinted that this really can be the final of the Physician’s incarnations. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Time of the Physician” is now streaming on Max.

10. “The Physician, the Widow, and the Wardrobe” (2011) Season 6: Episode 14 

Outdated Hollywood appeal infuses this particular, centered as it’s round a kindly spouse and mom who does her greatest with good humor even in essentially the most making an attempt circumstances. In 1938, when Madge Arwell (Claire Skinner) discovers a discombobulated spaceman in want of help, she gamely obliges. Three years later, he’ll return the favor in a most spectacular method. 

Together with her husband KIA throughout World Conflict II, Madge has her arms full along with her youngsters — and that is earlier than one among them wanders off right into a time portal that transports him to a mysterious forest, the place a horrible risk looms. Depart it to the Eleventh Physician (Matt Smith), masquerading as a unusual caretaker, to assist Madge save Christmas for every body. A sweeping journey with touches of sci-fi, C.S. Lewis-inspired fantasy, and loads of mum energy, this episode will go away you “blissful crying — humany wumany.”

watch: Physician Who: “The Physician, the Widow and the Wardrobe” is now streaming on Max.

Mashable High Tales

9. “A Christmas Carol” (2010) Season 5: Episode 14 

Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) start their yuletide particular with three acquainted issues to Whovians: 1) A resort spaceship getting ready to catastrophe 2) Amy in her mini-skirted police costume, and three) Rory in his centurion outfit. What does all of it imply? This couple is lastly on a romantic vacation and are into role-playing their greatest adventures — in mattress! (Good for them!) 

Saucy implications apart, the Eleventh Physician (Matt Smith) arrives to save lots of Christmas Day,  coming down the chimney like Santa himself! Bonus enjoyable: He presents a confounded little one with a snapshot of him, Frank Sinatra, Albert Einstein, and “Jeff” (aka Father Christmas).

On this sci-fi spin on Charles Dickens’ hottest work, the nice Michael Gambon performs Physician Who‘s model of Ebenezer Scrooge. Kazran is a cruel moneylender hellbent on being horrible on the vacations. As a substitute of using seasonal ghosts, the Physician goes again in time to make this curmudgeon extra of a Claus. With festive flare, daddy points, and flying sharks, this episode is a terrific present. 

watch: Physician Who: “A Christmas Carol” is now streaming on Max.

8. “The Subsequent Physician” (2008) Season 4: Episode 14 

This particular got here after “Journey’s Finish,” which closed the e book on a number of beloved chapters for higher (Rose and her Physician’s parting present) and worse (Donna and a series-rattling reminiscence wipe). Followers wanted one thing enjoyable and festive to get better, and Russell T Davies delivered with a story of kid abduction and Cybermen that seems surprisingly blissful (for this present, anyway). 

The Tenth Physician touches down in 1851 London on Christmas Eve and encounters a jaunty gentleman (David Morrissey) calling himself “The Physician.” He is even bought an ultra-competent, comely companion besides! (Velile Tshabalala is a deal with as Rosita Farisi.) 

Our Physician is initially delighted to fulfill what he assumes to be one among his future regenerations. However quickly he realizes one thing sinister is happening. A strong thriller boils on the core of this one, whereas the Victorian setting offers the entire thing a Dickensian/Christmas Carol vibe. And in the end, there’s loads of pleasure to be discovered within the Physician discovering somebody who actually will get him. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Subsequent Physician” is now streaming on Max.

7. “Pleasure to the World” (2024) Season 15: Episode 0

Former showrunner Steven Moffat returns as a screenwriter for this episode, which options Gatwa’s Physician racing spherical a Time Lodge that originally feels like a dream come true. “All of human historical past now accessible for mini breaks,” the Physician marvels as he appears to be like at doorways that provide entry to all the pieces from the Stone Age to Julius Caesar’s assassination to the Late Cretaceous interval, when T-Rexes roamed the Earth. However amid the glittering vacationers in fancy costume, there is a unusual man holding a briefcase, brewing a nightmare situation.

Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan stars because the eponymous Pleasure, who was having fun with a quiet vacation in a recent London resort when the Physician wrangled her into his newest journey. With the assistance of recent mates, an outdated enemy, and a few basic Moffat callbacks, “Pleasure to the World” delivers loads of laughs and thrills, together with some mind-bending bits and a tear-jerking ending. Like the very best of the Physician Who vacation specials, Moffat’s newest spin offers in love and loss, each inevitable in any worthwhile Christmas episode. Plus, its shining finale has a Christmas icon that is far better-known than Charles Dickens’ characters and even Santa.

watch: Physician Who, “Pleasure to the World” is now streaming on Disney+.

6. “The Snowmen” (2012) Season 7: Episode 6

Sentient snowmen! Following the Eleventh Physician’s lack of Amy and Rory (“The Angels Take Manhattan”), this Christmas particular is jam-packed with mates new and outdated. In Victorian England (a recurring setting for Physician Who Christmas), reptilian detective Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her human spouse/Watson Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart), their grumbly Sontaran butler Strax (Dan Starkey), and not possible woman Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) all be a part of forces because the Physician does battle with vicious people-eating snowmen and their icy human ally (Richard E. Grant in glower mode). 

Having some enjoyable within the vacation horror subgenre, this mid-season trifle is filled with treats: fiercely fanged snowmen, Sherlock-like sleuthing, and bouncy banter. What’s to not relish?

watch: Physician Who: “The Snowmen” is now streaming on Max.

5. “The Runaway Bride” (2006) Season 2: Episode 14 

The adventures of the DoctorDonna start on this Christmas episode, during which the vacation wedding ceremony of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) is interrupted by an inexplicable TARDIS abduction. And nobody is extra outraged than the snatched bride on her massive day.

The place Rose (after which Martha) crushed exhausting on their Docs, Donna gagged on the thought of getting with the thin “spaceman” (David Tennant). Her brassy angle is a part of what made this episode – which concerned an alien arachnid queen who was bent on overtaking Earth — such a salty deal with. Sadly, it might be a bit earlier than she’d swing again into the Physician’s timeline. However with an journey that boasted as a lot motion and annihilation because it did Tate’s daring model of humor, their reunion was properly definitely worth the wait. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Runaway Bride” is now streaming on Max.

4. “Twice Upon a Time” (2017) Season 10: Episode 13

Christmas is a time for change — or in Physician Who, a time for regeneration. The final Christmas particular for 5 years noticed Peter Capaldi face his final battle because the Physician. (He’d then hand the TARDIS over to Jodie Whittaker, who did a string of New 12 months’s specials throughout her tenure.) Fittingly, his was a battle of letting go. 

Within the South Pole, the Twelfth Physician is compelled to face himself actually when he runs into his first incarnation (David Bradley, filling in for the late William Hartnell). The 2 should work collectively as a curious glass entity and a soldier from World Conflict I pop by. However extra importantly, the present Physician should face his previous. Within the First, he sees how a lot he has grown — particularly when his companion Invoice Potts (Pearl Mackie) is curiously resurrected and postpone by the outdated Physician’s sexist methods! Amid the mischief of colliding Docs, this episode bids a fond farewell to Capaldi and his companions, together with Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Nardole (Matt Lucas). Positive, the Christmas-y factor is relegated to some snow and a little bit of battlefield carol-singing, and the thriller on this one rings a bit hole. However in terms of catharsis, few Physician Who vacation specials can examine! 

watch: Physician Who: “Twice Upon a Time” is now streaming on Max.

3. “Voyage of the Damned” (2007) Season 3: Episode 14 

Keep in mind the time the Physician crashed into the Titanic? No, not that Earth one. In an extremely ominous resolution by dangerously rich industrialist Max Capricorn (George Costigan), a nuclear-powered interstellar cruiser setting forth on a vacation cruise among the many stars was additionally named Titanic. If that — plus the episode’s title — weren’t sufficient to place you on edge, maybe the garish shows of wealth and golden robotic angels may prime you for catastrophe. 

Positive, from the beginning you’ll be able to suppose this vessel is doomed. However author Russell T Davies introduced recent agony by introducing an exquisite one-off companion in Astrid Peth (performed by the radiant Kylie Minogue), solely to snuff her out by episode’s finish! A humble humanoid waitress who dreamed of seeing the celebs, she is strictly the Physician’s sort. And he was fast to take discover of her! However as this boat and all its souls appear sure for catastrophe, this courageous duo will do no matter it takes to maintain historical past from repeating. Whereas Whovians (and Minogue followers) have been heartbroken over this ending, it supplied a bittersweet and delightful silver lining. 

watch: Physician Who: “Voyage of the Damned” is now streaming on Max.

2. “The Church on Ruby Highway” (2023) Season 14, Episode 0

In 2023, the Christmas particular returned after 5 years off — and what a marvel! “The Church on Ruby Highway” marked the primary full episode that includes the Fifteenth Physician, Ncuti Gatwa. Correctly set on the Christmas vacation, this rollicking romp introduces Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), a 19-year-old who’s a foundling and a Christmas child. On her birthday, it is solely becoming she helps the Physician rescue one other Christmas child from being wolfed up by a pirate ship’s price of singing goblins! 

Removed from mournful or thick with plot, this particular is a real delight, thanks in no small half to the superior charisma of Gatwa, who dances, quips, and runs with gusto. Stuffed with seasonal decor, common merriness, and the form of journey that is family-friendly, this vacation episode ought to get your coronary heart warming like chestnuts on an open fireplace. Plus, this Physician has expanded the celeb name-dropping to incorporate a “sizzling summer season” with Harry Houdini. What an exciting solution to fill us with pleasure for Season 14!

watch: Physician Who: “The Church on Ruby Highway” is now streaming on Disney+.

1. “The Husbands of River Tune” (2015) Season 9: Episode 13

Spoilers! This episode is gorgeous, bonkers, and deeply, deeply unhappy. 

Starting on Christmas Day of 5343, “The Husbands of River Tune” reunites the Physician together with his timey-wimey wifey (Alex Kingston). However there are a few snags to would-be romance. This incarnation of the Physician (Peter Capaldi) hasn’t crossed paths along with her earlier than. She acts like she would not know him, after which she introduces him to her — uh — ailing husband, King Hydroflax (Greg Davies). But it surely’s River Tune. There’s extra to this than meets her glowing eyes.

For a lot of their escapades, River has been a drive of nature, all the time fawning over the Physician whereas refusing to let him get too filled with himself. This dynamic hits a dramatic flip, nevertheless, when a heist goes awry. In a monologue that is positive to make you tear up, she lays out what it means to be a Time Lord’s spouse. And he’ll in the end present her all she means to him. Goodbye, sweetie. 

watch: Physician Who: “The Husbands of River Tune” is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Dec. 4, 2024, 12:22 p.m. EST Initially printed December 25, 2023, this record has been up to date to incorporate “Pleasure to The World.”