Since "The Church on Ruby Street" resurrected the custom of Physician Who 2024 Christmas Particular, “Pleasure to the World” continued to extend the episode class. Physician WhoThe fashionable period started in 2005 when Russell T. Davies revived the present. Earlier than that, there was just one Christmas particular, the First Physician (William Hartnell) episode "The Feast of Steven", which aired on Christmas Day 1965. 40 years later, David Tennant's Physician Who debut, “The Christmas Invasion” established the annual custom of the festive particularone thing that was introduced again by returning showrunner Russell T. Davies.
Through the period of Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall, the BBC took a unique method to the normal Physician Who Christmas Particular by releasing it on New Yr's Day. Chris Chibnall's Dalek trilogy had a really completely different tone from each Davies's overtly festive spectacle and Steven Moffat's wintry melancholy. Regardless of their completely different tones, every showrunner ensured that the Physician Who vacation particular is a seasonal blockbuster the entire household can get pleasure from. Not everybody falls into the class of the most important Physician Who tales of all time, however a choose few are extremely revered.
18
The Physician, the Widow and the Wardrobe
Aired on Christmas Day 2011
Matt Smith's Second Christmas Particular Is His Weakestregardless of a charmingly festive premise. To return a favor, the Eleventh Physician spreads some Christmas magic to the grieving Arwell household. The one drawback is that whereas the emotional coronary heart of “The Physician, the Widow and the Wardrobe” is in the correct place, it lacks dramatic stakes. Impressed by CS Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeThis Steven Moffat Christmas particular sadly fails to duplicate a villain as terrifying because the White Witch.
17
The Return of Physician Mysterio
Aired on Christmas Day 2016
Within the period of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Steven Moffat determined to put in writing a Physician Who Christmas Particular Impressed by Christopher Reeves' 1978 Superman movie. It was an odd option to capitalize on the superhero pattern with references to an almost 40-year-old movie, however that's not "The Return of Physician Mysterio"'s largest crime. In a 12 months that had no regularity Physician Who, it didn't really feel particular to have Peter Capaldi and Matt Lucas hanging round New York on Christmas Day in a throwaway story that felt extremely dated.
16
Revolution of the Daleks
Aired on New Yr's Day 2021
The second of Chris Chibnall's three Dalek specials appears to be like like a giant Physician Who blockbuster movie, nevertheless it spends a number of time holding the Thirteenth Physician (Jodie Whittaker) away from the motion. Briefly, "Revolution of the Daleks" is a Physician Who particular who tries to attain rather a lot. Chris Chibnall struggles to steadiness the unimaginable central premise of the UK authorities sanctioning the usage of Daleks as legislation enforcers with the return of Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman). Not solely that, however the episode additionally tries to incorporate the departures of Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Ryan (Tosin Cole). Nonetheless, the size is spectacular.
15
Decision
Aired on New Yr's Day 2019
Curiously, "Decision" shouldn't be Physician Whofirst New Yr particularneither is it the primary to introduce the Daleks. In 1965, every week after the primary Physician Who Christmas episode, "The Feast of Steven", the episode "Countdown" aired on New Yr's Day 1966. It featured the First Physician (William Hartnell) dealing with off in opposition to the Daleks after which witnessing New Yr's celebrations in London.
The "Decision" fails to penetrate the higher echelon of Physician Who vacation specials for his or her forgettable nature.
The "Decision" takes place after the celebrations, and the sleepy, hungover power provides to the risk posed by the lone Dalek. It's an thrilling replace to "Dalek" that reintroduces Physician Whoof the best monsters and reestablishes a single mutant Kaled as some of the harmful beings within the universe. But, The "Decision" fails to penetrate the higher echelon of Physician Who vacation specials as a result of its forgettable nature.
14
The Church on Ruby Street
Aired on Christmas Day 2023
For higher or worse, "The Church on Ruby Street" has a really completely different really feel to the Christmas specials of Russell T Davies' first movie. Physician Who was. Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson make an instantly profitable impression just like the Fifteenth Physician and Ruby Sunday, which inserts in properly with the brand new vibe of Physician WhoIt was Disney. Regardless of Physician WhoGoblin's hit track and spectacular Goblin King, it's onerous to flee the truth that the size of the episode is sort of small, with a lot of it happening in Ruby's condo. Though it units up a totally compelling plot for Physician Who season 14, "The Church on Ruby Street" loses factors for changing into a collection of crimson herrings.
13
The snowmen
Aired on Christmas Day 2012
"The Snowmen" is a Physician Who Christmas particular that had rather a lot to attain and was vastly profitable the place different specials failed. Offered an acceptable introduction to Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswaldwhich is as charming as it's intriguing. Reintroduced the basic Physician Who villain the Nice Intelligence (Ian McKellen) and his human host, Dr. Simeon (Richard E. Grant), who would play a significant function within the fiftieth anniversary. Even higher, it options Michael Pickwoad's beautiful TARDIS set, probably the greatest of the fashionable period. All of this elevates "The Snowmen" above the Eleventh Physician's unconvincing post-Amy and Rory gloom.
12
Eve of the Daleks
Aired on New Yr's Day 2022
"Eve of the Daleks" is Chris Chibnall's funniest Physician Who street mapadditional elevated by the abilities of comedy actors John Bishop, Aisling Bea and Adjani Salmon. Successfully Groundhog Day, however with Daleks, it's an thrilling time of Physician Who. There's romance, motion, and a shiny, chilly opening. What's much more outstanding is that this was a last-minute addition, when Chris Chibnall's authentic thought for a New Yr's Eve particular proved too costly and complex to attain within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a real overcome adversity that provides Jodie Whittaker one in all her most interesting moments.
11
Final Christmas
Aired on Christmas Day 2014
No different reveals however Physician Who may put Santa Claus (Nick Frost) in John Carpenter's movie The factor and confidently take away tonal mismatch. “Final Christmas” isn’t the most effective Moffat-penned particular, nevertheless it balances its festive themes with Physician Who tropes very properly. It's scary, outrageously humorous, and fantastically poetic. The potential ending for Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) pulls the rug out from beneath the viewersand earlier than they've time to regulate, Santa involves the rescue to provide the Physician and Clara a second likelihood collectively. The most effective Christmas tales are about redemption and second possibilities, and “Final Christmas” will get that proper.
10
Pleasure for the world
Aired on Christmas Day 2024
Physician WhoThe 2024 Christmas particular is one other festive installment that includes a Physician depressed after the departure of a companion. Though it's a disgrace that Ruby left on the finish of Physician Who season 14, "Pleasure to the World" manages to switch Gibson's character with a handful of good substitutes. The introduction of Physician WhoSteven Moffat's Time Resort pairs brilliantly with Villelengard - the Physician's "outdated enemy."
Watching Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Physician undergo Earth's historical past with out utilizing his TARDIS makes for a really energetic affair.
The strong science fiction idea takes a backseat and ignores the truth that people developed time journey within the forty third centurywhich is a big chunk of Physician Who canon to find within the context of a Christmas particular. Regardless, watching Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Physician run by way of Earth's historical past with out utilizing his TARDIS makes for a really energetic affair with lots to get pleasure from.
9
Journey of the Damned
Aired on Christmas Day 2007
“Voyage of the Damned” has its flaws, nevertheless it’s a unbelievable journey that may occur at any time of 12 months. Whereas the truth that Christmas themes are non-obligatory could harm its rankings with regards to festive promotions, it's such an exciting experience that the weaker parts are simple to miss. It additionally options one of many Physician WhoThe most effective single companions by introducing Kylie Minogue's Astrid Peth in the identical concern that kills her. Even when it's simply to think about what might need occurred if Astrid had survived, "Voyage of the Damned" is price rewatching yearly.
8
The Husbands of the River Track
Aired on Christmas Day 2015
"The Husbands of River Track" was initially conceived as Steven Moffat's last movie Physician Who street mapand it will have been a becoming conclusion. It ties River Track completely Physician Who timeline and offers Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Physician a cheerful ending. It additionally has all the pieces an viewers may need from a Physician Who Christmas Particular; romance, motion, journey, comedy and nice ridiculous villains. Plus, there's the fantastic comedian second of the Physician reenacting the TARDIS entry scene he's at all times needed to see.
7
The runaway bride
Aired on Christmas Day 2006
“The Runaway Bride” introduces the Tenth Physician's finest companion, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) in a wonderful comedy journey. David Tennant and Catherine Tate's chemistry is off the charts proper from the beginning as they embark on an journey involving big spiders, killer Christmas stars and exploding baubles. "The Runaway Bride" is the proper mix of Christmas iconography and blockbuster journey, making it probably the greatest Physician Who Christmas specials of all time. It's humorous, it's tragic and it reveals all the pieces that Physician Who is succesful.
6
The subsequent physician
Aired on Christmas Day 2008
Arguably, "The Subsequent Physician" ought to lose its rewatch enchantment as soon as the central thriller of David Morrissey's potential future incarnation is resolved. And but, it's a lovely Christmas story about household, loss, and what it means to be a hero. David Morrissey is great as the person who believes he's the Physicianand the steampunk big Cyberking stomping by way of Victorian London on Christmas Day is gleefully foolish.
It's one in all Physician WhoProbably the most underrated Christmas specials and likewise incorporates the primary occasion of the revival period footage of basic Docs being proven, offering an additional deal with for followers. Physician Who has by no means launched a real Subsequent Physician forward of time, however “The Subsequent Physician” might be the closest the present has come to doing so in its 60-plus 12 months historical past. The story additionally obtained a legacy sequel in Steve Cole's movie Ten days of Christmas guidethe place one of many tales reunited an aged Jackson Lake with the Tenth Physician.
5
A Christmas carol
Aired on Christmas Day 2010
Physician Who made reference to Charles Dickens A Christmas carol just a few instances in its historical past. Most notably, Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Physician met Simon Callow's Charles Dickens on Christmas Eve in Physician Who season 1. Nevertheless, the present's 2010 Christmas particular, which borrowed its title from Dickens' seminal work, is essentially the most direct wink to the long-lasting story whereas additionally being its most meta. With Michael Gambon's Kazran Sardick taking up the function of Scrooge and Smith's Eleven filling the half(s) of the three ghosts, "A Christmas Carol" is an ideal mix of British science fiction and basic Christmas literature.
4
The Christmas Invasion
Aired on Christmas Day 2005
Physician WhoFirst correct Christmas particular brings sinister twists on festive traditions. There's the gaggle of gun-toting android Santas, the lethal Christmas tree, and an extremely vital satsuma. David Tennant takes an annoyingly very long time to make his grand entrance because the Physician, nevertheless it's definitely worth the wait. He takes command of the state of affairs aboard the Sycorax ship in a manner he would proceed to do for years to return.
How the Physician Who episode that started an amazing custom for the present, 'The Christmas Invasion' establishes most of the components that may be repeated over the various years, not simply of successive Christmas and New Yr specials, but additionally of standard, non-festive episodes. As with "Voyage of the Damned" and "The Subsequent Physician", Physician Who creator Steve Cole additionally reunited Tennant's Physician with the Sycoraxhowever with a twist.
3
Twice as soon as
Aired on Christmas Day 2017
As an epilogue to the Steven Moffat period of Physician Who"Twice Upon a Time" is a melancholic story. Whereas two outdated males arguing about dying could not assure an amazing, thrilling Christmas Day journey for the entire household, it really works. Christmas is usually a time to look again and aheadand the pairing of the First Physician (David Bradley) and the Twelfth Physician achieves this fantastically. The 2 males set one another on a hopeful path towards their very own future, whereas audiences at residence are additionally waiting for the brand new adventures of the 12 months forward. It's a unique form of Physician Who Christmas particular, nevertheless it's a touching farewell to Peter Capaldi's incarnation.
2
Physician's time
Aired on Christmas Day 2013
The chances had been stacked in opposition to Matt Smith's Eleventh Physician in his last journey, in addition to in opposition to author Steven Moffat. Not solely the Physician Who the showrunner wanted to provide audiences a heartwarming Christmas particular, however he additionally needed to wrap up the Eleventh Physician's story arc and finish the fiftieth anniversary 12 months on a excessive notice by regenerating Matt Smith into Peter Capaldi. One way or the other, "The Time of the Physician" doesn't give in to the double burden of expectation and continuityyou. As a substitute, it thrives within the restricted house between ambition and capturing enlightenment in a bottle.
1
The tip of instances, elements 1 and a couple of
Aired on Christmas Day 2009 and New Yr's Day 2010
Whereas it doesn't at all times steadiness partying with drama, it will be disingenuous to award "The Finish of Time" something aside from first place on a listing of Physician Who Christmas specials. The David Tennant-era two-part finale is actually iconic and earns the indulgence of its last ten minutes. The farewell tour main as much as the Tenth Physician's violent regeneration is extremely impactful, although Physician Who Season 4 had already introduced again some companions. It was the proper solution to say goodbye to Tennant whereas additionally celebrating his reign as Physician Whois the protagonist.
The ultimate season of Physician Who introduces the Fifteenth Physician, accompanied by new companion Ruby Sunday. Their first journey begins with “The Church on Ruby Street,” the place they face highly effective new enemies and uncover the thriller surrounding Ruby's origins. The Physician faces the results of a singular regeneration occasion and faces enemies extra formidable than ever earlier than.