All three Doctor Who films, ranked from worst to best

While they may not be as popular as the TV show, Doctor Whomovies are still interesting to watch. Since Doctor WhoIn the first broadcast in 1963, three films in the franchise were also released, each featuring an iconic villain.

Although these titles are not necessarily the best Doctor Who stories of all time, they still appeal to avid watchers of the iconic sci-fi series. Each of them is a product of its time, but also offers things that the next Doctor Who season 15 could learn too.

3

Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965)

Peter Cushing takes on the role of the doctor

Dr. Who and the Daleks is the first of all Doctor Who film, and it’s impressive that it exists at all considering it was released just two years after the show began. Peter Cushing Doctor Who The films aren’t technically canon, but actually feel more like a dedicated fan reinterpretation of the show. There are some major changes to the Doctor and his companions, which is strange considering the film is an adaptation of the classic Doctor Whothe Dalek story, “The Daleks”.

To begin with, Cushing’s doctor is human. This is a huge difference from the show, and one of the Doctor WhoIt’s biggest selling point is that its titular character is out of this world. Although Susan, Ian and Barbara appear, they are unrecognizable compared to their TV counterparts. The Doctor’s granddaughter Susan is literally a child, and Ian and Barbara are already a couple.

The Doctor’s ship is referred to as “TARDIS” instead of “the TARDIS”, and it is soon revealed that it is his invention. In Doctor Whothe ships are a Time Lord project. The Daleks are just Daleks in physical appearance. They speak ridiculously slowly, rant, and are apparently less intelligent than on the show.

Hilariously, they are mostly interrupted by being thrown into walls at various points. Although it seems light years away Doctor Whosome elements of it resemble the show. The Doctor shows his mischievous side by lying about the fluid bond so he can explore the alien city, for example. Dr. Who and the Daleks It’s not exactly the best title in the world Doctor Who. However, as an independent film, it’s definitely a breezy, cheesy 60s sci-fi watch.

2

Invasion of Earth by Daleks 2150 AD (1966)

An interesting recreation of Susan Foreman’s final Doctor Who adventure

Invasion of Earth by Daleks 2150 AD see Cushing’s Doctor returns to screens in an adaptation of the classic Doctor Who series from the “Dalek Invasion of Earth” era. The only returning companion is the child Susan, and new characters Louise and Tom are introduced. Tom Campbell is portrayed by the future Doctor Who companion Bernard Cribbins, now better known as Wilfred Mott.

Louise is somehow the doctor’s niece and Bárbara’s cousin, although it is never explained whether the titular character and his first companion are also related. The quality of Invasion of Earth by Daleks 2150 AD It’s not perfect, but it’s much better than its predecessor. The visual effects, especially the Dalek ship in the sky, are decent for the 1960s.

Even the characterizations are stronger. Tom is much better as a sidekick than the film version of Ian, and Cribbins brilliantly balances his serious performance with plenty of slapstick comedy. Cushing’s Doctor is also much more adventurous and feels more like the real Doctor. However, Louise is wasted as a character and Barbara is a much better protagonist.

It is worth noting that the weird side of things has been significantly improved in Invasion of Earth by Daleks 2150 AD The TARDIS actually looks like the legendary ship and doesn’t look like a cupboard for school science projects like in the previous film. The logic of destroying Doctor WhoThe Daleks are still absurd, as is the show, but they’re not as out of place.

A small disappointment, but not too distracting, are the numerous posters for the cereal brand Sugar Puffs that appear everywhere. Many films need sponsorship, but it’s strange that in 2150 there are still Sugar Puffs adverts on the walls of London. Compared to Dr. Who and the Daleks, Invasion of Earth by Daleks 2150 AD It’s much stronger.

1

Doctor Who (1996)

Introducing Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor

The 1996 Doctor Who the film starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor follows significantly more of the show’s tradition, but in all fairness, it has over three decades of canon to draw on. Doctor Who was off the air for almost seven years after its release, and The Doctor’s New Year’s Eve adventure reintroduces generations of audiences to the Time Lord.

Although viewers need not have seen Doctor Who To fully understand what’s going on, it helps, especially as the opening scenes show the regeneration of Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor. The Daleks do not appear in the Doctor Who film and instead the Master returns as the main villain.

Also introduced is new companion Grace Holloway, a cardiologist who tries to save the Seventh Doctor’s life and later helps the Eighth close the TARDIS’s Eye of Harmony. Unlike Cushing Doctor Who films, This title is an original story and is not inspired by any of the series. While there is room for improvement in its story, the cat-and-mouse chase between the Doctor and the Master is a classic. Doctor Who narrative.

THE Doctor Who the film is considered a failure, although it is better than the 1960s films. The Doctor is half-human in Doctor Who film, though thankfully this is retconned in the show’s post-2005 reboot. While this is undoubtedly a controversial decision, it at least tries to be ambitious. Grace Holloway isn’t held to the same standards as some of the Doctor’s other companions, but she has more layers than the film version of Ian or Louise.

Paul McGann delivers a solid performance as the Doctor, considering the circumstances. The Eighth Doctor offers a unique charm from his predecessors, but is also eccentric enough to let the audience know he is the titular character. Doctor Who always presents the Doctor as a passionate individual, and McGann demonstrates this brilliantly.