These Doctor Who episodes feature some of the most enjoyable adventures from the series, ones we’d gladly watch again and again. As the longest-running science-fiction show ever, Doctor Who has given us many iconic, unforgettable, and often-quoted moments in British pop culture. It began in 1963 and, with only a 16-year break in the 1990s, has been a constant presence on British television. Doctor Who was successfully brought back in 2005, and since then, we’ve seen many more episodes that are perfect for repeat viewings.
Since Doctor Who came back to the BBC in 2005, it’s been 20 years filled with 15 seasons and nine different versions of the Doctor, the show’s time-traveling hero. While some episodes are best enjoyed as part of a complete season, and might not stand out on their own, many are beloved by science fiction fans and are rewatched repeatedly. These episodes feature some of Doctor Who’s most memorable moments – moments that are heartwarming, nostalgic, dramatic, funny, scary, thrilling, and emotionally satisfying – truly making them among the series’ best.
10) “School Reunion” (Season 2, Episode 3)
David Tennant’s initial season as the Tenth Doctor continued the adventures with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) following his regeneration. He also met up with a familiar face – Sarah Jane Smith (the late Elisabeth Sladen), a classic companion who had seen him change in 1974. Having traveled with the Third and Fourth Doctors from 1973 to 1976, Sarah Jane had become a beloved character, making her return in season 2’s “School Reunion” after 30 years truly special. The episode is memorable for its nostalgic feel, the great chemistry between Tennant, Sladen, and Piper, its emotional resonance, and a compelling villain, all of which make it a story worth revisiting. It’s a fantastic episode and a true highlight of the series.
9) “Silence in the Library” & “Forest of the Dead” (Season 4, Episodes 8 & 9)
This amazing two-part story from the middle of Doctor Who season 4 features the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) visiting the Library and encountering the flesh-eating Vashta Nerada. “Silence in the Library” was the first time we met River Song (Alex Kingston), who would later be known as the Doctor’s wife, in what is actually her last adventure when looking at the timeline. These episodes are intensely suspenseful, emotionally powerful, and packed with unexpected turns, and the way the story jumps around in time makes them even more thrilling. Written by Steven Moffat, these installments hinted at the fantastic stories still to come for Doctor Who.
8) “The Eleventh Hour” (Season 5, Episode 1)
Steven Moffat’s initial episode as Doctor Who’s head writer and Matt Smith’s first complete episode as the Eleventh Doctor, “The Eleventh Hour” from season 5, is often considered one of the strongest starts to any season. Smith faced a big challenge following David Tennant, but he quickly showed off his energetic, lively, and charming personality as the Doctor in this episode. “The Eleventh Hour” effectively mixes memorable character scenes – like the famous fish-custard moment – with thrilling action, and also introduces new companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) with both humor and warmth.
7) “The Runaway Bride” (2006 Christmas Special)
Doctor Who’s Christmas episodes are generally enjoyable, but one is particularly memorable and truly showcases David Tennant’s time as the Doctor. Following the heartbreaking conclusion of the Doctor and Rose Tyler’s adventures, pairing Tennant with British comedy legend Catherine Tate was a brilliant move. “The Runaway Bride” is filled with both laughs and powerful feelings, as the Doctor is still dealing with loss. It was a fantastic standalone story, and revisiting “The Runaway Bride” is even more rewarding now that we have a glimpse of what’s to come for the Doctor and Donna Noble.
6) “Fugitive of the Judoon” (Season 12, Episode 5)
Many viewers weren’t thrilled with much of Jodie Whittaker’s time as the Thirteenth Doctor – the first female Time Lord. However, Season 12’s “Fugitive of the Judoon” was a big hit, largely because of the surprising reveal that Jo Martin’s character, Ruth Clayton, was a Doctor from the past that no one had ever seen before. This created a completely new and unexpected Doctor Who timeline, changing the show’s history. Though the decision was debated by fans, Jo Martin’s acting as the Fugitive Doctor discovers who she really is is fantastic and enjoyable to rewatch.
5) “Midnight” (Season 4, Episode 10)
Many fans consider season 4’s “Midnight” to be one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes of all time, and it’s a prime illustration of how effective episodes focusing less on the Doctor can be. Separating the Doctor from Donna Noble was a brilliant move for this gripping, tense, and unsettling story set on the dangerous diamond planet of Midnight. While we enjoyed the dynamic between the Doctor and Donna, “Midnight” took season 4 in a new direction, placing the Doctor in serious danger when confronted by the mysterious, mimicking creature. David Tennant and Lesley Sharp deliver outstanding performances, making “Midnight” a consistently exciting episode to revisit.
4) “The Day of the Doctor” (50th Anniversary Special)
In 2013, to mark 50 years of Doctor Who, “The Day of the Doctor” made television history by uniting the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. It also introduced a new version of the Doctor – John Hurt’s War Doctor – who fought in the Time War. The episode focuses on the last day of the Time War, giving the Doctor a chance to fix his biggest regret by ultimately saving Gallifrey. Beyond the central story, “The Day of the Doctor” is filled with references to the show’s past, offering fans a lot of nostalgia and benefiting from a significantly improved production quality. It was a heartfelt tribute to the series and its fans, and remains enjoyable even now.
3) “Blink” (Season 3, Episode 10)
Even after 18 years, the episode still gives us chills. Doctor Who season 3’s “Blink” was another episode where the Doctor wasn’t the main focus, instead centering on Sally Sparrow (Carey Mulligan) as she fights the frightening Weeping Angels when they first appear. The Weeping Angels can only move when no one is watching them, making them one of the show’s most memorable and scary villains. “Blink” is widely considered to be one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes of all time, and it remains excellent even today. Steven Moffat once again delivers a smart and engaging script, expertly using horror elements.
2) “Vincent and the Doctor” (Season 5, Episode 10)
As a fan, I think Season 5’s “Vincent and the Doctor” is easily one of the most moving episodes of Doctor Who, especially if you’re familiar with the work of Vincent van Gogh. Tony Curran’s portrayal of Vincent is just beautiful, particularly in those final scenes where Dr. Black (Bill Nighy) shares his appreciation for the artist. The connection between Vincent, the Doctor, and Amy Pond is also really wonderful to watch. What I especially appreciate is how respectfully the episode handles Vincent’s struggles with mental health, and focusing on his lasting legacy always gets me right in the feels, even after multiple rewatches.
1) “Partners in Crime” (Season 4, Episode 1)
A full season after the Doctor and Donna Noble battled the Racnoss beneath the Thames, the two unexpectedly came together again while each separately looked into Adipose Industries. The Season 4 opener, “Partners in Crime,” is wonderfully funny and shows the Doctor and Donna reuniting in a way that feels both natural and inevitable, setting the stage for an exciting season of adventures. This episode is charming and perfectly captures what made Russell T. Davies’ initial time as Doctor Who’s showrunner so successful. It’s a lot of fun with a lot of heart, and “Partners in Crime” remains just as enjoyable today as it was when it first aired, making it one of our all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes.
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