Doctor Who’s best 10 Christmas specials ranked – from The Christmas Invasion to The Church on Ruby Road

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We have some disappointing news for Doctor Who fans: there won’t be a Christmas special this year.

We know what you’re thinking: Christmas just isn’t complete without Doctor Who! And you’re right. Thankfully, there are tons of Christmas and holiday specials from the show’s history to enjoy. Just so you know, these episodes are all considered holiday specials because they originally aired during the festive season.

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since the first modern Christmas special, ‘The Christmas Invasion’? It feels like a long time! To celebrate, we’ve put together a list of what we consider the very best Christmas specials.

Looking forward to something fresh? Here’s everything we know about the 2026 Christmas special, penned by showrunner Russell T Davies. Stay tuned for more…

10. Spyfall (2020)

This episode, clearly influenced by James Bond films, was Jodie Whittaker’s most visually impressive adventure as the Doctor. It featured exciting international action, truly creepy villains, and ended with a thrilling cliffhanger that left viewers wanting more.

This episode skillfully re-establishes the Doctor and her friends, allowing for both personal character development and the surprising return of the Master (Sacha Dhawan). This return dramatically changes the direction of the show. While it isn’t a traditional Christmas special – the first part actually aired on New Year’s Day – it’s definitely a major television event. – Morgan Jeffery

9. Twice Upon a Time (2017)

Christmas is a natural time for reflection and looking ahead with fresh hope, and Steven Moffat beautifully captures this feeling in the final episode starring Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor. The episode is especially moving because it brings the Doctor face to face with his first incarnation, brilliantly portrayed by David Bradley.

Filled with heartwarming memories, a touch of sadness, and clever use of time travel, ‘Twice Upon a Time’ offers a bittersweet farewell to the Twelfth Doctor. The episode also provides a chance to say goodbye to beloved companions like Bill Potts (played by the excellent Pearl Mackie) and Clara Oswald (with a touching return appearance by Jenna Coleman). Keep the tissues handy – it’s a poignant episode that marks the end of an era, not just for the Doctor, but for showrunner Steven Moffat as well. – Lewis Knight

8. Voyage of the Damned (2007)

What could be better in a delightfully cheesy Christmas special than Kylie Minogue, a nod to the Titanic, and a lovable red alien called Bannakaffalatta?

The 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special featured David Tennant’s Doctor investigating a spaceship called the Titanic. He quickly discovered someone had intentionally steered it towards Earth, and that sinister robots disguised as angels were attacking the crew.

Okay, so this movie is just pure Christmas magic! It’s about how this guy and Kylie – I mean, Astrid Perth – have to save the world and Christmas itself! Honestly, it’s a blast to watch, and it’s still the most-watched Christmas special of all time, which says a lot. And, if you’re a fan like me, you absolutely HAVE to watch for Bernard Cribbins’s very first appearance as Wilf – he’s wonderful! – Louise Griffin

7. The Snowmen (2012)

“The Snowmen” is easily one of the most visually appealing Christmas specials we’ve seen. It skillfully balances several important tasks: telling a complete Christmas story, introducing the new companion Clara and hinting at her future adventures, and addressing the Doctor’s grief over losing Amy and Rory. It manages to do all of this remarkably well.

Featuring a fantastic villain played by Richard E. Grant as Dr. Simeon, and a standout performance from the Paternoster Gang, this episode is a truly special installment that often gets overlooked in ‘best of’ rankings – but absolutely deserves to be recognized, according to James Hibbs.

6. The Church on Ruby Road (2023)

Honestly, Christmas 2023 was amazing because we finally met the new Doctor! Ncuti Gatwa completely blew me away in his first episode, ‘The Church on Ruby Road’. He’s got exactly the kind of energy and charisma you want in a Doctor – I’m already a huge fan!

The latest Doctor Who adventure introduces Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson), a foundling who, after a memorable interview with Davina McCall, quickly finds herself facing a string of misfortunes caused by scary goblins.

With its blend of humor, playful moments, and a surprise musical performance by the unforgettable Janis Goblin (voiced by Christina Rotondo), “The Church on Ruby Road” was a fantastic beginning to Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the Doctor, according to Louise Griffin.

5. The Runaway Bride (2006)

Certain Doctor Who scenes are unforgettable, and one that really stands out is when Donna Noble exclaimed, “They had the reception without me?!” Catherine Tate was a fantastic addition to the show, instantly bringing a lot of humor with her first appearance as Donna Noble.

After unexpectedly finding herself inside the TARDIS and joining forces with the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), Donna learns a shocking truth: her fiancé, Lance (Don Gilet), is working with the Racnoss Empress. He intends to use Donna to wake up the Racnoss’s young, who are hidden deep within the Earth.

This adventure is truly memorable, largely thanks to the fantastic connection between David Tennant and Catherine Tate – a dynamic that became a hallmark of the fourth season, according to Louise Griffin.

4. The End of Time Part 1 and 2 (2009/10)

David Tennant’s final episode as the Doctor isn’t very festive, but it makes up for it with a lot of heart. Bernard Cribbins is fantastic as Wilf, who gets a big part in the story, and John Simm returns as the chaotic Master. Everything builds to a truly powerful moment where Tennant delivers what is arguably his best performance, making a heartbreaking sacrifice.

While some fans might not have loved the Tenth Doctor’s drawn-out goodbye and resistance to change, it was a daring and unique ending. It perfectly concluded the ‘Time Lord Victorious’ storyline and resonated deeply with viewers. Many people were moved to tears when the second part originally aired in 2010, and it still evokes strong emotions even today, as evidenced by countless re-watches. – James Hibbs

3. Last Christmas (2014)

Steven Moffat’s ‘Last Christmas’ is a Doctor Who holiday special that takes risks. It mixes cheerful holiday themes with real scares, using a dream-within-a-dream structure similar to the movie ‘Inception’ and the tense atmosphere of ‘Alien’. The result is a surprisingly clever episode, much more than just a typical holiday adventure.

Okay, so Nick Frost is absolutely delightful as Santa – he really brings the warmth. But honestly, the Dream Crabs? Those things are seriously creepy and stuck with me way after the episode ended. What I really loved though was how the episode tackled the Doctor and Clara’s complicated relationship. The dream setting let them really explore some heavy stuff – grief, guilt, and even love. It was a really clever way to do it. It’s funny, genuinely scary at times, and surprisingly thoughtful. It just proves that Doctor Who Christmas specials can still be fantastic – Morgan Jeffery nailed it with that review.

2. A Christmas Carol (2010)

Steven Moffat said he’d always dreamed of adapting A Christmas Carol, and it’s clear why. His take on the Charles Dickens story isn’t a simple retelling, but a clever reimagining. It uses the classic tale as a starting point for a new adventure that jumps between foggy, atmospheric streets, a spaceship in danger with Amy and Rory on board, and a haunting basement filled with frozen figures.

Matt Smith delivers a fantastic performance, brimming with energy and warmth, and the writing skillfully blends touching emotional scenes with delightfully absurd science fiction. It’s a show that can pull off something truly unique – like making you genuinely moved by Michael Gambon and Katherine Jenkins soaring through the sky on a rickshaw towed by a flying shark. – Christian Tobin

1. The Christmas Invasion (2005)

We think the very first Christmas special is still the best. With the Doctor (David Tennant) recovering from his recent regeneration, it’s up to his companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), her mum Jackie (Camille Coduri), and boyfriend Mickey (Noel Clarke) to protect Earth from an attack by the Sycorax aliens.

This episode perfectly blends exciting suspense with holiday cheer, marking David Tennant’s first appearance as the Doctor. It captures the playful spirit that’s become a tradition in Doctor Who Christmas specials – remember Jackie Tyler’s near-miss with a rogue Christmas tree? It’s a truly delightful watch and deserves an annual re-view, if only to enjoy Murray Gold’s stunning ‘Song for Ten’ one more time.

The Christmas Invasion wasn’t just the start of David Tennant’s popular portrayal of the Tenth Doctor, it also firmly established Doctor Who as a Christmas Day television tradition. Here’s hoping it stays that way! – Louise Griffin

Doctor Who is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

Louise Griffin

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2025-12-19 11:12