Doctor Who's Specials are among the show's finest offerings, rewarding fans with thrilling new adventures through space and time. The sci-fi series' latest Special is due to air shortly, celebrating the BBC's centenary, inspiring viewers to glance back at previous special episodes of the timeless British classic. These enjoyable installments have aired sporadically throughout the years the show has been broadcast celebrating occasions including Easter and Christmas in a spectacular fashion.
The Doctor Who Specials have delighted fans since their original air date, leaving these dedicated viewers in awe of the imagination and creativity on display during these outings. IMDb's s, in particular, have given their take on their favorite Specials, delivering their ranking of these beloved episodes.
The Five Doctors - 8.1
Airing as part of the BBC's Children In Need telethon, "The Five Doctors" is a joyous celebration of the show's 20th anniversary. This big and bombastic adventure sees various Doctors and companions thrown into Gallifrey's Death Zone, where they encounter several of the Time Lord's past foes, and must stop Borusa from discovering the secret of immortality.
"The Five Doctors" is a blast from start to finish, as viewers are treated with the chance of seeing some of the Time Lord's most popular incarnations forces. The 90-minute extravaganza also delivers Rassilon's first appearance, with Gallifrey's former leader tricking Borusa into becoming immortalized as stone.
Twice Upon A Time - 8.2
During his time in the TARDIS, the Twelfth Doctor was responsible for some of the saddest things. His final story, "Twice Upon A Time," is no different, with Peter Capaldi's Doctor delivering an emotional goodbye as he regenerates into Jodie Whittaker. Teaming up the Twelfth Doctor with the character's very first incarnation, "Twice Upon A Time" acts as a sweet coda to Capaldi's escapades.
This fond farewell to the Twelfth Doctor brings a great sense of fun to proceedings, with Peter Capaldi engaging in some witty banter with David Bradley's First Doctor. As well as introducing audiences to the Brigadier's grandfather, the regeneration episode provides a poignant take on the World War I Christmas truce, as English and German forces decide to cease fire during the festive period.
Last Christmas - 8.2
The Steven Moffat era has brought some of the show's darkest storylines, as the Doctor and his companions find themselves in some of the universe's deadliest places. "Last Christmas" is one of the writer's most terrifying screenplays, with the Twelfth Doctor and Clara arriving in a snow base that has been taken over by the villainous Dream Crabs.
Utilizing the concept of dreams to horrific effect, Steven Moffat delivers a deeply unnerving narrative, with the Dream Crabs grabbing hold of their victims' heads. Alongside the horror imagery, the story also contains some real heart, as Clara spends one last Christmas with Danny Pink through the medium of dreams.
The Time Of The Doctor - 8.3
Matt Smith's incarnation of the Doctor is one of the Time Lord's most popular to date, with audiences having fallen in love with the character's eccentric nature. The Northampton-born actor opted to stand down from the role in 2013, with Steven Moffat penning "The Time Of The Doctor" as his exit storyline. The Eleventh Doctor's conclusion features the Time Lord defending the town of Christmas from various alien threats.
This final chapter acts as one of the Doctor's biggest adventures yet, as Steven Moffat wraps up some of the Eleventh Doctor's lingering plot threads. "The Time Of The Doctor" delivers a wholly satisfying final battle between this incarnation and his many enemies, including the Daleks and the Cybermen, as well as offering one last hurrah for the especially creepy Silence.
The Snowmen - 8.3
First appearing in "Asylum of the Daleks," Jenna Coleman gives a truly impressive performance throughout her time on Doctor Who, with the actor tasked with playing three distinct characters. "The Snowmen" introduces audiences to Coleman's Victorian governess Clara, who assists the Doctor in stopping Doctor Simeon and his army of killer snowmen.
Steven Moffat's chilling tale presents one of the Eleventh Doctor's most menacing monsters, with Simeon's snowmen and Ice Governess causing many problems for the Time Lord and his new friend. Additionally, the story sees the return of a few fan favorites, including the Paternoster Gang and the Great Intelligence, making this a particularly fun entry within the series.
The Husbands Of River Song - 8.5
River Song plays an essential role in the Doctor's many lives, with the flirty archeologist having married the Time Lord in their eleventh incarnation. "The Husbands Of River Song" features Peter Capaldi's Doctor meeting River, with the pair becoming embroiled in a dangerous jewel heist.
"The Husbands of River Song" delivers a romantic yarn for the Twelfth Doctor and River, as they seek to protect the Halassi Androvar diamond from Harmony Shoal. This incredible episode rewards viewers with a long-awaited fan moment, as the Doctor finally takes River on their final date, at the Singing Towers of Darillium.
A Christmas Carol - 8.5
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has seen countless adaptations over the years, with the likes of Bill Murray and the Muppets offering their versions of the timeless classic. Doctor Who's take on the beloved novel is arguably the greatest screen adaptation of the source material, with Matt Smith's Doctor meeting the episode's Ebeneezer Scrooge substitute, Kazran Sardick.
The sci-fi series' reworking of Dickens' book is especially clever, as Kazran himself becomes the "Ghost of Christmas Future," through the eyes of his younger self. The episode masterfully uses the show's timey-wimey nature to show the Doctor's influence on Kazran's life, as he changes key moments in the heartless businessman's past, and also includes one of Doctor Who's best festive moments, with Abigail delivering a beautiful musical number.
The Waters Of Mars - 8.7
Phil Ford has been responsible for some of Doctor Who's biggest hits, with the writer having been involved in both The Sarah Jane Adventures and the videogame series "The Adventure Games." "The Waters Of Mars" sees him team up with Russell T Davies, on a narrative that depicts the Tenth Doctor's encounter with the menacing Flood.
This story is one of Doctor Who's darkest yet, with the Doctor torn between saving the Bowie Base One crew from the Flood virus and leaving them to their fate. It's a harrowing tale by Phil Ford and Russell T Davies, as the Time Lord's later decision to rewrite a fixed point in time by rescuing the doomed astronauts results in Adelaide Brooke opting to take her own life.
The End Of Time - 8.9
David Tennant's casting as the Time Lord has seen him become one of the most popular Doctors, with many fans left devastated by his decision to step down from the role in 2010's "The End Of Time." Fortunately, Russell T Davies' screenplay is a fitting send-off for the time-traveling hero, with the Tenth Doctor engaging in a final battle against Timothy Dalton's Rassilon.
This truly epic adventure closes this Doctor's story in spectacular fashion, as he both fights and teams up with John Simm's Master. "The End Of Time" gives some wonderfully dramatic scenes between David Tennant's Time Lord and Wilfred Mott, and is also responsible for one of Doctor Who's best regeneration choices, as the Tenth Doctor emotionally proclaims "I don't want to go."
The Day Of The Doctor - 9.3
Doctor Who's fiftieth anniversary provided Steven Moffat with a gigantic challenge, with the Scottish writer given the seemingly impossible task of honoring the show's entire history. Thankfully, Moffat truly rose to the occasion, with 2013's "The Day Of The Doctor," which brings together David Tennant and Matt Smith's Doctors with John Hurt's War Doctor, on a quest to save Gallifrey from the Time War.
This hugely satisfying narrative provides a perfect celebration of Doctor Who's past, with audiences shown their biggest glimpse yet at the Time War. David Tennant and Matt Smith's Doctor form a hilarious dynamic, with their banter giving some of the episode's funniest moments. The episode ends sensationally, with a sparkling cameo by Tom Baker, which acts as a lovely nod to the show's classic series.