When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
BBC/Bad Wolf/Nwaka Okparaeke
Whovians, rejoice! Another year, another Doctor Who Christmas Special. We've put together everything you need to know about where to watch the Doctor Who Christmas Special around the world, including a free streaming option.
The Doctor Who holiday special has become a time-honored tradition and highly-anticipated part of the Christmas holiday, where fans can tune in to see the latest shenanigans that the beloved Time Lord has gotten up to. Last year's Doctor Who Christmas Special introduced audiences to the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), who got his own debut first season this spring. This year's holiday episode, titled "Doctor Who: Joy to the World," follows the Doctor's adventures alongside Joy, played by Nicola Coughlan (of Derry Girls and Bridgerton fame), who meets the Doctor after checking into a special hotel where guests can traverse through different notable moments in history.
If you missed out on watching the new special on Christmas Day, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to tune into the episode. If you're looking to stream past Doctor Who episodes, check out our guide on where to watch all episodes of Doctor Who.
The Doctor Who Christmas Special is now streaming on Disney Plus in the US and many other countries. Prices vary from region to region, but US subscriptions start at $10/month. US subscribers can upgrade to ad-free for $16/month or try out one of the many Disney Plus bundles, including Hulu, ESPN Plus, and/or Max combo plans. While Disney Plus hosts Gatwa's season and the recent holiday episodes, Max is the US streaming home of Doctors 9-14.
The Doctor Who Christmas Special aired on the BBC in the UK and is available to stream through BBC iPlayer. This is a free streaming option that just requires account creation to use. BBC iPlayer also hosts nearly every other episode of Doctor Who, including memorable storylines from every generation of the Doctor.
If you happen to be away from the UK, you can still keep up with your usual free watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that enable people to alter their virtual location. This way, they can use all of their go-to websites and apps from anywhere. They're extra popular among those looking to upgrade their online security or use their usual accounts while traveling abroad.
ExpressVPN is our top VPN recommendation since it's user-friendly (even for beginners) and comes with a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee if it's not what you're looking for. You can read more about it in our ExpressVPN review, and see below to learn how to use a VPN.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
