New research has revealed the best Christmas TV specials, with some surprising results and some notable absences.
According to analysis of IMDB ratings, conducted by Gala Spins, Peaky Blinders boasts the highest-ranked Christmas episode, with the 2017 episode ‘The Noose’ receiving a 9.5 rating.
The gripping episode takes place at Christmas, where main character, Tommy Shelby, receives a letter that makes him realise that every member of his family is in danger, and they must put aside their differences to face the enemy together.
Also featuring at the top of the ratings is Sherlock, which has two episodes in the top 10, including the 2012 episode, ‘Scandal in Belgravia’, where Sherlock meets the mysterious Irene Adler, which ranked second with a 9.5 rating, and the 2014 episode, ‘His Last Vow’, where Sherlock confronts villain, Charles Magnussen, which ranked sixth with a 9.3 rating.
The Office UK claims the highest-ranked Christmas special, with Ricky Gervais’ classic 2003 episode, ‘The Christmas Party: Part 2′, where Tim gets his hopes up that he can rekindle his relationship with Dawn, ranking third with a 9.5 rating.
“This proves we should always go off ratings at the time rather than rankings by internet button pushers?” – TV Critic Queenie Troute
The 20 highest rated Christmas episodes
|
TV Show
|
Episode
|
IMDB-rating
|
Where to watch
|
|
Peaky Blinders
|
The Noose (2017)
|
9.5
|
BBC iPlayer
|
|
Sherlock
|
Scandal in Belgravia (2012)
|
9.5
|
BBC iPlayer
|
|
The Office UK
|
Christmas Special: Part 2 (2003)
|
9.5
|
BBC iPlayer
|
|
Escape to the Chateau
|
Christmas at the Chateau (2016)
|
9.4
|
All 4
|
|
Cucumber
|
Episode 1.6 (2015)
|
9.3
|
All 4
|
|
Sherlock
|
His Last Vow (2014)
|
9.3
|
|
|
The Morecambe & Wise Show
|
1971 Christmas Show (1971)
|
9.3
|
BBC2
Christmas Day 2021 7pm
|
|
Ambulance
|
Episode 3.6 (2018
|
9.2
|
Not available online
|
|
In Search of Perfection
|
Heston Blumenthal’s Perfect Christmas (2007)
|
9.2
|
Not available online
|
|
Black Mirror
|
White Christmas (2014)
|
9.1
|
Amazon Prime
|
|
Downton Abbey
|
Christmas at Downton Abbey (2011)
|
9.1
|
Not available online
|
|
The Yorkshire Vet
|
The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas (2016)
|
9.0
|
My5
|
|
Downton Abbey
|
A Moorland Holiday (2014)
|
9.0
|
Amazon Prime
|
|
The Vicar of Dibley
|
Christmas Lunch Incident (1996)
|
9.0
|
BBC iPlayer
|
|
Mr Bean
|
Merry Christmas, Mr Bean (1992)
|
9.0
|
Apple TV
|
|
Poldark
|
Episode 1.4 (2015)
|
8.9
|
Amazon Prime
|
|
Father Ted
|
A Christmassy Ted (1996)
|
8.9
|
All 4
|
|
Drop the Dead Donkey
|
Xmas Party (1991)
|
8.9
|
All 4
|
|
Call the Midwife
|
Christmas Special (2017)
|
8.9
|
BBC iPlayer
|
|
Victorian Farm
|
Victorian Farm Christmas (2009)
|
8.7
|
Amazon Prime
|
Despite some classics featuring highly in the rankings, some notable exceptions ranked lower than expected, including the Only Fools and Horses classic, ‘Mother Nature’s Son’, which features Delboy’s famous Peckham Spring Water, which ranked 23rd with a 8.7 rating.
Karina Adrian, head of brand marketing and partnerships at Gala Spins, said:
“There’s nothing better at Christmas than settling down with the family to watch some great TV, whether it’s a one off special, a repeat of a classic, or just the latest episode of your favourite series. We hope that this list gives Brits some inspiration for the best Christmas TV that they may have missed previously.”
