Revealed: The highest rated Christmas TV episodes
- The 2017 Peaky Blinder episode, ‘The Noose’ is the highest rated Christmas themed episode.
- Classics from The Office, Vicar of Dibley and Call the Midwife also appear.
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 rated 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.
The 20 highest rated Christmas episodes
|
TV Show |
Episode |
IMDB-rating |
|
Peaky Blinders |
The Noose (2017) |
9.5 |
|
Sherlock |
Scandal in Belgravia (2012) |
9.5 |
|
The Office UK |
Christmas Special: Part 2 (2003) |
9.5 |
|
Escape to the Chateau |
Christmas at the Chateau (2016) |
9.4 |
|
Cucumber |
Episode 1.6 (2015) |
9.3 |
|
Sherlock |
His Last Vow (2014) |
9.3 |
|
The Morecambe & Wise Show |
1971 Christmas Show (1971) |
9.3 |
|
Ambulance |
Episode 3.6 (2018 |
9.2 |
|
In Search of Perfection |
Heston Blumanthal’s Perfect Christmas (2007) |
9.2 |
|
Black Mirror |
White Christmas (2014) |
9.1 |
|
Downton Abbey |
Christmas at Downton Abbey (2011) |
9.1 |
|
The Yorkshire Vet |
The Yorkshire Vet at Christmas (2016) |
9.0 |
|
Downton Abbey |
A Moorland Holiday (2014) |
9.0 |
|
The Vicar of Dibley |
Christmas Lunch Incident (1996) |
9.0 |
|
Mr Bean |
Merry Christmas, Mr Bean (1992) |
9.0 |
|
Poldark |
Episode 1.4 (2015) |
8.9 |
|
Father Ted |
A Christmassy Ted (1996) |
8.9 |
|
Drop the dead Donkey |
Xmas Party (1991) |
8.9 |
|
Call the Midwife |
Christmas Special (2017) |
8.9 |
|
Victorian Farm |
Victorian Farm Christmas (2009) |
8.7 |
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. Also missing is Gavin and Stacey, who’s 2008 Christmas special, where the Barry folk come to Billericay for Christmas, ranks 30th, with an 8.6 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 to watch over the festive period, that they may have missed previously.”
For more information about Gala Spins, visit: https://www.galaspins.com/