For over fifty years, Doctor Who has been a staple of British television, charming audiences across the globe and across time itself with its unique blend of science fiction, drama, and whimsy. At the heart of the show is the enigmatic Doctor, a time-traveling, regenerating alien who explores the universe in a ship called the TARDIS that looks like a blue British police box. Bearing such a vast history, some episodes have risen to iconic status, etching themselves indelibly into the fabric of pop culture. Here, we honor those moments with a list of the 60 best episodes of Doctor Who.

From “An Unearthly Child,” which started it all, to the gut-wrenching “Doomsday” where we bid farewell to beloved companion Rose Tyler; from the critically acclaimed “Blink,” which introduced us to the terrifying Weeping Angels, to “The Day of the Doctor,” which celebrated the series’ 50th anniversary in grand style by bringing together multiple Doctors. Each episode offers a narrative filled with adventure, poignancy, and often a touch of humor.

This list encompasses stories from both classic and modern eras of Doctor Who. There are tales that shook fans with epic showdowns like “The Caves of Androzani,” featuring Peter Davison’s heroic regeneration, as well as more recent outings such as “Heaven Sent,” showcasing Peter Capaldi’s Doctor in a tour-de-force performance within an almost one-man show.

These memorable episodes are not only significant for their storytelling but also for their contribution to the lore of Doctor Who. They introduced legendary villains like the Daleks and Cybermen; they brought us companions who have become as beloved as the Doctor themselves; they have shown moments of heartbreaking goodbyes and thrilling introductions to new incarnations of our titular character.

The debate will forever rage on about which are truly ‘the best’ among hundreds of episodes spanning decades. Yet one thing remains consistent: Doctor Who continues to inspire imagination and wonder in viewers both young and old — much like the timeless wanderer at its core. The 60 episodes listed here are merely highlights in a show that seems just as unlikely to run out of stories as its protagonist is to run out of regenerations.