Sci-fi · 2020s
Doctor Who
Joy to the World
A hotel across time, a deadly plan and a very festive rescue.
- Family-safe
- Good for kids
Content note: Sci-fi peril and a few scary moments
BBC One
2024
First shown 25 Dec 2024
- First shown
- 25 December 2024
- Channel
- BBC One
- Runtime
- 54 mins
- Genre
- Sci-fi
Where to watch
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Joy checks into a London hotel for a lonely Christmas, only to find a door that leads somewhere far more interesting: a hotel spread right across time. Before long she's dodging danger and dinosaurs with the Doctor, while a mysterious briefcase counts down to something very nasty indeed. Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan make a delightful pair, and the whole thing has a bright, big-hearted festive spirit. It's smart, fast and funny, with room for a few gasps, a good laugh and a sneaky tear. Pop it on after the pudding and let the whole family pile onto the sofa.
Stay on the sofa

Checked 9 Nov 2026