Unlocking the TARDIS: The Definitive Guide to Classic Doctor Who Blu-ray Collections

History of the Blu-ray Releases

The journey began with the release of Season 12 on July 2, 2018, featuring Tom Baker's debut as the Fourth Doctor. This established a standard for subsequent releases, each carefully remastered and accompanied by extensive bonus materials. The initiative has since included various eras of the show, showcasing the diverse portrayals of the Doctor and the evolution of the series over time.

Seasons Released to Date

As of March 2025, the following classic Doctor Who seasons are available on Blu-ray:

• Season 2: (2) First Doctor (William Hartnell) – Released on 5 December 2022​

• Season 7: (1) Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) – Released on 3 March 2025​

• Season 8: (2) Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) – Released on 8 March 2021​

• Season 9: (3) Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) – Released on 20 March 2023​

• Season 10: (4) Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) – Released on 8 July 2019​

• Season 12: (1) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) – Released on 2 July 2018​

• Season 14: (3) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) – Released on 4 May 2020​

• Season 15: (4) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) – Scheduled for release on 18 March 2024​

• Season 17: (5) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) – Released on 20 December 2021​

• Season 18: (6) Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) – Released on 18 March 2019​

• Season 19: (1) Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) – Released on 10 December 2018​

• Season 20: (2) Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) – Released on 18 September 2023​

• Season 22: (1) Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) – Released on 20 June 2022​

• Season 23: (2) Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) – Released on 7 October 2019​

• Season 24: (1) Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) – Released on 21 June 2021​

• Season 25: (2) Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) – Scheduled for release on 21 October 2024​

• Season 26: (3) Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) – Released on 27 January 2020​

These releases have been praised for their high-quality restorations and the inclusion of extensive special features, offering deeper insights into the production and cultural impact of the series. The Blu-ray discs are uncompressed and represent the best that classic Dr. Who has ever looked.

Upcoming Releases

The BBC has announced that the "The Collection" series will continue, with seasons scheduled for recent release:

• Season 15: Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker)

• Season 25: Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy)

These forthcoming releases are highly anticipated, as they promise to enrich further the available high-definition catalog of classic Doctor Who episodes.​

Critical Reception

The Blu-ray collections are praised for their meticulous restoration efforts and abundant supplementary content. Each set typically features behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews with the cast and crew, and other archival materials that provide fans with an immersive experience. For instance, the Season 9 box set has been referred to as "a box set packed full of material," highlighting the depth and quality of the content available (Gullidge, 2022). Similarly, the Season 2 collection has been lauded for its visual quality, with reviewers observing that "black and white Doctor Who is really good in HD" (Gullidge, 2022).​

Conclusion

"The Collection" Blu-ray releases embody a significant effort to preserve and celebrate Doctor Who's rich legacy. By making these classic seasons accessible in high definition, the BBC has ensured that the Doctor's adventures continue to inspire and entertain audiences for generations to come.

Find the Classic Doctor Who seasons on Blu-ray at Amazon.

References

Gullidge, B. (2022, December 12). REVIEW: Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 2. Blogtor Who. Retrieved from https://www.blogtorwho.com/review-doctor-who-the-collection-season-2/

Gullidge, B. (2022, March 20). REVIEW: Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 9. Blogtor Who. Retrieved from https://www.blogtorwho.com/review-doctor-who-the-collection-season-9/

Wikipedia contributors. (2025). List of Doctor Who home video releases. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Doctor_Who_home_video_releases​en.wikipedia.org

Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Doctor Who. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who​