For almost 60 years, the Daleks have been one of the most iconic creatures in all of science fiction. The alien menace are nearly as old as the Doctor, and have appeared in more stories than any other Doctor Who villain thanks to their distinct design and sinister machinations.
Though their appearances on Doctor Who have been sporadic over the years, they are an essential part of the program. Doctor Who wouldn't be what it is today without them, and considering that they have been part of some of the franchise's best episodes (at least according to the users of IMDb), it's likely that they will be making an appearance in the show's 60th-anniversary special.
Note: For classic Doctor Who stories which are serialized adventures, all the individual episode scores have been averaged together for the purpose of this list.
The Dalek Invasion of Earth (Season 2, Story 2) - 8
The Dalek's second ever on-screen appearance, "The Dalek Invasion of Earth" sees the titular pepper pots take control of Earth in the year 2150. When the First Doctor and his TARDIS team land on Earth during this time, they work with a local resistance group to topple the Dalek regime.
Though the episode is a bit drawn out in comparison to other Dalek adventures, it does a great job of building on the threat of Doctor Who's well-known monsters. The Daleks are no longer relegated to just their city on Skaro, they now can move about anywhere, and this new mobility, along with their harebrained scheme to blow out the Earth's core, help make them the threatening menace they're known as today.
Power of the Daleks (Season 4, Story 3) - 8.18
The Second Doctor's first ever adventure, he and his companions find themselves on a planet called Vulcan, where the Daleks slowly ingratiate themselves as servants for the human colony. Seeking to warn the populace of the danger they're in, The Doctor is pushed to the limit while still trying to convince Ben & Polly that he is the man they once knew.
Despite the Second Doctor being one of the most likable incarnations of the Doctor, he comes off as a more cold and calculating presence in his debut episode (which works given the Daleks own subtle attempt at conquest). In this way, the episode subtly forms a connection between the Doctor and his arch nemesis and pits them as intellectual equals, a choice that makes the story compelling despite its missing visuals.
The Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar (Series 9, Episodes 1 & 2) - 8.4
"The Magician's Apprentice" and "The Witch's Familiar" are the opening salvo to Peter Capaldi's second season as the Doctor, and feature the renegade Time Lord on the run from Davros. Eventually, the Doctor is caught by the Daleks and must confront the Dalek's creator while Missy and Clara try and survive the harsh climate of Skaro.
Featuring a prominent mix of old and new Dalek props, "The Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar" is a visual feast for Doctor Who fans. This is in spite of a lack of action for much of the story, a choice that works considering the story's focus on the Doctor's relationship with his greatest foes.
Remembrance of the Daleks (Season 25, Story 1) - 8.425
One of the best introductions to classic Doctor Who, "Remembrance of the Daleks" follows the Seventh Doctor and Ace as they insert themselves into the middle of a Dalek Civil War. As the two factions blow each other apart for the mysterious Hand of Omega, the Doctor works to obtain the device himself to eliminate his arch enemies once and for all.
Unlike much of classic Doctor Who, "Remembrance of the Daleks" is bereft of filler and, as such, an explosive episode that puts a great deal of focus on the threat of the Daleks. Though they're largely fighting each other in back alleyways, the menacing mutants still come close to exterminating the Doctor on several occasions and come close to obtaining the means of galactic domination.
Asylum of the Daleks (Series 7, Episode 1) - 8.5
A cinematic spectacle from the Eleventh Doctor's era, "Asylum of the Daleks" sees the TARDIS team contracted by the Dalek Parliament to destroy a moon full of Daleks. Amidst this situation, Amy and Rory work through their emotions following their (pointless) off-screen divorce.
Although the episode severely suffers from the Daleks lacking any personality, "Asylum" still offers up a visual treat for diehard fans. It sees the return of several Dalek props that hadn't been used since the classic series, and also has fun with the idea of Daleks that are unstable for a group of alien fascists. If only the focus weren't on Amy and Rory.
Dalek (Series 1, Episode 6) - 8.6
From acclaimed short story writer Robert Shearman, "Dalek" finds the Ninth Doctor and Rose trapped inside a billionaire's alien bunker after receiving a distress call. When the Dalek breaks free of its chains, it goes on a rampage in an effort to escape and continue the Time War.
"Dalek" is a phenomenal episode that puts a new spin on the Doctor-Dalek relationship. Previously, the Doctor had been morally opposed to the bloodthirsty creatures, but here he is frightened by them and outright disgusted with their behavior. This can be seen in Christopher Eccleston's performance, which sees him erupt in some of the most emotionally charged scenes of any Doctor Who story.
Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways (Series 1, Episodes 12 & 13) - 8.8
One of the best Doctor Who stories written by Russell T. Davies, "Bad Wolf/The Parting of the Ways" focuses on the TARDIS teams efforts to escape from platform one, only to learn its being controlled by the Dalek Emperor. From there, they work to defend the station and create a delta wave that will wipe out the Daleks before they can spread across the galaxy.
Although part one doesn't feature any Daleks until the final few minutes, the second part of this serial finds the Daleks at their most terrifying. Their sheer presence frightens the Ninth Doctor (who is still struggling with the trauma of the Great War), and they commit several unnecessary murders, just because it's in their nature to kill.
Army of Ghosts/Doomsday (Series 2, Episodes 12 & 13) 8.85
"Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" is the finale to David Tennant's first season as the Doctor, with the story following his incarnation investigating the Torchwood agency (who have control of a "void ship"). While under Torchwood's custody, a quartet of Daleks, known as the Cult of Skaro, emerges from the void and threatens to release a whole legion of Daleks that had been imprisoned during the Time War.
While "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" is largely remembered for its emotional finale where the Doctor and Rose say goodbye, the preceding runtime does a good job of using the Daleks to give the story stakes. The Cult of Skaro might not be as threatening or lethal as the Daleks in "Dalek" or "The Parting of the Ways," but they're calculating behavior still makes them an unpredictable threat that makes the episode's conclusion believable.
Genesis of the Daleks (Season 12, Story 4) - 8.96
Featuring one of the most overlooked Doctor Who companions, "Genesis of the Daleks" sees the TARDIS team drafted by the Time Lords to wipe out the Daleks before they're even created. The mission does not go as planned, however, as they get caught up in the middle of the war between the Thals and the Kaleds.
Although the Daleks are largely absent from "Genesis of the Daleks," their hatred is still in the form of their creator Davros and his military personnel. Such a bold choice works to highlight the sorrow of the Daleks as well as the horror of them, given that they once were people, something only a select few episodes of Doctor Who have chosen to explore.
The Stolen Earth/Journey's End (Series 4, Episodes 12 & 13) - 9.15
The grand finale to David Tennant's final season of Doctor Who, "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End" finds the Daleks pull off their greatest plan yet by removing multiple planets from the galaxy to power the reality bomb. With all hope lost, the Tenth Doctor must team up with all of his previous companions to stop the Daleks' plans of total destruction.
With "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End," the Daleks are made fearsome thanks to both the scope of their scheme and the way the returning companions react to the alien menace. They instill terror into the hearts of Jack, Martha, and Sara Jane, and though they're defeated by the Doctor and his companions, they're still responsible for one of the saddest companion departures in the show's history.