Exhibition - Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction Brings the TARDIS to San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum

By Mulder, San Diego, Comic Con Museum, 22 july 2025

The TARDIS has landed in San Diego, and it’s not just any ordinary stop on its interdimensional journey. For the first time ever in the United States, the celebrated exhibition Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction has arrived at the Comic-Con Museum, offering fans and newcomers alike an unprecedented chance to dive deep into the science, history, and legacy of one of the longest-running and most beloved sci-fi series in television history. Presented by BBC Studios in collaboration with immersive experience specialists Sarner International, the exhibition officially opened on March 15, 2025, and is scheduled to run until March 14, 2026. It transforms the museum’s space into an interactive voyage through time and space—one that’s intellectually stimulating, visually spectacular, and deeply personal for generations of fans.

Since its 1963 debut, Doctor Who has followed the escapades of a mysterious alien known only as the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels the universe in the TARDIS—a blue police box that’s become one of the most iconic images in popular culture. The show’s innovative ability to regenerate its central character across different actors has allowed it to remain fresh and relevant through the decades. And that evolution is masterfully honored in this exhibition through the detailed display of all 17 officially recognized incarnations of the Doctor. For the first time, visitors can see the complete collection of Doctor costumes lined up in chronological order, offering a timeline of character progression and television history that spans more than six decades.

The heart of Worlds of Wonder lies in its eight themed zones, each delving into a core concept that defines the Doctor Who universe. These range from time travel theory and alien worlds to artificial intelligence and genetic engineering. Unlike typical museum displays that place props and costumes behind glass, this exhibition invites participation and exploration. One highlight is the TARDIS Tech Room, where visitors can engage with the Doctor’s famed gadgets and inventions in a futuristic setting. Another standout is the Monster Vault, a darkly atmospheric space featuring full-size models and costumes of the show’s most terrifying foes—including the Cybermen, the Silurians, the Ood, and of course, the sinister Weeping Angels, whose uncanny presence has haunted fans since their first appearance in 2007’s “Blink.” Every detail in this area, from lighting to sound design, has been constructed to recreate the tension and awe that these creatures evoke on screen.

While the exhibit leans heavily into spectacle, it doesn’t skimp on substance. Throughout the space, guests will encounter real scientific principles illustrated through the lens of the series. The science behind sonic technology, teleportation theory, and even the ethics of cloning and AI are laid out in ways that are accessible to children yet insightful enough for academics. As Stephen Davies, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing for BBC Studios, aptly put it: “We look forward to fans discovering the science that underpinned the creation of some of their favorite TV moments, and we’re delighted to share the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition with Whovians in the U.S., in the iconic venue that is the Comic-Con Museum.”

The Comic-Con Museum, located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, has steadily become a destination for culturally significant pop-culture exhibitions, and the arrival of Doctor Who cements its growing reputation. With general admission priced at $30 for adults, $20 for teens, seniors, and military, and only $12 for children aged 6 to 12, the exhibit remains an accessible outing for families, fan groups, and school trips. Tickets include access to all museum exhibits, making the experience even more enriching for visitors wanting to make a day of it. Given its year-long run, Worlds of Wonder is expected to draw visitors from across the country, especially those who have never had the chance to visit previous international stops of the exhibit in Liverpool, Edinburgh, or London.

Fan reactions since the March opening have been overwhelmingly positive. Social media is awash with photos of fans posing beside full-size Daleks, children operating control panels in the Tech Room, and longtime Whovians emotionally revisiting their favorite Doctor’s era through costume displays. One particularly touching story shared online involved a grandmother and grandson visiting the exhibition together—she a lifelong fan since the era of William Hartnell, he a modern convert thanks to Jodie Whittaker—both of them equally wide-eyed as they stepped into the TARDIS replica. These shared cross-generational experiences speak to the enduring magic of Doctor Who, a show that has never stopped evolving but always maintained its core themes of hope, curiosity, and compassion.

Beyond fandom, Worlds of Wonder also offers a window into the evolving landscape of television production. Visitors can explore how practical effects, animatronics, and costume design have changed over the years. The exhibit also gives credit to the many writers, showrunners, and producers who’ve helped the show thrive—from Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat, to recent and upcoming creatives reshaping the narrative for modern audiences. For aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, this behind-the-scenes access is both informative and inspiring, providing a rare glimpse into the creative process behind a global phenomenon.

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder is not just a celebration of a television series—it is a dynamic, educational, and deeply emotional journey through one of the most culturally significant properties in sci-fi history. Whether you're a casual observer curious about time travel or a seasoned fan who can recite entire episodes from memory, this exhibition is a must-see. With its unique combination of storytelling, science, spectacle, and soul, it serves as both a tribute and an invitation—to rewatch, to rediscover, and, perhaps most importantly, to imagine. Because as the Doctor would say, “The universe is big. It’s vast and complicated and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles.” In this case, one of those miracles is happening in San Diego.

Photos : Boris Colletier / Mulderville