The Ultimate Ranking of Black Mirror Episodes You Can't Miss!

Summary

"Playtest" stands out as an exceptional Black Mirror episode, using a new gaming technology to explore psychological horrors with a shocking ending.

"Hated in the Nation" explores how technology influences politics, combining a captivating sci-fi idea with a procedural drama premise.

"Be Right Back" delves into the possibility of communicating with the deceased through technology, introducing a disturbing element of skepticism towards artificial intelligence.

Ranked from worst to best, here are the top Black Mirror episodes showcasing the brilliance of this Netflix anthology series. Since its premiere in 2011, Black Mirror has become the contemporary equivalent to the iconic and darkly visionary show The Twilight Zone. With a strong focus on science fiction and dystopian futures shaped by advanced technology's detrimental effects, Black Mirror captivates audiences with its thought-provoking narratives.

Consistently exploring the potential dangers of technology and its impact on society, Black Mirror portrays a range of hypothetical worlds that challenge our understanding of a natural lifestyle. While each episode introduces a fresh concept, the series also maintains subtle connections through themes and hidden references, creating a distinct atmosphere and perspective. The finest Black Mirror episodes skillfully employ creative technological concepts to shed light on the darker aspects of humanity and the consequences of prioritizing innovation over our well-being.

10 Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 2 “Playtest”

9 Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 6 “Hated in the Nation”

Black Mirror season 3, episode 2 "Playtest" delves into a deceptively straightforward scenario, where an adventurous American traveler, Cooper (portrayed by Wyatt Russell), willingly participates in a new gaming system for some additional financial gain. Filled with an infectious enthusiasm and thirst for excitement, Cooper embarks on a discovery of a groundbreaking immersive virtual reality technology that blurs the boundaries between the real world and its digital counterpart. However, what sets "Playtest" apart is its ability to captivate viewers with unexpected and chilling psychological terrors that intensify at an unrelenting pace, ultimately leading to a shocking finale.

With a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes, "Hated in the Nation" is one of the lengthiest episodes of Black Mirror, almost resembling a feature-length film. Despite being the season finale of Black Mirror season 3, which is widely regarded as its strongest overall season, "Hated in the Nation" possesses enough quality to stand on its own as a standalone installment. This highly acclaimed episode takes the familiar premise of a procedural drama and enhances it by introducing a captivating cautionary sci-fi concept that explores the influence of technology on the political landscape.

8 Black Mirror Season 2, Episode 1 “Be Right Back”

7 Black Mirror Season 1, Episode 2 “Fifteen Million Merits”

"Be Right Back" is an emotionally evocative and intriguing episode of Black Mirror, delving into the themes of grief and identity through a captivating premise. The story revolves around Martha (played by Hayley Atwell), a grieving widow who stumbles upon a technology that allows her to interact with a lifelike clone of her deceased husband Ash (portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson). This thought-provoking episode raises questions about the ethical implications of such advancements in technology, while also introducing an unsettling distrust of artificial intelligence.

"Fifteen Million Merits," one of the earliest episodes of Black Mirror, is often regarded as one of its finest. Starring Daniel Kaluuya as Bing, the episode takes place in a mysterious dystopian world where individuals must engage in physical activity to earn a digital currency. This currency can then be used to acquire necessities, entertainments, or even the opportunity to participate in a talent show akin to America's Got Talent, with the hope of escaping the monotonous ordinary existence. Serving as a poignant metaphor for the repetitive nature of daily life and shedding light on the dark undercurrents of certain talent shows, "Fifteen Million Merits" stands as a captivating exploration of these themes.

6 Black Mirror Season 2, Episode 4 “White Christmas”

"White Christmas" is a captivating episode of Black Mirror, starring the talented John Hamm. Its storyline is often considered one of the best in the series. This episode skillfully unveils a remarkable twist, which will not be spoiled here. Among fans, "White Christmas" stands out due to its exceptionally dark nature, even within the realm of Black Mirror. Hamm's outstanding performance seamlessly blends into the episode, making it a fan favorite.

5 Black Mirror Season 4, Episode 4 “Hang the DJ”

"Hang the DJ" presents a charming storyline about two individuals who connect through an online platform and arrange a face-to-face encounter. The distinctive twist in this episode of Black Mirror is that their relationship is predetermined to have a limited duration, set by the advanced dating program they both joined. Eventually, they come to realize the program's flawed reasoning and endeavor to challenge it, making it arguably the standout episode of Black Mirror season 4.

4 Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 4 “San Junipero”

3 Black Mirror Season 1, Episode 3 “The Entire History of You”

"San Junipero" stands out among the various episodes of Black Mirror as it explores LGBTQ+ themes and showcases magnificent landscapes. The genuine and captivating relationship between the two protagonists initially perplexes viewers, leaving them to question its place in the Black Mirror universe. However, as the episode progresses, the astonishing technological twist unravels, revealing the truth behind the San Junipero setting. With its potential for multiple viewings, this episode offers a refreshing and lighter experience compared to others in the series.

In "The Entire History of You," the third episode of Black Mirror season 1, a significant technology known as the Z-eye is introduced. This neural implant, later referenced as the Z-eye in "White Christmas," allows users to store and rewatch their memories as video recordings. By capturing every action, word, and sound, this remarkable device grants incredible capabilities. However, Black Mirror raises a thought-provoking question about innovation: just because we can do something, does it mean we should? The show swiftly explores and challenges this notion.

2 Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 1 “Nosedive”

"Nosedive" serves as the captivating opener for the third season of Black Mirror, immersing viewers in a utopian society where social rating systems dominate and dictate every facet of life. Within this privileged enclave, individuals must attain a specific social credit in order to be considered for residency, a status heavily influenced by their daily social interactions. The ever-fluctuating social score in this world has the ability to push even the most refined individuals to the brink of their sanity, a testament to the brilliance of "Nosedive," undeniably one of the greatest episodes in the history of Black Mirror.

1 Black Mirror Season 4, Episode 1 “USS Callister”

The season opener of Black Mirror's fourth season, titled "USS Callister", stands out as the pinnacle of the series. Building upon the compelling narrative of its third season, the episode ventures into new territories, showcasing the expansive vision of the show. "USS Callister" centers around a brilliant but neglected video game designer who yearns for the recognition and authority he believes he deserves in a virtual realm. In a stroke of genius, the designer (Jesse Plemons) creates his own private universe within the popular space exploration game he developed, resulting in a captivating twist that cements "USS Callister" as the epitome of Black Mirror excellence.