Top 10 Black Mirror Episodes Ranked

Top 10 Black Mirror Episodes

Black Mirror is a critically acclaimed anthology series created by Charlie Brooker, known for its dark, thought-provoking narratives that explore the intersection of technology, society, and human nature. The show delves into the dystopian and often unsettling consequences of our growing dependence on technology, offering a unique commentary on modern life. Each episode tells a self-contained story, often set in an alternate reality or future where technology has evolved to a disturbing degree.

With its mix of psychological tension, social commentary, and mind-bending twists, Black Mirror has captivated audiences worldwide. From the chilling exploration of virtual reality and artificial intelligence to the haunting portrayal of surveillance and societal pressures, the series has delivered some truly unforgettable episodes. Below, we highlight the top 10 Black Mirror episodes that stand out for their gripping storytelling, intense emotional depth, and social relevance. These episodes not only push the boundaries of speculative fiction but also leave viewers questioning the impact of technology on our lives.

#10. Demon 79 (Season 6, Episode 5)

"Demon 79" is the fifth and final episode of the sixth season of the British anthology series Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker. Co-written by Brooker and Bisha K. Ali, and directed by Toby Haynes, the episode premiered on Netflix on 15 June 2023. It stars Anjana Vasan as Nida, a reserved sales assistant who unwittingly releases a demon named Gaap, portrayed by Paapa Essiedu. Gaap informs Nida that she must commit three murders to prevent an impending apocalypse—a mission only she is aware of, as he is invisible to others.

This episode was released under the "Red Mirror" label, marking a shift from Black Mirror's usual tech-driven stories to supernatural horror with a retro setting. “Demon 79” was the first episode written for season 6 and was part of Brooker’s broader intention to expand and rethink the boundaries of the series’ narrative style.

#9. Joan is Awful (Season 6, Episode 1)

Joan Is Awful" is the first episode of the sixth season of the anthology series Black Mirror, created and written by Charlie Brooker, and directed by Ally Pankiw. It premiered on Netflix on 15 June 2023, along with the rest of the season. The story centers on Joan, played by Annie Murphy, who discovers that her everyday life is being dramatized in real time on a TV series—also titled Joan Is Awful—with Salma Hayek portraying her.

The show is broadcast on a fictional streaming service called Streamberry, which is a clear parody of Netflix itself. Interestingly, Netflix, the real-world distributor of Black Mirror, approved this self-referential satire, with Brooker confirming that the company had no issues with its portrayal.

#8. Metalhead (Season 4, Episode 5)

Metalhead" is the fifth episode of the fourth season of Black Mirror. It was written by series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by David Slade. The episode premiered on Netflix on 29 December 2017, alongside the rest of the season.

Uniquely filmed entirely in black and white, Metalhead presents a minimalist, post-apocalyptic story focused on Bella, portrayed by Maxine Peake. After an apparent collapse of human civilization, Bella is shown trying to survive while being hunted by relentless robotic “dogs”—autonomous, weaponized machines with lethal precision.

#7. USS Callister (Season 4, Episode 1)

USS Callister" is the first episode of the fourth season of the anthology series Black Mirror. It was written by Charlie Brooker and William Bridges, and directed by Toby Haynes. The episode premiered on Netflix on 29 December 2017, alongside the full season.

The story centers on Robert Daly, played by Jesse Plemons, a brilliant but socially isolated programmer and co-founder of a hugely successful virtual reality-based online game. Despite his talents, Daly feels overlooked and disrespected by his coworkers at the company.

#6. Hated in the Nation (Season 3, Episode 6)

Hated in the Nation" is the sixth and final episode of Black Mirror’s third season. It was written by Charlie Brooker and directed by James Hawes, premiering on Netflix on 21 October 2016 along with the rest of the season. At 89 minutes, it is the second-longest episode in the entire series.

The episode blends science fiction with a police procedural, following detective Karin Parke (played by Kelly Macdonald) and her tech-savvy partner Blue Coulson as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to a Twitter hashtag: #DeathTo. The victims, all controversial public figures, die after being targeted by online mobs.

#5. San Junipero (Season 3, Episode 4)

San Junipero" is the fourth episode of Black Mirror’s third season. It was written by series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by Owen Harris. The episode premiered on Netflix on 21 October 2016 alongside the rest of the season.

Set in a vibrant 1980s-inspired beach town called San Junipero, the story follows two women: Yorkie (played by Mackenzie Davis), a shy, introverted newcomer, and Kelly (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a confident and carefree partygoer. As their connection deepens, the episode reveals a profound twist—San Junipero is not a real place, but a simulated reality where elderly people can visit and eventually choose to permanently upload their consciousness after death.

#4. Nosedive (Season 3, Episode 1)

Nosedive" kicks off the third season of Black Mirror. It premiered on Netflix on 21 October 2016. The teleplay was written by Michael Schur and Rashida Jones, based on a story by Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, and the episode was directed by Joe Wright.

Set in a pastel-toned, seemingly utopian future, the episode explores a society where people rate each other from 1 to 5 stars after every social interaction using their smartphones. These ratings have real consequences—affecting a person’s housing, career opportunities, travel access, and even medical treatment.

#3. White Christmas (Season 2, Episode 4)

White Christmas" is a feature-length special episode of the British science fiction anthology series Black Mirror, written by Charlie Brooker and directed by Carl Tibbetts. It first aired on Channel 4 on 16 December 2014 and was the final episode before the series moved to Netflix. The episode stars Jon Hamm as Matt and Rafe Spall as Joe, two men who find themselves in a remote cabin on Christmas Day, sharing stories that slowly reveal dark secrets and technological horrors.

The narrative is divided into three interconnected segments: the first involves Matt coaching a man in seduction using real-time surveillance technology, which ends in tragedy; the second explores Matt’s job training "cookies," digital clones of consciousness designed to serve their human counterparts; and the third focuses on Joe’s emotional unraveling after being digitally blocked by his ex-fiancée, leading to a devastating discovery.

#2. White Bear (Season 2, Episode 1)

White Bear" is the second episode of the second series of the British sci-fi anthology Black Mirror, written by series creator Charlie Brooker and directed by Carl Tibbetts. The story centers on Victoria (played by Lenora Crichlow), who wakes up in a house with no memory of who she is or how she got there.

As she ventures outside, she discovers that the majority of people are eerily silent, filming her on their phones, while a few masked individuals violently hunt her. Victoria eventually teams up with two apparent allies, who claim they are trying to stop the cause of the chaos—a mysterious signal being broadcast from the "White Bear" transmitter.

#1. The Entire History of You (Season 1, Episode 3)

The Entire History of You" is the third and final episode of the first series of Black Mirror, written by Jesse Armstrong and directed by Brian Welsh. It premiered on Channel 4 on 18 December 2011. Set in a near-future world where people have a "grain" implanted in their heads that records everything they see, hear, and experience, the episode explores the impact of this technology on personal relationships and privacy.

The story follows Liam (Toby Kebbell), a lawyer who becomes increasingly suspicious of his wife Ffion (Jodie Whittaker) after she interacts with a friend, Jonas (Tom Cullen), in a way that seems overly familiar. This triggers Liam's obsessive desire to revisit his memories, leading him to re-watch and scrutinize every interaction and detail of his life with Ffion.

As Liam delves deeper into his recollections, he uncovers unsettling truths about his wife’s past and their relationship, culminating in a devastating revelation. The episode raises thought-provoking questions about memory, trust, and the consequences of a society where every moment is recorded and can be revisited indefinitely.