All 23 Black Mirror episodes ranked from best to worst
With the long-awaited sixth season of Black Mirror just around the corner, we've revisited every single episode from the first five series to create a definitive ranking from UNILAD staff.
We've scored each and every episode to provide an average percentage for the entire back catalogue (and included a brief synopsis from Netflix for each, just to jog that memory) - although some of the placements may prove slightly controversial...
Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too - 49.2857%
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A lonely teen becomes obsessed with a robot doll based on her pop star idol, Ashley O – just as the real Ashley’s life begins to unravel.
Even the star power of Miley Cyrus can't win us over with this one, which never quite delves deep enough to make it as memorable as other episodes.
Bandersnatch - 55%
In 1984, a young programmer begins to question reality as he adopts a dark fantasy novel into a video game. A mind-bending tale with multiple endings.
While this feature-length special pioneered by putting the power into Netflix viewers’ hands, maybe its hi-tech, interactive approach brought Black Mirror a little too close to home for us to actively enjoy...
Men Against Fire - 55.5%
After his first battle with an elusive enemy, a soldier begins experiencing unfamiliar sensations and strange technical glitches.
Let’s face it, who even remembers this one?
The Waldo Moment - 55.8571%
A failed comedian who voices a popular cartoon bear named Waldo, finds himself mixing in politics when TV executives want Waldo to run for office.
Sadly, this one will never quite hold up to Black Mirror’s stronger political sagas, including The National Anthem.
Metalhead - 58.3333%
At an abandoned warehouse, scavengers searching for supplies encounter a ruthless for and flee for their lives through a bleak wasteland.
Peak dystopic vibes filmed in eerie black and white, which – while stunning – divided critics and audiences upon release.
Striking Vipers - 61.1429%
When old college friends Danny and Karl reconnect in a VR version of their favourite video game, the late-night sessions yield an unexpected discovery.
An uncomfortable tale of an affair via VR, which looks visually stunning, but doesn’t offer much by way of new ground for Black Mirror.
Crocodile - 62.4286%
Architect Mia scrambles to keep a dark secret under wraps, while insurance investigator Shazia harvests people’s memories of a nearby accident scene.
Andrea Riseborough and Kiran Sonia Sawar give memorable performances in this gorgeously bleak episode, which was filmed in Iceland and has nods to Nordic crime fiction.
Hated in the Nation - 63.1667%
The death of a journalist at the center of a social media firestorm leads a veteran detective and her tech-savvy apprentice to a chilling discovery.
Also inspired by Nordic noir – and the hate mail Charlie Brooker received while working at The Guardian newspaper – arguably the main downside with this episode is its inexplicably long runtime (89 minutes!!).
Fifteen Million Merits - 65.1429%
After failing to impress the judges on a singing competition show, a woman must either perform degrading acts or return to a slave-like existence.
This one often gets forgotten, but only because it’s a series one OG that perhaps gets overshadowed by the other two episodes from the season.
Arkangel - 65.8333%
Worried about her daughter’s safety, single mom Marie signs up for a cutting-edge device that monitors the girl’s whereabouts – and much more.
While many modern day parents will invite as much technology into their lives to make things simpler, this episode is a much-needed reminder that we can take things too far...
Smithereens - 72.2857%
A London rideshare driver ignites an international crisis when he kidnaps a worker from a social media company.
Andrew Scott in Black Mirror was a pairing we were all waiting for without even realising - and it absolutely paid off, as proven by his Primetime Emmy Award for his efforts.
The Entire History of You - 73.5714%
In the near future, everyone has access to a memory implant that records everything humans do, see and hear.
Before Netflix started throwing heaps of cash at Black Mirror, this Channel 4 era season one episode tells a grounded story with big ideas.
Be Right Back - 74.6667%
After learning about a new service that lets people stay in touch with the deceased, a lonely, grieving Martha reconnects with her late lover.
A disturbing tale of grief and loss that is particularly effective by being so rooted in humanity - a reminder of the real issues behind the franchise's more far-fetched storylines.
San Junipero - 75.2857%
In a seaside town in 1987, a shy young woman and an outgoing party girl strike up a powerful bond that seems to defy the laws of space and time.
Probably the closest to a happy ending Brooker will allow, which feels like as good a reason as any to place it in the top 10.
The National Anthem - 75.7143%
Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.
Political thrillers arguably don’t get better than this, not least because Brooker had the sheer balls to include A PRIME MINISTER HAVING SEX WITH A PIG.
White Bear - 76.2857%
Victoria wakes up and cannot remember anything about her life. Everyone she encounters refuses to communicate with her.
A gut-punch ending makes this often-overlooked season two episode a perfect comment on our obsession with true crime and reality TV.
Nosedive - 76.4286%
A woman desperate to boost her social media score hits the jackpot when she’s invited to a swanky wedding. But the trip doesn’t go as planned.
A Barbie-pink reminder that social media has well and truly invaded our lives, serving as a beautiful but chilling lesson in the importance of putting that damn phone down.
Playtest - 76.5%
An American traveler short on cash signs up to test a revolutionary new gaming system, only to discover the thrills are a little too real.
No one can come out of this episode without feeling seriously on edge, making it solid Black Mirror fodder.
Black Museum - 83%
On a dusty stretch of highway, a traveler stumbles across a museum that boasts rare criminal artifacts – and a disturbing main attraction.
This violent, chilling and racially-charged instalment is a bit of an anthology within an anthology, which is a very meta move from Black Mirror – and even comes with a happy ending. Well, as happy as it gets around here.
Hang the DJ - 84.1429%
Paired up by a dating program that puts an expiration date on all relationships, Frank and Amy soon begin to question the system’s logic.
As romantic as it is frustrating, this episode perfectly illustrates the polarising effects of inviting technology into our dating lives, showing how our relentless push to make life easier often ends up backfiring.
Shut Up and Dance - 87.2857%
After a virus infects his laptop, a teen faces a daunting choice: carry out orders delivered by text message, or risk having intimate secrets exposed.
This episode boasts quite possibly the best - and most harrowing - twist you’ll ever see on screen, meaning while you may not ever feel brave enough for a rewatch, it’s certainly up there with the best.
USS Callister - 91.6333%
Capt. Robert Daly presides over his crew with wisdom and courage. But a new recruit will soon discover nothing on this spaceship is what is seems.
This is one of the few more recent episodes to make it into the top spots, featuring star turns from Jesse Plemons, Cristin Milioti, and Michaela Coel. Memorable, funny, and f**ked up, making it a very noble runner-up.
White Christmas - 91.65%
Three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.
Our all-time favourite, this Christmas special is the instalment that’s lingered with us long after the credits rolled, with incredible performances from Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall, and an unrivalled twist.
Black Mirror season six premieres on Netflix on Thursday 15 June.
Topics: Film and TV, Black Mirror
Jess Hardiman