8 of the best episodes of ‘Black Mirror’ as ranked by us

If you’ve been a Black Mirror fan since the beginning – and I mean before it was Americanised and pulling guest stars like John Hamm and Miley Cyrus – then you’re probably as passionate about your favourite episodes as we are. The episodic show has had some all-time BANGERS over the years, and whether you’re judging them based off of their entertainment value, or purely off of how frequently they continue to haunt you, we’ve decided that, in honour of the season 7 trailer dropping online, that it was about time to give you the RUSSH edit of the best episodes of Black Mirror.

*Let it be known that these are in no particular order. Some of them are simply too good to pit against each other.

1. Men Against Fire (Season 3, Episode 5)

OK, I know I said these weren’t in any particular order, but season three’s Men Against Fire is actually my *personal* favourite episode. Set in a war in an unspecified location, we follow a soldier named Stripe tasked with eliminating vampiric mutants called ‘roaches’ – but who soon learns things are not what they seem. It’s incredible commentary on brainwashing, technology and the rhetoric of war. A sentiment that feels increasingly relevant today.

2. White Bear (Season 2, Episode 2)

White Bear is a favourite for pure horror reasons. It follows a woman who wakes up with no memory, surrounded by people who won’t help her – only record her every move as she’s hunted by masked strangers. With each step, the world around her feels more nightmarish, and the rules seem impossible to understand. This episode is a relentless, nerve-shredding ride that pulls you into its chaos. Your ideas about what consitutes justice, crime and punishment suddenly feel much more malleable by the end.

3. USS Callister (Season 4, Episode 1)

One of Black Mirror‘s best casts was for USS Callister, which starred the likes of Jesse Plemons, Michaela Coel and Cristin Milioti. When a genius programmer escapes his dull reality by retreating into a retro-futuristic space adventure of his own making, where he’s the all-powerful captain, the cracks in his perfect world start to show. It’s one of the only episodes in the series that leans fully into the genre of nostalgic sci-fi, and a fan-favourite for a reason.

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

Season 1 of Black Mirror really did have some bangers (though we’ll refrain from mentioning S1, E1 here… ). Episode 3, however, imagined if every moment of your life could be played back in perfect detail – sounds useful, right? But for one man, the ability to rewind and analyse his past starts to unravel his present in ways he never saw coming. The anxious over-thinkers amongst us will know just how deep this one hit.

5. Hang the DJ (Season 4, Episode 4)

Who doesn’t complain about the trenches of online dating these days? Well, Black Mirror isn’t exempt from that list. In Hang the DJ, an advanced system pairs people up, assigning each relationship an expiration date until they find their perfect match. But when two people feel something deeper, they start to wonder if the algorithm really knows best. It’s modern take on romance is full of charm, chemistry, and just enough existential dread to keep you on your toes.

6. San Junipero (Season 3, Episode 4)

I’ve read plenty of lists that include San Junipero as the best Black Mirror ep of all time – and honestly, it’s hard to fault. Set in a dreamy, neon-drenched 1980s beach town, two women meet and form an undeniable connection – but there’s more to this place than meets the eye. With its stunning visuals and deeply emotional core, San Junipero flips the usual Black Mirror formula, offering a story that’s both hopeful and haunting. The episode certainly lingered with me, not just because of its romance but because of the big question it asks: if you could choose your forever, would you?

7. Beyond the Sea (Season 6, Episode 3)

Season 6 of Black Mirror didn’t get as much credit as it deserved – and Beyond the Sea in particular felt like an instant classic (especially with a post-Breaking Bad Aaron Paul leading the cast). In an alternate 1969, two astronauts on a deep-space mission have a way to stay connected to life on Earth – until one of their machines suddenly breaks and only one can continue to visit home. What unfolds is a slow-burning, deeply psychological story about grief, identity, and the lengths people will go to feel whole again. The tension was crazy. The ending was harrowing. Classic.

8. Shut Up and Dance (Season 3, Episode 3)

Another classic that fans love to debate the merits of is Shut Up and Dance. I think partly because the ending was lost in translation for some, but partly because the real truth of the episode was obscured. When a teenager gets caught in a hacker’s web, he’s forced to follow a series of increasingly extreme instructions. What starts as a tense cyber-blackmail story quickly spirals into something far more disturbing. With no futuristic tech in sight, this one feels a little too real, making it one of the most nerve-wracking episodes in the series. Plus, I’ll always have a soft spot for Alex Lawther from End of the F*king World.