Every Season of ‘Black Mirror’ — Ranked!

Black Mirror is undoubtedly one of Netflix’s most memorable shows and, to many fans, the most popular anthology series to date.

Each story is dystopian, focusing on the interconnectivity between humanity and technology. However, with each episode containing its own world, characters, and tones, a season can easily fall between amazing and underwhelming.

Now that Black Mirror Season 7 has officially been released, viewers are already comparing its highs and lows to previous seasons. So we’re excited to look back on every season and see how each one fares against the others.

Here is where all seven seasons of Black Mirror fall in our rankings:

7. Season 5 (2019)

While most seasons are packed with amazing storytelling, Season 5 is the black sheep among them. With only three episodes and a special, viewers had to make the most of what Brooker and company had laid out.

Even though each episode has an all-star cast, it doesn’t feel like it is enough to stand out.

The concepts presented are still intriguing, with Black Mirror Season 5 Episode 1 “Striking Vipers” taking a unique turn with what love can become through virtual reality. Anthony Mackie and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II deliver heavy-handed performances, but it is more subtle in exposing the more emotional side of the story.

The weakest episode of Season 5 has to be Black Mirror Season 5 Episode 3 “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too”. Despite Miley Cyrus’ amazing performance, the writing about a pop star’s troubles and digital life rights feels convoluted with several other topics.

Essentially, Season 5 feels like a weaker version of Season 2.

6. Season 1 (2011)

Black Mirror Season 1 started it all. That said, looking back on it now, it might not perform as strongly as its successors.

Several promising areas of work pave the way for other stories to come to life in this series.

The best episode brings Daniel Kaluuya into the mainstream: Black Mirror Season 1 Episode 2, “Fifteen Million Merits.”

Aside from having the right amount of “dystopian horror,” Kaluuya’s performance is thrilling, shaking us to our cores.

Even though it may be a shorter run similar to Seasons 2 and 6, Season 1 is successful in laying the foundation for what eventually comes of Brooker’s anthological experiment.

5. Season 2 (2013)

Season 2 feels like one of those seasons that is swept under the radar due to its episode count, but a number of compelling performances still make it a standout run.

Hayley Atwell and Domhnall Gleeson deliver heartbreaking performances on Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 1, “Be Right Back.”

Moreover, the concept behind Black Mirror Season 2 Episode 2, “White Bear,” is very fascinating, as fans experience a pulsating perspective on punishment and the entertainment industry through a woman’s torture.

These two episodes set the bar for what this series would ultimately become, even though it could use more episodes to tell a tighter story.

4. Season 3 (2016)

Following in the footsteps of the second season, Season 3 really shakes things up with elevated material.

One episode in particular, Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 3, “Shut Up and Dance,” takes cyberstalking and blackmailing to extremes that are genuinely intense. Throw in some exceptional performances from Alex Lawther and Jerome Flynn, and you have an amazing story to watch unfold.

Another standout from Season 3 is Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 4, “San Junipero.” Aside from its heartfelt idea of reconnecting with deceased relatives through virtual reality, Loki‘s Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis’ performances are undeniably stellar.

Even though some seasons outperform Season 3, there’s no doubt about the triumphs Brooker’s team has managed to accomplish in this handful of episodes.

3. Season 7 (2025)

The latest release, Black Mirror Season 7, includes emotionally impactful stories. We get a nice blend of the quirky and sweet that we have wanted to see every season. Plus, we finally received a sequel episode to “USS Callister”!

While it’s easy to say that Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 6, “USS Callister: Into Infinity,” elevates this season, there are a few episodes that also carry the load.

For example, Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 5, “Eulogy,” dives deeper into our connection with each other by looking back on the past and literally putting us into frame.

Furthermore, Black Mirror Season 7 Episode 3, “Hotel Reverie,” played on the curiosity of what it’s like to find love in truth through digital recreation. With only two or so weak episodes this season, it successfully lives up to our high expectations.

2. Season 4 (2017)

Perhaps Black Mirror Season 4 is the show’s most iconic season.

After all, Black Mirror Season 4 Episode 1, “USS Callister,” tells one of the most captivating stories. That episode has become the standard for this show’s success, and yet there are other episodes that are equal standouts from this run.

One of these episodes is Black Mirror Season 4 Episode 4, “Hang the DJ.”

Based on recommendation algorithms from social platforms, this episode contains high personal stakes that came together in a beautifully optimistic way.

Additionally, Black Mirror Season 4 Episode 5, “Metalhead,” is also a highlight for its bleak tones, both narratively and visually. It might not be perfect, but Season 4 is ultimately the most iconic season that fans should look back on every now and then.

1. Season 6 (2023)

Black Mirror Season 6 couldn’t get more meta thanks to Black Mirror Season 6 Episode 1, “Joan Is Awful.”

This episode truly shocks viewers as we witness a soft commentary on transforming someone’s experiences into an actual televised product, the new wave of streaming, and more.

Of course, another episode of Season 6 that stands out is “Beyond the Sea.” 

Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul and Josh Hartnett give us some of the best performances in this series thus far, pushing the limits of this episode’s concepts around relationships even further.

These two might be the most significant episodes of Season 6, but there are many more that are absolutely captivating as well. With this season containing some of the best works from Brooker and company, it rests at the top of our ranking (for now!)

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All seasons of Black Mirror are now streaming on Netflix.

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