All 23 Black Mirror episodes ranked from best to worst

As the highly anticipated sixth season of Black Mirror approaches, we have taken the opportunity to review all episodes from the first five series and compile a comprehensive ranking based on the opinions of UNILAD staff.

By assigning scores to each episode, we have calculated an average percentage for the entire collection, accompanied by a concise summary from Netflix for each episode to refresh your memory. However, it's worth noting that certain rankings might spark some controversy.

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too - 49.2857%

In this episode, a solitary teenager develops an infatuation with a robotic doll modeled after her favorite pop star, Ashley O. Meanwhile, the real Ashley's life starts to unravel.

Despite the inclusion of Miley Cyrus, this particular episode falls short of leaving a lasting impression compared to other memorable episodes. Its exploration of themes fails to reach the necessary depth.

Bandersnatch - 55%

Set in 1984, a youthful programmer embarks on a journey of reality questioning as he transforms a grim fantasy novel into a video game. This mind-bending narrative offers multiple endings.

Although this special stands out for its pioneering feature length and the unique interactive experience it offers to Netflix viewers, perhaps its technologically advanced and immersive approach brings Black Mirror a bit too close to our own lives, making it somewhat challenging to fully 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%

In this episode, a comedian who has experienced failure lends his voice to a beloved animated character named Waldo. However, things take an unexpected turn when TV executives propose that Waldo should enter the political arena.

Regrettably, this particular episode falls short in comparison to Black Mirror's more compelling political sagas, such as "The National Anthem."

Metalhead - 58.3333%

In an abandoned warehouse, scavengers on the hunt for supplies find themselves facing a merciless force and must desperately escape through a desolate wasteland.

This visually captivating episode, filmed in haunting black and white, emanates strong dystopian atmosphere. However, its release generated mixed reactions among critics and audiences.

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%

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.

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