Black Mirror fans crown the best episodes of Netflix series - and the one viewers should skip

Black Mirror fans have rallied to crown the best episodes from the hit series as it celebrates its 13th anniversary.

Released in 2011, the dystopian show grapples with the potential harms of technology through anthological episodes.

Although its central theme has remained the same for six seasons, each episode takes on a different storyline with a host of new characters, making it easy for viewers to choose their favourite chapters.

Taking to X to celebrate the show's milestone, viewers have been sharing their preferred episodes of the series and one that is worth skipping.

San Junipero (Season 3, Episode 4)

In a thread prompted by X account FilmUpdates, users have echoed San Junipero as a must-watch. The season three story follows two young women who fall in love at a beach resort in the 1980s.

However, in true Black Mirror fashion, the backdrop to the passionate love story is revealed to be a simulation. San Junipero is a fictional reality where people who are dying can inhabit their younger bodies and live forever.

The episode received critical acclaim, with lead actors Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis garnering praise for their chemistry.

Revealing their beloved episode, one viewer wrote: "San Junipero, now and always." Another penned: "San Junipero easily, stunning central performances." A third jokingly said: "The only episode there was, called San Junipero, I don't recall any others existing imo [in my opinion]."

Nosedive (Season 3, Episode 1)

Nosedive was a close second for viewers, marking yet another season three favourite.

Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, it is one of Black Mirror's tamest episode but likely one of its most alarming. The episode is set in a world where everyone has eye implants that broadcast their day-to-day activities to others.

As each individual interacts with people, they are given a rating between one to five stars, which add up and impact their socioeconomic status. Howard's character sets out to boost her stagnant rating and encounters various roadblocks along the way.

The episode is one of the most talked-about from the series and viewers consider it an obvious must-watch. Sharing their favourite story on X, one fan quipped: "Nosedive [...] it isn't even a question tbh [to be honest].

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

Breaking the trend of season three favourites, The Entire History of You has also been named as one the best episodes from the show's stint on Channel 4.

Prior to hitting Netflix, Charlie Brooker had aired the series on the British channel but transitioned to the streamer after two seasons. This was the only episode not written by Brooker, with Succession and Peep Show writer Jesse Armstrong taking the lead.

The Entire History of You introduces a futuristic world where people have access to an implant that records everything they do and allows them to revisit their memories. Although it is useful, the grain becomes a toxic tool when Liam (played by Toby Kebbell) becomes unhappy with the events of a dinner party he attends with his wife (portrayed by Jody Whittaker).

The main character spirals out of control as he replays the evening over and over again, trying to uncover the source of his discomfort.

Despite forgetting the name of the episode, one viewer praised the premise, writing: "I will NEVER forget that episode where every memory you've ever had is stored in your eye camera or whatever and the guy's wife was cheating on him lmao."

The one to miss

Despite the success of the show and its multiple seasons, there was one episode fans felt was well worth skipping. In fact, it was the debut episode of Season 1, titled The National Anthem, that proved most divisive.

Starring Rory Kinnear as the fictional British Prime Minster Michael Callow, The National Anthem follows the kidnapping of a royal family member. The abductors' disturbing ransom request is for the prime minister to have intercourse with a pig on national TV.

While the episode is a difficult watch, it accurately set the tone for the rest of the series. It tackled important themes such as the media's relationship with politicians and the loss of privacy. Even so, some fans have shared it is their least favourite.

One impassioned viewer said: "Watched the first episode, threw up, never put that show on again." Another warned: "I always tell people to skip episode one".

What is your favourite episode of Black Mirror, and which one would you would skip?

Black Mirror is available to stream on Netflix