One of the most talked-about episodes of Black Mirror is, of course, 'The National Anthem'. The debut episode of the first season, where the British Prime Minister must… well, you remember. It was a shocking, unforgettable opening that burned itself into the minds of viewers. But, strangely enough, this episode isn’t among the top-rated on IMDb.
As of today, only five episodes of Black Mirror have received a rating of 8.5 or higher — and they’re completely different in tone.
Leading the list is 'White Christmas' (9.1), a 2014 special where Jon Hamm and Rafe Spall play two strangers trapped in a snowy nightmare, telling each other disturbing stories. It’s a kind of Black Mirror in miniature: three interwoven plots, disturbing tech, moral horror, and a final twist that leaves you breathless.
Second place goes to the unexpectedly tender and romantic 'Hang the DJ' (8.7). A story about love governed by algorithms, it transforms into a parable about freedom in a world where everything is predetermined.
Next comes 'Black Museum' (8.6), an anthology within an anthology: a museum where every exhibit is part of someone else’s nightmare. It stars a young Letitia Wright, who — even before Black Panther — proved she had a brilliant future ahead.
Equally powerful is 'The Entire History of You' (8.5) from the first season. In this world, memories can be rewound like video clips. But when you have paranoia and complicated relationships, that feature becomes more of a curse than a gift.
And of course, 'San Junipero' (8.5) — a rare episode of the series that makes you want to live, not hide in fear. Retro vibes, nightclubs, a digital afterlife — and a love story that dares to defy death itself.
So if you thought the strongest episode was 'the one with the pig', IMDb begs to differ — its rating is only 7.6. Audiences seem to value depth, emotion, hope, and even a little light in this world as dark as a smartphone screen.
