Since its first airing in 2011, Black Mirror has been making waves with each new season due to its diversity of exploiting various genres. Despite having two special episodes, Black Mirror: White Christmas (2014) and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), the seventh series is in the making for release in 2025.
While every episode of each season is different from the other, it is worth a binge-watch. The entire theme of the series is embedded in a dystopian region that revolves around technology. The interweaving of special issues with the impact of technology on human lives is what keeps the viewers hooked till the last episode, despite the worst ratings of one of the seasons.
With 2024 coming to an end now, let’s take a look at how each season was ranked on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes with a conclusion of best to worst season.
Black Mirror season 1
Season 1 of Black Mirror was released in 2011 with three episodes only. The episodes' running time is approximately 40-50 minutes.
The season has a 8.7 rating on IMDb and 98 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. It is the highest rating any season of Black Mirror has ever gained on both the platforms.
Black Mirror season 2
Season 2 of Black Mirror was released in 2013 with four episodes. The episodes' running time is approximately 40-60 minutes.
The season has a C rating on IMDb with no particular numeric rating. However, it has earned 87 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. It is the second highest-rated season of Black Mirror.
Black Mirror season 3
Season 3 of Black Mirror was released in 2016 with six episodes. The episodes' running time is 60-90 minutes.
The season has the highest rating on IMDb, even higher than season 1, which is 9. It earned slightly lower than that of season 2 on Rotten Tomatoes, which is 86 per cent.
Black Mirror season 4
Season 4 of Black Mirror was released in 2017 with six episodes. The episodes' running time is between 50-80 minutes.
The season has a rating of 9 on IMDb, just like the previous one. It has earned 84 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Black Mirror season 5
Season 5 of Black Mirror was released in 2019 with just three episodes. The episodes' running time is 50-80 minutes.
The season has a rating of 8.3 on IMDb and 66 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. This is the lowest rating that any Black Mirror season has earned on Rotten Tomatoes.
Black Mirror season 6
Season 6 of Black Mirror was released in 2023 with five episodes. The episodes' running time is 50-80 minutes.
The season has a rating of 8.3 on IMDb while 78 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a slightly high rating on Rotten Tomatoes when compared to the previous season.
Rating from worst to best
Based on the ratings of both platforms, IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, the ranking from worst to best is as follows:
- Rank 5: Season 5 (worst)
- Rank 4: Season 6
- Rank 3: Seasons 3 and 4
- Rank 2: Season 2
- Rank 1: Season 1 (best)
What about the next season?
The details of season 7 have not been unveiled yet. However, keeping the theme of the series in view, it is expected that the horrors of sci-fi and supernatural concepts would persist.
The creator of the series, Charlie Brooker, hinted at exploring literally "any" topic in the next season. He implied that the episodes would “keep surprising people”, even himself. He was excited to reveal the fact that it would be a constant reinvention in itself.
Further, Brooker unfurled a bit about the surprising elements such as the possibility of having an animated or musical episode in the next season. Since season 6 was more about mystery and supernatural elements, season 7 is anticipated to delve deeper, but this is just a guessing game.