How to Watch Black Mirror in Chronological Order: From 1969 to 2025

**WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 1-7 OF NETFLIX’S BLACK MIRROR**

You can now stream the latest season seven of Black Mirror on Netflix, offering six captivating science fiction tales for your viewing pleasure.

With these additions, we now have a total of 34 episodes, and interestingly, only two of them form a pair – “USS Callister” and its follow-up, titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity”.

Apart from the first two episodes, each installment of the series can be viewed independently. However, is there a specific sequence that offers an optimal viewing experience?

Absolutely, it can be convincingly argued that viewing these series in their original release sequence would provide a more coherent experience. Nevertheless, there are engaging alternatives for discovering them, considering the likelihood that they share the same universe, if not multiple universes.

As a dedicated movie buff, I’ve found myself captivated by the sheer abundance of hidden gems and subtle nods scattered across this series. These intricate references create an intricate web linking the diverse episodes together, much like a skilled spider weaving its web.

As a devoted fan of Black Mirror, I’ve often found myself grappling with the question: Can this intricate web of episodes be unwound into a coherent timeline? My answer: Sort of. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, and it does require some reasonable assumptions, but it can indeed be done by watching the Netflix series in chronological order.

Read on for how you can watch Black Mirror in chronological order, including season 7.

How to watch Black Mirror in chronological order

Beyond the Sea (Season 6, episode 3)

In an alternative historical scenario, there’s no mistaking the time period – this particular Black Mirror episode unfolds in the year 1969, marking it as the earliest event depicted within the series timeline.

Demon 79 (Season 6, episode 5)

In this installment, it’s evident that the events unfold in 1979, exactly ten years following Beyond the Sea. For those keen-eyed viewers, look out for the White Bear emblem on the amulet, and a sneak peek at the Metalhead canines in Nida’s foretelling of the future.

Bandersnatch (interactive special, released 2018)

One of the rare Black Mirror episodes with a specific date mentioned, it’s evident that the interactive storyline on Netflix mainly unfolds in the month of July, 1984.

San Junipero (Season 3, episode 4)

In this story, although it appears to be set in 1987 and 2002, the characters are actually living in a future version of our world. They’re experiencing these past events through some form of virtual reality. Despite being predominantly set in the past (which is created artificially), the story unfolds first in the timeline.

Plaything (Season 7, episode 4)

It’s tricky to pinpoint the specific time period where the main storyline of Plaything with Peter Capaldi is set, but we are certain that the flashback scenes occur in 1994. Given that most of the episode unfolds during these flashbacks, it seems appropriate to place this episode in our timeline around that year.

Mazey Day (Season 6, episode 4)

In the upcoming season 6 of Black Mirror, there will be an episode set in the past, specifically the mid-2000s. Keep an eye out for two nods to San Junipero (references to Quagmire and Yorkie), and to the fictional show Sea of Tranquility, which has been mentioned throughout the series and seems to have a remarkably long run.

The National Anthem (Season 1, episode 1)

Let’s move ahead to a contemporary era, around 2011 when this episode was first released. It’s hard to pinpoint the specific timeline within this episode, but subsequent instalments mention Prime Minister Michael Callow (played by Rory Kinnear) having a sexual encounter with a pig, which might seem bizarre in any world, but is especially so in the peculiar universe of Black Mirror.

Smithereens (Season 5, episode 2)

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice that this Andrew Scott episode appears to be set in contemporary times, much like The National Anthem. Moreover, there’s a headline within the episode that hints at the unveiling of the ‘cookie’, a technology that seems integral to the plot of Be Right Back, which is soon to join my watchlist.

It’s equally evident that Michael Callow, portrayed as the prime minister in The National Anthem, continues to hold the position of leader in Smithereens (apparently managing negotiations akin to Brexit with the EU).

Fifteen Million Merits (Season 1, episode 2)

It’s evident that there’s a discrepancy between what we know and the advanced technological setting depicted in the episode. Yet, in the subsequent episode titled The Waldo Moment, a poster displaying the character Abi (played by Jessica Brown Findlay) from a game show named Fifteen Million Merits can be seen.

The Waldo Moment (Season 2, episode 3)

The story happens a year after the events depicted in “The National Anthem”. This is indicated by the fact that at the end of Black Mirror’s first episode, titled ‘Black Mirror: The National Anthem’, there is a scene labeled ‘one year later’. In this scene, a news ticker mentions the ‘Tillsdale fire inquiry’. Coincidentally, an identical news alert about the ‘Tillsdale fire inquiry’ appears at a similar point in “The Waldo Moment”.

Be Right Back (Season 2, episode 1)

Geraint Fitch found not guilty after a fight with paparazzi.” This is the exact headline that was displayed on television during the one-year anniversary of the National Anthem, as it was concluding.

Shut Up and Dance (Season 3, episode 3)

In this piece, there’s no clear timestamp, but the technology featured suggests it’s set around our contemporary era. Yet, a Waldo Moment sticker on Kenny’s laptop (played by Alex Lawther) hints that the narrative unfolds after the occurrences of The Waldo Moment.

White Bear (Season 2, episode 2)

In the show “Shut Up and Dance,” viewers come across an article in the news labeled ‘Victoria Skillane trial latest.’ This implies that the episode occurs prior to “White Bear,” where the story unfolds post Victoria Skillane’s trial.

Common People (Season 7, episode 1)

This episode seems to unfold before “Hated in the Nation,” considering that Amanda is instructing her students about Advanced Drones Insects (ADIs), which were maliciously utilized in a third-season installment. Simultaneously, it appears to follow “The Waldo Moment” as one of the Dum Dummies’ users goes by the handle I_AM_Waldo.

Playtest (Season 3, episode 2)

In the upcoming episode, titled “Hated in the Nation,” we see a news headline revealing “Shau Saito introduces an innovative, interactive gaming platform.” This advanced system was initially tested in the trial run known as “Playtest” and later became publicly available.

Hated in the Nation (Season 3, episode 6)

After the episode featuring White Bear, there are references to Prime Minister Michael Callow and numerous tweets expressing a desire for harm towards Victoria Skillane. It seems plausible that this episode occurs subsequent to Playtest as well.

Loch Henry (Season 6, episode 2)

Loch Henry’s setting seems to be near the current era, suggested by the absence of advanced technology and the use of video tapes. Yet, there’s a poster for a documentary titled “The Callow Years” in a production company Davis and Pia visit. Given that he was still referred to as Prime Minister in “Hated in the Nation,” which is later in the timeline, it appears this documentary takes place after his departure from office.

Joan is Awful (Season 6, episode 2)

In my latest review, I found myself immersed in “Joan is Awful,” a contemporary tale that cleverly uses references from streaming platforms like Streamberry to establish its timeline. Shows such as “Finding Ritman,” reminiscent of Bandersnatch, “The Callow Years,” and “Sea of Tranquility” are all present, but what truly seals the deal is the presence of the Loch Henry documentary, suggesting this story unfolds after that episode.

Bête Noire (Season 7, episode 2)

In this depiction, the setting appears largely contemporary, with the exception of Kae’s gaming headset, a device that is widely accessible today. However, the climax unveils a technology far surpassing our current capabilities, which Verity has developed and kept secret. The only other clue to its timeline is the closure of Barnie’s Chicken, a business that was still in operation during “Shut Up and Dance” and “Joan is Awful”. Consequently, it can be inferred that this episode occurs subsequent to those.

Crocodile (Season 4, episode 3)

In the snowy episode, the technology, such as the memory-reading device, seems quite basic. The other technology depicted suggests that the episode takes place near our current timeframe, as no specific year is mentioned.

Hotel Reverie (Season 7, episode 3)

In Hotel Reverie, numerous Easter eggs are scattered throughout, but few of them provide a clear indication of when the episode might be set. The one definitive clue is the appearance of Streamberry, which suggests the story occurs around Joan is Awful and Loch Henry. However, the technology in question appears more advanced than the memory-reading device in Crocodile, so we can tentatively place it after that timeline.

Eulogy (Season 7, episode 5)

As a film enthusiast, I find the Eulogy system remarkably reminiscent of the nubbin technology showcased in Hotel Reverie. While it certainly shares similarities with the tech from Crocodile, it appears to be a step ahead. With limited information available at this point, I’d place it among the episodes that follow these two intriguing narratives.

Nosedive (Season 3, episode 1)

Indeed, it appears that the adventure featuring Bryce Dallas Howard takes place not too far from where Hated in the Nation is set. A financial crisis for Reputelligent, as mentioned by a news ticker in one episode, is a nod to the events unfolding in the third season’s premiere.

Men Against Fire (Season 3, episode 5)

In the initial episode, the soldiers seem to be engaged in a future conflict, but as the story progresses, the use of augmented reality technology becomes more sophisticated and noticeable in subsequent episodes.

Arkangel (Season 4, episode 2)

In simpler terms, the parental controls frequently employed in this episode resemble the technology seen in both “Men Against Fire” and “The Entire History of You”. Given that these filters are accessible to regular parents, it’s plausible to assume that the storyline of ArkAngel unfolds after the events depicted in “Men Against Fire”.

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

In this particular episode, there’s no specific date mentioned, but it’s evident that the advanced eye-implant technology has gained widespread acceptance, with a majority of individuals adopting it, although not everyone uses it.

White Christmas (Season 2, episode 4)

We’ve confirmed that this installment happens following “The Waldo Moment,” where a player used the tag I_AM_WALDO. Additionally, it seems plausible that “White Christmas” takes place after “Arkangel,” “Men Against Fire,” and “The Entire History of You.” This is because in this new setting, not just soldiers or children with protective parents, but everyone appears to utilize advanced lens technology, suggesting these technologies have become more widespread.

Hang the DJ (Season 4, episode 4)

Although there’s no clear connection suggesting this episode is a sequel to “White Christmas”, it’s worth noting that the dating app featured in this new episode was previously introduced in the episode titled “USS Callister”.

USS Callister (Season 4, episode 1)

It appears that the storyline unfolds some time following the incidents of Playtest. While the virtual reality game technology remains somewhat comparable, it’s evident that this technology has become more accessible and commonplace in the universe depicted in USS Callister. Therefore, a reasonable assumption would be that USS Callister takes place after Playtest.

USS Callister: Into Infinity (Season 7, episode 6)

This episode takes place just a matter of months after the first USS Callister.

Striking Vipers (Season 5, episode 1)

It’s not exactly clear when the story of Striking Vipers unfolds, but it seems to be around the same time as USS Callister, given the presence of comparable virtual reality gaming equipment in both narratives.

Black Museum (Season 4, episode 6)

The “Black Museum” episode serves as a treasure trove of Easter Eggs, subtly referencing many earlier episodes. Interestingly enough, it incorporates the DNA scanner that Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons) utilizes in the “USS Callister” episode. This implies that the events in “Black Museum” take place some time after “USS Callister.

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (Season 5, episode 3)

It’s quite clear that the tale led by Miley Cyrus unfolds subsequent to the events of Black Museum, as the episode’s news ticker reveals: “Remains of Black Museum Owner Identified from Burned-out Remains”. This is a reference to Rolo Haynes (Douglas Hodge), the curator of the Black Museum.

Metalhead (Season 4, episode 5)

In the Black Museum, a news scroll displays “an autonomous military dog robot is revealed.” These appear strikingly similar to the menacing robotic assassins from Metalhead, suggesting a post-apocalyptic setting – one that seems to be at the very end of time. And indeed, such a scenario sounds distinctly like something straight out of Black Mirror.

2025-04-15 18:50