34 Episodes Of Netflix's Longest-Running Sci-Fi Show Deliver A Masterclass In Anthology Storytelling

Published Nov 2, 2026, 10:00 PM EST

Sean is a senior writer for ScreenRant and has been writing about new TV releases since December 2023. He has received multiple advance screenings of popular shows and ideated his own coverage read by hundreds of thousands of readers.

Sean is a self-published author of a Western novel. Sean has also written award-winning opinion pieces related to local politics while getting his Bachelor's degree in journalism.

One of the best shows on Netflix is also the streaming service's longest-running science fiction series, and every one of its 34 episodes is a masterclass in anthology storytelling. Netflix has some great sci-fi shows in its extensive catalog, from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners to Stranger Things. The streamer also has some great anthology shows on offer, like Love, Death, + Robots and Beef.

The absolute best sci-fi anthology on Netflix, however, is also one of the streamer's oldest flagship programs: Black Mirror. While it only has seven seasons to date, Black Mirror began back in 2011, and Netflix has been in charge of the series since 2016. It's even set to go on longer, as Black Mirror season 8 has reportedly started filming. All told, the anthology series has produced 34 episodes, including one short-lived interactive film titled Bandersnatch.

The fact that Black Mirror has survived 15 years and seven seasons is impressive in its own right, but the reason for its longevity is even more noteworthy. Black Mirror is one of the greatest sci-fi anthology shows ever made, second only to The Twilight Zone, and certainly the best of the 21st century. The best episodes of Black Mirror have won Emmy Awards, been called some of the best short films ever made, and more. It's simply a masterclass in anthology storytelling.

Black Mirror Became A Netflix Staple

Over the years, Black Mirror morphed from a small but acclaimed series on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom into one of the juggernauts of the biggest streaming service on the planet. While it may not earn as much viewership as shows like Wednesday or Squid Game, Black Mirror is Netflix's workhorse. Shows like Stranger Things end after a few seasons, but Black Mirror is still going strong well over a decade after it began.

Netflix can always count on Black Mirror to produce an influx of viewership when it releases a new season. It can also count on the anthology series to drum up good word of mouth and acclaim. After all, Black Mirror is one of the most inventive, original, and artistic shows on Netflix. Critics and viewers alike adore the series, and there's a fair chance that there are subscribers out there who justify Netflix's rates because of Black Mirror.

All of that dependability is because Black Mirror is so consistently good. Every season brings at least one standout episode that sets social media buzzing. Even the worst episodes in the show are still good because they all serve the central idea of critiquing technology. A lot of people resonate with those critiques, which in turn makes Black Mirror all the more popular.

Black Mirror Could Struggle To Remain Relevant

Unfortunately, despite its cultural ubiquity and 15-year run, Black Mirror may soon have some struggles with remaining relevant. The central idea of the show, an anthology critiquing technology and modern life, is just as timely as ever before, but Black Mirror is being outpaced. The modern world and technological advancements like generative AI move so much more quickly than Black Mirror, the show can't keep up.

For instance, Black Mirror season 7 came out in April 2025, and season 8 likely won't be here until late 2027 at the earliest. Technologies that seemed speculative back in 2025, like AI that can recreate faces and voices nearly flawlessly, won't be speculative anymore by the time season 8 is here. Black Mirror is supposed to be a warning about the future of technology, yet the future of technology may beat that warning to the punch.

Even the world itself may have moved on from Black Mirror. Back when the show was starting out, it was the only series willing to take punches at the tech industry and tell a cautionary tale about the near future. Now, with the rise of AI, everyone is taking punches and telling cautionary tales. Black Mirror may not have any bite in a world that has already taken its warnings about technology to heart. If it doesn't have any bite, it's hard to imagine how Black Mirror will remain relevant.

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