15 Shows Like ‘Black Mirror’ That’ll Definitely Mess with Your Head
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Although it feels like we’ve lived through multiple episodes of Black Mirror (complete with robotic police dogs), it certainly hasn’t dampened our craving for twisted dystopian content.
Perhaps it’s the clever way they use sci-fi elements to explore deeper themes, or maybe it’s because they continue to mess with our minds long after we’ve finished watching. Either way, very few things can keep us from binge-watching these futuristic shows. And while we’ve yet to get confirmation of a new season of Black Mirror, platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime boast plenty of similar options. Here, 15 shows like Black Mirror to get your fix of mind-bending twists, creepy robots and more.
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1. ‘Solos’
Who’s in it? Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Helen Mirren, Uzo Aduba, Anthony Mackie, Constance Wu, Dan Stevens
What’s it about? This show packs a whole lot of star power—but that’s not all it has going for it. Like Black Mirror, the anthology series examines our relationships with each other and with technology. Join seven unique strangers as they discover how all humans are connected.
2. ‘Electric Dreams’
Who’s in it? Anthony Boyle, Tuppence Middleton, Anna Paquin, Terrence Howard, Janelle Monáe
What’s it about? Inspired by the works of sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, the 10-episode anthology series questions what it means to be human through standalone stories that take place up to 5,000 years in the future. Each episode explores a variety of themes, from parenting and relationships to consumerism and artificial intelligence.
3. ‘Love, Death + Robots’
Who’s in it? Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Gary Cole, Chris Parnell, Michael B. Jordan, Christine Adams
What’s it about? While Black Mirror focuses on social commentary and the negative effects of advanced technology, this NSFW series uses similar sci-fi elements to create unique and fascinating stories, ranging from shape-shifting soldiers to super-intelligent yogurt (yep, you heard us).
4. ‘Room 104’
Who’s in it? Melonie Diaz, Ross Partridge, James Van Der Beek, Mae Whitman, Rainn Wilson,
What’s it about? Set in room 104 of an average, roadside motel, several stories unfold as each new visitor passes through. Though each episode is a different genre (from comedy to bone-chilling horror), they’re all equally bizarre and compelling. Spirituality, love, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality are just a few topics you’ll see tackle in this high-concept series.
5. ‘Maniac’
Who’s in it? Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sonoya Mizuno
What’s it about? The entire premise sounds like it came straight out of a Black Mirror episode—except in this case, the focus is on mental illness. Annie, a woman with borderline personality disorder (Stone) and Owen (Hill), a man with schizophrenia, participate in a pharmaceutical trial that turns out to be way more than they signed up for.
6. ‘Weird City’
Who’s in it? Dylan O'Brien, Ed O'Neill, LeVar Burton, Rosario Dawson, Awkwafina
What’s it about? Welcome to the city of Weird, where the entire population is segregated into two groups: the Haves, and the Have nots. Each episode follows a new character as they navigate the ups and downs of living in the city—complete with very timely messages and commentary about the modern world.
7. ‘Inside No. 9’
Who’s in it? Katherine Parkinson, Tim Key, Luke Pasqualino, Ophelia Lovibond, Anne Reid
What’s it about? If you’re up for a more lighthearted anthology series that’s not so heavy on the high-tech cautionary tales, Inside No. 9 is your best bet. The dark comedy follows a series of different characters who are somehow connected by the number nine. Each episode takes on different themes, but they all feature the same dry British humor we loved in Black Mirror.
8. ‘Tales From the Loop’
Who’s in it? Rebecca Hall, Paul Schneider, Duncan Joiner, Daniel Zolghadri
What’s it about? In Tales from the Loop, Mercer, Ohio, is more than just a quaint small town. Below the surface lies an underground physics lab called the “Loop,” where researchers explore all the mysteries that can’t be explained by science. Similar to Black Mirror, the show explores human connection and how it’s affected by technology.
9. ‘Made for Love’
Who’s in it? Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Ray Romano, Dan Bakkedahl
What’s it about? If the episode "Arkangel" from Black Mirror still haunts you, this captivating series will definitely send shivers down your spine. Made for Love follows Hazel Green (Milioti), a woman in her 30s who tries to escape from her controlling billionaire husband. But while on the run, she learns that he implanted a monitoring device in her brain, meaning he has complete access to her emotions and location.
10. ‘Dead Set’
What’s it about? In this cross between Big Brother and The Walking Dead, a zombie outbreak occurs near the set of a reality show, leaving the production crew and contestants stranded in the house. The British horror series, which was created by Black Mirror’s own Charlie Brooker, only has five episodes—most of which are less than half an hour. So if you prefer a quick binge, Dead Set is the way to go.
11. ‘Russian Doll’
Who’s in it? Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Charlie Barnett
What’s it about? Lyonne plays Nadia, a game developer who finds herself trapped in a mysterious loop when she dies after attending a party. As she relives the same day, she attempts to figure out a way to escape. But to her surprise, she isn’t the only one who’s stuck in a time loop.
12. ‘Humans’
Who’s in it? Manpreet Bachu, Emily Berrington, Ruth Bradley, Lucy Carless
What’s it about? What if anthropomorphic robots had minds of their own and wanted to live like humans? This show explores this question, where synthetic, human-like robots (or “synths”) are purchased by humans as servants. But not all synths are happy with this arrangement…
13. ‘Residue’
Who’s in it? Natalia Tena, Iwan Rheon, Jamie Draven, Danny Webb
What’s it about? Set in futuristic England, a deadly explosion kills hundreds of people at a nightclub. In response, the government creates a quarantine zone without informing the public about what really happened. Meanwhile, a mysterious substance leaks into the quarantined area, driving people to do sinister things.
14. ‘The Twilight Zone’
Who’s in it? Sanaa Lathan, Adam Scott, John Cho, Allison Tolman
What’s it about? Jordan Peele teams up with Simon Kinberg for this modern-day remake of the classic, which, like Black Mirror, includes sci-fi elements and examines human morality. Get ready for chilling stories that tackle everything from immigration and racism to alien invasions.
15. ‘Dark’
Who’s in it? Louis Hofmann, Oliver Masucci, Julika Jenkins
What’s it about? Yes, at first glance it feels like a darker version of Stranger Things, but guys, it’s so much more. Set in the fictional German town of Winden, Dark follows four different families as they get sucked into a time travel conspiracy. It reveals the impact of time while also exploring topics like free will, love and human nature.
