10 Best Sci-Fi Movies That Would Make Perfect Black Mirror Episodes

Over the past 15 years, many popular films have dealt with dark futures and the effects of technology, often resulting in unsettling storylines. However, Black Mirror isn’t the only recent show to examine how technology influences society and our relationships with each other.

I’ve always been fascinated by how movies tackle artificial intelligence, new technologies, and what they say about our society, and Black Mirror does it brilliantly. It strikes me that so many classic sci-fi stories could easily become Black Mirror episodes. Even though Charlie Brooker is known for being incredibly innovative, I’m a little surprised some of those amazing stories haven’t been turned into episodes yet!

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die Follows a Time Traveler Fighting AI

I just finished watching Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die and it’s really stuck with me! It’s about a guy, Sam Rockwell, who travels back in time from the future. He’s trying to stop a dangerous AI, and he believes a certain group of people hanging out at a diner are the key to saving everyone. It’s a really cool story that dives into time travel, artificial intelligence, and what the human mind is capable of. Honestly, it feels like a lost episode of Black Mirror – it totally fits right in with that show’s vibe.

The film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die started as a TV pilot called Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30. While the original idea would have fit well as an episode of Black Mirror, it evolved through revisions and character development into a full-length movie. The film shares the thought-provoking premise and distinctive style typical of Black Mirror, making time travel a potentially great subject for a future episode of the series.

It’s Surprising The Substance Hasn’t Been a Black Mirror Episode

Coralie Fargeat’s 2024 film, The Substance, starring Demi Moore, is a major success. It follows a 50-year-old fitness instructor who uses an illegal drug to become younger and more appealing, embodied by Margaret Qualley. However, the drug comes with serious rules and strange side effects, turning the film into a disturbing horror story that examines the intense societal pressures around body image – a theme that would feel right at home in an episode of Black Mirror.

The way The Substance uses satire – especially its jabs at Hollywood and the fitness world – and explores the link between technology, drugs, and changing bodies feels very similar to Black Mirror. It’s surprising this particular story hasn’t been an episode yet, considering how long body image issues have been discussed. The film is a powerful and unsettling look at social media, beauty expectations, who we are, and the dangers of trying to get what we want at any cost – all themes that Black Mirror consistently tackles.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Tackles Black Mirror’s Themes Cleverly

Released in 2004, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a moving film featuring standout performances from Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Directed by Michel Gondry, the story centers on Joel (Carrey) and Clementine (Winslet) who choose to erase memories of each other after a painful breakup. The film thoughtfully examines the relationship between technology and human feelings, much like the themes explored in Black Mirror, and delves into the complicated side of both.

Black Mirror has already toyed with many memory and mind-altering pieces of technology, including in episodes such as “The Entire History of You,” “Be Right Back,” San Junipero,” and many more. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind perfectly mirrors this with Lacuna’s memory-wiping technology. An episode following Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’s story could be as beautiful and touching as “San Junipero,” or as dark and twisted as “Crocodile.”

Her Follows the Perfect Story for a Twisted Black Mirror Romance

The TV show Black Mirror previously tackled the idea of a relationship between a person and AI with the episode “Be Right Back,” which featured a woman bringing back her deceased boyfriend as a digital recreation based on his online presence. While that was a moving take on the concept, it could be even more compelling to see a character develop feelings for an AI that exists only as a voice.

As a movie buff, I was really struck by Her and how it showed the loneliness that can come with getting close to an AI. It felt surprisingly real, even then! It got me thinking about how a Black Mirror episode could take that idea even further – imagine AI completely taking the place of human connection. That feels more and more possible as technology advances, and honestly, it’s a conversation we need to be having, especially considering how long ago ‘Be Right Back’ first explored similar themes.

Vivarium Would Be a Weird Black Mirror Outing

The 2019 thriller Vivarium, directed by Lorcan Finnegan, centers on a couple—Tom (Jesse Eisenberg) and Gemma (Imogen Poots)—who find themselves stuck in a bizarre, artificial neighborhood and compelled to raise a peculiar, otherworldly child. The film skillfully combines elements of supernatural horror and technological unease, making it an ideal fit for an episode of Black Mirror. Its thought-provoking, dystopian premise would blend right in with the series’ overall style.

Similar to the unsettling themes explored in Black Mirror – like constant monitoring, pressure to conform, a sense of deep anxiety, and bizarre suburban settings – Vivarium feels like it could fit right into the show. Jesse Eisenberg and Alicia Vikander give compelling performances as a normal couple suddenly pulled into a frightening and unbelievable predicament. While Vivarium is slow and dark, it’s also deeply unsettling, particularly with the introduction of a strange, creature-like character that embodies Black Mirror’s combination of futuristic ideas and genuine horror.

Revisiting The Truman Show Would Be Perfect for Black Mirror

When it comes to movies about being watched, The Truman Show is a standout. Released in 1998, the film stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man who unknowingly lives his entire life on a giant film set, with his every action broadcast as a reality TV show. While the premise is unsettling, The Truman Show manages to be both funny and thought-provoking, and feels surprisingly similar to an episode of Black Mirror.

With its focus on corporate control, how we use media, the creation of artificial worlds, and the power of technology, The Truman Show feels like it would fit perfectly within the world of Black Mirror. The film’s exploration of our fascination with reality television and the dangers of constant surveillance echoes themes found in Black Mirror episodes like “Fifteen Million Merits,” “White Bear,” and “Hotel Reverie.” It would be compelling to see Black Mirror directly address the ideas presented in The Truman Show.

M3GAN Is the Kind of Recipe for Disaster Black Mirror Loves

Released in 2022, M3GAN explores the intersection between advanced artificial intelligence, parental neglect, and childhood friendship and innocence. Following the story of an artificially-intelligent doll created by roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) for her orphaned niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), M3GAN sees the titular doll become homicidal to protect her human companion. , this is the perfect story for a Black Mirror episode, highlighting the themes seen in episodes such as “Arkangel,” “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too,” and more.

The movie M3GAN offers a critique of our dependence on technology by showing a protective robot becoming dangerously violent. This mirrors a common theme in Black Mirror, which often explores how human flaws are reflected in technology. Both Black Mirror and M3GAN connect technological failures to violent human behavior, making the idea of a sentient robot toy appearing in a future Black Mirror episode particularly compelling.

Upgrade’s Technology-Based Story Perfectly Reflects Black Mirror’s Themes

It’s surprising that the story of Upgrade, directed by Leigh Whannell, hasn’t been an episode of Black Mirror yet. The film centers on Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a man who dislikes technology but becomes paralyzed in an attack. He receives an implant that restores his movement, but things quickly spiral out of control. This premise could make for a particularly touching and emotionally resonant Black Mirror episode.

The recent storyline in Upgrade, involving a problematic implant, highlights a technology that Black Mirror could explore in a more positive light. The show could depict this technology helping people with paralysis regain control of their bodies, similar to hopeful episodes like “San Junipero,” “Hang the DJ,” and “Joan is Awful” – though such optimistic portrayals are relatively rare in the series. It would be refreshing to see Black Mirror use its technology to benefit paralyzed individuals.

Civil War Could Be One of Black Mirror’s Most Thought-Provoking Episodes

Alex Garland’s film, Civil War, centers on Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst), a war photographer who is weary from her experiences. She joins a team traveling to Washington D.C. with the goal of interviewing the President (Nick Offerman) before rebel forces take control of the city, marking the final stage of a long and brutal civil war. The film delves into questions about what motivates people, the overwhelming nature of modern media, and the drive of journalists. It feels like an episode of Black Mirror – thought-provoking, pessimistic, but ultimately leaving you with a lot to consider.

This Black Mirror episode could be presented entirely through the camera’s point of view, highlighting how technology shapes modern warfare and the way photographers are drawn to capturing violence and suffering. The bleak, politically fractured world of Civil War would feel right at home within that framework. The fact that the main character in Civil War isn’t a traditional hero strengthens this connection, mirroring the often-flawed characters commonly found in Black Mirror.

Including Bugonia in Black Mirror Could Change the World of the Series Forever

While not focused on technology in the same way as Black Mirror, Yorgos Lanthimos’ 2025 film Bugonia is often described as a very long episode of the series. It shares Black Mirror‘s unsettling mood, its sharp criticism of big business, and its focus on psychological tension, making it feel like a natural fit within that world. The film centers on Teddy (Jesse Plemons), a conspiracy theorist who kidnaps Michelle Fuller (Emma Stone), the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company, convinced she’s an alien controlling humanity.

Jesse Plemons, known for his role in Black Mirror as the creator of a disturbing video game, would be a perfect fit for Bugonia. Both stories share similar themes—questioning what’s real, feeling isolated, and exploring difficult ethical choices. Bugonia, like many Black Mirror episodes, keeps you guessing about who to trust, making it a compelling and impactful addition to the series.

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2026-03-31 23:41