Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots: The 10 Best Episodes (According to IMDb)

Netflix has come up with some very original content in the past few years, but nothing can quite compare to what fans have come to know as Love, Death & Robots. It’s a collection of animated short stories that span several different genres and styles of animation and audiences never quite know what to expect when it’s time to tune in for a new episode.

Ranging from comedy to science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and drama, there is something for everyone in Love, Death & Robots. The versatility of the show grants it an extremely broad audience that is now anxiously awaiting a new season to hit the screens. While viewers wait for more short films from the anthology, it’s a fun exercise to check out fan consensus on the best episodes by way of IMDb.

Updated on November 9, 2021, by Hannah Saab: As more viewers discover the gripping anthology on Netflix, opinions about which episodes are truly the best ones continue to shift. Fans will have to wait a bit longer for more Love, Death & Robots episodes, as while the third season has already been confirmed, it likely won’t be released until 2022. Until then, viewers can binge-watch the best Love, Death & Robots episodes, ranked according to IMDb. It’s a ranking that’s constantly shifting as the show continues to gain a wider audience with varying tastes. 

10 “Lucky 13” – 7.5 (Season 1, Episode 13)

The idea of a drop-ship named Lucky 13 forming a sentimental bond with its pilot can be either endearing or annoying. But the consensus is obvious: “Lucky 13” is a simple yet emotional episode with plenty of action.

The relationship between human and machine is explored in this thrilling episode, as a ship surrounded by superstition proves that it’s more than just its unfortunate number. This premise could definitely work as a feature film and would likely be considered one of the most gorgeous sci-fi movies.

9 “The Witness” – 7.8 (Season 1, Episode 3)

“The Witness” is so unique and colorful that the mind-bending nature of the plot almost plays second fiddle. However, the story centers around a woman running from a man she saw from afar as he was committing murder.

The animation is up there with some of the best in the entire season, and the plot twist at the end is jaw-dropping. It will leave audiences wondering if they actually paid enough attention or were simply too distracted by all the stimuli of the episode.

8 “Snow In The Desert” – 7.9 (Season 2, Episode 4)

Like a lot of the best episodes in Love, Death & Robots season 2, “Snow in the Desert” unapologetically tackles complex topics about humanity, the future, and the meaning of life. Its brilliant narrative that follows an albino man named Snow reveals a lot about the episode’s universe and what immortality can do to people.

It’s impressive to think about how the show is able to pack in challenging topics in such a short amount of time, but Snow’s story underscores what makes the series so good. The show masterfully gives viewers an accurate slice of life from otherwordly situations, and “Snow in the Desert” is a prime example.

7 “Three Robots” – 8 (Season 1, Episode 2)

The self-awareness present throughout the course of “Three Robots” is both hilarious and slightly frightening. As three robots embark on an excursion to learn about the extinction of humankind, viewers are forced to face what can very well become a reality. It’s presented in a funny way, with the three charming robots acting like they could star in some of the best sci-fi spoof movies.

“Three Robots” still remains one of the most comedic episodes of the bunch, particularly due to the cat twist no one could’ve seen coming. The mix between the feeling of discomfort and amusement is further proof of how good the show truly is.

6 Pop Squad – 8.1 (Season 2, Episode 3)

While immortality is a concept that has been portrayed numerous times in films and TV shows, the take on it in “Pop Squad” adds some interesting dark layers that some viewers might have never considered.

It follows the story of Detective Briggs as he experiences a monumental shift in his beliefs about living forever. Only the rich are allowed to have children in his world, as drug-induced immortality has caused extreme overpopulation and limited resources. As the detective goes through his daily routine of doing his job and hunting down children, something clicks inside of him that permanently changes his views.

5 “Good Hunting” – 8.1 (Season 1, Episode 8)

“Good Hunting” is perhaps the episode that feels the most out of place in the series, but its uniqueness is also its greatest strength. The longer fans spend being immersed in its world where shape-shifters and spirit hunters exist, the more it grows on them.

Based on a story by best-selling Chinese author Ken Liu, “Good Hunting” does a wonderful job of translating this piece onto the screen. It’s moving and sweet, which are characteristics that are often lacking in Love, Death & Robots.

4 The Secret War – 8.1 (Season 1, Episode 18)

The Russian soldiers in Siberia fighting “The Secret War” deserve a spot among the best war movie squads. The episode is creatively set in World War II, but the protagonists fight aliens instead of humans.

Completely impartial to any political standing, the episode instead focuses on spectacular animation, amazing fight scenes, and an overall plot that could very well be picked up as a feature film. If viewers thought humanmade wars were bad, this episode proves just how much worse things could be with a little help from outer space.

3 “Sonnie’s Edge” – 8.3 (Season 1, Episode 1)

It makes sense that the first-ever episode of Love, Death & Robots is also one of the best ones. The number of twists and turns that are present in “Sonnie’s Edge” are enough to make anyone’s head spin. The concept alone is phenomenal — an underground ring of fights between beasts controlled by humans.

Sonnie never loses, but no one can figure out where she gets her edge. When an evil man sets to attempt to find out, things don’t go quite as expected. There’s a totally unexpected plot twist that sets the tone for the rest of the anthology and reminds fans to expect the unexpected when watching the show.

2 Zima Blue – 8.4 (Season 1, Episode 14)

The story of the great artist Zima is told from the perspective of a journalist who happens to be a great fan. Zima created his own particular shade of blue and went through several procedures to become more machine than man and be able to wander around the cosmos. “Zima Blue” is one of those short films that could be stretched out to become one of the best philosophical movies.

This episode takes viewers on Zima’s final journey and reveals the secrets that are, to say the least, quite surprising. Paired with its unique animation style, hard-hitting narrative, and stunning visuals, it’s an unforgettable episode that will stay with fans long after they’ve watched Zima’s story.

1 Beyond the Aquila Rift – 8.6 (Season 1, Episode 7)

The best episodes of Love, Death & Robots have provided the audience with unbelievable CGI, but “Beyond the Aquila Rift” completely blows everyone’s expectations out of the park.

What’s more, the plot itself is a masterpiece. It has a narrative that shifts from pure sci-fi into something completely different in a heartbeat, racing towards an ending that will hit harder than any other one on the show. It’s a true masterpiece that doesn’t shy away from hard questions about life and death.

About The Author

Mariana Fernandes
(100 Articles Published)

Mariana is a 24-year-old Marketing graduate and self-proclaimed business storyteller who loves books, travelling, and the beach. With too many notebooks to keep track of and a persistent feeling of wanderlust, she wants nothing more than to tell stories and pet puppies. All the puppies!

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