Why is Netflix removing Black Mirror: Bandersnatch from its catalog? Details revealed 

Netflix is about to remove Black Mirror: Bandersnatch from its catalog. It's a disappointing update to the Black Mirror fans who were glued to the screens upon its premiere in 2018. Although not the first of its kind, this interactive experiment seemed one-of-a-kind to the viewers, who were trying to understand all the narrative threads. Only a single choice could change the fate of its characters. The fact that viewers could decide it seemed like a revelation in itself.

Seven years later, the 7th season of Black Mirror was released, and its 4th episode, titled Plaything, served as a sequel to Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. It brought back Will Poulter's Colin Ritman and Asim Chaudhry's Mohan Thakur. So, the impending removal of their backstory on May 12, 2025, will be unfortunate for the viewers, who are watching it for the first time. However, it was bound to happen, considering Netflix's decision to slowly remove its interactive titles since 2024, and to stop producing them from 2023 onwards, per The Verge.

Polygon reports that Netflix is removing interactive titles like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch because they are pivoting their strategy to introduce different types of games, whether that's Kids' Games, Narrative Games, Party Games, or some Mainstream Games. What's on Netflix revealed that the streamer is unveiling a different UI soon, which will make Black Mirror: Bandersnatch difficult to adapt. This is mainly why Bandersnatch is getting removed from their platform.

Netflix removing Black Mirror: Bandersnatch will make this Emmy-winning movie a lost media

In the last few years, physical media collectors have started speaking against the boom of streaming and how it affects the quality of media. They have praised the superior quality of the former over the latter. However, recently, many more voices have started supporting their cause, considering the abrupt removal of media from streamers like Netflix. The titles acquired by the streamers usually have a set removal date due to licensing agreements. However, the original titles were considered to be safe at the very least.

The removal of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, among other original titles, proves otherwise. Netflix was the only way to watch them since they have rarely received a physical media release. The exceptions include shows like The Haunting of Hill House, The House of Cards, and Stranger Things. However, that's difficult for a movie like Bandersnatch, which depends on its interactive approach. Much of the thrill was realizing all narrative possibilities first-hand through that style. These stories ran for somewhere between 40 minutes to a 2-hour duration and offered the kind of experience that is nearly impossible to replicate otherwise.

While Emmy wins or critical acclaim have not mattered to the streamers (Remember the infamous cancellation of David Fincher's Mindhunter after its second season?), it is painful to see a unique experience like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch leaving the platform for good. It also means that this will likely be a modern lost media, and as mentioned before, the fresh Black Mirror viewers won't be able to understand some details from Plaything without the interactive movie.

In 2025, Bandersnatch was the only interactive Netflix project besides Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend. The latter offered a satisfying conclusion to Tina Fey's comedy show. However, with the strategy updates on Netflix's side, fans of either show won't be able to experience these interactive projects again.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch will be removed from Netflix's catalog on May 12, 2025.

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Also read: Why is Netflix removing most of its interactive titles? Reasons explored

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