Screen Rant

The X-Files

The X-Files is a groundbreaking science fiction and supernatural franchise that began with the television series created by Chris Carter in 1993. The series follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena, known as X-Files. The show combines elements of horror, thriller, and conspiracy fiction, making it a cultural phenomenon of the 1990s. The franchise expanded to include two feature films, multiple comic book series, video games, and spin-off shows like Millennium and The Lone Gunmen. It was revived twice, first in 2016 and then again in 2018, with additional seasons continuing the story of Mulder and Scully. The X-Files is credited with influencing numerous other television shows and has maintained a loyal fan base over the decades.

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The X-Files (1993) TV Show Poster
Created by
Chris Carter
First Film
The X-Files
Latest Film
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Films
The X-Files 3
First TV Show
The X-Files
Latest TV Show
The X-Files

First Episode Air Date
September 10, 1993
Cast
David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, William B. Davis, Nicholas Lea, Chris Owens, Sheila Larken, Tom Braidwood
Reunion Date
The X-Files Season 10 (2016) and Season 11 (2018)
Spin-offs
Millennium, The Lone Gunmen
TV Show(s)
The X-Files, Millennium, The Lone Gunmen
Movie(s)
The X-Files, The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Character(s)
Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, Cigarette Smoking Man, John Doggett, Monica Reyes, The Lone Gunmen, Eugene Victor Tooms, Alex Krycek
Video Game(s)
The X-Files

latest

gillian anderson as dana scully looking shocked in xfiles episode all souls
"I Spoke To Him...": Gillian Anderson Addresses Ryan Coogler’s X-Files Reboot And Whether She Will Return For It

Gillian Anderson addresses whether she could see herself returning to the dark mysteries of The X-Files in Ryan Coogler's in-development reboot.

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12 Best TV Couples Of The 1990s

1990s TV shows made their mark on pop culture, and the most iconic couples from that era can still have a strong hold over the hearts of audiences.

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Mulder and Scully in The X-Files, flashing the badge in season 6
X-Files Reboot & Gillian Anderson's Potential Involvement Get Encouraging Update From Ryan Coogler

The X-Files reboot gets an encouraging update from Ryan Coogler, addressing whether Gillian Anderson could reprise her role as Dana Scully.

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Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) looking at a computer in The X-Files
The X-Files' Most Divisive Character Gets Emotional Reflection From Star 25 Years After Series Introduction: "My Favorite Role To This Day"

One star from The X-Files is sharing an emotional reflection of his time on the show 25 years after introduced as the most divisive character.

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Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) looking curious in The X-Files
David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson Stage A Playfully Messy X-Files Reunion At An Awards Show (& Forget To Do Their Actual Job)

X-Files stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reunite to present an award, staging a playfully awkward reunion, and forgetting their actual job.

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in The X-Files (season 5)
One Of The 1990s' Best Sci-Fi Shows Just Got A Perfect Awards Cast Reunion & It Makes Me Nervous For Disney's Reboot

The 2025 SAG Awards just included an exciting cast reunion for one of the best sci-fi TV shows from the 1990s, which is reportedly being booted.

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10 Actors Whose 2 Most Famous Characters Are Total Opposites

The world of TV often puts actors into a box for portraying one character, only to throw everyone off by taking on someone who is the total opposite.

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X-Files Scully and Mulder (left) and the Might Morphin Power Rangers (right)
Power Rangers Needs a New Crossover, And X-Files Is Ripe For the Picking

On paper, these franchises could not be further apart in tone, but an X-Files/Power Rangers crossover would be perfect for '90s nostalgia fans.

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Two side by side images of actors Louis Hofmann as Jonas Kahnwald in Dark and Adam Scott as Mark in Severance
10 Best-Written Sci-Fi Of All Time

Several things work together to make a memorable sci-fi show, but more important than strong visual effects or great performances is a good script.

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Sam and Dean Winchester in front of a blue fractured background featuring a faded FBI badge and Mitch Pileggi
1 Supernatural's Actor's Role Has A Double Connection With His First Huge TV Show

Mitch Pileggi's Supernatural character Samuel Campbell has more connections to his original The X-Files character Walter Skinner than you think.

Collage of Scully and Mulder in various X-Files episodes
10 Best Episodes Of The X-Files

The best X-Files episodes include Monster of the Week and Alien mythology episodes, making it an iconic show.

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Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) looking at a computer in The X-Files
David Duchovny Opens Up To Gillian Anderson About Quitting The X-Files & Their Off-Screen Tension: “I Never Apologized To You For That”

David Duchovny reflects on his X-Files conflict with co-star Gillian Anderson, in discussion with the actor during her appearance on his podcast.

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David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in The X-Files (season 5)
"Well, F--k Him": Gillian Anderson Gets Candid With David Duchovny About Him Leaving The X-Files

Gillian Anderson opens up to David Duchovny about why she moved on from The X-Files, as the two co-stars have a candid and funny conversation.

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Collage of the poster for The Thing and Mulder and Scully in a promotional image for The X-Files
An Early The X-Files Episode Is Almost An Exact Copy Of John Carpenter's The Thing

One of the earliest episodes of The X-Files — season 1, episode 8, "Ice" — was a sly remake of John Carpenter's sci-fi horror masterpiece The Thing.

A composite image of Ryan Coogler in front of Mulder and Scully from The X-Files
The X-Files Reboot: Confirmation & Everything We Know

Director Ryan Coogler is bringing the classic 1990s TV series The X-Files back to the small screen in a new reboot with a diverse cast.

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David Duchovny as Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully from The X Files
Disney's New X-Files Reboot Already Has A Mulder & Scully Return Problem

Disney’s reboot of The X-Files has officially been announced, and the subject of whether Mulder and Scully should return or not is a problematic one.

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Edited image showing David Duchovny as Fox Mulder in The X-Files against a green backdrop with Xs
Fox Mulder's 10 Best Quotes From The X-Files

Whether offering a philosophical comment or a witty one-liner, David Duchovny's Fox Mulder had some of the best quotes in The X-Files.

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Edited X-Files image featuring Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully and David Duchovny as Fox Mulder.
10 Episodes Of The X-Files That Made No Sense

Chris Carter's classic sci-fi series, The X-Files, had both great and not-so-great episodes in its run. Some of them didn't make much sense.

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Kyle MacLachlan as Dale Cooper looking concerned in Twin Peaks and Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully looking skeptical in The X-Files
10 Biggest Similarities Between Twin Peaks & The X-Files

The comparisons between Twin Peaks and The X-Files have existed for years, thanks in part to the biggest similarities between the two TV series.

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Dana Scully's 10 Best Quotes From The X-Files

Dana Scully was one half of The X-Files, and kept the show entertaining with her lines, both hilarious witticisms and deeply philosophical quotes.

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