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The X-Files

Original title: The X Files
  • TV Series
  • 1993–2018
  • TV-14
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
262K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
131
8
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)
The secret lies in the X-FILES folder. Find out the truth when "The X-Files" returns all-new in 2018 on FOX.
Play trailer2:10
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
Alien InvasionConspiracy ThrillerPolice ProceduralPsychological ThrillerSuspense MysteryAdventureCrimeDramaMysterySci-Fi

Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.

  • Creator
    • Chris Carter
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Mitch Pileggi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    262K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    131
    8
    • Creator
      • Chris Carter
    • Stars
      • David Duchovny
      • Gillian Anderson
      • Mitch Pileggi
    • 504User reviews
    • 193Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #136
    • Won 16 Primetime Emmys
      • 105 wins & 217 nominations total

    Episodes217

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos115

    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:31
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:28
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:28
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:40
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:04
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    Clip 1:47
    The X-Files: The Complete Series
    The X-Files: Mulder Talks With A Mother
    Clip 1:35
    The X-Files: Mulder Talks With A Mother

    Photos5730

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    David Duchovny
    David Duchovny
    • Fox Mulder
    • 1993–2018
    Gillian Anderson
    Gillian Anderson
    • Dana Scully…
    • 1993–2018
    Mitch Pileggi
    Mitch Pileggi
    • Walter Skinner…
    • 1994–2018
    William B. Davis
    William B. Davis
    • Smoking Man…
    • 1993–2018
    Robert Patrick
    Robert Patrick
    • John Doggett
    • 2000–2002
    Tom Braidwood
    Tom Braidwood
    • Melvin Frohike
    • 1994–2018
    Bruce Harwood
    Bruce Harwood
    • John Fitzgerald Byers
    • 1994–2018
    Dean Haglund
    Dean Haglund
    • Richard 'Ringo' Langly
    • 1994–2018
    Annabeth Gish
    Annabeth Gish
    • Monica Reyes
    • 2001–2018
    Nicholas Lea
    Nicholas Lea
    • Alex Krycek…
    • 1994–2002
    James Pickens Jr.
    James Pickens Jr.
    • Alvin Kersh…
    • 1998–2018
    Sheila Larken
    Sheila Larken
    • Margaret Scully
    • 1994–2016
    Chris Owens
    Chris Owens
    • Jeffrey Spender…
    • 1996–2018
    Don S. Williams
    Don S. Williams
    • Elder #1…
    • 1995–1999
    Steven Williams
    Steven Williams
    • Mr. X
    • 1994–2002
    Jerry Hardin
    Jerry Hardin
    • Deep Throat…
    • 1993–2002
    Laurie Holden
    Laurie Holden
    • Marita Covarrubias
    • 1996–2002
    Rebecca Toolan
    Rebecca Toolan
    • Teena Mulder
    • 1995–2000
    • Creator
      • Chris Carter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews504

    8.6262.4K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The X-Files' is a pioneering series blending science fiction, horror, and conspiracy themes, praised for Mulder and Scully's dynamic and exceptional writing. Later seasons and the reboot receive mixed reactions, but, it remains an influential TV series years after it concluded.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    Critic3

    A Must-See

    I am a late bloomer to the X-Files. So I must say there is still hope for you if you have never even seen an episode. I watched the first few episodes and then stopped. I watched off and on if I was bored on Sunday nights. In the fifth season an episode called Bad Blood reeled me in and I 've been addicted ever since. David Duchovny is absolutely luscious, Gillian Anderson is one sexy lady, and of course the stories are great. I'm pretty much caught up by reading summaries, watching reruns, and of course seeing the movie. The X-Files has it all: great acting, great writing, great special effects, and, what else are you going to be doing on a Sunday night ?
    Op_Prime

    Really one of the coolest shows around

    The X-Files is one of the best shows ever. The show has great episodes dealing with something paranormal and/or conspiracy. The characters have a great chemistry, especially Mulder and Scully. It's not as good as it was a few years back, but it's still way above most shows on today. Many episodes have dealt with this alien conspiracy recently, but the neat thing about it is how not everything is explained, leaving the door open for further episodes. The X-Files is a very excellent show.
    10Sleepin_Dragon

    One of the greatest of all time.

    Agent Dana Scully is teamed up with Fox Mulder, to explore The X Files, but her presence has a hidden motive.

    Is this one of the greatest shows ever made, I think you could make a very strong case to argue the point. Yes it's generally a sci fi show, but it's done in a way that will have a mass appeal, it's why the show ran for so long, and had such a huge following, and still does.

    I've written this review on the point where news is coming in of a revival, but one with a new cast, time will tell if that's a good move or not, we all know it will be very different, with a very different focus.

    So many things went into making this show so great, the writing, the acting, the variety, the special effects, and best of all for me, the horror.

    They were never afraid to experiment with the show, and on multiple occasions it paid off, there Is a bunch of unique episodes, and sometimes it didn't quite work, you could never fault the daring attitude.

    Ths show survived major cast changes, and after a bumpy start, I think the new cast members did a fine job, although it was the combination of Duchovny and Anderson that made it so special.

    So many famous faces popped up, and there were some amazing performances throughout the series, a personal favourite of mine however, Doug Hutchinson, who played Eugene Victor Tooms, I thought he was outstanding, he gave me major chills.

    Onto my favourite episodes, unsurprisingly, Squeeze is one of my favourites, but others include Small Potatoes, Ice and Dreamland. Only a few episodes didn't quite work, it's all subjective of course, but I tend to skip Badlaa, The Walk and Third Person Shooter, I know each has their fans though.

    Overall, outstanding, a series I enjoy revisiting regularly. Die hand die verletzt still terrifies me, F Emasculata still grosses me out, amazing the variety this show had.

    Fabulous.

    10/10.
    9SnoopyStyle

    Groundbreaking Sci-fi

    Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is a marginalized loner FBI agent stuck in the basement. He's been ostracized because he's a true believer in the paranormal. Dr Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is a skeptic, a woman of science, and assigned to keep Mulder under control.

    The X Files represents a breakout for the sci-fi genre. Its success gave it license to put on more paranormal shows treated as reasonable. It also became a benchmark by which these shows are measured. There are amazing episodes with some less so. The best is the chemistry between the two leads. It broke new ground with great writing from some future notable names. It lasted 9 seasons. It may have gone on too long but it was great while it lasted.
    clark-39

    It's been a great ride.

    What can one say? The X-Files will forever be remembered as a true hit TV show, and a breakout accomplishment for Fox. Its survived cast changes, location moves, ups and downs in ratings, and years of airing. I think I speak for everyone when I say that it has been a thrill. Chris Carter has created one of the most defining shows of the '90s. People that don't even watch the show know what it is, and EVERYONE knows who Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are, whether they've ever seen one episode or not. The show brought on a whole new level of TV entertainment in 1993, with its different, moody atmosphere, intriguing lead characters, and mind-bending plots. I admit, while watching most of the episodes, I thought, "This isn't very scary...", but then I payed attention to the detail and it got so good...the lighting, the sets...even when Mulder and Scully are outside (which is often), the sky is hardly ever sunny and bright, but rather dark and shadowy. The details on these things are terrific alone. And Chris Carter has also managed to create intense torture for the fans by forever dragging out the "Mulder and Scully in love" idea. People used to tune in to see when those two would kiss, and they had alot of fun with that, especially in the feature film. But a true sign of integrity for the show is the amount of truth in it. While the show is about the paranormal, and truth in it seems ironic, the show knows what the heck it's talking about. Every word from Scully's mouth is based on actual science. And unlike other FBI shows, The X-Files shows the FBI like it really is--not some tired cliche, but REAL people. And whenever someone, whether a fan or not, hears anything referring to aliens, they immediately think of little green men with small bodies, big heads, and large eyes...all courtesy of The X-Files. In short, this amazing television series has affected so many people. I feel blessed to have grown up with this show, rather than being born after it, doomed to see it in reruns. Because I got to be there for the ride...and though it was often bumpy and is now coming to its end...I can look back and say, "Hey, it was a GREAT 9 years."

    Deadly Dolls and Terrifying Toys

    Deadly Dolls and Terrifying Toys

    From a simple wind-up monkey to the high-tech terrors of M3GAN, these disturbing playthings left us with nightmares.
    See the gallery
    Production art
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The famous echoing chord from the theme music was a fluke. Composer Mark Snow accidentally rested his elbow on his keyboard with the echo function on and he liked the resulting sound so much, he wrote the theme around it.
    • Goofs
      In numerous episodes in the earlier seasons, characters are seen driving cars with British Columbia License plates.
    • Quotes

      Scully: You have seen this before, I can tell. You lied to them.

      Mulder: I would never lie. I willfully participated in a campaign of misinformation.

    • Crazy credits
      This production has not been approved, endorsed or authorized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (appears in the end credits)
    • Alternate versions
      The 'previously on The X Files' segments are missing from the DVD Season boxset releases.
    • Connections
      Edited into The X-Files: Re-Opened (2015)

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    FAQ46

    • How many seasons does The X-Files have?Powered by Alexa
    • Where do the movies fit in the series?
    • Do I need to watch the original X-Files series before the revival/Season 10?
    • What references does The X-Files revival make to the original series?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 10, 1993 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Hulu
      • Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The X Files
    • Filming locations
      • Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Ten Thirteen Productions
      • 20th Century Fox Television
      • X-F Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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