Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

The X-Files

Original title: The X Files
  • TV Series
  • 1993–20181993–2018
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
218K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
152
2
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
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.
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
218K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
152
2
  • Creator
    • Chris Carter
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Mitch Pileggi
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Chris Carter
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Mitch Pileggi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 458User reviews
    • 156Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #116
    • Won 16 Primetime Emmys
      • 100 wins & 217 nominations total

    Episodes217

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos116

    "Russian Doll": 'Groundhog Day' Riff or Rip-Off?
    Clip 3:12
    "Russian Doll": 'Groundhog Day' Riff or Rip-Off?
    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 1:40
    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
    The X-Files: A Hunter Is Spooked In The Forest
    Clip 1:26
    The X-Files: A Hunter Is Spooked In The Forest
    The X-Files: Doctors Open A Patients Body
    Clip 1:27
    The X-Files: Doctors Open A Patients Body
    The X-Files: Scully & Mulder Research A Monster
    Clip 1:00
    The X-Files: Scully & Mulder Research A Monster
    The X-Files: A Mysterious Woman Looks For A Heart
    Clip 1:51
    The X-Files: A Mysterious Woman Looks For A Heart
    The X-Files: The Smart Home Turns On Scully
    Clip 2:06
    The X-Files: The Smart Home Turns On Scully

    Photos4448

    Jere Burns and Micaela Aguilera in The X Files (1993)
    Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)
    Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)
    Jere Burns in The X Files (1993)
    Gillian Anderson and Fiona Vroom in The X Files (1993)
    David Duchovny, Jere Burns, and Micaela Aguilera in The X Files (1993)
    Gillian Anderson in The X Files (1993)
    Jere Burns and Micaela Aguilera in The X Files (1993)
    David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)
    David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)
    Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)
    David Duchovny in The X Files (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David Duchovny
    David Duchovny
    • Fox Mulderas Fox Mulder
    193 episodes193 eps • 1993–2018
    Gillian Anderson
    Gillian Anderson
    • Dana Scullyas Dana Scully…
    217 episodes217 eps • 1993–2018
    Mitch Pileggi
    Mitch Pileggi
    • Walter Skinneras Walter Skinner…
    91 episodes91 eps • 1994–2018
    William B. Davis
    William B. Davis
    • Smoking Manas Smoking Man…
    44 episodes44 eps • 1993–2018
    Robert Patrick
    Robert Patrick
    • John Doggettas John Doggett
    40 episodes40 eps • 2000–2002
    Tom Braidwood
    Tom Braidwood
    • Melvin Frohikeas Melvin Frohike
    41 episodes41 eps • 1994–2018
    Bruce Harwood
    Bruce Harwood
    • John Fitzgerald Byersas John Fitzgerald Byers
    38 episodes38 eps • 1994–2018
    Dean Haglund
    Dean Haglund
    • Richard 'Ringo' Langlyas Richard 'Ringo' Langly
    37 episodes37 eps • 1994–2018
    Annabeth Gish
    Annabeth Gish
    • Monica Reyesas Monica Reyes
    26 episodes26 eps • 2001–2018
    Nicholas Lea
    Nicholas Lea
    • Alex Krycekas Alex Krycek…
    24 episodes24 eps • 1994–2002
    James Pickens Jr.
    James Pickens Jr.
    • Alvin Kershas Alvin Kersh…
    21 episodes21 eps • 1998–2018
    Sheila Larken
    Sheila Larken
    • Margaret Scullyas Margaret Scully
    17 episodes17 eps • 1994–2016
    Chris Owens
    Chris Owens
    • Jeffrey Spenderas Jeffrey Spender…
    14 episodes14 eps • 1996–2018
    Don S. Williams
    Don S. Williams
    • Elder #1as Elder #1…
    14 episodes14 eps • 1995–1999
    Steven Williams
    Steven Williams
    • Mr. Xas Mr. X
    15 episodes15 eps • 1994–2002
    Jerry Hardin
    Jerry Hardin
    • Deep Throatas Deep Throat…
    13 episodes13 eps • 1993–2002
    Laurie Holden
    Laurie Holden
    • Marita Covarrubiasas Marita Covarrubias
    10 episodes10 eps • 1996–2002
    Rebecca Toolan
    Rebecca Toolan
    • Teena Mulderas Teena Mulder
    10 episodes10 eps • 1995–2000
    • Creator
      • Chris Carter
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    The X Files
    7.0
    The X Files
    Lost
    8.4
    Lost
    Star Trek: The Next Generation
    8.7
    Star Trek: The Next Generation
    The Simpsons
    8.7
    The Simpsons
    Firefly
    9.0
    Firefly
    House
    8.7
    House
    Westworld
    8.6
    Westworld
    Twin Peaks
    8.8
    Twin Peaks
    Battlestar Galactica
    8.7
    Battlestar Galactica
    Black Mirror
    8.8
    Black Mirror
    The X Files: I Want to Believe
    5.9
    The X Files: I Want to Believe
    Dexter
    8.7
    Dexter

    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)

    User reviews458

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Greatest Science Fiction/Horror television Series of All Time
    The writing, the acting, the production values, the continuity, the heart of The X Files all secure a reputation for this show as the best in its class. It has no peers. The story of two FBI agents working in a small office in the basement of the FBI to uncover, prove, disprove supernatural and unexplained phenomena and alien presence builds beautifully in the nine seasons the show existed. And having seen every episode in chronological order, they build with purpose, continuity, and innovation. Sure, there were set-backs when one actor didn't do most of a season, or another actress was pregnant, or whatever might have arisen, but the show's writers and creator - and make no mistake here that creator Chris Carter and his staff of writers/directors are the reason for this show being what it is - always met each and every set-back with a creative, engaging response. When Fox Mulder's character was gone for most of two seasons, they created two new characters that were every bit as solid as Mulder and Scully. Robert Patrick's Doggett and Anabeth Gish's Reyes were equally compelling characters. There are so many good things to say about this show. The two leads, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, grew as characters and thespians before our very eyes. They honed their crafts and became stronger screen presences. These characters were characters that we learned to like and wanted to follow. Duchovny brought some much needed wry humour to an otherwise serious subject. He was able at one moment to convince you that the world was one big conspiracy and in the next moment comment on the lack of movement from a dead person with lighthearted appeal. Anderson softened each year, becoming less rigid and inflexible. The cast of supporting characters was always first-rate with Mitch Pillegi as Skinner and William Davis as the antagonistic Smoking Man never giving a bad performance. The three Lone Gunmen were excellent light diversions in bloody cases or cases involving alien invasion or what not. The first season will always be my favorite. Mulder and Scully are finding themselves as characters and the idea of conspiracy is all too real. Jerry Hardin plays Deep Throat, the man feeding Mulder news of government conspiracy, with strength and a true believability. But before I get too compartmentalized, The X Files was able to be two series in one - perhaps its greatest achievement. One the one hand, we had Mulder and Scully battling conspiracy, aliens looking to invade Earth, Mulder finding his sister that had been abducted by aliens, and other plot strands of a similar nature. But the show would also show totally unrelated episodes that were very scary and horrifyinfg. We saw worm men, killer insects, a man that sucked the fat out of his victims, cannibalistic cults, and the list goes on and on. I love the myth episodes, but these horror episodes are my favorites because they are so creative. I cannot remember how many times, having just watched and episode, saying how does someone think this stuff up? Whether The X Files is spoofing the Brady Bunch or alluding to Moby Dick or creating a homage to Frankenstein and movies of its ilk or just trying its best to scare you or disgust you(the episode Home - a favorite of mine), it is always true to itself in terms of the creativity that courses through its proverbial veins. Yes, sometimes, it is a bit full of itself, and, yes, sometimes, the creativity falls right down on its face(as when the show combined the X Files with Cops). But the show has far more, far more hits than misses. I think that as time goes by, this television show will be remembered for much more than what we remember it for today. I think it will be one of the all-time greats. The Truth is out there.
    helpful•90
    22
    • BaronBl00d
    • Jun 16, 2006

    FAQ31

    • 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
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in May
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.