Entertainment • TV Series

The X-Files

The X-Files is an American science fiction drama television series created by Chris Carter.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The X-Files is an American science fiction drama television series created by Chris Carter. It follows FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved cases involving paranormal and other unexplained phenomena. The original run aired from 1993 to 2002, with later revival seasons in 2016 and 2018.

Premise

The series follows FBI agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate cases involving paranormal events, extraterrestrials, and government conspiracies. Mulder tends to believe in the supernatural, while Scully approaches cases scientifically. Their central cases are known as the X-Files, meaning unsolved or unusual FBI cases.

Broadcast history

The original Fox run lasted nine seasons from 1993 to 2002. The franchise later returned with a six-episode revival season in 2016 and another season in 2018, bringing the total to 11 seasons and 218 episodes.

Characters and cast

The two lead characters are Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny, and Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson. Their contrasting viewpoints are a defining feature of the series.

Cultural impact

The X-Files became a major pop-culture phenomenon and influenced later television science fiction and mystery series. It is especially known for its atmosphere, recurring mythology arc, and the phrase 'The truth is out there.' The series was widely broadcast in Canada and remains familiar to Canadian viewers as one of the best-known U.S. genre television shows of the 1990s and 2010s.

Key facts

The series centers on FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.
The original series ran for nine seasons from 1993 to 2002, with revival seasons in 2016 and 2018 for a total of 11 seasons.
The show combines science fiction, drama, horror, and conspiracy themes.
Its central cases are unsolved FBI files known as the X-Files.
The series was widely broadcast in Canada and remains a familiar U.S. genre show.

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Canadian context

The series was widely broadcast in Canada and remains familiar to Canadian viewers as one of the best-known U.S. genre television shows of the 1990s and 2010s.

Frequently asked questions

What is The X-Files about?

It follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena, extraterrestrials, and government conspiracies.

How many seasons of X-Files are there?

There are 11 seasons in total: nine in the original run, plus revival seasons in 2016 and 2018.

What is the X-Files reboot?

The franchise returned as a revival, not a full reboot, with a six-episode tenth season in 2016 and an eleventh season in 2018.

Who played Fox Mulder?

Fox Mulder was played by David Duchovny.

Where can I stream X-Files?

Streaming availability varies by country and changes over time, so it should be checked on local streaming platforms.

What are the best X-Files episodes?

Frequently cited standout episodes include 'Pilot,' 'Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose,' 'Jose Chung's From Outer Space,' 'Home,' and 'X-Cops.'

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X-Files
Supports: Created by Chris Carter; original run dates; premise; seasons and revival years.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-X-Files
Supports: Premise, cast, and broadcast years.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106179/
Supports: Series description, cast, and overall run information.
Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_x_files
Supports: Series premise and cultural framing.
X-Files Wiki — https://x-files.fandom.com/wiki/The_X-Files_(season_1)
Supports: Season 1 episode count and original season details.