The X-Files fingerprintMasterful craft, high energy.
Tense and scary
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Nostalgic
Some sharp wit and dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Mystery, crime, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Standout performances, storytelling, and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
Standout score and editing
Tense and scary
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The X-Files is tense and scary. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Nostalgic
Emotionally, it's nostalgic.
Some sharp wit and dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some sharp wit and dark humor.
Mystery, crime, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Its world is built around mystery, crime, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It holds up on a rewatch. It leaves some questions open.
Standout performances, storytelling, and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The performances, storytelling, and characters stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
Standout score and editing
Look and sound: the score and editing stand out.
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
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The truth is out there.
Overall: Similar vibe.
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
The X-Files is included with a subscription to Hulu in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Pluto TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77/100 (IMDb 8.6, Rotten Tomatoes 74%, and Metacritic 65). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, and strong language.
11 seasons
It has 11 seasons with 218 episodes.
Not quite. Audiences rate The X-Files higher (84) than critics (70). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
It ran from 1993 to 2018 and has ended.
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
+67GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The X-Files in 81 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
TV Tropes lists 239 storytelling tropes for The X-Files, including Ascended Extra, Voluntary Shapeshifting, Start to Corpse.
8.6
