The truth is still out there, and it is coming back. On 13 October 2026 Hulu gave Ryan Coogler's new take on The X-Files a full series order, with Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel starring as two FBI agents assigned to a long-shuttered division for unexplained phenomena. Coogler wrote and directed the pilot, and Jennifer Yale is on board as showrunner.
Across 11 seasons and two feature films, Chris Carter's creation turned a pair of mismatched FBI agents into pop culture legends. If the show is part of your story, browse our TV Series collection.
The X-Files Fact File
| Original run | 10 September 1993 - 19 May 2002 |
| Revivals | 2016 (Season 10) and 2018 (Season 11) |
| Creator | Chris Carter |
| Network / studio | Fox; Ten Thirteen Productions and 20th Century Fox Television |
| Main cast | David Duchovny (Fox Mulder), Gillian Anderson (Dana Scully), Mitch Pileggi (Walter Skinner), Robert Patrick (John Doggett), Annabeth Gish (Monica Reyes) |
| Seasons / episodes | 11 seasons, 218 episodes |
| Films | The X-Files (1998, also known as Fight the Future) and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) |
| Theme music | Mark Snow |
| Setting | The United States - FBI agents investigating unsolved cases involving the paranormal and a government conspiracy |
Seasons and Episodes
| Season | Years | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-1994 | 24 | Mulder and Scully meet |
| 2 | 1994-1995 | 25 | Longest season |
| 3 | 1995-1996 | 24 | Emmy-winning "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" |
| 4 | 1996-1997 | 24 | Golden Globe sweep year |
| 5 | 1997-1998 | 20 | Last season filmed in Vancouver |
| 6 | 1998-1999 | 22 | Production moves to Los Angeles |
| 7 | 1999-2000 | 22 | Mulder's final regular season |
| 8 | 2000-2001 | 21 | Robert Patrick joins as Doggett |
| 9 | 2001-2002 | 20 | Original run ends |
| 10 | 2016 | 6 | Revival event series |
| 11 | 2018 | 10 | Final season to date |
Episode counts cover the television series only - 202 episodes in the original run plus 16 across the two revivals, for 218 in total. The two feature films are not included.
How It All Began
Chris Carter pitched Fox a show about two FBI agents: Fox Mulder, a gifted believer driven by his sister's disappearance, and Dana Scully, a medical doctor sent to debunk his work. The pilot aired on 10 September 1993, and Mark Snow's whistling theme quickly became one of the most recognisable sounds on television. Standalone "monster of the week" cases and a slow-burning alien conspiracy gave fans two reasons to tune in.
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Behind the Scenes
For its first five seasons the show was filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, whose misty forests gave the early years their atmosphere. Production moved to Los Angeles from Season 6. The story came full circle when the 2008 film I Want to Believe and both revival seasons returned to Vancouver.
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Films, Revivals and What Comes Next
At the height of its fame the show made the jump to cinemas with The X-Files in June 1998, directed by Rob Bowman from a script by Carter and Frank Spotnitz. Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish carried the later seasons until the original run ended in May 2002. A second film followed in 2008, and Mulder and Scully returned for the 2016 and 2018 revivals. Now Coogler's Hulu series opens a fresh chapter.
Awards and Honours
Golden Globe Awards
- Best Television Series - Drama: 1995, 1997 and 1998
- Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama: David Duchovny, 1997
- Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama: Gillian Anderson, 1997
Primetime Emmy Awards
- 15 wins from 61 nominations, including Creative Arts awards
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Gillian Anderson, 1997
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series: Darin Morgan, 1996
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Boyle, 1996
Other Honours
- Peabody Award, 1997
Legacy and Influence
The X-Files helped prove that genre television could be smart, scary and award-winning all at once. Its blend of standalone stories and long-running mythology shaped many shows that followed, and a new generation will meet the files through Hulu.
FAQs
How many seasons of The X-Files are there?
There are 11 seasons and 218 episodes: nine seasons aired on Fox from 1993 to 2002, followed by revival seasons in 2016 and 2018.
Where was The X-Files filmed?
Seasons 1-5 were filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Seasons 6-9 were shot in Los Angeles, and the 2008 film and both revivals returned to Vancouver.
Is there a new X-Files series coming?
Yes. Hulu ordered Ryan Coogler's reboot to series on 13 October 2026, starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel. No premiere date has been announced yet.
Is The X-Files on Netflix?
No. In the UK the series streams on Disney+, and in the US it is on Hulu.
How many X-Files films are there?
There are two: The X-Files (1998), also known as Fight the Future, and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008).
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Knight Rider: Seasons, Cast, KITT and the Universal Film and The A-Team: Seasons, Cast, the Van and the 2010 Film.
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