The X-Files
FBI partners Mulder and Scully race through a labyrinth of government secrecy to stop an extraterrestrial virus from ending life on Earth.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- paranoid
- ominous
- sardonic
- late night thriller viewing
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics generally found the film stylish, atmospheric, and effective for established fans, while noting that its dependence on television mythology makes it difficult for newcomers to follow.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mulder and Scully investigate a deadly virus while confronting a governmental cover-up and secret organizations.
FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully work together despite conflict between Mulder's extraterrestrial convictions and Scully's skepticism.
The central investigation concerns a deadly virus appearing to be extraterrestrial in origin and capable of destroying life on Earth.
The film expands the television series' conspiracy mythology and leaves its larger questions open-ended.
Films like The X-Files, and why
Contact
shares conspiracy thriller plotting, government secrecy, extraterrestrial mysteries, and paranoid atmosphere
The Arrival
shares science fiction investigation, shadow-government themes, and uneasy extraterrestrial contact
The Silence of the Lambs
shares FBI-centered conspiracy storytelling, occult mystery, and a tense investigative partnership
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
shares alien-conspiracy paranoia, investigative suspense, and a skeptical-partner dynamic
Movie Details
- Director
- Rob Bowman
- Release Date
- 1998-06-19
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1913)
Cast
- David Duchovny
- Gillian Anderson
- Mitch Pileggi
- William B. Davis
- John Neville
- Martin Landau
- Jeffrey DeMunn
- Tom Braidwood
- Blythe Danner
- Terry O'Quinn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The X-Files about?
- FBI partners Mulder and Scully race through a labyrinth of government secrecy to stop an extraterrestrial virus from ending life on Earth.
- What is The X-Files like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The X-Files as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The X-Files violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The X-Files as moderate.
- What did critics think of The X-Files?
- Critics generally found the film stylish, atmospheric, and effective for established fans, while noting that its dependence on television mythology makes it difficult for newcomers to follow.
- Which films are like The X-Files?
- Films with a similar feel include Contact, The Arrival, The Silence of the Lambs, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
- How long is The X-Files?
- The X-Files runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch The X-Files?
- In United States, The X-Files streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
