The X-Files: I Want to Believe

PG-13

Released Jul 25, 2008

1 hr. 44 min.

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Horror

List

32%

168 Reviews

Tomatometer

32%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Though FBI special agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and his partner Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) once chased things that go bump in the night, his tireless search for the truth out there has led to his professional exile. However, a missing-persons case leads to the agents' reunion, along with an encounter with a priest (Billy Connolly) who may or may not be experiencing psychic visions.

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Critics Consensus

The chemistry between leads David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson do live up to The X-Files' televised legacy, but the roving plot and droning routines make it hard to identify just what we're meant to believe in.

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Howard H

Provides a mashup of all that made the series worthy. Visually confronting towards the end of film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Sebastian L

Yet another non-movie by Carter and co. Why bother making a feature film when you don't know how to utilize the format? And it's not much of an x-file either.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Ben N

I thought it was very interesting much like the television show I'm currently watching the television show to see how it compares other than that I would recommend it to other people but first I would say you would have to see the television show first To understand where this movie and why it takes place . if you were watching this is a independent film just by itself without a franchise he wouldn't know the characters and stuff like that it's kind of confusing. however it gives a brand new fresh look of the X-Files series I just wish that they would do another show on this or reboot the franchise entirely for the 20's.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

James B

The first x files film was way better than this purely because it was made when the show was in it's first few seasons. As the seasons went one they became worse with the occasional good episode and this film was made in it's decline and this declined

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

Joana R

I really like this movie. Watch it on cinema when I was a teenager, and just listening to the song for the tv show it takes me back.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Andrey V

A strong personal story of Mulder and Scully. An extraordinary plot, it was nice to find all the new details every time you watch the movie. Great actors, amazing music, and the chase scene is just goosebumps. But this movie is just a gift to the fans. Unfortunately not for a wide audience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/23

Full Review

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Chris Carter

Director

David Duchovny

Fox Mulder

Gillian Anderson

Dana Scully

Billy Connolly

Father Joseph Crissman

Amanda Peet

ASAC Dakota Whitney

Xzibit

Agent Mosely Drummy

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26%

37%

Victor Frankenstein

TRAILER

for Victor Frankenstein

7%

36%

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

11%

27%

Pulse

84%

73%

State of Play

47%

58%

What Lies Beneath

TRAILER

for What Lies Beneath

Discover more movies and TV shows.

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Definitive Gillian Anderson Roles As Animated GIFs

The X-Files Is Back but David Duchovny Wants to Read the Third Movie Script

It Took Gillian Anderson 10 Years to Appreciate The X-Files

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

The film's ambition may well be to "stand alone" but, alas, it doesn't even stand up.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B-

Feb 18, 2012

Full Review

David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…the story may be missing some beats, but there’s still an interesting chemistry between the leads, and the conflict between science and religion is an edgy seam to mine…

Rated: 3/5

May 28, 2022

Full Review

Niall Browne

Movies in Focus

One of the major criticisms levelled at The X-Files: I Want To Believe is that it is like an episode of the television series - and a mediocre episode at that. I have to say that this is true.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 17, 2021

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Having not seen a single episode of The X-Files before, this does work as a (mostly) standalone film. If only it weren't such a slog before getting to the bonkers climax.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Though FBI special agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and his partner Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) once chased things that go bump in the night, his tireless search for the truth out there has led to his professional exile. However, a missing-persons case leads to the agents' reunion, along with an encounter with a priest (Billy Connolly) who may or may not be experiencing psychic visions.

Director: Chris Carter
Executive Producer: Brent O'Connor
Screenwriter: Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Ten Thirteen Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Violent and Disturbing Content|Thematic Material)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $21.0M
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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