The X-Files: I Want to Believe

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The X-Files: I Want to Believe

PG-13

2008

1h 44m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Horror

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Popcornmeter

32%

Tomatometer

167 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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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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

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Only a fan would be inclined to tolerate this dunderheaded mystery.

Dec 9, 2008

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The best thrillers dig deeper than this one does, as did the best of The X Files on TV before the series ran out of steam.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 1, 2008

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

I want to believe there are still quality X-Files stories to tell, even if this one wasn’t. I want to believe this, but like the protagonists in the movie, my beliefs are conflicted with doubt and reservation.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 14, 2024

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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

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Jeanne F

I actually liked it. I had no problem following it. It wasn’t as bad as the critics say.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

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Joy D

After the disastrous addition of seasons 10 and 11, the film hits differently than it did on its original release. It serves as a solid ending after season 9, in part because it does feel like watching an elongated regular episode of the show. That's not a good thing for a theatrical release, but in 2025 it serves as good entertainment. As a bonus, if you've been an X-Files fan, it will give you a lot more satisfaction than watching those last two added seasons.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

Full Review

Kevin P

Disasterous second movie that should never have been made. Too short, it's just a filler episode and a bad one at that. Killed the franchise that could only limp on another season.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

Alex r

If you enjoy X files this movie will be up your alley. If your watching this for some reason other than being a fan of the series its not worth watching. It will not make you interested in the show. This movie reminds me of those movies where the movie before they had figured out their team dynamic. But they need conflict so they pretend this team doesn't work well together and for 1/3 to 1/2 of the movie they try to regain their mojo. This movie feels like a sad excuse to put our two leads back together for a movie. The plot is not memorable, but the chemistry between the characters is still top notch. The locations are great. It feels like an episode of X files but not one you remember. There is nothing terrible about the movie just ends up being average.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

Alex K

If you're expecting any resolutions at all to almost anything that happened in the show you'll get none. It's basically an extended episode of the show with a crap x-file, one of the case adjacent ones. The case was pretty sci-fi-y too I suppose but the x-files qualities of the case aren't discussed. I have a lot of other issues with the film that I'm not gunna explore. Fun fact for those that expanded: They used a spitting image puppet of Zach Braff as stand in for David when he was too busy to shoot

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Tam W

Loved the X Files, but and it's nice to see the cast again after the series had ended but aside from that, this movie really sucked.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

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

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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
Producer: Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz
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
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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