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The X-Files

Play trailer Poster for The X-Files PG-13 1998 2h 0m Sci-Fi Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
66% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In a small Texas town, a mysterious black substance emanating from the remains of a prehistoric human engulfs a young boy and his rescuers. Later, FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are in Dallas to disarm a bomb set to detonate inside a federal facility. Unfortunately the bomb explodes -- leaving four inside dead. Mulder and Scully then receive a tip that the disaster was a government effort to cover-up an alien virus linked to the boy's death.
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The X-Files

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Critics Consensus

Results may vary for newcomers, but fans of the series will enjoy its big-screen transition.

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Critics Reviews

View All (74) Critics Reviews
Paul Tatara CNN.com I came close to getting very excited on several different occasions, and that's saying something when you consider that I thought the experience would be more like participating in a card game that's beyond my comprehension. Feb 5, 2018 Full Review Paul Clinton (CNN.com) CNN.com I predict you'll be pleasantly surprised, and may even find yourself in front of the TV on Sunday nights with the rest of us X-Files groupies. Feb 5, 2018 Full Review Rita Kempley Washington Post The X-Files movie is really just a two-hour teaser for the series's sixth season. And little else. May 19, 2008 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review [Carter's] are mysteries told using intelligent dialogue and subtle inference, chases, and suspense, versus the actionized spoils of your typical Hollywood alien-centric fluff. For that reason, this is a better-than-average TV-to-film adaptation. Rated: 3/4 Sep 6, 2023 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight So if you’re free on Sunday nights, tune into the show and catch up on a fascinating journey into paranormal disturbances and government conspiracies. It’s a wild ride and more exciting when you see it on the small screen. Rated: 2/4 Jan 7, 2023 Full Review Kelechi Ehenulo Confessions From A Geek Mind Whilst elements were designed to bring on new fans, the experience is better for fans who have knowledge of the show. Rated: 4/5 Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kevin P Incredible. Watch series 1 to 5 and then this one is all you need. This movie brings the whole plot to an incredible conclusion. Masterclass in how to wrap a series up with a bang. Shame they went on for more series and a terrible second movie. My advice is to stop watching after this movie and be satisfied. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/25 Full Review Lyra S A Sci-Fi Thriller That Still Holds Up! As a longtime fan of The X-Files, I was eager to see how the show’s signature blend of mystery, government conspiracy, and extraterrestrial intrigue would translate to the big screen. Fight the Future (1998) did not disappoint. This film expands on the series’ overarching mythology, offering a thrilling, cinematic experience while maintaining the eerie, paranoia-fueled atmosphere that made the show a cult classic. The movie follows FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they uncover a government cover-up involving an extraterrestrial virus buried deep in the Arctic. The pacing is sharp, the tension is palpable, and the stakes are higher than ever. While the film is accessible to newcomers, longtime fans will appreciate the deeper dive into the show’s lore, particularly the ever-present question: What is the government hiding from us? Beyond the storytelling, Fight the Future taps into real-world scientific questions that continue to fascinate astronomers and researchers. The idea of extraterrestrial microbes—a concept central to the film—has become an increasingly plausible topic in astrobiology, with scientists searching for evidence of life in places like Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Could life beyond Earth exist in forms we have yet to comprehend? And if so, would we be prepared to deal with it? The movie plays on these anxieties brilliantly, mixing speculative science with conspiracy-driven suspense. For anyone who enjoys sci-fi thrillers, government conspiracies, or the eternal question of “Are we alone?”, The X-Files: Fight the Future is a must-watch. As an amateur astronomer, I appreciate how the film sparks curiosity about the unknown, making us look up at the night sky and wonder what’s the truth that is out there. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vincent Kleijn Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/25 Full Review Jeff N This film shouldn't have worked. For one, it's a film based on a TV show and those almost never work. It might be the best film based on a TV show since "In the Heat of the Night." There's also major plot holes. One such plot hole is why are there bodies left over from an explosion that are so perfectly preserved? Wasn't the point of the explosion to get rid of said bodies, and aren't they basically turning to jelly? Yet, there they are in a morgue? That's just one example. Then there's the dialogue which is at best faltering at times. Yet, this film is a riveting and fun ride. This is mostly due to the chemistry between Mulder and Scully created by the great performances by the actors who play them. Then there's the captivating plot and the great cinematography. This bad script works because it's such a well made movie with such great acting. It's beyond good, it's a classic. Watch it once, and it will become a rewatchable you'll go back to every couple of years. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Fer E Tremendo clásico que me acabo de volver a ver. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Craig B The X-Files movie was an entertaining 'fillin' between series 5 and 6 of the equally entertaining series... yes, if you're only just getting to watch the X-Files, you need to watch this movie after the 5th series before watching the 6th series. The usual strong performances from Duchovny and Andersen shore up a pretty intriguing storyline. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review David C An excellent big screen adaptation of the Classic TV series. Now surely we can accept a couple things going in. The X-Files film is both a film and an episode. IT has to be. The film has excellent writing, acting set pieces and tone. It still initiates the un-initiated however it is the best for hard core fans. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In a small Texas town, a mysterious black substance emanating from the remains of a prehistoric human engulfs a young boy and his rescuers. Later, FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are in Dallas to disarm a bomb set to detonate inside a federal facility. Unfortunately the bomb explodes -- leaving four inside dead. Mulder and Scully then receive a tip that the disaster was a government effort to cover-up an alien virus linked to the boy's death.
Director
Rob Bowman
Producer
Chris Carter, Daniel Sackheim
Screenwriter
Chris Carter
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$83.9M
Runtime
2h 0m
Sound Mix
Surround
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