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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 73 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

The X-Files

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Paul Tatara CNN.com 02/05/2018
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. Go to Full Review
Paul Clinton (CNN.com) CNN.com 02/05/2018
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. Go to Full Review
Rita Kempley Washington Post 05/19/2008
The X-Files movie is really just a two-hour teaser for the series's sixth season. And little else. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/06/2023
3/4
[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. Go to Full Review
Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight 01/07/2023
2/4
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. Go to Full Review
Kelechi Ehenulo Confessions From A Geek Mind 07/17/2020
4/5
Whilst elements were designed to bring on new fans, the experience is better for fans who have knowledge of the show. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael A Dec 3 The X-Files entered a stage of uncertainty when the office that brought so many memories was burned to a crisp. Then, the first X-Files Feature movie let us know that our favorite agents, Mulder and Scully, didn't need an office to do what they do best... Argue. Chasing aliens, cigarette smoking men, and a fantastic bomb sequence lead the agents into the cold depths of their biggest X-File yet. It's fun and clever in a lot of ways. There's certainly the need for an audience to watch at least half of the episodes that came before it, but all in all, Rob Bowman delivers a solid movie with everything you'd expect from the show, and more. See more David S. Nov 12 Allright for a movie adaptation of the series, but it is hard for those who don't understand the series lore, to keep up with it. Though watchable and fairly short, it has a few issues, but all around better then the next film and hey, I enjoyed it!!! See more Daniel C. M Aug 24 As someone who never saw the show, this was extremely intriguing and thrilling. I loved the aspect of mixing a conspiracy political thriller with sci-fi. The main character's and actor's chemistry were great; there were plenty of horror-esque scenes which were directed perfectlly and were genuinely scary. See more Landon J @Minxsykitty Apr 12 As a non show fan, take my review with a grain of salt. This was incredibly boring... lots of weird little tails to chase, nonsensical plot points and tropes, all leading to a lamo goofy alien plot to destroy the world again. Seems this IP really does belong on television. See more Kevin P Feb 12 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. See more Lyra S Feb 4 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 See more Read all reviews
The X-Files

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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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