The X-Files is probably one of the best-known sci-fi drama shows that hail from the ’90s, the Golden Age of television entertainment. The show, originally written by Chris Carter, became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 1993, introducing us to the adventures of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, as they investigated the eponymous X-Files, unsolved cases that often involved the paranormal.
In March 2023, more than two decades after the series concluded its original run, director Ryan Coogler announced that he’s rebooting The X-Files series, and with Sinners now behind him, he appears ready to shift his focus towards reinventing the now legendary television show. His upcoming reboot already has fans buzzing with excitement, especially since he promised a fresh, scarier take on the beloved sci-fi series.
Coogler recently added that the reboot is his immediate next project following Sinners, and that he aims to create episodes that will appeal to both longtime fans and new viewers who are just entering the eerie and unsettling world of The X-Files. There’s also hopeful news about one of the the show’s original stars, Gillian Anderson, potentially returning as Agent Scully, which adds to the anticipation but also conflicts with the expectations of giving the show a fresh start, rather than continuing where the old show left off.
If you’re excited about Ryan Coogler’s The X-Files reboot, now’s the perfect time to dive into the original series. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it as a longtime fan, it’s well worth your time. And if you’re new to the world of The X-Files, here are five essential episodes to get you ready for what’s next:
“Pilot”: Season 1, Episode 1
The pilot episode doesn’t lean heavily into horror, but it does lay the groundwork for the series’ overarching mythology. It introduces us to FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully, whose dynamic becomes the heart of The X-Files. Mulder is a firm believer in the paranormal, driven by personal loss and obsessed with uncovering the truth. Scully, on the other hand, is a skeptic — tasked with scientifically debunking his work, she often acts as the voice of the audience.
Their first case takes them to Oregon to investigate a series of unexplained events involving teenagers who appear to have been abducted by aliens. This episode is essential viewing — not just because it kicks off the alien conspiracy arc, but because it subtly introduces the show’s central antagonist and sets the tone for everything that follows.
“Squeeze”: Season 1, Episode 3
While The X-Files is best known for its overarching alien mythology, filled with government cover-ups and human-alien hybrid experiments, it also thrived on monster-of-the-week episodes. These standalone cases gave Mulder and Scully a chance to tackle everything from mutants to cryptids, combining serialized storytelling with self-contained mysteries. That balance helped make the show accessible to both longtime fans and casual viewers.
Two standout examples are “Squeeze” and its sequel “Tooms.” Though separate episodes, they tell a connected story and are often cited as some of the series’ best. In “Squeeze,” Mulder and Scully investigate a series of murders tied to Eugene Victor Tooms, a seemingly normal janitor who can contort his body to fit through impossibly tight spaces. In “Tooms,” he returns after being released from psychiatric custody, once again preying on victims to feed his disturbing need for human livers.
“Beyond the Sea”: Season 1, Episode 13
This episode has Mulder and Scully switch roles, with Mulder being the skeptical one and Scully being the believer in the paranormal. Her scientific resolve, which she maintained throughout the series, is shaken when the two meet a death row inmate, Luther Lee Boggs.
Boggs claims that he’s psychic and can lead the agents to a rampant serial killer in exchange for a lesser sentence. Mulder is skeptical, but Scully believes Boggs after he tells her that she can communicate with her recently deceased father through him. This episode also reveals Scully’s internal conflicts as both a scientist and a Catholic.
“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”: Season 3, Episode 4
“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” received universal acclaim, and it’s believed to be one of The X-Files’ best episodes. It’s the best of the best, and all other episodes should be judged against this one. Peter Boyle, best known at the time for his work on 1974’s Young Frankenstein, plays Clyde Bruckman, a psychic who can tell a person how they’re going to die, and Mulder and Scully are his security detail.
We won’t reveal any more details about the episode, but we’ll say that it earned both Morgan and Boyle Emmys, which is nothing short of remarkable, especially for an episode that’s relatively still early in the show.
“Home”: Season 4, Episode 2
Home” is probably the most controversial and scary episode of the show. It was the first episode of the show to carry a viewer discretion warning, and the only episode to receive a TV-MA rating. The episode was so shocking that Fox banned it from re-airing, though it was later added back for streaming.
Mulder and Scully begin investigating the Peacock family after a corpse of a deformed baby is found on their property, only to learn that the family has been inbreeding since the American Civil War. They also learn that the Peacock brothers have been repeatedly impregnating their own mother, who had all four of her limbs removed so they could keep her secluded in their house.
The episode goes to show that, sometimes, humans are the real monsters. It also satirizes the American Dream while addressing globalization and exploring the nature of motherhood.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting curious thanks to Ryan Coogler’s upcoming reboot, these five episodes capture the essence of The X-Files and offer the perfect foundation for what lies ahead. The truth may still be out there, but one thing is clear: Coogler has big shoes to fill. Given his track record, there is every reason to believe he is up to the task.
