The X-Files

Right now you can watch The X-Files in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Hulu — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. 11 seasons is a serious commitment, but one that pays off episode after episode. 3,628 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for David Duchovny — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The X-Files is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The X-Files uses its genre premise as cover for asking bigger questions. The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries that debunk Mulder's work and thus return him to mainstream cases. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. The series ran for 11 seasons (1993–2018), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. The X-Files resists the temptation to explain everything, trusting the audience to sit with ambiguity. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

The X-Files is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. If you have already watched Fringe, The X-Files is a natural next step. 11 seasons in, there is no shortage of material once you get started. David Duchovny's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.

The X-Files wrapped up in 2018, created by Chris Carter — and 11 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.