10 Shows & Movies Like The X-Files (1993)

Description: As one of The X-Files' primary influences, The Twilight Zone shares its anthology format of strange, thought-provoking stories with twist endings. Both shows explore social commentary through science fiction and horror, often leaving viewers with unsettling questions. Many X-Files episodes pay direct homage to Twilight Zone's storytelling style.

Fact: Rod Serling wrote over 80 of the original series' 156 episodes himself. The iconic theme music was created by French composer Marius Constant when CBS rejected Bernard Herrmann's original score. Several Twilight Zone episodes were remade as X-Files episodes, including 'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet' (as 'Fearful Symmetry').

Description: Twin Peaks influenced The X-Files with its blend of supernatural mystery and small-town weirdness. Both shows feature FBI agents investigating bizarre cases that uncover deeper conspiracies and strange phenomena. David Lynch's surreal storytelling and the show's atmospheric tone were clear inspirations for The X-Files' more mysterious episodes.

Fact: Twin Peaks was originally conceived as a closed-ended miniseries about Laura Palmer's murder. Kyle MacLachlan (Agent Cooper) turned down the role of Fox Mulder in The X-Files. The show's iconic Red Room sequences were inspired by David Lynch's meditation experiences.

Description: Supernatural shares The X-Files' episodic structure of investigating paranormal phenomena, though with a stronger focus on folklore and mythology. Like Mulder and Scully, the Winchester brothers form a compelling investigative duo, balancing personal drama with their monster-hunting missions. The show also features a similar mix of standalone episodes and serialized storytelling.

Fact: Supernatural is one of the longest-running American live-action fantasy TV series. The show's iconic 1967 Chevrolet Impala was almost a different car - the producers initially considered using a Mustang. Several X-Files alumni have worked on Supernatural, including writers and directors.

Description: While more comedic and science-focused, Eureka shares The X-Files' premise of a government agent investigating strange occurrences in a peculiar community. Both shows blend science fiction with procedural elements, though Eureka leans more toward scientific anomalies than paranormal ones.

Fact: The town's original name was 'Eureka, Oregon' before being changed to a fictional location. The show features numerous cameos by real-life scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson. Several episodes feature homages to classic sci-fi films like Back to the Future.

Description: Fringe is similar to The X-Files in its blend of science fiction, paranormal investigations, and government conspiracies. Both shows feature a duo of investigators (one believer, one skeptic) delving into bizarre cases, often involving fringe science and alternate realities. The show also shares The X-Files' mix of episodic 'monster-of-the-week' stories and overarching mythology.

Fact: Fringe was created by J.J. Abrams, who also co-created Lost. The show's protagonist, Olivia Dunham, was originally written as a male character. Fringe features numerous Easter eggs and hidden references to The X-Files.

Description: This lighthearted sci-fi series shares The X-Files' premise of government agents investigating strange phenomena, though with more comedic and fantastical elements. Both shows feature a mix of standalone cases and ongoing mythology, with artifacts in Warehouse 13 serving a similar function to X-Files' paranormal phenomena.

Fact: The warehouse set was one of the largest ever built for a Syfy original series. Several X-Files alumni worked on the show, including writer Jane Espenson. The concept was partially inspired by the final scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Description: Based on Stephen King's The Colorado Kid, Haven shares The X-Files' structure of a FBI agent investigating strange phenomena in a small town with dark secrets. Like The X-Files, it blends standalone monster-of-the-week stories with an overarching mythology about the town's mysterious afflictions.

Fact: The show was filmed in Nova Scotia, standing in for the fictional Maine town. It's one of the few TV adaptations of Stephen King's work that he had no direct involvement with. The series finale was originally planned as a two-hour movie before being split into two episodes.

Description: While more focused on technology than paranormal, Black Mirror shares The X-Files' anthology format and its penchant for exploring disturbing, thought-provoking concepts. Both shows use speculative fiction to examine contemporary social issues, often with dark, unsettling conclusions that linger with viewers.

Fact: The show's title refers to the black reflection seen in turned-off screens of TVs and devices. Creator Charlie Brooker initially conceived the show as 'The Twilight Zone for the digital age.' The episode 'USS Callister' was originally pitched as a Star Trek parody before becoming a Black Mirror installment.

Description: This cult classic was a direct inspiration for The X-Files, featuring a investigative reporter uncovering supernatural phenomena that authorities try to cover up. Like Mulder, Kolchak is a lone truth-seeker facing skepticism and bureaucratic opposition. The show's monster-of-the-week format and mix of horror and humor clearly influenced The X-Files' formula.

Fact: The series was based on two popular TV movies starring Darren McGavin. Chris Carter has cited Kolchak as the primary inspiration for The X-Files. McGavin later appeared in two X-Files episodes as a retired Agent Arthur Dales.

Description: This sci-fi anthology series shares The X-Files' fascination with alien encounters, government conspiracies, and scientific anomalies. Both shows blend horror and science fiction elements, often featuring mysterious phenomena investigated by authorities or experts. The rebooted Outer Limits particularly resembles The X-Files in its darker tone and production values.

Fact: The 1995 revival was actually the second reboot attempt after a failed 1988 pilot. Many X-Files writers and directors also worked on The Outer Limits. The show's famous opening narration ('There is nothing wrong with your television set...') was parodied in numerous other shows, including The Simpsons.