What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe X-Files
Rob Bowman · Film · 1998
If you loved The X-Files, start with The X-Files (Chris Carter, 1993) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 1 podcast, each matched to The X-Files across media.
If you loved The X-Files, you are likely drawn to stories where ordinary investigators peel back layers of government deception to confront the unknown.
Start with the source
The source
The X-Files
Chris Carter · Series · 1993
Books on the same thread
The Tomb
F. Paul Wilson · Book · 1998
Shares a thread with The X-Files: Paranormal Investigation.
Much like the investigations led by Mulder and Scully, this book focuses on the visceral thrill of exposing ancient, hidden threats that defy rational explanation and typical law enforcement protocols.
Alex Cross
James Patterson · Book · 1993
Explores: Serial Killers, FBI, Family.
This story mirrors the paranoia found in The X-Files by placing a dedicated investigator in a high-stakes scenario where powerful, shadowy government entities actively work to obstruct the pursuit of justice.
The Tommyknockers
Stephen King · Book · 2016
Explores: Technological Horror, Mind Control, Alien Artifacts.
Fans of The X-Files will recognize the unsettling atmosphere of small-town horror combined with alien intervention, where the discovery of extraterrestrial artifacts fundamentally alters the reality of the local population.
Mystery and Suspense Writers
Robin W. Winks, Maureen Corrigan · Book · 1998
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Red herrings, Atmospheric settings.
This collection provides deep insight into the mystery genre, serving as an essential companion for those who appreciate the narrative complexity and atmospheric suspense defining the world of The X-Files.
Series on the same thread
Fringe
Alex Kurtzman · Series · 2008
Shares 2 threads with The X-Files: Government Conspiracy, Paranormal Investigation.
This series is the natural successor to The X-Files, featuring an FBI-led team that investigates inexplicable phenomena while navigating a vast, interconnected conspiracy that threatens the fabric of their reality.
Millennium
Chris Carter · Series · 1996
Shares a thread with The X-Files: Paranormal Investigation.
Created by the same mind behind The X-Files, this show captures the same sense of dread and moral decay as an expert investigator confronts shadowy, apocalyptic forces operating in the dark.
The Expanse
Mark Fergus · Series · 2015
Explores: Interplanetary Conflict, Corporate Conspiracy, Social Stratification.
The X-Files fans will appreciate how this narrative elevates a missing persons case into a sprawling, solar-system-wide conspiracy, mirroring the high-stakes search for truth against powerful, hidden institutional interests.
Podcasts on the same thread
Radio X-Files
Podcast
Explores: Skepticism, Critical Thinking, Open-minded Inquiry.
Continue your engagement with the themes of The X-Files through this podcast, which encourages the same spirit of open-minded inquiry and critical skepticism regarding fringe science and unexplained paranormal occurrences.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the chronological order for watching The X-Files?
The X-Files television series began in 1993. The X-Files movie directed by Rob Bowman was released in 1998, following the events of the earlier television seasons. You should watch the series first to understand the conspiracy narrative before viewing the 1998 film.
Is The X-Files movie a standalone story?
The X-Files movie continues the overarching plot from the television series. It follows Mulder and Scully as they are removed from their FBI assignments and investigate a government conspiracy involving alien colonization. It is best viewed after becoming familiar with the television show's established lore.
How does the plot of The X-Files movie connect to the television series?
The X-Files movie serves as a bridge for the television series narrative. It focuses on Mulder and Scully working to uncover a shadowy government conspiracy regarding alien colonization of Earth, building upon the themes and character dynamics established in the 1993 television show.
Should I watch The X-Files television series before the 1998 movie?
Yes, watching The X-Files television series, which started in 1993, provides necessary context for the 1998 film. The movie assumes knowledge of the characters and the conspiracy theories surrounding alien colonization that are central to the television show's long-running plot.