While most seasons of The X-Files are worth watching, these are the most compelling episodes that everyone should see. Sci-fi and horror fans have been treated to some epic small-screen storytelling over the past few decades. There’s the high school terror of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Buffy’s intriguing coming-of-age journey (and that horrifying Hellmouth). There’s The Expanse, Prime Video’s six-season series set in space. And, of course, there’s Stranger Things, which ended its five-season run with a big Upside Down reveal. But, speaking of The Expanse, can any other show really compete with space?
Well, since The X-Files, which is now streaming for free on Pluto, is about aliens, it’s a serious contender for the most impressive sci-fi series, and it’s the perfect time to see what all the excitement is about. The X-Files premiered in 1993 and stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, partners who don’t agree on the paranormal cases they investigate (to put it mildly). All 11 seasons include creatures and character development, along with smart quotes and fun monster-of-the-week episodes. Watch these stand-out episodes, and you’ll be ready for Ryan Coogler’s upcoming X-Files reboot, too.
“Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 1
The first episode of The X-Files is considered one of the best TV pilots, and it’s the perfect way to meet Scully and Mulder. The episode focuses on the main case (a high schooler named Karen Swenson who dies mysteriously) and Scully and Mulder’s already intense relationship. Between the pilot’s creepy, supernatural tone and the intelligent main characters, it’s hard to find any issues here.
The X-Files pilot is also significant because it shares information about Mulder that viewers both need and want to know. While on the one hand, he’s portrayed as a bit of a strange figure because he thinks the paranormal is real, viewers learn he saw aliens kidnap his sister Samantha (or, at least, he believes he saw it, depending on what we think). This helps viewers understand him and also empathize with him since he has experienced pain and loss.
“Deep Throat”
Season 1, Episode 2
Like other sci-fi shows with strong first seasons, The X-Files Season 1 has more than a few great episodes, including Episode 2. A show’s second episode should be even more compelling than the pilot since it should dive more into the premise and develop the characters more. Anyone curious about the series should check out this episode, which is so fantastic thanks to Jerry Hardin’s character, Deep Throat, an informant who interacts a lot with Mulder. Deep Throat says a particularly memorable quote when he and Mulder are talking about aliens:
“You’ve seen things that weren’t to be seen. Care and discretion, are now imperative.”
Since Deep Throat knows a lot about the world that Scully dismisses and Mulder truly believes in, he’s a continually riveting and mysterious figure. While The X-Files has great monsters, it has well-drawn characters, too. It’s fun to watch him and Mulder interact since it’s never quite clear if Mulder will get along with someone or challenge them. The end of Deep Throat’s arc is also satisfying, and after watching him in Episode 2, you’ll want to see every episode he’s in.
“Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster”
Season 10, Episode 3
It’s a tough reality that reboots and revivals aren’t often all that much fun. Some reboots are more enjoyable than originals, but that doesn’t happen all that often. Sure, The X-Files fans likely wouldn’t say the more recent episodes are the best ones, and most fans probably wouldn’t consider this Season 10 episode all that engaging. However, it’s proof that the show still has plenty of entertainment value, even years after its premiere. It also has a memorable creature: the were-monster, who can also turn into an odd lizard/human hybrid. Yes. That really happens.
“Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster” can be watched anytime, so anyone curious about the sci-fi series can check it out without needing to get too caught up on what’s going on. It also features a great performance from Kumail Nanjiani as Pasha, who is an officer working for animal control.
“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose”
Season 3, Episode 4
Yes, The X-Files is about disgusting monsters, whether aliens exist, and the growing relationship between Mulder and Scully. But it can deliver a more serious, compassionate, and emotional episode, too, which is why Season 3, Episode 4, “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” deserves to be seen.
Although The X-Files revival isn’t widely considered one of the greatest 2010s revivals, the earliest seasons of the original show are the most interesting, including this episode. While the storyline is heavy, Clyde Bruckman (Peter Boyle) is treated with care. Everybody Loves Raymond fans who loved Boyle’s time as cynical Frank Barone have to see him play this more somber character. Thanks to his strong performance as Clyde, who knows things about people’s deaths that logic can’t explain, the late Boyle won the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Emmy in 1996. The fact that a character who only appears once could make such a big impact is impressive.
“Bad Blood”
Season 5, Episode 12
No TV fan could wait for Vince Gilligan’s series Pluribus, which arrived on Apple TV in November 2025. But even before he created his beloved crime drama Breaking Bad, Gilligan wrote and directed several episodes of The X-Files, including “Bad Blood.” Anyone who enjoys his work will love this episode… but also, it’s about vampires, a classic horror trope that is usually welcome, as long as it’s used well. Thankfully, it’s perfect here.
The name of the episode, which is of course also the name of a popular Taylor Swift song, refers to the main storyline, which is fairly campy. Sure, it hits some notes that other episodes do, like the continual focus on how much Mulder believes in the paranormal. It’s still engaging, though. Plus, pizza plays a big part in the plotline, which adds another fun element. Honestly, who doesn’t love vampires and pizza? Also, Gilligan writes about pizza a lot (Breaking Bad fans know).
“Chinga”
Season 5, Episode 10
2025 alone has had several Stephen King adaptations, but the popular author has written for television, too, and he wrote The X-Files Season 5, Episode 10, “Chinga,” which aired on Feb. 8th, 1998. The episode tells the tale of Polly Turner (Jenny-Lynn Hutcheson), who has an evil doll, Chinga. Yes, King wrote an X-Files episode, and it involves an evil doll. Do we really need any more information? We want to watch it immediately, right?
Not everyone agrees that “Chinga” is a key X-Files episode. Some think it’s pretty bad (and Season 5, in general, has a low Rotten Tomatoes score of 67%). Others consider it a chilling episode, thanks to the scary doll horror movie trope. Sure, there’s no denying that the episode has the look and feel of a corny ’90s supernatural movie. Still, it’s best to embrace it as a purely entertaining episode, and it’s cool to see what King dreamed up.
“Squeeze”
Season 1, Episode 3
The X-Files serial killer Eugene Victor Tooms (Doug Hutchison) gives any slasher villain a run for their money. Sure, Jason Vorhees has his famous hockey mask, Ghostface has his creepy phone voice (and horror movie quizzes), and Michael Myers, well, he doesn’t talk… but he is pretty terrifying. Tooms, who is the focal point of Season 1, Episode 3, “Squeeze,” is so fascinating because he can make himself fit into small areas.
Although some might argue that Season 1, Episode 21, “Tooms,” which features a return of this character, might be better since it adds more depth to the character, “Squeeze” is superior because it features a horrifying reveal about him. It’s also a nice reminder that, although the series can look dated at times, which is unavoidable, Tooms is still as scary today as he was back when the episode aired. Although there are plenty of terrible The X-Files villains, Tooms comes up the most when fans discuss the most frightening figures from the show. He’s an important part of the sci-fi series since he emphasizes that even though Scully and Mulder are brilliant, their jobs put them in dangerous scenarios, and they might not always get away so easily.
“The Host”
Season 2, Episode 2
Even Mulder and Scully’s famous dynamic isn’t the number one reason to watch The X-Files. Yes, it’s a major factor. But no sci-fi or horror fan has truly lived until they’ve seen the show’s best creature, The Flukeman, who shows up in Season 2, Episode 2, “The Host.”
One glimpse, and it’s clear why this episode stands out for so many viewers. What’s creepier, the fact that the Flukeman spends time in the sewers, or his slimy appearance? Maybe that’s a rhetorical question. “The Host” is a great episode for anyone who wants to see what The X-Files is all about: eerie monsters, fascinating investigations, and the clever Scully/Mulder relationship. Hopefully, the reboot will include plenty of creatures who are as scary as this one, but in the meantime, there are 11 seasons of the original sci-fi series to enjoy. Whether viewers choose the holiday-themed episodes of The X-Files or pick something random, they can’t really go wrong.
What’s your favorite episode of The X-Files, or the one that you recommend the most to friends? Let us know in the comments!
- Release Date
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1993 – 2018-00-00
- Network
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FOX
