Believe it or not, one of the most unsettling episodes of The X-Files is a Christmas story. Throughout its eleven seasons, the show captivated viewers with FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigated strange and supernatural events. From ghosts to terrifying alien encounters, their cases were consistently thrilling and frightening. Many episodes remain truly scary even today, prompting fans to revisit their favorites. One episode, set just before Christmas, is particularly memorable and worth watching this time of year.
“How the Ghosts Stole Christmas,” the sixth episode of The X-Files’s sixth season, first aired on December 13, 1998. The episode follows Mulder and Scully as they investigate a supposedly haunted house on Christmas Eve, where they experience frightening events that strain their relationship. Featuring guest appearances by acting legends Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin, this “Monster of the Week” installment is one of only two Christmas episodes in the entire series and remains a must-watch for fans even 27 years later.
“How the Ghosts Stole Christmas” Is a Haunting Holiday Tale
The episode immediately grabs your attention with the story of a couple who committed suicide on Christmas Eve in 1917 and now haunt the mansion they died in. Once Mulder and Scully enter the dilapidated house, they find themselves trapped and experience eerie sounds and unsettling visions. Separated from each other, they encounter the ghosts, Maurice and Lyda, who try to convince Scully that Mulder will betray her, mirroring their own tragic pact. In a tense confrontation, Scully and Mulder end up shooting each other, but it’s ultimately revealed that everything was an illusion created by Lyda. Shaken but unharmed, the agents leave the house and later share Christmas gifts.
As a big fan of The X-Files, I think “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas” is genuinely one of the creepiest episodes, but it’s not the supernatural stuff that gets to me. What really makes it scary is watching Mulder and Scully turn on each other – it gets pretty intense and even violent. Throughout the series, they always have each other’s backs, no matter what, but in this episode, their partnership feels like it’s about to completely fall apart, and it’s all happening inside a warped, unreal scenario. The most disturbing scene, for me, is when they’re crawling through the house, leaving trails of blood, all while that haunting version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” plays. Seeing those two in such a gruesome situation is definitely one of the most unsettling moments in the entire show.
As a huge fan of atmospheric horror, I have to say this episode really delivers. The creepy old house and genuinely unsettling vibe just amplify the scares, making it a classic ghost story. What’s even more impressive is how convincingly Duchovny and Anderson play off each other – you really believe Mulder and Scully might actually turn on each other! It’s definitely not one to watch with the kids, but if you’re a horror fan looking for something to get you in the spooky spirit during the holidays, “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas” is a fantastic choice.
Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin Are the Real Stars of the Episode
Seeing Hollywood veterans Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin in The X-Files is a genuine pleasure. They both give fantastic performances that perfectly suit the episode’s eerie and unpredictable tone. The ghosts of Maurice and Lyda are surprisingly funny rather than frightening. While they maintain a ghostly presence, their playful attempts to deceive Mulder and Scully are genuinely amusing. This clever mix of humor and horror showcases the incredible talent of Asner and Tomlin, familiar to movie and TV audiences for years.
Ed Asner, famous for his roles as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the voice of Carl Fredricksen in the movie Up (2009), and Santa Claus in the film Elf (2003), passed away in 2021 at age 91. Though he’s gone, fans—especially those who enjoyed The X-Files—can still appreciate his memorable guest appearance on the show. Lily Tomlin, a beloved performer known for her stand-up, Broadway work, and films like Nashville (1975), All of Me (1984), and Grandma (2015), was an ideal choice to play a hilariously mischievous ghost in The X-Files’ best Christmas episode. Asner and Tomlin truly shine in “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas,” making it a holiday favorite.
All episodes of The X-Files are available to stream on Hulu.
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2025-12-13 17:40