3 Best The X-Files Episodes About Ghosts (And One Is Genuinely Terrifying)

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While we appreciate the series’ intricate alien invasion narrative, we find that the “Monster of the Week” installments often shine brighter. These self-contained tales offer an opportunity for the show and its cast to explore new grounds, whether it’s humor, horror, or the extraordinary. From confronting monstrous creatures to superpowered assassins, robotic insects, and even ghostly apparitions, Agents Mulder and Sculd have encountered a wide range of entities. Among these, a handful of episodes featuring spectral antagonists resonate more strongly. Here are our top picks.

3) Season 4, Episode 22 – “Elegy”

An ‘Elegy’ is a narrative about spirits of the newly deceased who mysteriously manifest among the living. Though they seem to wish to convey something, they are unable. Despite this, they all depart with the same cryptic statement: ‘I am she.’

In simpler terms, most of the ghosts that frequently manifest to Harold Spuller (Steven M. Porter) are victims of a local serial killer. However, despite initial assumptions that his compulsive organizational habits might make him the killer, there seems to be something far more sinister at play.

In this latest installment, the creepy specters are undeniably chilling, yet the overall mood veers more towards a poignant melancholy – an unexpected shift from the show’s usual horror roots. As for Harold, played masterfully by Porter, his portrayal is nothing short of heartwarming and profoundly moving.

2) Season 3, Episode 5 – “The List”

In this chilling tale, we follow Napoleon “Neech” Manley, a man sentenced to death for his crimes, who vows from the electric chair that he’ll exact revenge on the five men who wronged him. Barely weeks after his execution, a series of mysterious deaths ensue. What makes these killings particularly unsettling isn’t just their inexplicable nature-one victim’s head is found inside a paint can, and the rest of the body ends up in the warden’s office-but also the rapid infestation of green bottle fly larvae on the bodies. We can’t help but feel a shiver down our spine when recalling this grisly account.

As a cinephile, I can tell you that this episode cleverly reserves the genuine apparitions of the ghost for pivotal moments, leaving you with an eerie sense that he could be lurking anywhere in between. It’s a terror that creeps beneath your skin as the characters who suspect Neech’s presence feel his curse weighing heavily upon them. The tension builds and coils throughout the episode, finally releasing in a satisfying and definitive climax. To add to its appeal, this episode boasts a star-studded cast, featuring familiar faces like Bokeem Woodbine, J.T. Walsh, April Grace, and horror icon Ken Foree.

1) Season 6, Episode 6 – “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas”

The standout ghost episode of The X-Files, titled ‘How the Ghosts Stole Christmas’, is exceptional overall. This episode features Mulder and Scully, with Scully deciding to accompany him on a Christmas Eve investigation of a haunted house, although she would not have been there otherwise.

In truth, the house is inhabited by two ghostly beings: Maurice (Ed Asner) and Lydia (Lily Tomlin). They find amusement in causing distress to the living, and they particularly delight in doing so during holiday seasons.

This installment has a lighter tone despite its ominous undertone. Asner and Tomlin, both charming and ruthless, play their parts exceptionally well. They strive to drive Mulder and Scully apart, creating such amusement that it’s challenging to decide whom to support.

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2025-09-12 00:41