6 things The X-Files reboot needs to do to succeed – including one seismic change

I’m really excited to hear that Ryan Coogler is finally moving forward with a potential revival of The X-Files! After a lot of rumors and discussions with Vince Gilligan, it’s officially getting a pilot episode. Even better, Danielle Deadwyler is set to star – she’s an amazing actress and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the show.

Over three decades after it first aired, The X-Files remains a hugely influential show. It centers around the partnership between Fox Mulder, who passionately believes in the existence of aliens and is searching for his missing sister, and Dana Scully, a doctor who always seeks rational, scientific explanations for the bizarre events they investigate. This dynamic helped shape popular culture in a significant way.

Combining scary creatures, a complex world of government secrets and alien encounters, and the undeniable connection between stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, The X-Files built something truly unique, while still paying homage to the science fiction shows that came before it.

This new installment of the series arrives in a very different television environment and political atmosphere than when the original aired.

The series has the best chance of succeeding by celebrating what makes it unique, even if that means making a significant departure from the original, highly influential show.

1. Stay true to the monster of the week format

Television shows have changed a lot recently. Making them is now much more expensive, with episodes getting longer and bigger breaks between seasons becoming common.

TV has evolved a lot since shows like The X-Files were popular in the 1990s. Recent examples like Stranger Things, which took nearly ten years to make with very long episodes, and Apple TV+’s Pluribus, which had a massive budget, demonstrate this shift. These newer shows are much more ambitious in scope and cost than those of the past.

This new version of The X-Files could really stand out by focusing on standalone, spooky cases – the kind of ‘monster of the week’ episodes that made the original series so popular.

Each episode could feature a new, independent case for the main characters, while bigger storylines develop subtly over time. This approach would keep the show fast-paced and focused, avoiding the drawn-out plots that often slow down other series.

2. Build on the show’s original mythology

While The X-Files initially featured standalone monster-of-the-week episodes, the show increasingly focused on its overarching, season-long storyline – a narrative fans often call the ‘mytharc’ – as it progressed.

After ten years of hidden truths about government secrets and alien presence coming to light, it’s hard to imagine anyone overlooking the story. Ryan Coogler now faces the task of continuing the narrative Chris Carter started, and the big question is how to best approach it.

Want to see this content?

We need your permission to load content on this page, as it requires Google reCAPTCHA to function properly.

Look, the show isn’t starting from scratch – it has a history, and that’s okay. But what excites me is that Ryan Coogler clearly sees that history as a launchpad. He’s not afraid to take these established ideas and use them to tell stories that feel incredibly relevant and pressing right now. It’s about building on what came before, not just rehashing it.

A potential downside is that the show’s complex backstory could become a hindrance, or that the new season might rely too heavily on inside jokes and references. This could make it difficult for new viewers to follow along if they aren’t already familiar with the original series.

3. Let it be silly

It’s easy to remember The X-Files for its scary monsters and complex conspiracies, but the show offered much more. While episodes like ‘Home’ were truly terrifying, Mulder also investigated cases like a West Coast vampire cult. And in ‘Josie Chung’s From Outer Space,’ Mulder and Scully participated in interviews for a book about alien abductions, in an episode that was funny, self-aware, and played with the idea of unreliable storytelling.

A key strength of the original X-Files was its flexibility, allowing it to change things up each week. If the new show can capture that same playful spirit and occasional humor, it could avoid the pitfall of many reboots and sequels that take themselves too seriously.

4. Be careful with how legacy characters are used

What makes The X-Files so compelling is its realistic feel. Beyond the main characters, Mulder and Scully, and the complex government agencies they interact with, the show features memorable supporting characters like The Lone Gunmen – a group of quirky conspiracy theorists.

The show also spawned a short-lived spin-off series. Additionally, Carter was the creator of Millennium, a TV show set in the same fictional world as The X-Files.

This gives director Ryan Coogler a lot of options for bringing back familiar characters or making references to them, beyond just the main duo, Mulder and Scully. Their involvement – or lack thereof – will undoubtedly be a significant factor in how this new version of the show is received.

I’m really excited about this revival, but I think it needs to tread carefully with its returning characters. It’s so tempting to lean too heavily on the past, and that could actually hurt the show. Revivals and sequels like this – think Star Wars, Top Gun, or even the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe – always rely on that rush of excitement when fans recognize something familiar. It’s that ‘look at that!’ moment, like when Leonardo DiCaprio points in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – and honestly, it’s hard to resist giving the audience those little dopamine boosts, but it shouldn’t overshadow the new story.

Looking back fondly at the original X-Files might actually hinder a reboot’s potential. The show thrived on being groundbreaking, and relying too much on what fans already love could prevent it from reaching its full potential.

5. Develop the political commentary of the original

Although the original X-Files often featured standalone ‘monster of the week’ episodes, they didn’t use symbolic storytelling as effectively as classic shows like The Twilight Zone. However, the series wasn’t afraid to tackle tough political issues, and it often predicted future events with unsettling accuracy.

The show’s central mystery begins with an unnamed government insider, nicknamed ‘Deep Throat’ – a nod to the source who revealed details about the Watergate scandal. ‘The X-Files’ frequently questioned government power, its potential for misuse, and the implications of living under constant observation by those meant to keep us safe.

Since the original show aired, our world has changed dramatically. Constant surveillance is now commonplace, and governments frequently face accusations of dishonesty. Ryan Coogler’s updated version of the show is expected to be even more critical of these modern issues than the original was.

A key reason Ryan Coogler’s new film, Sinners, was so popular is its clever combination of a gripping vampire narrative with insightful themes about race and the creative process.

I always enjoyed how Carter’s show would pull in stories and beliefs from different cultures, even if it wasn’t always perfect – it definitely showed its age sometimes. But I think Coogler is exactly who we need now. He’s not only going to dig into what’s happening politically where the show takes place, but he also seems like he’ll really do justice to bringing in those rich traditions and myths from around the world.

6. Ditch the Mulder and Scully dynamic

Some X-Files fans might not like this idea, but the new show could really succeed by doing something different with the relationship between its main characters. The dynamic between Mulder and Scully was central to the original series’ drama and romantic undertones, and a fresh approach could help the reboot stand on its own.

A modern revival of The X-Files would have to acknowledge that the public is now more aware of government conspiracies, like those involving The Syndicate. Furthermore, consistently featuring a skeptical character would not only diminish the impact of the original series, but would constantly invite unfavorable comparisons to it.

What truly makes the original X-Files memorable isn’t just the contrast between Mulder’s belief in the paranormal and Scully’s skepticism, but also the underlying romantic feelings between them.

For Ryan Coogler’s show to succeed and be seen as its own entity, rather than simply a copy of the original, it might be best to avoid closely mirroring the dynamic between the show’s famous original characters.

The X-Files is available to watch on Disney+. You can sign up to Disney+ from £5.99 a month now.

Don’t miss out on The X-Files! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

Sam R Moore

Sam writes about art and culture, with a particular interest in science fiction and low-budget horror. Their work has appeared in publications like The Guardian, Frieze, Little White Lies, and GamesRadar, covering everything from highbrow art to popular entertainment.

2026-02-25 18:36