Disney’s X-Files Reboot Already Has the Perfect Secret Weapon 32 Years in the Making

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A hugely popular and critically acclaimed show from the 1990s, remains incredibly popular over three decades after it first aired. The series successfully blended horror and science fiction for a wide audience, running for seven seasons in the ’90s, followed by two movies and a revival in 2016. The investigations of FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully into unexplained phenomena have inspired numerous TV shows, films, comics, and parodies, and its influence can still be seen today.

Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther and Creed, is set to reboot The X-Files. While Coogler is a talented filmmaker, many fans cherish the dynamic between Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny’s characters, and a reboot risks losing that magic and feeling like a diminished version of the original. Disney clearly has confidence in Coogler following his film successes and is moving forward with a live-action remake. However, for a series like The X-Files, Disney might be better off leveraging its strengths in animation rather than pursuing another live-action adaptation.

Disney Should Use Its Other Successful Animated Adaptations as a Blueprint for The X-Files

Over the past few years, some of the best shows Disney+ has offered have been animated spin-offs and sequels, especially within the superhero and fantasy genres like Marvel and Star Wars. Shows like Marvel’s What If…? and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man stand out because of their amazing animation and how they connect to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly the multiverse storyline that began after Avengers: Endgame.

These TV shows build on existing character arcs that audiences already know and love, while also adding new storylines. They also allow for the introduction of fresh characters who can then appear in the movies – a strategy that worked well with Captain Carter, who first appeared in What If…? before being featured in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Even when a character’s future in the main Marvel Cinematic Universe is uncertain, seeing them expanded upon in these shows is a welcome addition, as fans saw with

An animated version could follow the same successful approach. Recreating the original characters in animation, either with fresh storylines or by continuing their existing arcs, is sure to excite fans. Plus, using the original voice actors would maintain the characters’ appeal and avoid the problem of them looking different due to aging.

An animated X-Files series, on the other hand, could be really creative. It could feature different animation styles for each episode or season by using a variety of animators, even from different countries. This would heighten the impact of the show’s horror and science fiction elements.

An Animated X-Files Series Would Open Limitless Options for the Show’s Concepts

Considering it was created 30 years ago, the show had ambitious ideas for its monsters and supernatural elements. However, bringing those concepts to life was a challenge given the show’s limited budget – around $2 million total for about 25 episodes. Today, with TV episodes often costing that much alone, an animated series would be a much more practical and effective way to realize those ideas. It would allow the creators to fully explore the horror and sci-fi concepts, giving them the freedom to bring their imaginations to life.

Disney+’s X-Men ’97 is a great example of a successful recent series. It continued the story from the original ’90s show while also introducing it to a new generation of viewers. The series maintained the familiar ’90s feel, but also explored the limits of the characters’ abilities and showcased dynamic battle animation.

The show also benefited from a shorter season, which allowed the writers to focus on quality—a contrast to the lengthy seasons common in 1990s crime dramas. This approach was successful, earning critical acclaim and a Primetime Emmy nomination last year.

CBR Report

CBR Report

Pushing the limits of animation in a new X-Files series would definitely be eye-catching. It would allow for a more detailed look at aliens, their technology, and strange creatures with their abilities – something the original series often hinted at or showed with less-than-convincing effects.

It makes perfect sense to use animation to bring back memorable moments from the show, especially since it avoids the high costs of today’s special effects. Being able to visually depict the show’s uniquely strange and disturbing creatures – like the Flukeman, Tooms, or the Dark Mites – even just through animated sequences of their attacks, would be a huge draw for fans.

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2025-12-22 05:06