7 TV Shows We Thought Would Be The New X-Files

In 1993, television viewers were on the cusp of a golden age without even realizing it. As the year 2000 approached, TV was evolving, and that year brought us a truly groundbreaking show: The X-Files. With David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson leading the cast, the series immediately captivated audiences with its exciting, science fiction-based mysteries. Even though many shows have tried, none have quite managed to recreate the magic of The X-Files and its devoted fanbase.

That success wasn’t for lack of trying by others. The X-Files sparked a huge interest in science fiction in the late 1990s, and that impact is still felt in Hollywood today. Several TV shows came close to matching its popularity, and we’ve compiled a list of the seven best series that were considered potential successors to The X-Files.

Evil

I was so excited when Robert and Michelle King, the team behind The Good Wife, created Evil in 2019! It quickly got everyone talking – a lot of people online even started calling it the new X-Files, which is high praise! What I really love is how it takes the familiar crime show format and gives it this creepy, religious twist. It’s about three very different people who team up, working for the Catholic Church to look into strange, potentially supernatural events happening all over the country.

Like the iconic partnership in The X-Files, the show Evil centers around its compelling main characters. Dr. Kristen Bouchard provides a skeptical, scientific perspective, mirroring Scully, while David Acosta embodies Mulder’s openness to the supernatural. Evil adds another layer with Ben Shakir, who offers comedic relief and balances the differing viewpoints of the leads. Exploring themes of demons and conspiracies, Evil clearly draws inspiration from The X-Files, which likely explains its dedicated fanbase.

Supernatural

While The X-Files excels in many areas, its strength lies in its ‘monster-of-the-week’ episodes. The show follows agents Mulder and Scully as they investigate different paranormal cases each week, keeping viewers guessing. Supernatural uses a similar format, offering plenty of suspenseful stories to enjoy.

Often called the successor to The X-Files for working-class audiences, Supernatural follows brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they travel across America, hunting monsters and investigating the supernatural. Initially, the show featured standalone episodes like The X-Files, but it quickly evolved into a larger story about saving the world from a brewing war – not between humans and aliens, but between angels and demons. The Winchesters continue their family’s legacy, protecting humanity from paranormal threats, often without people even knowing they’re in danger.

LOST

It’s clear that The X-Files was built on intriguing mysteries. The show became the most iconic mystery drama of the 1990s because it excelled at exploring the unknown. In the following decade, LOST took on that role, and it often borrowed elements from The X-Files as the series progressed.

Premiering in 2004, LOST is a captivating drama about the aftermath of a plane crash, where a diverse group of survivors find themselves stranded on a strange island. As they struggle to survive in the South Pacific, they’re forced to confront their personal histories and a growing mystery surrounding the island itself. The show jumps between flashbacks and future events, creating a thrilling and complex narrative. With its intricate mythology and focus on secret organizations and unexplained occurrences, LOST shares a lot of similarities with The X-Files, and openly acknowledges that show as a key influence.

Gravity Falls

Okay, so Gravity Falls is a Disney show, but trust me, it’s way more than just typical cartoon fare. This adventure drama really dives into the weird and mysterious. The story centers around twins Mabel and Dipper who spend a summer with their great-uncle Stan in the bizarre town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. Things quickly get interesting – and spooky – when they discover the town is absolutely filled with supernatural creatures, and they decide to take it upon themselves to investigate. It’s a genuinely compelling watch, even if you don’t usually go for animated shows.

While Gravity Falls doesn’t have the same high-stakes mysteries as The X-Files, it’s just as captivating. Both shows are excellent at presenting investigations filled with secrets and conspiracies. Gravity Falls is a bright and fun homage to The X-Files, set in the Pacific Northwest, and adds a touch of quirky, surreal humor. Instead of the shadowy figure of The Smoking Man, though, viewers get the eccentric Uncle Stan.

Millennium

Following the success of The X-Files, creator Chris Carter launched Millennium in 1996, expanding the same fictional universe. This crime drama centers on Frank Black, a former FBI agent with the unsettling ability to understand the minds of criminals. Working with the secretive Millennium Group, Frank becomes entangled in a complex conspiracy tied to the approaching year 2000, and the situation rapidly escalates.

Although Millennium didn’t last very long, its creative style is clearly linked to The X-Files. This connection is expected, considering the shows exist in the same fictional universe, and you can see similar themes and ideas in both. Millennium had the potential to be a major rival to The X-Files with its focus on the supernatural and secretive groups, but it was ultimately held back by its narrower focus.

Warehouse 13

In 2009, the SyFy channel surprised viewers with a new show reminiscent of The X-Files. Warehouse 13 began with Secret Service agents Pete and Myka being transferred from Washington D.C. to South Dakota. Their new job? Managing a secret warehouse filled with strange artifacts from around the country. These aren’t just any objects – they possess unusual and unexplained powers, causing everything from time travel mishaps to cases of identity theft. As Pete and Myka investigate these mysteries, they uncover a larger, overarching conspiracy.

While Warehouse 13 shares many similarities with The X-Files – including powerful organizations and historical mysteries – it’s a more lighthearted and comedic show. It’s just as engaging, but its relaxed style differs from the often serious tone of The X-Files.

Fringe

Premiering in 2008, Fringe is a fantastic show for fans of the paranormal. The series follows FBI Agent Olivia Dunham as she joins a new division—the Fringe Division—alongside the unconventional scientists Walter and Peter Bishop. Together, they investigate strange and unexplained cases for the FBI, utilizing cutting-edge and often bizarre scientific theories. With its eerie atmosphere and exploration of parallel universes, Fringe is genuinely spooky and pays homage to the classic show, The X-Files.

With its focus on investigations and complex overarching story, Fringe feels very similar to The X-Files. The show is a clear tribute to supernatural stories, keeping a fast and engaging pace. Fringe is the closest thing Hollywood has created to a continuation of The X-Files, and it even includes some fun cameos from Dana Scully and her partner along the way.

2026-04-05 21:40