The X-Files (1993)

Name: The X-Files
Released: 1993
Rating: 7.9
Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

TV-14 7.9/10 IMDb

The exploits of FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully who investigate X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries that debunk Mulder's work and thus return him to mainstream cases.

Creator: Chris Carter

Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi

Content Warnings

Mental Health & Emotional

Death of a child (referenced)Death of a parent Forced institutionalization Grief / bereavement (major focus) Miscarriage / pregnancy loss / stillbirth Terminal illness

Other

Gaslighting / emotional manipulation Genocide / ethnic cleansing (referenced)Kidnapping / abduction Wrongful imprisonment

Phobias & Sensory

Blood / medical gore Body horror Confined spaces (claustrophobia) Drowning / underwater scenes Jump scares Needles / medical procedures Snakes Spiders / insects Vomit / emesis (emetophobia)

Substance Use

Drug use (depicted)

Violence & Physical Harm

Animal cruelty / animal death Child abuse / harm to children Gore / graphic violence Gun violence Self-harm / suicide (depicted) Sexual assault / rape (referenced)Torture

View full breakdown

Does It Get Worse?

Stays Consistent Content intensity remains similar across seasons.

10 series-wide warnings apply across all seasons.

Season 1 11 warnings

Avg severity:(3.3)

Death of a parentGrief / bereavement (major focus)Gaslighting / emotional manipulationKidnapping / abductionBody horrorConfined spaces (claustrophobia)Jump scaresNeedles / medical proceduresSpiders / insectsGore / graphic violenceGun violence

Season 2 12 warnings

Avg severity:(3.6)

Grief / bereavement (major focus)Terminal illnessGaslighting / emotional manipulationGenocide / ethnic cleansingKidnapping / abductionBody horrorConfined spaces (claustrophobia)Jump scaresNeedles / medical proceduresGore / graphic violenceGun violenceSelf-harm / suicide (depicted)

Season 3 11 warnings

Avg severity:(3.3)

Death of a childGrief / bereavement (major focus)Miscarriage / pregnancy loss / stillbirthGaslighting / emotional manipulationKidnapping / abductionBody horrorJump scaresNeedles / medical proceduresGore / graphic violenceGun violenceTorture

Season 4 11 warnings

Avg severity:(3.3)

Death of a childGrief / bereavement (major focus)Terminal illnessGaslighting / emotional manipulationGenocide / ethnic cleansingBody horrorJump scaresNeedles / medical proceduresGore / graphic violenceGun violenceSexual assault / rape