Shows like The X-Files
15 picks with a similar feel
What defines The X-Files, going by its Boxlist taste profile: An otherworldly fantasy series that is layered, dark and weighty. Best if you like the extraordinary over the everyday. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of deep rivalry, underdogs and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as paranormal investigation, ufo and paranormal phenomena.
Here are 15 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on The X-Files (1993).
- 1
The Blacklist (2013)
TV7.5
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: fbi, investigation.
- 2
FBI (2018)
TV8.0
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: fbi, investigation.
- 3
Taboo (2017)
TV7.9
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: conspiracy, investigation.
- 4
All Her Fault (2025)
TV8.1
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 5
Clarice (2021)
TV7.2
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi.
- 6
Prison Break (2005)
TV8.1Easier to follow
Why it's like The X-Files: Also dark and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: conspiracy.
- 7
Twin Peaks (1990)
TV8.2
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: paranormal investigation, fbi.
- 8
Sherlock (2010)
TV8.5
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 9
Fringe (2008)
TV8.1Easier to follow
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi, supernatural.
- 10
The Irregulars (2021)
TV7.5Easier to follow
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and weighty, with themes of underdogs and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: supernatural power.
- 11
The Americans (2013)
TV7.9
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and weighty, with themes of deep rivalry and underdogs. Common ground: fbi.
- 12
Supernatural (2005)
TV8.2Easier to follow
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and dark, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: paranormal phenomena, supernatural.
- 13
The Outsider (2020)
TV7.4
Why it's like The X-Files: Also heightened and intricate, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 14
Elementary (2012)
TV7.5
Why it's like The X-Files: Also intricate and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: investigation.
- 15
Absentia (2017)
TV7.6Heavier option
Why it's like The X-Files: Also weighty and dark, with themes of deep rivalry and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: fbi.
Boxlist compares The X-Files with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
Which of these suit you?
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Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like The X-Files?
- Picks with a similar feel include The Blacklist, FBI, Taboo and All Her Fault. Each shares part of The X-Files's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 15 shows.
- How are these shows like The X-Files chosen?
- Boxlist compares The X-Files with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.