10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (2024)

When discussing The X-Files, many fans are drawn to the show because of its complex depictions of the paranormal and its sinister undertones. Mulder and Scully are often seen as the perfect duo, with the former being all in when it comes to aliens and the latter being a complete skeptic. As such, the combination of unique character profiles and unexplained circumstances makes this a great watch for avid sci-fi fans.

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Yet, the main reason fans love The X-Files is that it's just so creepy. Whether the pair are dealing with a shape-shifting being or are being tormented by an unknown extraterrestrial, audiences can't help but think if there is a slither of truth to Mulder's claims. Thus, it's clear that some of the show's weirdest episodes are also some of its best.

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The X-Files: What Actually Happened to Mulder's Sister

The X-Files episode "Closure" finally provides resolution to the mysterious disappearance of Samantha Mulder, who was supposedly abducted by aliens.

Season 5, Episode 19

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Metamorphosis was first discussed by Franz Kafka in his 1915 novella and horrified readers with the narrator's depiction of being stuck in an insect's body. Since then, many films and TV shows have tried to replicate this intensely terrifying and isolating experience. In "Folie à Deux," the agents meet Gary Lambert, a telemarketer who is convinced that his boss is a giant insect that only he can see.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Vince Gilligan

Kim Manners

May 10, 1998

Though his account seems utterly false, Lambert's boss, Greg Pincus, can transform into a huge beetle. This monster is tremendously scary and is complete with bulging red eyes and sharp claws, making it a very typical and fearsome villain. Though this episode plays on a very popular trope, Pincus' monster shows that this age-old story can still petrify mass audiences.

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9 "Chinga" Still Haunts Viewers to This Day

Season 5, Episode 10

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (2)

China dolls are inherently creepy, and they tend to be used in a ton of horror franchises. "Chinga" takes this trope to the next level, presenting a little girl who can force individuals to commit suicide whilst playing with her doll, Chinga. Not only does this episode contain a ton of violent and distressing scenes, it was penned by prolific author Stephen King. As such, fans adored this bizarre episode because not only did it contain a ton of scary themes, but it also discussed interesting concepts such as witchcraft and psychic premonitions.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Stephen King

Kim Manners

February 8, 1998

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Despite being written by one of the best horror writers ever, fans weren't all that impressed with King's writing style. That being said, fans enjoyed the visual elements of this episode, particularly when the doll was incinerated in the microwave. As such, it seems that what "Chinga" lacks in its writing, it certainly makes up for it with its insanely weird imagery.

8 Scully Bites off More Than He Can Chew in "Grotesque"

Season 3, Episode 14

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (3)

Scully is well known for getting obsessed with a case, even if it puts his life at risk. "Grotesque" follows John Mostow, a killer who mutilates his victims with a utility knife because he's convinced that he's being controlled by a demonic force, much like a gargoyle. But, after Mostow is arrested, the murders continue to occur. Scully then becomes obsessed with gargoyles himself, leading him down the same road.

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Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Howard Gordon

Kim Manners

February 2, 1996

One of the reasons this X-Files episode is so compelling is because Mulder's nightmares seem so realistic and taunting. Viewers are forced to watch Mulder suffer as a diabolical gargoyle looms over his head, placing the unique agent in a very vulnerable position. As such, this episode places viewers against the clock as it feels like it's only a matter of time before Mulder will lose his mind.

7 Plastic Surgeons Worry About Demonic Possession in "Sanguinarium"

Season 4, Episode 6

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (4)

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Season 4 of The X-Files is packed full of drama, mainly because of Scully's cancer diagnosis. But, this season still manages to torment viewers with its unusual storylines. In "Sanguinarium", a plastic surgeon starts a routine liposuction procedure. But, he suddenly loses control and takes away so much fat that the patient tragically dies. Yet, the surgeon doesn't claim that this was a medical error but instead believes that he was possessed.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Vivian Mayhew

Kim Manners

November 10, 1996

This episode is packed full of symbolism and references to witchcraft, making it impossible to deny Mulder's claim that something sinister is behind the clinic's malpractices. The medical setting of this episode gives it a very uncanny feel and defies the idea that hospitals are meant to be clean and safe places. So, even though "Sanguinarium" isn't the scariest episode on this list, it certainly unsettles viewers with its sinister nods to the occult.

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6 Scully Uncovers Something Lurking Beneath the Surface in "The Host"

Season 2, Episode 2

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (5)

Season 2 of The X-Files starts on quite a dismal note as Mulder and Scully are removed from the X-Files department and tasked with completing remedial jobs around the FBI. But, the pair get another surprise when they stumble across a deceased man in a sewer. During Scully's autopsy, she uncovers a major parasite living inside the man's body and the case seems to get stranger and stranger. Suddenly, a sewage worker claims to have been bitten by a mysterious being, suggesting that the parasite is more than just a small bug.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Chris Carter

Daniel Sackheim

September 23, 1994

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Alongside the bodily gore, this episode welcomes a vast humanoid mutant that looks a lot like a worm. This monster is absolutely blood-curdling and was praised by fans for its horrifying presence and appearance. The weirdest thing about this creature is its mouth, which is almost fish-like. As such, this is definitely the type of episode fans should watch with the lights on.

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5 "Familiar" Will Make Fans’ Blood Run Cold

Season 11, Episode 8

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When The X-Files returned for a special series in 2018, the vast majority of fans were concerned that the show could no longer live up to its initial success. Yet, "Familiar" proves that The X-Files can still pull off spooky storylines without losing its sense of self. This episode centers around a fictional children's character called Mr. Chuckleteeth, who many people see just before they die. Mr Chuckleteeth's first victim is a little boy, who is supposedly shaken to death.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Benjamin Van Allen

Holly Dale

March 7, 2018

This episode is a prime example of what makes The X-Files so great, as it focuses on the viewer's inherent fears, like clowns and ventriloquist dummies. Though these things may not be threatening, their uncanny nature makes them a common phobia for a lot of people.

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4 "Humbug" Proves the Show Still Knows How to Have Fun

Season 2, Episode 20

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (7)

It's clear that The X-Files prides itself on being somewhat scientifically accurate, but it still pleases fans with its touches of comic relief. In "Humbug," the agents come across a set of circus performers, all of whom have peculiar names, such as Alligator Man and Dogface Boy. But when a string of murders occurs in this community, Mulder and Scully can't help but assume that something strange is afoot.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Darin Morgan

Kim Manners

March 31, 1995

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These circus freaks are absolutely terrifying in themselves, but the weirdest thing about this episode is its large doses of humor. Typically, these episodes are not exactly funny, and usually just see Mulder making an off-hand reference every now and again. So, by adding large doses of comedy to this episode, it seems that the writers were trying to disorientate the audience even more than usual.

3 "Home" Is a Banned Episode That Has Stayed With Fans for Decades

Season 4, Episode 2

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (8)

There's no denying that "Home" is a remarkably controversial episode and was, in fact, the only episode to carry a TV-MA rating. This episode focuses on a ton of triggering themes, including incest and sexual abuse, making it quite a hard watch even for avid fans. Yet, a lot of audiences praised the episode for its ambitious storyline and satirical approach to the American Dream.

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Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Glen Morgan & James Wong

Kim Manners

October 11, 1996

The most unsettling aspect of this story is that it was partially based on true events. Allegedly, the writers consulted those who worked on Brother's Keeper, a documentary that focused on a group of intellectually disabled brothers. Furthermore, the team also took inspiration from Charlie Chaplin's autobiography, particularly when he came across a legless boy who was kept under the bed and rolled out for special occasions.

2 "2Shy" Is a Prime Example of a Bad Date

Season 3, Episode 6

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (9)

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Filling audiences with an unsettling desire to find out more, "2Shy" follows Virgil Incanto, a handsome and charming man who is looking for love online. During one of his dates, he randomly coughs up a gelatinous and slimy substance and uses it to dissolve his dates.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Jeff Vlaming

David Nutter

November 3, 1995

Together with this obscure killer, this episode does a fantastic job of highlighting the dangers of meeting strangers online. Though it may not seem like a big deal to modern audiences, contemporary audiences may have seen this as a very realistic threat. As such, this episode does a great job of blending modern problems with supernatural enigmas.

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1 Mulder and Scully Take a Film Noir Approach in “The Post-Modern Prometheus”

Season 5, Episode 5

"The Post-Modern Prometheus" is often regarded as the weirdest episode, mainly because of the way that it's shot. The agents receive a letter from Shaineh Berkowitz, who believes that she was impregnated by an unknown presence. Alongside this daunting prospect, the entire episode is shot entirely in black and white, making it incredibly distracting for long-time viewers of the show.

Written By

Directed By

Original Air Date

Chris Carter

Chris Carter

November 30, 1997

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Though it was quite an ambitious decision, it certainly paid off as this episode feels very different from the rest. Plus, this style also helps "The Post-Modern Prometheus" seem a lot like its source material Frankenstein, showing just how easily the show pulls inspiration from other sci-fi stories. As such, it's evident that even when The X-Files takes quite a daring step, its effective storytelling techniques still help to draw viewers in.

10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (11)
The X-Files

TV-14

Sci-Fi

Drama

Two F.B.I. Agents, Fox Mulder the believer and Dana Scully the skeptic, investigate the strange and unexplained, while hidden forces work to impede their efforts.

Where to Watch

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date
September 10, 1993
Cast
David Duchovny , Gillian Anderson , Mitch Pileggi , William B. Davis

Main Genre
Sci-Fi

Seasons
11

Creator
Chris Carter

Network
FOX
Streaming Service(s)
Amazon Prime Video , Hulu
10 Weirdest X Files Episodes, Ranked (2024)

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