Parents' Guide to

The X-Files

TV Syfy , TNT Science Fiction 1993
The X-Files Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Sierra Filucci By Sierra Filucci , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Brilliant sci-fi drama for brave teens and up.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The X-Files TV Show: Scene #1
  • The X-Files TV Show: Scene #2
  • The X-Files TV Show: Scene #3
  • The X-Files TV Show: Scene #4

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Jack C.
Jack C. Parent of 13-year-old
March 18, 2024
age 11+

Lightweight with Minimal Gore

I think The X Files is a great show, quite lightweight and one you can jump in and out of. It’s probably best for pre-teens, but if your child is fine with aliens and the occasional site of blood, they’d be fine. Overall a brilliant show.
TheyCallMeMrGlass
TheyCallMeMrGlass Adult
October 2, 2018
age 13+

Amazing cult classic serise

Some times you’ll be watching it and thinking how can this be scary then suddenly a episode will come on and depending on who you are be scared from your head to your toes, amazing must watch 9/10
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE X-FILES features Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as FBI agents charged with investigating cases that involve the paranormal. Along with dark, often-scary episodes about specific creatures or unexplained events, the show revolves around a mythology of government conspiracies and cover-ups related to extraterrestrials. Mulder is deeply suspicious of the government and believes fervently in the existence of extraterrestrials, due to the fact that he remembers his sister being abducted by aliens when he was a child. Scully, a trained medical doctor, starts out as a skeptic assigned to the X-Files to debunk Mulder's unpopular theories, but she eventually comes to believe in the paranormal.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10 ):
Kids say (68 ):

Both creepy and intriguing, this series was hugely popular during its nine-year run on Fox in the 1990s and early 2000s (at the time of review it airs in syndication and is available on DVD). Teens who like sci-fi or horror will enjoy The X-Files for its complexity and rich character development. Parents may want to preview episodes for appropriateness for younger or more sensitive teens, since some shows are scarier than others. Viewers jumping into the middle of a season may be confused by the episodes dealing with detailed backstories.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Mulder and Scully's partnership on The X-Files. Why do they make such a good team? What does each bring to their relationship?

  • Families can also discuss their beliefs about aliens. Is there life on other planets? If so, what form do you think it might take? Have humans already had contact with alien beings? Are aliens to be feared or sought out? What types of paranormal or spiritual situations do your family members believe in (such as ESP, psychics, or faith healing)?

  • How do the characters on The X-Files demonstrate curiosity, communication, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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