The X Files Timeline ( Real )

tv_show_premiere
September 10, 1993

Premiere of The X-Files

The X-Files TV series premiered on Fox, introducing audiences to FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigating paranormal phenomena.

movie_release
June 19, 1998

Debut of The X-Files Movie

The first feature film based on The X-Files series, titled The X-Files: Fight the Future, was released in theaters.

tv_show_end
May 19, 2002

End of The X-Files Original Series

The original run of The X-Files ended with the airing of its ninth season finale.

movie_release
July 25, 2008

Release of The X-Files: I Want to Believe

The second feature film in The X-Files franchise, titled The X-Files: I Want to Believe, was released.

tv_show_revival
March 24, 2015

Revival of The X-Files Series Announced

Fox announced the revival of The X-Files series with new episodes to be produced.

tv_show_season_premiere
January 24, 2016

Premiere of The X-Files Season 10

The revived tenth season of The X-Files premiered on Fox.

tv_show_season_premiere
January 3, 2018

Premiere of The X-Files Season 11

The eleventh season of The X-Files premiered, continuing the revived series storyline.

The X Files Timeline ( Fictional )

alien_infiltration
1940s

First Appearance of Alien Colonists on Earth

Alien colonists secretly begin infiltrating Earth, a key event in the show's overarching mythology revealing the presence of extraterrestrial beings.

character_origin
1988

Mulder Joins the FBI

Fox Mulder joins the FBI and becomes fascinated with paranormal activities, eventually being assigned to the X-Files division.

character_origin
1992

Dana Scully Assigned to the X-Files

Dana Scully is assigned to work with Fox Mulder to provide scientific analysis of X-Files cases and to keep Mulder grounded.

conspiracy
early 1990s

Smoking Man's Influence Begins

The Cigarette Smoking Man solidifies his influence within the government conspiracy surrounding the extraterrestrial colonization plan.

alien_technology
1993

Discovery of the Black Oil Virus

Mulder and Scully discover the existence of the Black Oil, an alien virus capable of taking over human hosts.

abduction
1994

Scully's Abduction and Medical Experiments

Dana Scully is abducted by unknown forces and subjected to mysterious medical experiments believed to be related to alien-human hybridization.

character_development
mid-1990s

The Mulder-Scully Partnership Strengthens

Despite numerous challenges, Mulder and Scully deepen their professional partnership and personal trust while investigating paranormal cases.

alien_encounter
1995

Confrontation with the Alien Bounty Hunter

Mulder encounters an alien bounty hunter sent to silence those involved in exposing the alien conspiracy.

conspiracy
1996

Discovery of the Alien Hybrid Project

The FBI uncovers a government project attempting to create alien-human hybrids as part of the colonization plan.

action
1997

Destruction of the Black Oil Laboratories

Mulder and Scully help destroy laboratories producing the Black Oil virus to prevent further alien infection spread.

character_health
1998

Scully's Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Alien Experiments

Scully is diagnosed with cancer believed to be caused by her alien abduction and subsequent medical procedures.

alien_invasion
1999

The Colonists' Scheduled Arrival Approaches

Evidence surfaces that alien colonists plan to begin open invasion and colonization of Earth soon.

abduction
2000

Mulder's Abduction and Return

Mulder is abducted by aliens but later returns with new knowledge critical to stopping the colonization plan.

climax
early 2000s

Final Battle Against the Colonists' Conspiracy

Mulder and Scully confront the conspiracy head-on, attempting to thwart the impending alien colonization of Earth.