Chris Carter basically caught lightning in a bottle in 1993. It was a weird, moody, rain-soaked bottle that smelled like Vancouver pine needles and government paranoia. For nine seasons, and then a few more later on, The X-Files wasn't just a show; it was a cultural monolith that made everyone look at the sky with deep suspicion. But here’s the thing: despite the massive success of Mulder and Scully, the history of The X-Files spin off attempts is mostly a graveyard of "what ifs" and one-season wonders. It's kind of wild when you think about it. You have one of the biggest IPs in television history, yet every time the studio tries to branch out, the results are... complicated.
We’ve seen it all. We had the high-tech conspiracy vibes of The Lone Gunmen. We had the dark, procedural dread of Millennium (which wasn't technically a spin off at first, but let's be real, it crossed over so much it counts). More recently, we’ve heard whispers of a Ryan Coogler-led reboot and an animated comedy that seems to have vanished into the ether. Fans are desperate for more, but the "Monster of the Week" magic is notoriously hard to replicate without the specific chemistry of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.
The Lone Gunmen: A Spin Off Born Under a Dark Cloud
If you want to talk about bad timing, you have to talk about The Lone Gunmen. Premiering in March 2001, this The X-Files spin off focused on the trio of hackers and conspiracy theorists—Byers, Frohike, and Langly—who had become fan favorites. The show was lighter than the mother ship. It was goofy, tech-heavy, and focused on corporate malfeasance rather than aliens.
But the pilot episode? It’s legendary for the wrong reasons. The plot involved a government conspiracy to hijack a commercial airliner via remote control and crash it into the World Trade Center to jumpstart a war. It aired six months before 9/11. Honestly, it’s one of the most chilling "life imitates art" moments in TV history.
Ratings weren't great, and the show was canceled after thirteen episodes. The tragedy of The Lone Gunmen wasn't just the timing; it was that the show was actually finding its rhythm. It moved away from the grim-dark aesthetic of Mulder’s world and leaned into a Mission: Impossible for nerds vibe. When the show got the axe, the writers had to kill the characters off in The X-Files episode "Jump the Shark" just to give fans closure. It felt mean-spirited at the time. Fans hated it. Even the actors seemed bummed out by how their journey ended in a literal underground bunker.
Why Millennium is the "Secret" X-Files Spin Off
Technically, Millennium was its own beast. Created by Chris Carter and starring the incomparable Lance Henriksen as Frank Black, it was much darker than anything Mulder ever faced. It focused on a man who could see into the minds of killers. While it started as its own universe, the lines blurred quickly. By the time Millennium was canceled after three seasons, Frank Black was officially folded into the X-Files canon.
The crossover episode, aptly titled "Millennium," aired during The X-Files season seven. It was supposed to be a series finale for Frank Black, but it mostly felt like a weird zombie episode. Still, it proved that the "Carter-verse" was a real thing. This remains the most successful attempt at a The X-Files spin off because it maintained the atmosphere. It didn't try to be The X-Files Lite. It was its own depressing, apocalyptic nightmare, and it worked because it took the paranormal seriously.
The Animated Comedy That Probably Isn't Coming
A few years ago, news broke about The X-Files: Albuquerque. This was supposed to be a radical departure—an animated comedy about a "B-team" of agents who handle the cases too ridiculous for Mulder and Scully. Think Lower Decks but with Flukeman and Grey aliens.
Honestly? Most fans were skeptical. The X-Files has always done comedy well—episodes like "Bad Blood" or "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'" are masterpieces. But a full-on sitcom felt like a stretch. As of 2024 and heading into 2026, the project has reportedly been shelved. Disney (who now owns the rights via the Fox acquisition) seems to be pivoting toward something bigger and more prestige-focused.
The Ryan Coogler Reboot: What We Actually Know
The biggest news in years is the involvement of Ryan Coogler. The director of Black Panther and Creed is reportedly developing a new version of the show. Is it a The X-Files spin off? A total reboot? A "legacy sequel"? The details are thinner than a cigarette man's smoke cloud.
Chris Carter has given his blessing, noting that Coogler has "his work cut out for him" because the world is so much crazier now than it was in the 90s. Back then, conspiracy theories were a niche hobby for guys in basements. Now, they're the evening news. How do you make a show about government secrets when the secrets are being tweeted out in real-time?
Coogler’s version is expected to feature a more diverse cast, which is a smart move. The original show was very "white guys in suits in D.C." A fresh perspective on who gets to investigate the unknown could breathe life into the franchise. But the question remains: Can it exist without Mulder and Scully? Gillian Anderson has been vocal about being "done" with the character, though she recently softened her stance when Coogler’s name was mentioned.
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Why It’s So Hard to Spin This Universe Off
The problem with any The X-Files spin off is the "Mulder and Scully Factor." You’re not just watching for the aliens; you’re watching for the tension between the Believer and the Skeptic.
- The Dynamic: You need that push and pull. Without it, it’s just a generic horror show.
- The Atmosphere: Mark Snow’s music and those dark, blue-hued forests are characters themselves.
- The Mythology: The "Colonization" plot got so messy by the end that even the writers didn't know what was happening. A spin off has to decide: do we keep the old baggage or start fresh?
Most attempts fail because they lean too hard into the "weirdness" and forget the "heart." The Lone Gunmen had the heart but lost the stakes. Millennium had the stakes but lost the fun.
The Future of the Franchise
If a new The X-Files spin off is going to succeed in the current streaming era, it needs to stop trying to replicate the 90s. We don't need another show about two FBI agents in a basement. We need a show that explores what "The Truth Is Out There" means in an era of deepfakes and AI.
There are rumors of an anthology series. This would be the smartest play. Imagine a high-budget limited series where each season covers a different X-File from a different point in history. A 1940s Roswell investigation. A 1970s MKUltra horror story. That would allow the franchise to expand without being beholden to the increasingly confusing Mulder-Scully timeline.
Whatever happens, the brand is too big to stay dead. Disney loves IP, and The X-Files is a crown jewel. We are going to get something. Whether it’s Coogler’s vision or a surprise return to the classic format, the search for the truth isn't over. It's just being rebranded.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of The X-Files spin off history, here is how you should actually spend your time:
- Watch Millennium Season 2: It’s arguably some of the best television Chris Carter ever produced. It’s vastly different from Season 1 (which was a serial killer procedural) and leans hard into occult conspiracies.
- Track down the Lone Gunmen Pilot: Just to see the eerie similarities to real-world events. It’s a fascinating, if uncomfortable, piece of media history.
- Read the IDW Comics: If you want "Season 10" and "Season 11" stories that actually feel like the show, the comics handled the mythology much better than the live-action revival did.
- Follow Production Trades: Keep an eye on The Hollywood Reporter or Deadline specifically for "Ryan Coogler + X-Files" updates. Avoid the "leak" accounts on X (formerly Twitter); most of them are recycling old rumors for engagement.
The truth isn't just out there—it's currently sitting in a development meeting in Burbank. Stay skeptical, but keep watching the skies.