The X-Files debuted 25 years ago today, and one of its taglines, “The truth is out there,” is even more relevant now.
The show followed the paranormal investigations of FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson), and over the next decade their scientist (Scully) versus conspiracist (Mulder) dynamic created a new kind of TV archetype, one that drew in a devoted fanbase. It also had a real-world effect on its female fans, many of whom cited Scully as inspiration for getting into careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
In 2016 the show was revamped for Fox, but it never quite felt the same. As Kelly Connolly wrote in The Atlantic: “Mulder and Scully came of age as counterarguments to ’90s complacency. It was never clear where they fit once paranoia went mainstream.”
Duchovny tweeted out a thank you to fans on Monday, though there was no red Speedo GIF.
https://twitter.com/davidduchovny/status/1039161825303113728
And X-Files fans shared their favorite GIFs and screengrabs from the show.
september 10, 1993 // 25 years ago
— the x files (@todayontxf) September 10, 2018
pilot pic.twitter.com/FrAsKTcJ46
https://twitter.com/abbymnorman/status/1039113994047553536
In two days, The X-Files will turn 25 yrs old. That’s crazy. pic.twitter.com/6LYtWnMX92
— X-Files Quotes 🛸 (@XFQuotes) September 8, 2018
My Twitter profile background picture remains the same for a reason. C'mere, @thexfiles ! Here's a big 25th birthday hug. Thanks for being one of the greatest shows of all time. For making me want to write for TV. And for being my favorite for so long. #TheXFiles pic.twitter.com/bBLt0DBkRL
— LaToya Morgan (@MorganicInk) September 10, 2018
All seasons are now on Hulu.