10 TV Shows That Influenced The X-Files’ Unique Storytelling
TV’s love for supernatural mysteries didn’t start with “The X-Files.” Long before its groundbreaking stories, other shows set the stage for its iconic twists and eerie investigations. These early series introduced fresh ideas and daring plots that forever changed TV. Keep reading to discover the TV trailblazers that influenced “The X-Files.”
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Investigating bizarre occurrences was Carl Kolchak’s specialty in “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” It premiered in 1974 and followed a journalist uncovering supernatural phenomena, usually clashing with disbelieving authorities. In fact, Chris Carter, the creator of “The X-Files,” credited “Kolchak” as a direct inspiration for his own series.
The Twilight Zone
Imagination took center stage in this anthology series. From 1959 to 1964, the show fearlessly explored themes of fear and human vulnerability. By blending fear with speculative fiction, “The Twilight Zone” helped set the stage for “The X-Files,” where strange, mind-bending plots continue to challenge the viewer’s understanding of reality.
Twin Peaks
David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” blended murder mystery with surrealism when it premiered in 1990. The story began with the investigation into Laura Palmer’s murder in a small, seemingly quiet town. Through its eccentric characters and dreamlike narrative, it reshaped how mysteries could combine the ordinary and the fantastical.
Unsolved Mysteries
“Unsolved Mysteries” delved into real-life enigmas with documentary-style storytelling and dramatic reenactments, covering disappearances, UFOs, and paranormal events. The show’s focus on unexplained phenomena and strange occurrences guided future shows to explore eerie mysteries, marking a defining shift in the genre.
Alfred Hitchcock
Known for its psychological intensity, this show pushed the boundaries of suspense. Airing from 1955 to 1965, the episodes had a twist that left viewers questioning human motives. The dark, suspenseful mood and unexpected endings had an influence on “The X-Files,” which adopted a similar approach to building tension and revealing unsettling truths.
One Step Beyond
“One Step Beyond” dramatized purportedly true paranormal events and charmed audiences from 1959 onward. Episodes depicted unexplained mysteries, with a strong focus on hauntings and other mysterious phenomena. This blend of real-life stories and the supernatural became a signature approach and influenced many other shows that balanced fact and fiction in their exploration of the unknown.
The Invaders
The influence of “The Invaders” on “The X-Files” is clear in its portrayal of a solitary investigator unraveling an alien conspiracy. David Vincent’s battle against extraterrestrial beings hiding in plain sight mirrored Mulder’s quest to uncover the hidden forces at play in “The X-Files,” as they both face resistance and doubt from the world around them.
Dark Shadows
Premiering in 1966, it focused on the Collins family’s supernatural battles in the eerie town of Collinsport. This gothic soap opera ran for over five years and delved into the world of vampires and witches. With its serialized storytelling and intricate plots, it paved the way for the complex mythological narratives we see in today’s television.
The Outer Limits
Each episode of “The Outer Limits” introduced new worlds or creatures through allegorical tales that tackled societal fears with speculative fiction. The show’s skill in blending horror with complex moral questions inspired future series like “The X-Files,” which explored the human condition through encounters with the extraterrestrial and the unexplained.
Doctor Who
Since 1963, “Doctor Who” has transported audiences through time and space alongside the Doctor, a time-traveling alien. With its bold, imaginative storytelling, the series explored extraterrestrials and complex ethical dilemmas. Much like this, “The X-Files” blends science fiction with moral complexity as it investigates the unknown, drawing inspiration from the show’s innovative approach.
