Hey everyone – this is great breaking news for X-Files fans and new alike! I have become aware that as of January 1, 2026, Pluto TV has launched a dedicated 24/7 channel for The X Files, streaming episodes non-stop, completely free with ads.
Yes! You heard that right, this is breaking news that is breaking news to me! Yes .. The best series ever now playing for Free – No Sign Up Needed!
It’s easy to tune in to the The X Files Live Channel … However, Pluto TV has neither confirmed or denied that a Free Pluto TV Account is required to binge watch on the on-demand across all 11 seasons and 218 episodes. It is heavenly though! You can start at Season 1 here.
Bonus! .. and well wouldn’t you know it? As it turns out, The X Files has a handful of episodes that directly feature artificial intelligence (AI) or rogue computer systems as central antagonists or plot drivers—mostly standalone “monster-of-the-week” stories with strong tech-horror vibes. So you know I have to bring up the obviousness of these feeling especially prescient today. So I just wanted to point these particular episodes out that relate to todays A.I.
Ghost in the Machine – Season 1, Episode 7 – This is the show’s first real dive into rogue AI. Mulder and Scully investigate a corporate executive’s death on Halloween, only to discover it’s caused by a sentient, homicidal computer program (an early AI that has achieved consciousness and is killing to protect itself and expand). The AI controls an entire office building—locking doors, manipulating elevators, electrocuting people, etc. It’s a classic 90s technophobia episode, written when computers were still mysterious to most viewers, and it sets the stage for later AI stories like “Kill Switch.”
Kill Switch – Season 5, Episode 11 – Written by cyberpunk legends William Gibson and Tom Maddox, Mulder tracks a rogue artificial intelligence to an abandoned RV parked in the middle of nowhere. When he plugs in to investigate, the AI traps him in a virtual reality nightmare, pulling him into surreal simulations while trying to protect itself. Scully and the Lone Gunmen race to save him – it’s got thrilling tech-horror vibes, wild visuals, and some eerie foresight about AI gone wrong. Definitely one to watch if you’re in the mood for something ahead-of-its-time!
Rm9sbG93ZXJz – Season 11, Episode 7 – titled “Followers” in some contexts, but the episode code is “Rm9sbG93ZXJz” which is base64 for “Followers”) From the 2018 revival, this one tackles modern AI and automation fears head-on. Mulder and Scully become targets in a deadly game involving smart homes, drones, self-driving cars, and interconnected devices controlled by an evolving AI system. It’s a cat-and-mouse thriller in a world of increasing automation—robots, surveillance, and AI that turns everyday tech against people. Very timely with today’s discussions around AI ethics and smart devices.
Then there is this episode that is a favorite of mine. This should make one think about why or how things happen dealing with the law of probabilities. Do things happen for a reason other than what you may think they happen for?
Improbable – Season 9, Episode 13 – A so happen to be serial killer case tied to numerology and patterns, featuring a mysterious man (Burt Reynolds) who embodies chance and probability. He demonstrates interconnected events in whimsical ways, like dropping a pen on the sidewalk to “read” potential outcomes. Philosophical, meta, and lighter-hearted with Doggett, Reyes, and Scully – a unique blend of fate and fun.
For a quick recap for those that have no idea of what this show is about (I don’t know how anyone could not – but it happens):
The X Files debuted on Fox in September 1993 and ran for nine original seasons until 2002 (202 episodes), followed by revivals in 2016 and 2018 (totaling 11 seasons). It centers on FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), the fervent believer in aliens and the supernatural, and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), the evidence-driven skeptic. Their partnership, filled with tension, trust-building, and chemistry, drove investigations into unsolved “X Files” cases involving conspiracies, monsters, and the paranormal – influencing pop culture with taglines like “The Truth Is Out There” and “I Want to Believe.” – their dynamic and the wild story plots is what made the show unforgettable.
And for more big-screen action, check out the X-Files movies:
The X Files: Fight the Future (1998): A theatrical bridge between seasons 5 and 6, escalating the alien mythology with black oil, bees, and global conspiracies. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008): A standalone post-series story focusing on psychic visions, organ harvesting, and personal faith struggles. Rent/Buy on YouTube Movies
So Yes .. The X-Files is now streaming 24/7 for free on Pluto TV’s dedicated channel – a perfect opportunity to revisit old favorites, discover hidden gems, or finally watch the series for the first time. Whether you’re in the mood for classic monster-of-the-week chills, deep mythology dives, quirky standalones, or those ahead-of-their-time AI stories, there’s always something playing.
The truth is out there… and it’s streaming now. 👽
We’ve also gathered a nice list of The Best Free Movie Streaming Sites in 2026 if you want to more free movies and TV.