[Originally appeared in DEADLY Magazine #5] While fans of The X-Files may have been drawn in by the conspiracy theory plots interwoven throughout the series’ nine seasons, there’s a lot to be said for Chris Carter’s “Monster-of-the-Week” approach, which gave us some of the greatest creatures and oddities to ever grace the small screen.

If you’ve ever wanted to check out The X-Files, but don’t necessarily desire the shadow government and alien cover-up mythologies, here are several great stand-alone episodes that can be enjoyed as mini-horror and/or sci-fi movies—even if you aren’t well-versed on all things Mulder and Scully.

“Humbug” (Season 2, Episode 20): In “Humbug,” FBI Special Agents Mulder and Scully are called down to a trailer park in Florida where a string of mysterious murders have targeted a community of retired freak show performers for years. What they uncover is something akin to the cult classic film Basket Case (1982). This episode features a heart-wrenching performance from Vincent Schiavelli and some hilarious hijinks from stage performer Jim Rose and The Enigma, whose character had a penchant for eating anything and everything that crossed his path.

“Home” (Season 4, Episode 2): Certainly the most controversial episode of The X-Files ever created, “Home” follows the exploits of the Peacock family, a murderous inbred clan who bury a malformed infant after a woman gives birth one night in their home. Mulder and Scully arrive in the small town of Home, Pennsylvania, to investigate the infant’s burial and death, only to discover something sinister lurking in the streets of the idyllic small town. “Home” was the first episode of The X-Files to receive a viewer discretion warning, and, due to its shocking nature, was rarely ever aired in repeats or syndication as censors felt it was too disturbing for TV viewers.

“Die Hand Die Verltzt” (Season 2, Episode 14): If high school was a hellish experience for you, then “Die Hand Die Verltzt” is probably right up your alley. In this episode, Mulder and Scully are called to a high school in New Hampshire to investigate a murdered teenager discovered after performing a satanic ritual one night. What they find lurking in the school halls is something far more evil than they could have ever imagined, though, as the agents must fight for their lives after they’re captured by Satanists who feel that their deaths are the only way to once again gain favor with the Devil.

“Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” (Season 3, Episode 20): An oddball romp told from varying viewpoints, “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” centers on a famed writer by the name of Jose Chung (Charles Nelson Reilly) whose latest book explores UFO phenomenon. He interviews several witnesses related to the abduction of two love-struck teens, who claim they were taken aboard a spaceship for testing. But as we hear the various stories, the truth as to what really happened isn’t necessarily made clear, resulting in a tale that’s as audacious as it is hilarious. Bonus points for cameos from Jesse Ventura (a huge conspiracy theorist in real life) and Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek.

“The Post-Modern Prometheus” (Season 5, Episode 5): A quirky and heartfelt love letter to films like Frankenstein, The Invisible Man and Mask (yes, seriously), “The Post-Modern Prometheus” is an examination of media sensationalism and how we as human beings want nothing more in the end but to be wanted and loved.

The story is centered around a small town where several women were visited by a man who impregnated them over the years, and who may be the result of a genetics experiment gone horribly wrong. Shot in black and white to capture the feeling of all those Universal monster movies most of us grew up loving, “The Post-Modern Prometheus” is truly one of the greatest stories ever conceived by series creator Chris Carter.

“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” (Season 3, Episode 4): After several psychics are murdered in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate some unusual circumstances surrounding the deaths. While putting the pieces of their case together, the agents meet a man by the name of Clyde Bruckman (Peter Boyle), who has a psychic ability that allows him to foresee how those around him will die.

Bruckman’s not the only psychic in town, though, as it’s revealed that the killer also has a precognitive gift. After the elderly man’s life is threatened, Clyde is taken into protective custody where it’s up to Mulder and Scully to keep him safe before it’s too late. “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” won two Emmys for its outstanding writing and a truly incredible performance from the late, great Boyle.

  • Heather Wixson
    About the Author - Heather Wixson

    Heather A. Wixson was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, until she followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. A 14-year veteran in the world of horror entertainment journalism, Wixson fell in love with genre films at a very early age, and has spent more than a decade as a writer and supporter of preserving the history of horror and science fiction cinema. Throughout her career, Wixson has contributed to several notable websites, including Fangoria, Dread Central, Terror Tube, and FEARnet, and she currently serves as the Managing Editor for Daily Dead, which has been her home since 2013. She's also written for both Fangoria Magazine & ReMind Magazine, and her latest book project, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Volume One will be released on October 20, 2021.