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Hulu releases X-Files director's cut as Coogler reboot remains in production

In focus on Hulu's content slate: Chris Carter's director's cut of the 2008 standalone X-Files film is now on the platform, retitled "The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Vrach Frankenshteyn)." Carter's restored version…

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NewsMV Markets Desk
3 min read
14 August 2026Markets desk
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Key takeaways

  • Hulu has released Chris Carter's director's cut of the 2008 film, retitled "The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Vrach Frankenshteyn)," which carries an R rating and restores his original horror vision.
  • The director's cut release serves as a catalog-warming move while Ryan Coogler's full X-Files reboot for Hulu remains in active production.
  • The 2008 film "I Want to Believe" drew mixed reviews but grossed $68 million globally against a $30 million budget.
  • A six-episode season 10 debuted in 2016 and a ten-episode season 11 launched in 2018, the latter built around Mulder and Scully's search for their missing son, William.
  • Fan response to the Coogler production is a mix of excitement and some trepidation.

In focus on Hulu's content slate: Chris Carter's director's cut of the 2008 standalone X-Files film is now on the platform, retitled "The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Vrach Frankenshteyn)." Carter's restored version carries an R rating and brings back his original horror vision for the property. The release arrives while Ryan Coogler's full X-Files reboot for Hulu remains in active production.

The 2008 theatrical run provides the IP's floor. "I Want to Believe" drew mixed reviews at release but grossed $68 million globally against a $30 million budget. The print had a long tail. By 2015 the franchise was heading back to television as a limited series. A six-episode season 10 debuted in 2016, placing Mulder and Scully back in the FBI's X-Files unit 14 years after the events of season 9, with Mitch Pileggi returning as Assistant Director Walter Skinner. The response was strong enough to warrant a follow-up: a ten-episode season 11 launched in 2018, built around Mulder and Scully's search for their missing son, William.

Fan response to the Coogler production is running to excitement and some trepidation. The director's cut release functions as the catalog-warming move while the reboot works toward a release date.

What to watch: a premiere date or production update from Hulu on the Coogler project.

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Filed via arstechnica.com

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Frequently asked

What version of the X-Files film did Hulu just release?

Hulu released Chris Carter's director's cut of the 2008 standalone film, retitled "The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Vrach Frankenshteyn)," featuring an R rating and his original horror vision.

Is the Ryan Coogler X-Files reboot out yet?

No, Ryan Coogler's full X-Files reboot for Hulu remains in active production and does not yet have an announced release date.

How did the 2008 film perform financially?

"I Want to Believe" grossed $68 million globally against a $30 million budget, though it received mixed reviews at release.

What happened with the X-Files television revival seasons?

A six-episode season 10 debuted in 2016, placing Mulder and Scully back in the FBI 14 years after season 9, followed by a ten-episode season 11 in 2018 centered on their search for their missing son, William.

What should viewers watch for next?

A premiere date or production update from Hulu on the Coogler reboot project.