Which better, Supernatural or X-Files?

Now that supernatural is in its 10th season, does it pass X-Files (9 seasons)? If anyone watches they'd know this season is even better than last which was a return to form and the mid season break ended on a big cliffhanger. But with the return of X-Files now just days away, which horror/drama/thriller holds the crown? I still think x files but it's very close.

I think it's currently airing season 11. But I just finished up season 10. I can't remember much about X-Files, but I know it lost a lot of strength towards the end. Supernatural was losing strength since season 6, but I still find the majority of it more entertaining than the X-Files.

I still prefer X files for its element of mystery, something that I never felt was very strong with supernatural. Plus x files feel more serious and darker than supernatural which a bit wacky at times with its angels and demons lores.

I can honestly say X-files was an excellent show at its best, seasons 2 - 6 were amazing, though each had a few clunkers.

Season 1 is decent also, but the acting is pretty wooden and it shows its age.

If anyone wants a quick initiation of X-files before season 10 begins, seek out the first X-files movie, and chase it down with the entire 6th season (which continues from end of movie), which basically has it all. There were some far-fetched episodes, but it was a fun ride. If you like that, you are good to go for the other seasons.

Also, Breaking Bad fans can appreciate Vince Gilligan's contribution to season 6 as executive producer and often writer/director. Episode 2 of Season 6 is where Gilligan and Cranston first worked together.

Never seen Supernatural so I can't compare.

Ok, i used to watch the X-files so long ago. Honestly the show never showed much, and it was pretty boring. When the X-files movie came out, that was finally and ending we all wanted to see. A Flying Saucer, wow. Then it was over. It was different times. I can't see this show making a come back ? I mean do we really want to be teased again, episode after episode ? I watched the overview of the new tv series remake, and it seemed interesting, but not if every episode is going to be talk about aliens again, and no show. I'll pass ..

holy shit. supernatural is still running? i think i stopped watching after the 9th season

X-Files is much a better show

Supernatural is in the level of Buffy the vampire slayer

Never watched Supernatural but I loved The X-Files and am very pumped for the new episodes.

5 words.

Carry on my wayward son!

Early season xfiles mystery and horror elements are better than most movies.

only seen X-Files myself, I'd gladly watch anything that compares to it; looking forward to premiere of the upcoming X-Files mini-series, I wish they'd just start a new show with new cast for a longer running series

X-Files, you can't beat Mulder and Scully when it comes to investigating the paranormal.

X-files, and thanks for reminding me to get my dvd collection from a friend a gave 4 years ago.

@klunt_bumskrint: you know what's sad, I get goosebumps hearing that song still from how excellent they use it. I think supernatural season 5 is the best season of any tv show for me personally.

The X-Files, and I would argue that it's not even close. I started rewatching a short while ago, and I'd forgotten how good it is at it's best.

X-Files. I lost interest in Supernatural after the arc with Lucifer.

supernatural m8

X-files no contest. Lost a bit when they got the new agents but Supernatural didn't interest me beyond the first few seasons.

Joke thread? One is a timeless classic and the other is trash.

Eh, the first X Files movie is pretty bad. Just a lot of empty action sequences, not much of a plot, and basically nothing gets resolved because at that point it was already plain that the Mythology arc was a bunch of hot air.

The "monster of the week" stuff was pretty great for the most part. The mythology arc started off good but after a while it became obvious that Carter et al. had no idea where they were going with it.

I think it's difficult to compare. X-Files was great for it's time. It was fresh and original, but it was also -extremely- formulaic. Episodes followed one of two templates: Main story eps and "filler" eps. The filler eps involve them investigating some "thing" not related to the main alien invasion storyline, Mulder's 100% positive it's supernatural or weird science, Scully's 100% positive it's not. By the end of the ep they get proof that it is that Scully may or may not agree that something weird happened and they walk away from the situation with no real proof of anything only to rinse and repeat again next week. Then there's the main alien invasion plotline that basically does the same thing, only over an arc of several episodes per plot thread. I loved the show at the time, and it's cultural impact is obvious, but I'm not dying to go back and re-watch it from scratch. There were, however, some really good and impactful individual episodes ("Home" immediately springs to mind as one), some really funny ones ("Bad Blood" and "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'" are great examples), but there were also some serious groaners that were painful to get through like "First Person Shooter" that was so stupid it didn't even manage to amuse. Also, the main invasion storyline was way less interesting than the filler episodes to me.

Supernatural is a lot more fun, by comparison. The series carries emotional impact, although not to the same level as X-Files most of the time. The filler eps are fun but there are far fewer of them compared to X-Files and the main story arcs are mostly really solid. It took a little bit of time to get off the ground (first season was a little boring until they started getting into the underlying story) but the main arc that followed seasons 1 through 5 was -really- solid. The season 6 and 7 arc was also pretty cool and introduced some interesting ideas and characters. Season 8 was probably the weakest but 9 and up have been pretty decent. The comedic episodes of Supernatural are also freaking hilarious.

Oh, and I attended last year's ComicCon with these that I made on my 3D printer.

-Byshop

I'd say the X Files. Supernatural really got dull for me in the recent seasons.

Good matchup, both are easy to watch out of order, its hard for me to answer, younger me loved X-Files, but younger me loved some weird stuff. I would have to say im undecided, on any given day i could like one more then the other.

@Laihendi:

I liked the first X-files movie and it works well with Season 6, which, IMO is the best season, ever so slightly better than Seasons 2 and 3, which admittedly had better "monsters of the week" episodes (Darrin Morgan had a hand in some episodes) but lacked the diversity, humor (except for Morgan episodes), and the great banter of Season 6 between Mulder and Scully.

So, I don't agree with you other than Carter didn't know what to do with the myth-arc, that much is true, but let's see what happens. Looking forward to the Darrin Morgan episode, he was the best director in the series.

Only 3 days left until X-files season 10 begins.....only 6 episodes but I hope they regained the magic.

X-files. I like Supernatural too, but it needs to end.

X-files. It started my quest for the truth about the mysterious turtle that would strangely appear at odd times and in odd places. Years later and I'm still no closer to the truth but the search for the truth is its own reward.

Heard the first episode of Season 10 of the X-Files was good.....saw bits and pieces, looked quite good.

Supposedly the 2nd and 3rd episodes of this mini-series are especially good, and the 3rd one was directed by Darrin Morgan, X-files best writer/director.

Second episode of X-files season 10 was really good! Next one features their best director from the original run.

Ok, i know this is wierd because i am quoting myself. I just watched the new episode, and WOW !! I am blown away about how they just went at it, and brought it out like " Wham ! " ... The new X-files is dope as **** !! Yes, i've said it. I am very impressed, and just want to recommend it to everyone. Just blew me away. So dam good !

@LexLas:

Can't wait for the 3rd episode, should be a good one. First 2 episodes were pure updated 90's X-files.

First of all, Supernatural was inspired by the X Files. Many of the actors from the X Files are in Supernatural, and there are many references to the X Files too. The X Files wasn't just about entertainment, but about social issues -- something that Supernatural lacks.That's why it was so popular back then; like Game of Thrones now. Obviously the X Files is the winner.

I prefer Supernatural to the X-Files. The X-Files got really dull with all the ufo conspiracy storylines that never went anywhere just around in circles.

Supernatural *WAS* good...they drag it out too long, should have ended it when Sam got pull to hell with Lucifer...& Dean was married etc. So X-Files.. :P

X-Files is probably the single greatest television series of all time. Better than Simpsons, Game of Thrones, American Horror Story...everything. Every single episode was a work of art, carefully crafted by masterful writers, executed flawlessly by a relatively unknown pair of actors, and directed near-perfectly.

There have been a lot of good shows since, and before, the X-Files, but nothing has come close to the greatness of that near-perfect series.

Old Xfiles was awesome, new one was pretty lame unfortunately. The first Xfiles movie was pretty good, and tied well with the series as well.

So, ignoring the new season, or later weaker seasons, X-files for me.

The 3rd episode of the new season of X-files was great but the rest was meh.

But as I said before about 8 months ago (lol at this necro thread), seasons 2 - 6 were fantastic. I still haven't seen Supernatural yet though.

@mrbojangles25: You think it's a masterpiece, I could never get through more then 2-3 episodes before getting bored to death and would stop watching.

For me, it's definitely X-Files and it isn't even close.

never seen either cuz I dont like that type of stuff, but the X-Files has a cool intro song.

I haven`t still watched the X files, but I have watched all episodes of Supernatural and I love it. For the X - file voters who hate Supernatural I will say you do that cause X have been your first watched series and just cause of that you hate Supernatural? What the hell you don`t like? It has everything - fantasy /NEARLY EVERYTHING POSSIBLE KIND OF FANTASY, except the aliens/, horror, drama, intense, comedy, interesting and with 1000 changes plot, every season with different one. I admire the writersa and the producers for making the longest fantasy series ever /Doctor Who is sciense fiction I don`t mean it/ and for keeping up and continuing with the show despite of the hates and unlikes like YOURS. ANd they continue SUCCESSFULLY. I give 10/10. Can`t compare between the series though, but I think if I watch the X I will think Supernatural is better.

Very different shows, but here's my take.

Supernatural has been consistently good for most of it's run, whereas X-files lost steam around season 6-7. The good seasons of X-Files are better than Supernatural though.

X-files is something very special for me. some of its appeal to me however is due the general 90's atmosphere it has in the first seasons. just looking and the clothes, cars and the whole atmosphere turns me on.
I have only watched a few episodes of Supernatural and I found it lame and stupid.

@judaspete:

Season 6 was the X-Files best season, followed closely by 2 and 3......so the show didn't lose steam until Season 7.

You're probably right. It's been a few years since I watched the show. I just remembered Doggett came in season 8, and things had been going downhill for a while before that.

@tellury52: Please don't necro bump.

-Byshop