- Primary Subject: Ryan Coogler's The X-Files Reboot
- Key Update: The pilot wrapped filming on 65mm film, prompting rumors it may pivot from a series to a movie or receive a hybrid theatrical release.
- Status: Leaked feature film pivot potential
- Last Verified: July 21, 2026
- Quick Answer: Ryan Coogler's X-Files reboot pilot wrapped in July 2026 on 65mm film, sparking rumors of a potential movie conversion or theatrical release before streaming.
Ryan Coogler is set to reboot the cult classic The X-Files, but a new rumor suggests the project could become a movie instead of a series.
After the success of Sinners, Coogler confirmed that The X-Files reboot would be his next project. Hulu ordered a pilot in February 2026, with filming starting in May and wrapping in July.
However, as it’s still awaiting an official full-season greenlight, could the reboot be turned into a movie instead?
Could Ryan Coogler's X-Files Reboot Be a Movie?
A technical breakdown (via World of Reel) revealed that The X-Files pilot was shot on 65mm film, with Sinners cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw serving as director of photography.
According to the report, this unusual choice for a modern TV series is part of Ryan Coogler's effort to give the pilot a cinematic look, potentially making it suitable for a theatrical release.
It's worth noting that Hulu and Disney, which are producing the reboot, have not yet decided whether to greenlight a full series or release the pilot in theaters.
However, if Coogler succeeds in making the pilot feel like a feature film, Disney and Hulu could consider a theatrical run before its streaming debut.
That could also be a good compromise if the series isn't picked up, allowing The X-Files to continue as a feature-length standalone film instead.
But considering that Coogler and Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Sinners, worked together on the pilot, the reboot could be suited for both a theatrical and streaming release.
A hybrid approach, similar to Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, could allow The X-Files to benefit from both theatrical exposure and streaming success.
What Is Ryan Coogler’s X-Files Reboot About?
Ryan Coogler's The X-Files reboot is a reimagining of the classic franchise, following two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents.
Unlike the original series, Mulder and Scully won't be the leads. Instead, the reboot centers on the unlikely partnership between Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as they are assigned to a long-shuttered division investigating unexplained phenomena.
"I don't want to say anything that's going to get me disappeared," Patel told The Direct. "Needless to say, myself and Danielle Deadwyler are playing completely new characters, and we just wrapped on the pilot. If we get to do more… we'll see where we go from there."
In addition to Patel and Deadwyler, the pilot features Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, and Joel Montgrand as guest stars.
So far, there is still no official release date for The X-Files reboot.
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