The X-Files Reboot Pilot Filmed on 65mm Film

Ryan Coogler has reportedly filmed the pilot for the upcoming The X-Files reboot on 65mm film, giving the iconic sci-fi series a cinematic scale rarely seen in television.

New details have emerged about the The X-Files revival being developed by Ryan Coogler. According to industry insiders, the two-hour pilot episode has already completed filming—and it was shot entirely on 65mm film, one of the most expensive and technically demanding formats in modern filmmaking.

The decision highlights the creative team's ambition to deliver a visually spectacular production from the very beginning, even before the series has officially been greenlit.

A Rare Format for Television

Cinematography is being handled by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who previously collaborated with Coogler on Sinners. Shooting on 65mm film is exceptionally rare for television due to its high production costs and complex technical requirements.

Very few television projects have experimented with the format. One of the best-known examples is Season 3 of Euphoria, which combined both 35mm and 65mm film. Coogler's reboot, however, reportedly uses the larger 65mm format throughout the entire pilot episode.

The Pilot Could Receive a Theatrical Release

According to reports, Coogler is exploring the possibility of releasing the two-hour pilot in cinemas before or alongside its streaming debut. Discussions are reportedly underway with The Walt Disney Company regarding both a limited theatrical run and a wider cinema release.

No final decision has been made, and the series itself has not yet received an official full-season order. At this stage, only the pilot has been completed, while Hulu has yet to announce whether the project will move forward.

Even so, these plans suggest that Coogler has envisioned the reboot as a cinematic event capable of attracting not only longtime fans of The X-Files but also mainstream moviegoers.

What We Know About the New The X-Files

The reboot will retain the core premise of the original series, following two FBI agents with very different personalities and opposing views as they investigate mysterious and unexplained phenomena.

The creators have promised an entirely new cast and a contemporary take on the beloved concept. It remains unclear whether the reboot will share continuity with the original series, but one thing is already evident: Ryan Coogler intends to elevate The X-Files to a new visual standard. The decision to shoot the pilot on 65mm film is the first major indication that the project is being crafted with the scale, image quality and cinematic ambition typically associated with blockbuster filmmaking.