The Long-Lost X-Files Story Is Officially Heading to Disney+

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Fans of the series have something to look forward to! Before Hulu releases its new version, Disney+ will be streaming a previously unseen cut of an older film from the franchise starting in June. This offers a unique version of the movie that hasn’t been available before.

Disney+ will release the director’s cut of The X-Files: I Want to Believe on Thursday, June 11, 2026. While some extra footage has been available on DVD and Blu-ray, this marks the first time fans will be able to see a complete director’s cut. Creator Chris Carter has hinted for years that he wanted to release a version of the 2008 film closer to his original, darker vision, before certain parts were removed.

Chris Carter’s Director’s Cut Will Finally See the Light of Day

Last year, while appearing on David Duchovny’s podcast, Fail Better, director Carter revealed he’s been given the green light to create a ‘Director’s Cut’ of I Want to Believe. He explained that the original cut was initially deemed too intense by Fox executives, who were aiming for a PG-13 rating. After making cuts to meet their requests, critics still felt the movie was too strong, forcing further edits. Carter noted that network television generally allows for more content than feature films, implying greater creative freedom from censors.

He explained that he finally has the opportunity to create the horror film he originally envisioned. It’s more than just revising an old version; he’s bringing a long-held creative idea to life that never made it to the big screen.

The Director’s Cut Gets a Quiet Release on Disney+

Disney+ has listed “The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Director’s Cut” as a bonus feature, which likely means you’ll find it included with the original movie, not as a separate title. It’s a surprisingly low-key release – Disney+ simply added it to their monthly content list without a dedicated announcement or press release.

Carter directed The X-Files: I Want to Believe, a sequel to the 1998 X-Files movie. The original film earned over $189 million globally, but I Want to Believe didn’t achieve the same success, bringing in over $68 million. Critics weren’t very impressed either, giving it a 32% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s still unclear if a newly edited version of the movie will be better received by audiences.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Director’s Cut is set to start streaming on Disney+ on June 11.

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2026-05-26 03:10