X-Files: I Want to Believe’s never-seen cut streaming on Hulu in June
The X-Files: I Want to Believe is getting a new lease on life with the release of a previously unavailable director’s cut. Disney announced that The X-Files: I Want to Believe – Director’s Cut will premiere on Disney+ on June 11, 2026.
The 2008 thriller was originally directed by Chris Carter, the creator of the original The X-Files television series. According to Carter’s own account, the version audiences initially saw in theaters was significantly altered from his original vision due to studio pressure and censorship concerns.
Carter revealed the existence of this unreleased cut during an appearance on the podcast Fail Better with David Duchovny last June. During that interview, Carter explained the compromises that shaped the theatrical release: “I made it too scary,” he said. Fox had insisted on a PG-13 rating to maximize audience appeal. Carter’s original cut would have received an R rating, forcing him to remove content to meet the studio’s requirements.
The constraints didn’t end there. Even after cutting material to achieve the desired rating, Carter had to make additional cuts when censors reviewed the film, further diluting his original creative intent. This resulted in a version that differed substantially from what Carter had originally envisioned.
The release of the director’s cut comes as part of a broader expansion of The X-Files franchise. Filmmaker Ryan Coogler is developing a reboot of the series, which is expected to arrive before this director’s cut premiere.