Vancouver, British Columbia, was a main filming location for The X-Files seasons 1–5 and 10–11.
Creator Chris Carter originally considered filming the pilot in Los Angeles, but he wanted the series to have access to dense forests and a darker, rainier atmosphere. Production moved to Vancouver, where the city and surrounding British Columbia landscapes supplied locations for the show’s eerie forests, remote towns, and urban exteriors.
The series filmed in Vancouver for its first five seasons before moving to Los Angeles for seasons 6–9. The change was connected in part to production and cast considerations, including David Duchovny’s desire to work closer to home. When the series returned for its revival, production went back to Vancouver for seasons 10 and 11.
The location is often associated with the show’s visual identity, especially its muted skies, evergreen forests, and persistent rain. The move to Los Angeles is why some viewers remember later episodes as looking noticeably brighter and more Southern California-based.