Pluto TV began 2026 by adding The X-Files to its free streaming collection, and it’s now building on that by including all 100 episodes of the show’s spiritual successor, Fringe. While Fringe, which aired for five seasons from 2008 to 2013, is certainly worth watching in its entirety, numerous standalone episodes are available to give you a glimpse into the unique oddities imagined by showrunners Jeff Pinkner and J. H. Wyman.
Fringe draws significant inspiration from the sci-fi mystery framework that The X-Files established in the 1990s. The series features the highly skilled and disciplined FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) who partners with the eccentric scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) to investigate strange phenomena as part of the bureau’s newly formed Fringe Division. Olivia and Peter share a classic romantic chemistry reminiscent of Mulder and Scully, while Walter provides a wealth of peculiar humor. Their often-exasperated supervisor, Phillip Broyles, is played by Lance Reddick.
Wyman and Pinkner crafted an intricate mythology that proved more cohesive and satisfying than the alien conspiracies found in The X-Files, with many of the show’s strongest episodes focusing on this overarching narrative. However, they also infused the series with traditional “Monster of the Week” stories, which were frequently quite grotesque and disturbing. Many of these subtly advance the plot, but viewers familiar with concepts like the multiverse or psychic abilities from other media should find them easy to follow. If you’re intrigued by Fringe, consider exploring these 10 episodes.
10
“The Same Old Story” season 1, episode 2
After the pilot established all the characters and a major conspiracy, Pinkner and Fringe’s co-creators J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci introduced their distinctive take on the Monster of the Week with “The Same Old Story.” The episode commences with disturbing pregnancy-related body horror, prompting the Fringe Division to pursue a serial killer. “The Same Old Story” also illustrates how the team employs bizarre scientific methods to track down rogue scientists, with their evidence collection being nearly as peculiar as the case itself.
9
“The Transformation” season 1, episode 13
Introducing a new reason to dread air travel, “The Transformation” begins with a plane passenger gruesomely mutating into a porcupine-like creature, unleashing mayhem. The episode features unsettling body horror and Walter’s peculiar humor, whose investigation involves counting the creature’s nipples and sharing amusing mammal facts. It also expands on Fringe’s innovative “Monster of the Week” concept by linking this case to other seemingly unrelated episodes.
8
“Unleashed” season 1, episode 16
In “Unleashed,” animal rights activists break into a lab, and while they don’t release anything as catastrophic as the Rage virus from 28 Days Later, their mission results in their own brutal deaths. The perpetrator is a chimera – a genetic fusion of several dangerous creatures, including parasitic wasps. A Fringe Division team member becomes infected with its larva, triggering a frantic effort to find a cure. This infection also leads to humorous outcomes later in the series.
7
“August” season 2, episode 8
Wyman and Pinkner use “August” to delve into the mystery of the Observers – enigmatic, hairless men in suits frequently observed at crucial events. However, familiarity with their prior appearances isn’t necessary to appreciate this episode. Similar to Wim Wenders’ cherished romantic fantasy Wings of Desire, “August” explores the consequences when an Observer falls in love with a human and decides to intervene to save her life.
6
“Johari Window” season 2, episode 12
Oscar-winning writer Josh Singer (of Spotlight fame) penned “Johari Window,” an episode that distinctly echoes the feel of a classic The X-Files installment. The Fringe team investigates the murder of two state troopers, uncovering a community fiercely protective of its secrets, willing to kill to keep them hidden. The episode incorporates several recurring themes of the show: governmental malfeasance, Walter’s ethically questionable past research, and the Fringe team’s contemplation of whether some mysteries are best left unsolved.
5
“The Bishop Revival” season 2, episode 14
Nazis consistently make for compelling adversaries, and “The Bishop Revival” centers on one who is inexplicably 100 years old, utilizing a custom-engineered poison to eliminate individuals with specific genetic markers. It’s a disturbing narrative with a highly suitable conclusion that also deepens Walter’s anguish regarding his legacy and the morally dubious choices he has made.
4
“White Tulip” season 2, episode 18
Wyman and The X-Files veteran Jeff Vlaming expertly interweave profound character development into a case-of-the-week episode in “White Tulip.” Peter Weller, star of RoboCop, portrays an astrophysics professor who attempts to utilize time travel to save his fiancée’s life. Walter discovers a shared purpose with the man, stemming from his own use of ethically questionable science to cope with grief, and endeavors to aid his quest despite anticipating potentially unforeseen consequences.
3
“The Plateau” season 3, episode 3
While this episode is set in an alternative universe, Olivia still investigates a classic case of the week. A man who consumed an experimental drug to enhance his IQ gains such a profound understanding of cause and effect that he can cause deaths by initiating intricate chain reactions with something as minor as a dropped ballpoint pen. However, certain forces are at play that even the killer cannot foresee.
2
“Marionette” season 3, episode 9
This profoundly unsettling episode centers on a scientist performing a macabre form of “reverse organ donation,” meticulously collecting a woman’s body parts, whom he was obsessed with, in a grim attempt to reconstruct her. The compelling central case, striking visual effects, and a somewhat sympathetic villain make this a standout as a standalone episode. However, it gains even greater depth if you’ve followed the series, as it explores Olivia’s traumatic experiences in an alternative world and her efforts to reintegrate into her former life.
1
“Making Angels” season 4, episode 11
This episode will undoubtedly be most impactful if you’ve developed an attachment to Astrid Farnsworth (Jasika Nicole), often considered the least appreciated member of the Fringe team, as it showcases two versions of her character encountering each other and learning about their vastly different lives. Even without that specific context, its central case is compelling, involving a serial killer who uses his foresight to try and avert as much suffering as possible.