It was in 1999 when the Wachowskis (the filmmaker duo of Lana and Lily) transported viewers into a post-apocalyptic world where humanity battled the machines they created. Twenty-five years on, The Matrix is still one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises ever made. The blend of philosophy and action made the franchise a cultural phenomenon that is relevant to date.
Over the years, the fascinating world of The Matrix has expanded its reach beyond the movies, branching out into sequels, an animated anthology, video games, comics and a bunch of cool merchandise. And just when fans thought the story had reached its conclusion in 2003, 2021 saw the resurrection of Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in The Matrix Resurrections, reigniting the flames of cyberpunk nostalgia.
Even decades later, The Matrix continues to shape the cinematic landscape, influencing everything — from filmmaking techniques to pop culture vocabulary. However, watching all The Matrix films in the correct chronological order can be a bit daunting, especially with the inclusion of the Animatrix which consists of nine animated short films.
That said, if you wish to sign up for binge-watching The Matrix movies to celebrate the franchise’s 25th anniversary, here’s your guide to navigate the timeline and experience the fascinating saga in its full glory.
But first…
How many ‘The Matrix’ movies are there?
There are a total of four movies in the mainline The Matrix series — the original trilogy released between 1999 and 2003, and the 2021 comeback sequel, The Matrix Resurrections. There is also an anthology anime, The Animatrix, which consists of nine short films spread throughout The Matrix chronology.
‘The Matrix’ movies in release date order
- The Matrix (1999)
- The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
- The Animatrix (2003)
- The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
- The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
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How to watch ‘The Matrix’ movies in chronological order
1. The Animatrix (2003)
The journey into the world of The Matrix begins with the sci-fi movie The Animatrix, a collection of nine short animated films. While each short film within the collection unfolds at different points along the timeline, two entries, The Second Renaissance Part I and Part II, are the earliest entries in the franchise’s chronology that detail the backstory of the film series and set the plot for what’s to come.
The two-part feature captures humanity’s clash with the evil forces of AI as machines rise to power and humanity faces extinction. With voice performances from Phil LaMar and Kevin Michael Richardson and brief appearances by Reeves and Moss reprising their iconic roles, The Second Renaissance lays the groundwork for the epic saga that’s to come.
Following this gripping tale, The Animatrix takes viewers into the noir-infused dystopian world of A Detective Story where audiences are introduced to Ash, a detective on a pursuit to catch the elusive hacker known as Trinity. As Ash heads out on the streets of The Matrix, driven by the thirst for truth, he meets Ash on a moving train. The two lock horns with Three Agents on the train in a no-win situation which marks the end of the film.
This is followed up with the last short animated film Matriculated which deals with a group of human rebels who lure hostile machines to their laboratory to capture them and teach them some of the positive traits of humanity, like compassion and empathy. The aim? To build an enlightened machine that will help Zion combat the machine-controlled totalitarianism that dominates the Earth.
2. The Matrix (1999)
The original movie The Matrix is set in the year 2199, where humanity withers under the catastrophe caused by the machines. However, hope prevails when a skilled hacker named Neo uncovers the startling truth – that he’s been living in a simulation called the Matrix.
As Neo finds out about the reality of his existence, he joins forces with Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), the leader of the resistance, who helps him escape from the Matrix. Together, they take on a perilous journey to free humanity from the shackles of the Matrix and reclaim their freedom.
The Matrix captivated sci-fi enthusiasts worldwide, propelling itself beyond the confines of cinema to become a cultural phenomenon that resonates with audiences to date. Its revolutionary ideas, from the notion of taking the ‘red pill’ to the groundbreaking visual technique known as ‘bullet time’, made it a sci-fi masterpiece.
3. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Picking up the narrative six months after the events of the original 1999 movie, The Matrix Reloaded takes audiences deeper into the fascinating narrative of the franchise’s universe. Expanding upon the plot laid in the first film, it unveils the secretive enclave of Zion, humanity’s final bastion against the encroaching forces of the machines.
As the spectre of war looms ominously on the horizon, the inhabitants of Zion brace themselves for the impending onslaught of the relentless soldiers. Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith) emerges as an iconic figure within the franchise leading the charge in the battle for humanity’s survival.
The Matrix Reloaded is a complex web of intrigue and action that delves deeper into the mysteries of the Matrix while propelling the narrative towards its thrilling climax.
4. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Next up on the chronological timeline of The Matrix movies in order is The Matrix Revolutions which brings the original trilogy to a climactic conclusion. As the machines close in on whatever is left of humanity, Zion stands on the edge of oblivion.
Amidst the chaos, Neo strikes a bargain to protect peace that hinges upon the eradication of the rogue program, Agent Smith, portrayed by Hugo Weaving. Yet, even as Neo confronts the formidable rivals, the fate of both man and machine hangs in the balance, and more sacrifices must be made in the name of survival.
5. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Set six decades after the disastrous events of The Matrix Revolutions, 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections or Matrix 4 marks the return of Neo and Trinity, resurrected by the machinations of the very system they once sought to defy.
True to its title, the movie unravels a twisting narrative where reality intertwines with illusion, blurring the lines between past, present and future.
As the machines once again eye on annihilating humanity, a newfound rebellion takes root, driven by a burning desire for redemption – to grab control of the Matrix from its mechanical overlords.
With an ensemble cast that includes Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving, alongside new faces like Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Ricci and Priyanka Chopra, the film delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience.
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(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/The Matrix Resurrections)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Why are Matrix 2 and 3 released in the same year?
The Wachowskis intended to make the Matrix storyline a trilogy since the beginning. The Matrix Reloaded (Matrix 2) and The Matrix Revolutions (Matrix 3) were filmed simultaneously and hence, released six months apart in the same year.
– Will there be a Matrix 5?
While the excitement amongst fans is palpable, there is no official announcement to add a new movie to the franchise.
– What is Matrix 2 called?
Matrix 2 is called The Matrix Reloaded.
– Which was the best The Matrix movie?
Which The Matrix movie is considered the best is subjective but the original The Matix (1999) has the highest IMDb score (8.7/10) and Rotten Tomatoes rating (83%).
