If you want to indulge in some of the best sci-fi action movies available, watching the Matrix movies is a must! These movies star Keanu Reeves in what could be argued to be some of the best work in his career, and they are iconic for good reason.
The fact that these movies still have such resistant cultural relevance is a testimony to their quality and their staying power.
These movies have been called timeless for good reason, and this is why people continue to watch and rewatch this series as they remain relevant.
This is why when you get into conversations with movie fans, so many of them will recommend the Matrix movies. While they are not at the level of relevance where everyone has seen them, they are at the level where everyone knows someone who has watched them.
And perhaps the most impressive thing about the Matrix movies is that everyone who has watched them will recommend them.
With that in mind, many people are put off by the amount of entries which are in the Matrix series, especially when considering the spin-off projects. With these concerns in mind it can be quite challenging to know where to begin when watching these movies.
This is why we have put together this guide to make approaching the Matrix movies as simple as possible, so you know where to begin! If you are interested in watching this series but are confused at where to start, this is a guide you have to read!
Order To Watch The Matrix Movies
- Animatrix: The Second Renaissance – Part I and II
- The Animatrix: A Detective Story
- The Matrix
- The Animatrix: The Kid’s Story
- The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris
- The Matrix Reloaded
- The Matrix Revolutions
- The Animatrix: Beyond
- The Animatrix: World Record
- The Animatrix: Program
- The Animatrix: Matriculated
- The Matrix Resurrections
Matrix Movies In Order Of Release
With the order to watch the movies in out of the way, you probably want to know more about the movies themselves and what they are about.
This section will give you the key information you need to know about each of the mainline entries in the Matrix movie series!
The Matrix
Movie Details
The first Matrix movie was released in March 1999 and has a runtime of 136 minutes. It was directed by the Wachowski sisters. With its critical reception, it currently has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, an 8.7 on IMDB, and a 73 on MetaCritic.
Movie Description
This iconic movie follows the main character Neo who is played by Keanu Reeves and is a computer hacker. The hacker repeatedly runs into a phrase throughout his activities and it starts to make him curious.
The phrase he repeatedly runs into is called the Matrix and it piques his curiosity. He turns to a man called Morpheus who is known as the most dangerous man alive to help him get the answers he is seeking as he believes that he will have a lead for him.
Throughout this process he also runs into a beautiful woman who is called Trinity and played by Carrie Anne Moss. She is the one who leads Neo into the underworld which is where he ends up meeting Morpheus.
This leads the pair to end up fighting against unknown intelligence agents. Neo gets closer and closer to the truth throughout the movie and as he does, he realizes just how dire the consequences of his actions could be.
The Matrix Reloaded
Movie Details
The Matrix Reloaded was released in May 2003 following up from the original 4 years later. It runs for 138 minutes and is also directed by the Wachowski sisters.
Its critical reception is slightly less glowing than the first movie currently holding a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.2 on IMDB, and a 62 on MetaCritic.
Movie Description
This follow up to the 1999 classic shows Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity continuing the seemingly never ending battle against the machine introduced in the first movie.
While the group have an impressive weaponry at their disposal, and they are all quite skilled, they are matched by the relentless attacks of the machine.
In this movie we see Neo begin to learn more about the Matrix which he was introduced to in the first movie as well as learning about his role in saving what is left of the human race.
The Matrix Revolutions
Movie Details
The third Matrix movie from the original trilogy, Matrix Revolutions was released in November of 2003 the same year as the previous entry and runs for a slightly shorter 129 minutes, and similarly to the previous entries is directed by the Wachowski sisters.
It has a much worse critical reception than the prior two entries getting a 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, a slightly better 6.8 on IMDB, and a 47 on MetaCritic.
Movie Description
In the final movie of the original Matrix trilogy we join Neo as he has found himself trapped in what can be described as a limbo world as the machines from the previous movies are still wreaking their havoc on humanity.
The majority of the planet has found itself trapped in the virtual reality which has been created by the machines. The people who have managed to escape the virtual world are struggling in the battle against the machines.
We watch Neo as he is struggling to escape limbo, so he can return and save the struggling human race. We see the climax of the conflict against the villainous program Agent Smith as this trilogy reaches its conclusion.
The Matrix Resurrections
Movie Details
The long awaited return to the Matrix movie series was released in December of 2021 and runs for a much shorter run time than its previous entries at only 90 minutes. It also departs from the rest of the series by being directed by just Lana Wachowski.
This movie is generally better received than the finale of the trilogy, but not better than the first two entries. It has 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, a 5.7 on IMDB, and a 63 on MetaCritic.
Movie Description
In the return to the Matrix series we see Mr Anderson faced with the choice of staying complacent in life or instead accepting the reality of his situation and choosing to follow the white rabbit.
However, he does not know that the Matrix has become even more powerful than it was before and the path he is forced to follow has become even more uncertain than it was originally.
This return to the series takes the narrative of the original movies in an interesting direction which not every fan of the series enjoyed, so make sure to watch it yourself to see if you like it.
Animatrix Movies In Order
If you want a complete look at everything going on in the universe of the Matrix universe and want a more expanded perspective, it is worth watching the Animatrix specials and movies, these are all listed here!
- Animatrix: The Second Renaissance – Part 1
- Animatrix: The Second Renaissance – Part II
- The Animatrix: A Detective Story
- The Animatrix: The Kid’s Story
- The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris
- The Animatrix: Beyond
- The Animatrix: World Record
- The Animatrix: Program
- The Animatrix: Matriculated
Order Of The Mainline Matrix Movies
- The Matrix
- The Matrix Reloaded
- The Matrix Revolutions
- The Matrix Resurrections
Takeaway
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need to feel confident watching the Matrix series. While you can watch the Animatrix and main series in canonical order together.
Many recommend watching the mainline movies and then returning to the Animatrix specials if you want to see more!
If you liked this article, you might enjoy our post on ‘Jesse Stone Movies In Order: Ultimate Viewing Guide‘.
I’d like to think I know a lot about films - at least that’s what my peers tell me after I’m done boring them to tears with my knowledge surrounding any movie that comes into the conversation!
I think the people in my life are getting a little bored of my teachings, so now I bring them to you - to hopefully find people who will get as excited as I do when talking about films. Please enjoy my reviews and commentaries, and feel free to jump in at any point and discuss.
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