The Matrix took the world by storm when it was first released in theaters in 1999. It chronicled humanity’s post-apocalyptic war against the machines they helped create. As of 2022, there are now four feature films and a collection of animated shorts that tell a somewhat complete tale of that war.
While the movies themselves serve as chronological sequels to the ones that came before, the nine animated shorts contained in the Animatrix take place at various points in the timeline. This can make watching the entire Matrix saga chronologically a bit tough, so we’ve created this guide to give you the best way to watch the stories in order.
Below, you can find a detailed, mostly spoiler-free look at how to watch all the Matrix films and the Animatrix episodes in chronological order. After that, you can check out a list that will help you watch them in release order if that is what you wish to do!
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How Many The Matrix Movies Are There?
There are four films in the mainline Matrix series — the original trilogy released between 1999 and 2003, and the 2021 sequel, The Matrix Resurrections. There is one additional animated film, The Animatrix, which compiles nine short films scattered throughout The Matrix chronology.
The Matrix Movies in Chronological Order
1. The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance, Part I and II (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The Animatrix is a 2003 collection of animated short films that attempt to fill in more of the history of The Matrix universe. There are nine self-contained episodes spanning different time periods and following different characters.
The Second Renaissance takes place earliest in the timeline and reveals how humanity lost its world to the machines. It’s made even more tragic as humanity originally built the artificial intelligence that powered the machines. While they were initially content to serve humanity, things took a big turn for the worse around the year 2090 when an android killed its owner.
2. The Animatrix: A Detective Story (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Taking place just prior to the events of the first feature film, A Detective Story sees a private detective named Ash searching for a hacker who goes by the name of Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss). All those before him have failed to discover Trinity, but that won’t stop Ash from trying.
4. The Matrix (1999)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The legendary film that started it all, The Matrix introduced the world to Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Moss), Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne), Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), and much more. Cyberhacker Neo is freed from The Matrix, a simulation of the year 1999 that humanity is trapped in, and learns that it is actually closer to 2199. Humanity’s fight for freedom against the machines serves as a backdrop to the adventures of the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar and their search for The One. As one of the best Keanu Reeves movies, this is an instant classic.
5. The Animatrix: The Kid’s Story (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
This short tells the story of a side character from the Matrix Reloaded known as The Kid (Clayton Watson). This is also the only short in The Animatrix where Neo (Reeves) appears.
6. The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Taking place right before the events of The Matrix Reloaded, Final Flight of the Osiris stars Captain Thadeus and Jue as they fight in a virtual dojo while blindfolded. In the real world and occurring at the same time, they are aboard the Osiris and are on a mission to warn Zion of an impending Sentinel invasion. This mission, as one can expect, doesn’t go smoothly.
7. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The Matrix Reloaded picks up six months after the original Matrix, and the love story of Neo and Trinity is a big focus of the film. The film builds on the lore of what the Matrix is, as well as introduces more of the real world outside of it, including humanity’s last free bastion, the hidden city of Zion. The Oracle, who first appeared in the original, makes a return, and other characters such as the Merovingian (Lambert Wilson) and the Architect (Helmut Bakaitis) are introduced for the first time.
8. The Animatrix: Beyond (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Set within the Matrix itself, Beyond focuses on a teenage girl named Yoko who is searching for her cat Yuki. Her search leads her to a so-called haunted house that is actually home to countless glitches in the Matrix that locals have used for fun.
9. The Animatrix: World Record (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Like Beyond before it, there is no clear point in the timeline where World Record takes place. The story features Agents who are alerted to a track athlete who pushes himself past what is thought possible to win the 100m dash in the Summer Olympic Games. Though he is injured during the race, his willpower and skill allow him to power through and unexpectedly wake up in the real world, if only for a moment.
10. The Animatrix: Program (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Program is another short that is hard to place on the official timeline. It tells a riveting story that that mostly takes place in a battle program set in feudal Japan. Program stars Cis and Duo, two people living outside of the Matrix who being the battle as allies. As the battle progresses, Duo asks Cis whether they regret taking the red pill and explores that tragic question.
11. The Animatrix: Matriculated (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The Animatrix, as evidenced by all the previous episodes, tell a disjointed, fragmented story that aims to give a clearer picture of this universe. Matriculated is another example of this and shows a group of survivors attempting to teach machines about human emotion by putting them in a Matrix of their own.
12. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The third installment of the series, The Matrix Revolutions, is the climax of a trilogy and was originally the final film in the franchise. Its story takes place right after Reloaded and portrays twin narratives detailing both the last stand of the city of Zion and the final flight together of Neo and Trinity as they take the fight to the Machine City. Agent Smith returns as well, and his new, virus-augmented form may be the biggest threat to Neo yet.
13. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Where to Watch: HBO Max
After 18 years, the franchise returned with The Matrix Resurrections. Set 60 years after the events of the previous film. It details the story of Neo, who has forgotten who he was and been re-inserted into the Matrix. He will have to once again follow the white rabbit to learn the truth about what is real and what is not, in order to deal with a Matrix that has become much stronger, more secure, and more dangerous than before.
The Matrix Movies in Order of Release
- The Matrix
- The Matrix Reloaded
- The Animatrix
- The Matrix Revolutions
- The Matrix Resurrections
The Future of The Matrix Franchise
While we all want to see more of The Matrix, it doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon. In an interview with Decider, Matrix Resurrections producer James McTeigue said that there isn't any new Matrix projects in the works. And it's unlikely that will change any time soon.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
