The Matrix universe in order
The Matrix Marathon

View Watching Order

Page Last Modified:

28 December 2025

Most Recent Release:

The Matrix Resurrections - 2021

Total Runtime:

648 Minutes

Total Items:

13

Average User Score:

(7)

Watching orders for The Matrix

The Matrix universe in order

We've all been there. You're all set for a Matrix movie marathon, but as soon as you open Netflix or dust off your Blu-ray box, you're hit with choice overload. Do you think The Matrix is the best place to start, or is The Animatrix a better option? And what about the new Morpheus? No need to stress. We've got the popcorn ready and the perfect viewing order lined up. Whether you're diving into the Matrix universe for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this chronological order promises maximum impact, minimal confusion, and a deeper dive into the lore. Grab your black trench coat, charge your sunglasses, and get ready for some philosophy, slow-motion, and hardcore cyberpunk action.

648 Minutes 13 Movies
  1. The Matrix Backdrop 1
    The Matrix Movie 136 min. 1999
    Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.
    USER SCORE 8
  2. The Matrix Reloaded Backdrop 2
    The Matrix Reloaded Movie 138 min. 2003
    The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machine sentinels digging to Zion in 72 hours, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity must find the Keymaker to ultimately reach the Source.
    USER SCORE 7
  3. The Second Renaissance Part I Backdrop 3
    The Second Renaissance Part I Movie 9 min. 2003
    Tells the early history of how conflict began between the humans and machines. Part 1 of 2.
    USER SCORE 7
  4. Final Flight of the Osiris Backdrop 4
    Final Flight of the Osiris Movie 9 min. 2003
    Immediately before the events of The Matrix Reloaded, the crew of the hovercraft Osiris discovers a quarter of a million sentinels drilling through the surface of the earth towards the last human city of Zion. But can the Osiris survive long enough to warn Zion?
    USER SCORE 7
  5. A Detective Story Backdrop 5
    A Detective Story Movie 10 min. 2003
    A private detective is hired to find the elusive computer hacker "Trinity." Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts in the Matrix universe.
    USER SCORE 7
  6. The Second Renaissance Part II Backdrop 6
    The Second Renaissance Part II Movie 9 min. 2003
    The battle for Earth turns against the humans, despite their infamous desperate act of blackening the skies.
    USER SCORE 7
  7. World Record Backdrop 7
    World Record Movie 10 min. 2003
    A record-breaking competitive runner begins to stretch the limits of the Matrix. Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts set in the Matrix universe.
    USER SCORE 7
  8. Program Backdrop 8
    Program Movie 7 min. 2003
    Cis and Duo discuss leaving the real world while during a samurai sword fight. Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts set in the Matrix universe.
    USER SCORE 7
  9. Matriculated Backdrop 9
    Matriculated Movie 16 min. 2003
    The human resistance works to convert a sentinel to their side. Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts set in the Matrix universe.
    USER SCORE 7
  10. Kid's Story Backdrop 10
    Kid's Story Movie 15 min. 2003
    A high school student is haunted by thoughts of "The Matrix" and a person named "Neo".
    USER SCORE 7
  11. Beyond Backdrop 11
    Beyond Movie 13 min. 2003
    While looking for her cat, a young woman and some kids find an abandoned building where strange things happen and the rules of physics don't always apply. Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts set in the Matrix universe.
    USER SCORE 7
  12. The Matrix Revolutions Backdrop 12
    The Matrix Revolutions Movie 129 min. 2003
    The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
    USER SCORE 7
  13. The Matrix Resurrections Backdrop 13
    The Matrix Resurrections Movie 147 min. 2021
    Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.
    USER SCORE 6

The Matrix

Start your movie marathon with the film that changed sci-fi forever in 1999. The Matrix starts with Neo (Keanu Reeves), a hacker who's got a hunch that something's not quite right in the world. What follows is a relentless blend of martial arts, philosophy, and visual flair that has been quoted and parodied endlessly. The choice between the red and blue pills, the bullet-time action, and the flood of green code are all there in this classic start to the Matrix saga. This is your gateway to the truth, or at least to a dystopian future full of machines, illusions, and badass trench coats.

The Matrix Reloaded

In The Matrix Reloaded, the stakes are higher. The war between humans and machines is about to reach a boiling point, Zion is gearing up for a devastating attack, and Neo is discovering that his powers are growing beyond the Matrix. This film is jam-packed with unforgettable moments, like the freeway chase with the twins, the epic showdown with an army of Smith clones, and the mysterious Architect's revelations. Reloaded is more complex, faster-paced, and thought-provoking than the previous film, ending with a cliffhanger that'll have you itching to jump into the next chapter.

The Animatrix

The Animatrix is the hidden gem of the Matrix universe. This collection of short animated films, made by top studios in Japan and the US, adds depth, context, and history like no other title in the franchise. For your marathon, watch this after Reloaded but before Revolutions. Why? Some stories directly intersect with events between those two films. Kid's Story and Final Flight of the Osiris are directly tied to the films, while The Second Renaissance looks into the beginnings of the human-machine war. If you want to really get your hands on the conflict, this is a must-see. The visuals are stunning on their own.

The Matrix Revolutions

This epic conclusion to the original trilogy will blow you away. The machine attack on Zion leads to one of the most epic sci-fi battles ever: the Zion dock battle. Meanwhile, Neo and Trinity set out on a mission outside the Matrix as the battle for the future of humanity and machines reaches its climax. Agent Smith, who's totally out of control, is a threat to both worlds. Revolutions is darker, more emotional, and makes you question everything you thought you knew. It's the kind of ending that makes you think about free will, sacrifice, and the idea of "The One." And what about the ending? It'll definitely get you talking with your binge buddies.

The Matrix Resurrections

Twenty years after Revolutions, the franchise returned with The Matrix Resurrections, directed solo by Lana Wachowski. This film is like a sequel and a meta-commentary on the whole franchise. Neo's living in what seems like a normal world, but everything feels... familiar in a weird way. With new characters like Bugs (Jessica Henwick), the Morpheus reboot concept (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), and an alternative Smith (Jonathan Groff), Resurrections plays with familiarity and innovation. It's a film that has a lot of fans and a lot of haters, but it's one you shouldn't skip. It's not just that it reopens the Matrix; it also makes you think about memory, identity, and control. All of that is mixed with cyberpunk action, neon visuals, and of course, slow-motion fighting.

Why This Order Works

Watching the Matrix movies in chronological order, according to the story, not the release, makes the larger narrative feel smoother. You'll follow Neo's journey step-by-step without missing any crucial background info. The Animatrix fills in gaps that would otherwise be vague, and Resurrections has more impact when you've just finished the original trilogy. Everything's all mixed up: the red pill-blue pill choice, the rise of Smith, the connection between the Architect and Oracle, and even subtler themes like the trans allegory many fans recognize in the Wachowskis' work.

Tips for your Matrix movie marathon

For the ultimate marathon experience, spread the films over two or three evenings. You could start with The Matrix and Reloaded on one night, and then The Animatrix and Revolutions on the second. End with Resurrections as an epilogue. Get your snacks ready—we're talking neon jellybeans or glow-in-the-dark energy drinks. Put on a playlist with some Rage Against the Machine, or something like that, and then chat about your favorite parts or theories after each film. Hey, just a heads-up for first-time viewers: keep an eye out for the Matrix code rain, the bullet-time action, and of course... that cat that keeps crossing your path twice.

Now, for some closing thoughts on the Matrix franchise. It's more than just a sci-fi spectacle. It's a wild ride, with layers of philosophy to explore, and it's got something for everyone, whether you're into the wire-fu martial arts, the mind-machine interface themes, or just love seeing Keanu Reeves as Neo again. If you watch the films in the right order, you'll get a lot more out of them. Gather your team, pick your arrow (red or blue), and dive into a world where nothing is as it seems. Hey, we just wanted to let you know about this awesome Matrix movie marathon that's coming up. We're pretty sure you won't want to miss it!