The Matrix universe in order
The Matrix Marathon

View Watching Order

Page Last Modified:

9 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 ready 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. Should you start with The Matrix, or is The Animatrix the right beginning? And what about the new Morpheus? Don't fret. 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. So, grab your black trench coat, charge your sunglasses, and prepare for 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:

Kick off your marathon with the film that revolutionized sci-fi in 1999. The Matrix introduces us to Neo (Keanu Reeves), a hacker with a nagging feeling that something's amiss in the world. What follows is a relentless blend of martial arts, philosophy, and visual flair that has been quoted and parodied endlessly. The red and blue pill choice, the bullet-time action, the cascade of green code it's all here in this iconic start to the Matrix saga. This is your gateway to the truth or at least to a dystopian future teeming with machines, illusions, and badass trench coats.

The Matrix Reloaded:

In The Matrix Reloaded, the stakes are higher. The war between humans and machines is nearing its peak, Zion braces for a devastating assault, and Neo discovers his powers are growing beyond the Matrix. This film is loaded with unforgettable moments: the freeway chase with the twins, the Burly Brawl with an army of Smith clones, and the enigmatic Architect's revelations. Reloaded is more intricate, faster-paced, and more philosophical than its predecessor, ending with a cliffhanger that will have you eager to jump into the next chapter.

The Animatrix:

The Animatrix is the hidden gem of the Matrix universe. This collection of short animated films crafted by top studios from 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 tie directly into the films, while The Second Renaissance delves into the origins of the human-machine war. It's essential viewing for those who want to truly understand the conflict and it's a visual spectacle in its own right.

The Matrix Revolutions:

The Matrix Revolutions brings the original trilogy to an epic close. The machine assault on Zion erupts in one of the most impressive sci-fi battles ever: the Zion dock battle. Meanwhile, Neo and Trinity embark on a mission outside the Matrix, as the battle for the future of humanity and machines reaches its climax. Agent Smith, now completely unhinged, threatens both worlds. Revolutions is darker, more emotional, and challenges you to question everything you know. It's the kind of finale that makes you ponder free will, sacrifice, and the concept of 'The One.' And the ending? It's sure to spark discussions 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 as much a sequel as it is a meta-commentary on the entire franchise. Neo is living again in a seemingly normal world, but everything feels... suspiciously familiar. 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 divides fans but one you shouldn't skip. Not only does it reopen the Matrix, but it also raises questions about memory, identity, and control all wrapped in cyberpunk action, neon visuals, and of course: fighting in slow-motion.

Why This Order Works:

Watching the Matrix movies in chronological order according to the story, not the release offers a smoother experience of the larger narrative. You follow Neo's journey step by step without missing crucial background information. The Animatrix fills in gaps that would otherwise remain vague, and Resurrections has more impact when you've just finished the original trilogy. Everything intertwines: 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. Start with The Matrix and Reloaded on one night, then The Animatrix and Revolutions on the second. Finish with Resurrections as an epilogue. Prepare cyberpunk-proof snacks (think neon jellybeans or energy drinks with glowsticks), put on a playlist with the soundtrack (Rage Against the Machine, anyone?), and discuss your favorite moments or theories after each film. And remember: if you're watching for the first time, keep an eye out for the Matrix code rain, the bullet-time action, and of course... the cat that crosses your path twice.

Closing Thoughts:

The Matrix franchise is more than just sci-fi spectacle. It's a layered, philosophical rollercoaster that continues to captivate whether you're here for the wire-fu martial arts, the mind-machine interface themes, or simply because you never tire of Keanu Reeves as Neo. By watching the films in the right order, you'll get much more out of it. So gather your crew, choose your arrow (red or blue), and immerse yourself in a world where nothing is as it seems. The Matrix movie marathon awaits you and trust us, you won't want to miss it.