Release order
Watch The Matrix first without reading detailed plot summaries. Continue with Reloaded and Revolutions, which form a closely connected pair, then watch Resurrections.
Look a little closer
Reality is only
the beginning.
A late-night question opens into a world of simulated reality, impossible movement, and difficult choices. The four theatrical features form a clear viewing path from the original discovery to Resurrections.
The Matrix1999–2021About 9 hours
Before you press play
Two ways in.
One great journey.
Story order
The four theatrical features follow release order. Memories and returns to earlier events do not change the whole-film sequence. The Animatrix anthology is outside this theatrical-feature guide.
The films / 4 theatrical releases
The Matrix
Your viewing guide.
Release order · US theatrical dates where available. Story order is an editorial viewing suggestion.
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The Matrix
The essential starting point; avoid plot-heavy descriptions before watching.
Directed by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne MossUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Matrix (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The Matrix Reloaded
Expands the first film’s world and leads directly into Revolutions.
Directed by Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne MossUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Matrix Reloaded (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The Matrix Revolutions
Completes the original trilogy’s central conflict.
Directed by Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
With Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne MossUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Matrix Revolutions (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The Matrix Resurrections
Returns to the story years after the original trilogy.
Directed by Lana Wachowski
With Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen IIUS theatrical release:
Search Amazon for Blu-ray for The Matrix Resurrections (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Search resultsCheck the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Guide notes & sources
Editorial review: . Released theatrical features only; television, shorts, direct-to-video titles, and unreleased films are excluded. Story order follows each whole film’s main narrative. This guide is not a content rating or age recommendation.
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