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Complete Watch Order · 4 films · 1999–2021

The MatrixComplete Watch Order Guide

The Matrix collection depicts a complex science fiction story incorporating many philosophical elements. Written and directed by the Wachowskis and produced by Joel Silver.

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4
Films
7h
Total Runtime
7.1/10
Avg Rating
2
Eras / Phases

The Saga Timeline

The Matrix Release Timeline

Release order

What order should you watch the The Matrix movies?

Release order — click any era to expand or collapse. All 4 movies shown below.

3 films released between 1999 and 2003.

1 film released between 2021 and 2021.

Every Film

Watch The Matrix in Order

Watch the The Matrix movies in release order, starting with The Matrix (1999) and continuing through The Matrix Resurrections (2021). The series spans 4 films, released between 1999 and 2021. Audiences rate the franchise 7.1/10 on average.

What order should you watch The Matrix?

For most viewers, release order is the recommended way to watch The Matrix. This is how the story was crafted and revealed to audiences — earlier films seed details, callbacks, and twists that pay off in later entries. Watching in release order preserves those reveals and matches the pacing the filmmakers intended.

The Matrix largely tracks its own in-universe chronology, so release order and chronological order overlap closely. You can use either without losing much, though release order is still the safest first watch.

About The Matrix

The Matrix collection depicts a complex science fiction story incorporating many philosophical elements. Written and directed by the Wachowskis and produced by Joel Silver.

Each film builds on the previous one, rewarding viewers who watch in sequence.

The Matrix Fun Facts & Trivia

1

The The Matrix franchise spans 22 years, from 1999 to 2021.

2

The highest-rated entry is The Matrix with a 8.2/10 audience score.

3

Across all films, the franchise averages a 7.1/10 rating from audiences.

4

The Matrix films have collected over 57k audience ratings combined.

5

Watching all 4 The Matrix films back-to-back takes well over a full day's viewing commitment.

6

The most recent entry, The Matrix Resurrections (2021), continues a franchise that began 22 years earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best order to watch The Matrix?
The recommended The Matrix watch order is release order: 1. The Matrix (1999), 2. The Matrix Reloaded (2003), 3. The Matrix Revolutions (2003), 4. The Matrix Resurrections (2021). This is how the story was crafted and delivers the best experience for new viewers.
What is the first The Matrix movie?
The first The Matrix movie is The Matrix, released in 1999. It's the best starting point for any new viewer.
What is the most recent The Matrix movie?
The most recent The Matrix movie is The Matrix Resurrections (2021).
How many The Matrix movies are there in total?
There are 4 main The Matrix films. This guide covers all of them in order.
How long does it take to watch all The Matrix movies?
Watching all 4 The Matrix films takes approximately 7 hours of total runtime.
What is the highest-rated The Matrix movie?
The highest-rated The Matrix movie is The Matrix, with an audience score of 8.2/10 on TMDB.
Can I watch The Matrix movies without watching them in order?
Most The Matrix films can be enjoyed standalone, but watching in release order gives you the full character development and story payoff across all 4 entries. First-time viewers should start with The Matrix.
Where can I watch The Matrix movies online?
Most The Matrix movies are available on Amazon Prime Video. Each movie card on this page has a direct "Watch on Amazon" link.

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