

The Matrix collection depicts a complex science fiction story incorporating many philosophical elements. Written and directed by the Wachowskis and produced by Joel Silver.
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.
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.
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.
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 The Matrix franchise spans 22 years, from 1999 to 2021.
The highest-rated entry is The Matrix with a 8.2/10 audience score.
Across all films, the franchise averages a 7.1/10 rating from audiences.
The Matrix films have collected over 57k audience ratings combined.
Watching all 4 The Matrix films back-to-back takes well over a full day's viewing commitment.
The most recent entry, The Matrix Resurrections (2021), continues a franchise that began 22 years earlier.
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See the original timeline, full stats, and editorial intro on the franchise overview page.
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