From Red Pill to Blue: A Detailed Guide To Viewing The Matrix Movies In Chronological Order

What to Know

Chronological order:The Matrix ,The Matrix Reloaded ,The Matrix Revolutions , and_The Matrix Resurrections_ .
True chronological order: Watch the_Matrix_ movies with the nine animated_Animatrix_ films (also by the Wachowskis).

How often have you looked through your window and wondered if the world you live in is just in your mind? Any number at all puts you squarely in the Matrix club, where Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne), and Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) explore the reality that what they believed was real was, in fact, not.

These_Matrix_ movies have fascinated watchers since their release, and there’s no better time than the present to binge through the whole series.

How to Watch the Matrix Movies in Release Order

If you’re only tangentially familiar with the_Matrix_ movies, then you probably are wondering what more is there to know. The truth is, just like with the Matrix, there’s more than meets the eye. That’s because_The Matrix Trilogy_ and the 2021_Matrix_ sequel are just the tip of the iceberg.

Though the four main_Matrix_ movies,The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions , and_The Matrix Resurrections_ , were released in chronological order,the Wachowskis , who are responsible for writing and directing the films, also created nine other animated films which fall under the series_The Animatrix_ , and are part of the Matrix story.

In addition to_The Matrix Trilogy_ , the 2021_Matrix_ sequel, and the Animatrix movies, three games go along with the series.Enter the Matrix (2003),The Matrix Online (2005), and_The Matrix: Path of Neo_ (2005) are separate from this discussion of the films, but you should know they do exist.

Knowing this, when you’re ready to binge on_The Matrix_ movies, you should first watch_The Matrix Trilogy_ and the 2021 sequel_The Matrix Resurrections_ , and then go back and watch_The Animatrix_ movies and_The Matrix_ movies in chronological order.

If a title isn’t available on a particular streaming service, you can usually rent or buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, or Google Play.

Movie	Description	Where to Watch
The Matrix (1999)	The first movie in_The Matrix_ trilogy introduces you to Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), who later becomes Neo. Neo learns that his life is not his own and that he’s living through his thoughts guided by machines. Soon, Morpheus (Lawrence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) bring him out of his thoughts and into the real world, where they and other rebels must fight in a war for humanity against the machines trying to control them.	Rent or buy
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)	The Matrix Reloaded takes place six months after_The Matrix_ . In this movie, the original characters are defending against an attack on Zion as they try to locate the Keymaker, who can help them access the source of the Matrix.	Rent or buy
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)	The Matrix Revolutions follows immediately in the timeline. The group continues to defend against the attack on Zion, and Neo must find a way to defeat Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) to save the world.	Netflix
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)	The Matrix Resurrections is set 60 years after_Revolutions_ and follows Neo, now back to being Mr. Anderson, who is once again pondering if his reality is a construct. Neo and Trinity must reunite to defeat a far more powerful and deadly Matrix.	•Max •Netflix

How to Watch the Matrix Movies in Chronological Order

Once you’ve seen the original three movies in_The Matrix Trilogy_ and the follow-up fourth installment,The Matrix Resurrections, you can go back and watch the whole series, including the animated shorts, from beginning to end to gain more context and insight into the films.

Here’s how to watch all those movies, including_The Matrix Trilogy, The Matrix Resurrections_ , and_The Animatrix_ movies, in chronological order.

You’ll find all of_The Animatrix_ short films in a single rental from Amazon Prime. You’ll need to watch through them, pause, watch the movies where appropriate, and then go back to where you left off in_The Animatrix_ to follow along on this guide.

Movie	Release Date	Where to Watch
The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance , Part 1 & Part 2	2003	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: A Detective Story	2003	Rent or buy
The Matrix	1999	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: Kid’s Story	2003	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris	2003	Rent or buy
The Matrix Reloaded	2003	Rent or buy
The Matrix Revolutions	2003	Netflix
The Animatrix: Beyond	2003	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: World Record	2003	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: Matriculated	2003	Rent or buy
The Animatrix: Program	2003	Rent or buy
The Matrix Resurrections	2021	•Max •Netflix

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From Red Pill to Blue: A Detailed Guide To Viewing The Matrix Movies In Chronological Order