How Can I Watch “The Matrix” Movies in Order? Where to Stream the Original Film and Sequels

‘The Matrix’ stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are still synonymous with the sci-fi film a quarter of a century later

<p>Warner Bros/Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock</p> Keanu Reeves in

Warner Bros/Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix Reloaded.'

Twenty-five years ago, The Matrix showed audiences a different possibility for the human race, and they haven't looked back.

In 1999, the Wachowskis wrote and directed a film about a dystopian future where robots control the planet and force humanity to live obliviously inside a simulation known as the Matrix. The movie became a smash hit, spawning three sequels and an animated anthology film. It also inspired comics, video games, toys and more.

Most recently, in 2021, the franchise returned after almost 20 years with The Matrix Resurrections, which, true to its name, saw the revival of both Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss).

Related: More Than 20 Years Later, See Where 'The Matrix' Cast Is Now

Decades since its release, The Matrix's influence continues to be felt across the cinema world, from filming techniques to fight scenes and terms still used today. Now, on The Matrix's 25th anniversary, viewers can stream every movie to fully experience the fictional sci-fi world.

While there are currently no plans for a new film, Reeves told Empire podcast in 2021 that he’d come back for another installment as long as original creator Lana Wachowski was involved, saying, “If she invites me again, I'm in.”

To mark the franchise's latest release anniversary, here's how to watch every Matrix movie in chronological order.

The Matrix Movies in Release Date Order

<p>Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma/Getty</p> Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix.'

Ronald Siemoneit/Sygma/Sygma/Getty

Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix.'
  • The Matrix (1999)

  • The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

  • The Animatrix (2003)

  • The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

  • The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

The Matrix Movies in Chronological Order

The Animatrix (2003) 

<p>Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock </p> 'The Animatrix.'

Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

'The Animatrix.'

The animated sci-fi movie is a collection of short films, and while each one takes place at different points in The Matrix timeline, there are two highlights. The Second Renaissance, Part I and Part II are the earliest entries in the franchise’s chronology, setting the scene for what's to come.

The two-part feature shows how humanity lost the war against machines and became enslaved to the advanced AI they created. The film’s voice cast included Phil LaMar and Kevin Michael Richardson, as well as appearances by Reeves and Moss, who reprised their roles as Neo and Trinity.

After watching The Second Renaissance, Part I and Part II, the animated anthology series offers The Detective, which follows a detective named Ash and introduces Trinity. In the short film, Ash receives an anonymous phone call to search for the hacker, and he sets off on a chase that others couldn't finish. Still, he's determined to find Trinity, even if he's not ready to know the truth.

Watch The Animatrix on Prime Video

The Matrix (1999)

<p>Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett</p> Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne in 'The Matrix.'

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett

Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne in 'The Matrix.'

The original film picks up in 2199, long after humans have lost the war against the machines, but the tides start to turn when a hacker named Neo discovers that he’s living in a giant simulation called the Matrix.

In the real world, his physical body and the rest of humanity are being preserved in a cocoon and used as a living battery. With the help of a resistance group led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Neo escapes from the Matrix and the group fights for freedom.

The Matrix boomed into a cultural phenomenon, popularizing concepts like the “red pill” and bullet time.

Watch The Matrix on Max

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Warner Bros/Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix Reloaded.'
Warner Bros/Village Roadshow Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix Reloaded.'

The Matrix Reloaded resumes six months after The Matrix, and it continues to build on the movie’s universe and lore. It also introduces audiences to the secret city of Zion, the last human stronghold in the real world.

Unfortunately, the sentinels have discovered it and are on their way, prompting humanity to brace for war. At the center of the charge is resistance leader Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), who becomes an iconic character in the franchise.

Watch The Matrix Reloaded on Max

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

<p>Moviestore/Shutterstock </p> Hugo Weaving in 'The Matrix Revolutions.'

Moviestore/Shutterstock

Hugo Weaving in 'The Matrix Revolutions.'

Released six months after Reloaded, the original trilogy concludes with The Matrix Revolutions. In the film, the machines have finally found their way into Zion and begin destroying what remains of humanity.

Still, Neo manages to make a deal with the machines, promising to kill the rogue program, Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), in exchange for peace. Despite his determination, the process proves difficult, and though lives are lost, The Oracle hints that it's not the end of certain characters.

Watch The Matrix Revolutions on Max

The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

<p>Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett </p> Priyanka Chopra in 'The Matrix Resurrections.'

Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett

Priyanka Chopra in 'The Matrix Resurrections.'

The Matrix Resurrections picks up 60 years after the events of The Matrix Revolutions, and true to the film’s name, Neo and Trinity are resurrected by the machines to make the Matrix more powerful.

With the machines flexing their power, humanity must fight back, and this time, they want to take control of the Matrix.

The Matrix Resurrections is super self-aware and meta, making it a treat for fans of the franchise who will get all the inside references and easter eggs.

The movie also features famous faces: Reeves, Moss and Smith all reprise their roles and are joined by a massive cast that included Neil Patrick Harris, Christina Ricci and Priyanka Chopra.

Watch The Matrix Resurrections on Max

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