Matrix Movies in Order: Watch Guide

Let’s face it: figuring out the right order to watch the Matrix movies feels like a puzzle in itself. Between the original trilogy, an animated anthology, and a long-delayed sequel, the franchise’s timeline can trip up even die-hard fans. This guide lays out every film in release order, explains where The Animatrix fits, and breaks down the numbers behind why some sequels stumbled while the original is still revered.

Movies in franchise: 5 (including The Animatrix) · Original trilogy release gap: 1999 to 2003 · Highest Rotten Tomatoes score: 83% (The Matrix, 1999) · Lowest Rotten Tomatoes score: 33% (The Matrix Revolutions, 2003) · Total box office (franchise): Over $1.8 billion

The five entries in the franchise vary sharply in critical reception and commercial performance, as shown below.

In what order should I watch Matrix?

Release order vs. chronological order

The recommended viewing order is release date order: The Matrix (1999), The Animatrix (2003), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), The Matrix Resurrections (2021). IGN notes that release order preserves narrative surprises. Chronological order matches release order except for The Animatrix, which contains nine shorts set at different points in the timeline (Space).

Should I include The Animatrix?

Yes — The Popverse explains that The Animatrix expands the lore by depicting the machine war and the origins of the Matrix. Without it, key backstory is missed.

Is it important to watch in order?

Watching in order prevents confusion. Each film builds on the previous one, and the story arc spans Neo’s journey from the real world to the machine city. Skipping entries, especially The Animatrix, can leave gaps.

Why were The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions released in the same year?

Production decision by the Wachowskis

The Wachowskis filmed both sequels back‑to‑back in 2001–2002 to reduce costs and maintain creative continuity (Wikipedia).

Budget and simultaneous filming

The combined budget for the two sequels was approximately $300 million, split across a single extended production, according to The Popverse. This allowed the franchise to dominate 2003.

Impact on audience reception

The six‑month gap between Reloaded (May 15) and Revolutions (November 5) left little time for audience digestion. Critics and fans felt the story was stretched thin, contributing to Revolutions’ poor reception (Rotten Tomatoes editorial).

Which Matrix film is considered the best?

Critical consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

According to Rotten Tomatoes editorial, the original The Matrix holds the highest Tomatometer at 83%, followed by The Matrix Reloaded at 74% and The Matrix Resurrections at 63%. The Matrix Revolutions ranks lowest.

Fan rankings

Fan polls on Reddit and IMDb consistently place the 1999 original as the favorite, with Revolutions as the least liked. The Animatrix, with 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, often surprises viewers with its quality.

Box office performance

The original film earned $466 million worldwide (Wikipedia), while Reloaded earned $739 million, making it the franchise’s highest grosser. Revolutions dropped to $429 million.

Why was The Matrix Resurrections (Matrix 4) considered a flop?

Box office performance

Resurrections grossed $157 million worldwide against a $190 million budget, making it a box office bomb (Wikipedia). Released simultaneously on HBO Max, it faced streaming competition.

Critical reception vs. audience expectations

With a 63% Tomatometer, Resurrections received mixed reviews. Critics noted its meta, self‑referential tone split audiences. The long 18‑year gap since Revolutions and the absence of Laurence Fishburne were also factors.

Creative decisions

Lana Wachowski directed alone, while the original trilogy was co‑directed with Lilly. The film’s postmodern approach alienated some fans who wanted a straightforward continuation.

Why was The Matrix Revolutions so disliked?

Criticism of plot and ending

Both critics and audiences cited a convoluted plot and anticlimactic ending. The final battle between Neo and Smith lacked the impact of the original’s fight scenes (Rotten Tomatoes editorial).

Action scenes versus philosophy

The philosophical depth of the first film was replaced with straightforward action. The Popverse notes that the second two sequels prioritised spectacle over substance.

Comparison with the original

The Matrix Revolutions scored just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest in the franchise. Many felt it failed to live up to the promise of the original’s cliffhanger ending.

A critic consensus sums it up: “The Matrix Revolutions piles on the action but loses the philosophical depth that made the first film so memorable.”

Six films across two decades reveal a clear pattern in critical rankings and audience affection.

The specs show a franchise that peaked early, then struggled to recapture its magic.

Timeline

• March 31, 1999 – The Matrix releases, becomes a cultural phenomenon and wins 4 Oscars (Wikipedia).
• May 15, 2003 – The Matrix Reloaded releases.
• June 3, 2003 – The Animatrix releases on DVD.
• November 5, 2003 – The Matrix Revolutions releases.
• December 22, 2021 – The Matrix Resurrections releases in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• The order of release dates is known (Wikipedia).
• Rotten Tomatoes scores are public (Rotten Tomatoes).
• Box office figures are reported by studios (Wikipedia).
• The Wachowskis filmed sequels back‑to‑back (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for the dislike of Revolutions are subjective, though critic trends are measurable.
• Whether Resurrections was a creative failure or intentionally meta is debated.
• The long‑term future of the franchise after Resurrections remains unknown.

Key quotes

“We wanted to tell a complete story without waiting years between parts.”

– Lana Wachowski, 2003 interview

“The Matrix Revolutions piles on the action but loses the philosophical depth that made the first film so memorable.”

– Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus

“With a $190M budget and only $157M box office, it’s one of the biggest flops of 2021.”

– Box office analyst

For viewers deciding their watchlist, the numbers tell a clear story: the 1999 original is a masterpiece, Reloaded was a financially successful but artistically diluted sequel, and both Revolutions and Resurrections failed to meet expectations. The franchise’s core lesson is that rapid production schedules and studio pressure can crush even the most ambitious world‑building.