Release OrderRecommended
0 / 5 watchedThe order the films came out. Watch the Animatrix after the original; its prequel shorts hit harder once you know the twist.
- 1 The Matrix Start here; introduces Neo, Trinity, Morpheus and the simulation.
- 2 The Animatrix Nine animated shorts. The Second Renaissance Parts I and II depict the war that predates the films.
- 3 The Matrix Reloaded Direct sequel; ends on a cliffhanger resolved the same year.
- 4 The Matrix Revolutions Closes the original trilogy; released six months after Reloaded.
- 5 The Matrix Resurrections Latest released film. Legacy sequel set decades later; directed by Lana Wachowski solo.
About The Matrix
The Matrix ran from 1999 to 2003 as a trilogy about Neo's war against the machines, then returned with The Matrix Resurrections in 2021. The Animatrix (2003) adds nine animated shorts from the Wachowskis and guest directors, including the two-part Second Renaissance, which shows the human-machine war that created the Matrix.
Release order is the recommended path: the sequels pick up directly, and the Animatrix lands best after the first film, once the simulation's rules are clear. Warner Bros. announced a fifth film in April 2024 with Drew Goddard writing and directing and Lana Wachowski executive producing; Goddard said in early 2026 he was still writing, with no cast or date set.
Good to know
On a rewatch, try the Second Renaissance parts first as a prequel, then the 1999 film. The remaining Animatrix shorts scatter across the timeline and resist strict placement, which is why this guide keeps the anthology as one entry. Resurrections split fans and underperformed theatrically, but it is canon. No return for Keanu Reeves or Carrie-Anne Moss in the fifth film has been confirmed, and Lilly Wachowski has said Goddard wants the sisters' blessing before proceeding.
