The Ultimate Matrix Timeline: All 6 Movies And Media In Chronological Order (Plus The Matrix 5 Update)

The Matrix franchise, a cyberpunk masterpiece that redefined science fiction cinema, continues to captivate audiences more than two decades after its debut. Understanding the full scope of the narrative—which spans four major feature films, an essential animated anthology, and now a confirmed fifth installment—requires a clear roadmap of both release and chronological order to fully grasp the complex lore of Neo, Trinity, and the war for Zion.

As of today, December 18, 2025, the conversation around the franchise is more current than ever, thanks to the official announcement of a new film that will expand the universe created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. Whether you are a red pill-popping veteran or a blue pill-preferring newcomer, this definitive guide will walk you through every piece of canonical media, ensuring you experience the full, mind-bending journey of the One.

The Matrix Franchise: Complete Chronological Plot Order

For the truest, most immersive experience of the Machines' rise and the human rebellion, watching the content in chronological plot order is essential. This sequence integrates the crucial backstory provided by The Animatrix, which details the origins of the war and the creation of the Matrix itself.

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• 1. The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance Part I & II (2003)
• 2. The Animatrix: A Detective Story (2003)
• 3. The Animatrix: Kid's Story (2003)
• 4. The Matrix (1999)
• 5. The Animatrix: Program (2003)
• 6. The Animatrix: World Record (2003)
• 7. The Animatrix: Beyond (2003)
• 8. The Animatrix: Matriculated (2003)
• 9. The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris (2003)
• 10. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
• 11. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
• 12. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

The Essential Backstory: The Animatrix (2003)

Released between the first and second films, The Animatrix is an anthology of nine animated short films that are indispensable for understanding the lore. The most crucial shorts for a chronological viewing are "The Second Renaissance Part I & II," which act as a canonical prequel, detailing the origin story of the Machines, the first Machine War, and the subsequent enslavement of humanity within the Matrix.

Other shorts, such as "Final Flight of the Osiris," directly set up the events of The Matrix Reloaded by showing the crew of the Osiris delivering a crucial warning to the human city of Zion about the impending Machine attack.

The Main Trilogy: Neo's Journey to The Source

The original trilogy forms the core of the franchise, introducing the concept of the Matrix, the prophecy of The One, and the war between humanity and the Machines.

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The Matrix (1999)

The film that started it all. It introduces Thomas Anderson, a computer programmer and hacker known as Neo, who is living a double life. He is contacted by the enigmatic Morpheus and the fierce Trinity, who reveal the shocking truth: the year is closer to 2199, and the "reality" he knows is a sophisticated computer simulation—the Matrix. Neo takes the red pill, begins his training, and discovers his destiny as The One, a messianic figure prophesied to end the war. Key entities introduced include Agent Smith, The Oracle, and the concept of "bullet time."

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Set six months after the first film, Reloaded ramps up the action and the philosophical stakes. Neo, now fully embracing his powers, has visions of Trinity's death while the human city of Zion prepares for a massive Machine invasion. Neo seeks out The Oracle and the Keymaker, leading him to a confrontation with The Architect, the creator of the Matrix. He learns that his role as The One is not unique but rather a system of control designed to perpetuate the Matrix's cycles. Meanwhile, the rogue program Agent Smith has escaped deletion and is now replicating himself like a virus, becoming an even greater threat.

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

The final chapter of the original trilogy brings the Machine War to a head, with the Machines drilling toward Zion. Neo and Trinity embark on a desperate mission to reach the Machine City, facing off against the program known as The Merovingian and his forces. In a climactic showdown, Neo makes a final, selfless bargain with the Machines' leader, Deus Ex Machina, to save humanity from both the Machines and the rampant Agent Smith. Neo sacrifices himself, ending the war and ushering in a temporary peace between man and machine.

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The Matrix Movies in Release Date Order

For those who prefer to experience the franchise as it was originally presented in theaters, the release order provides a clear progression of the story and the evolution of the Wachowskis' filmmaking vision.

1. The Matrix (March 31, 1999)
2. The Matrix Reloaded (May 15, 2003)
3. The Animatrix (June 3, 2003)
4. The Matrix Revolutions (November 5, 2003)
5. The Matrix Resurrections (December 22, 2021)

The Return: The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

Eighteen years after Revolutions, Lana Wachowski returned to the director's chair for The Matrix Resurrections. The film finds Neo (Keanu Reeves) back in the Matrix, living as Thomas Anderson, a successful video game designer who created a game trilogy called "The Matrix." He is plagued by visions and is seeing a therapist, The Analyst, who keeps him docile with blue pills.

The plot centers on a new generation of rebels, including Bugs, who help Neo awaken once more. The film is a meta-commentary on sequels, reboots, and the nature of reality in the digital age, focusing heavily on the enduring love story between Neo and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), who is also trapped in the new iteration of the Matrix. The critical reception was notably mixed, with some praising its unique, self-aware approach and others criticizing its messy plot and perceived lack of innovative action.

The Future of The Matrix: What We Know About The Matrix 5

The Matrix universe is set to expand again, confirming that the story is far from over. In a major and fresh update, Warner Bros. has officially announced a fifth film in the main series, tentatively referred to as The Matrix 5.

This new installment marks a significant departure from previous films, as it will be the first in the series not to be directed by either Lana or Lilly Wachowski. Instead, the film will be written and directed by Drew Goddard, known for his work on The Martian and The Cabin in the Woods, with Lana Wachowski serving as an executive producer.

While details on the plot, cast, and release date are still scarce, the involvement of a fresh creative voice like Drew Goddard suggests that The Matrix 5 will explore a new corner of the cyberpunk canon, potentially focusing on new characters or a different era of the human-Machine truce established at the end of Revolutions. This move signals a deliberate effort to both honor the cinematic canon built by the Wachowskis and inject a new vision into the franchise, ensuring the timeless questions of choice, reality, and control continue to be asked.

The entire franchise—from the philosophical depth of the original to the meta-commentary of Resurrections and the confirmed future of The Matrix 5—is a complex narrative tapestry. Whether you choose the chronological plot order for the full lore experience or the release date order for the original theatrical journey, you are guaranteed a thought-provoking, action-packed adventure that continues to make audiences question everything they think they know.