What is the chronological order to watch the shorts and films in the Matrix franchise?

In 1999, the release of “The Matrix” marked a pivotal moment in the Hollywood film industry. With the influence of various sources, such as anime and video games, the film carried deep philosophical themes and featured special effects that rethought the way action scenes were staged.

Shooting scenes combined with martial arts gave rise to the “Gun-fu” trend in the West. The “Bullet Time” effect has had a significant impact not only on cinema, but also on other media, such as video games.

“The Matrix” was a phenomenon in every sense and redefined the foundations of genre cinema in the 21st century. Soon, the creation of sisters Lana and Lilly Wachowski turned into a Warner Bros. franchise.

However, one of the most notable innovations “The Matrix” made was the idea of ​​expanding its universe to other media, creating a vast and multifaceted set of interconnected stories, all carefully considered in terms of chronology. This revolution began with the launch of the animation “Animatrix”, an anthology of short films that further delve into the universe of feature film series.

Did you know “Animatrix”? Are you curious about the chronological order of the Matrix films and how “Animatrix” fits into this story? We will explain better below.

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The “Matrix” franchise consists of four feature films. The original trilogy was written and directed by the Wachowski sisters and consists of the films “Matrix” (1999), “Matrix Reloaded” (2003) and “Matrix Revolutions” (2003). The revival sequel “Matrix Resurrections” was released in 2021, directed by Lana Wachowski.

In addition to the films, in 2003, shortly after the premiere of “Reloaded” in theaters, the anime “Animatrix” was released. This project consists of a collection of nine short films that expand the universe of the franchise, exploring different aspects of the world of “The Matrix”. Each short features unique stories at different times in the saga’s timeline.

The saga begins when the hacker Neo discovers the truth about the world he lives in, which is a simulation controlled by machines called the “Matrix”. He discovers this after being contacted by Trinity and Morpheus and choosing the red pill. Neo is challenged to accept his destiny as the “Chosen One,” someone with extraordinary abilities within the Matrix.

From that point on, Neo faces the agents of the system and joins the human resistance in the fight against machine domination. The classic trilogy explores the battle against the machines and humanity’s quest for freedom, culminating in a final war.

“Animatrix” offers additional stories that delve into various aspects of the “Matrix” universe.

In “Matrix Resurrections”, Neo returns to a new version of the Matrix, but is haunted by dreams and visions that leave him confused as to how to differentiate fantasy from reality.

After this overview, discover the chronological order of the films and all the short films in order to have a complete immersion in the “Matrix” universe.

Below, check out the correct chronological order of all the films and shorts in the “Matrix” universe:

It is recommended that you watch the following shorts after completing “Matrix Revolutions”. However, it is important to underline that these short films have autonomous stories and are not directly connected to the plot of the films. Therefore, the order in which you choose to watch them is flexible and up to you. However, a possible suggested sequence would be:

Finally:

Next, check out where to watch each film in the Matrix series:

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Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.