The Matrix Watching Order: The Matrix is one of the most famous movie series of all time. And now that it is getting a fourth part, many new fans want to jump on the series. They want to see what the fuss is all about.
But the thing is you can watch the featured films pretty easily without much of a problem. You have to watch them according to the release date only and that is pretty simple.
But the real problem arrives when it comes to the different short stories that the studio produced over the years to fill the gaps between the years. The Animatrix consists of 9 short animated movies released to fill the gaps between the live-action movies.
Now, many people around the globe have said that Matrix only has one good part and that is the first part. And that is usually because they don’t have enough insight into the series as they have only watched live-action movies.
And there is nothing wrong with that. It is just that if you will watch Animatrix you will get more context and will enjoy the Matrix series more. And that is exactly why we are here for. To improve your experience of watching a series.
The Matrix watching Order Of Release Date
Now, this is really simple. You can just google it from the web and watch it like that only. You will like the movie because they are just good, but it won’t be that effective. And here is every Matrix movie in order of release date.
- The Matrix (March 31, 1999)
- The Matrix Reloaded (May 15, 2003)
- The Animatrix (June 3, 2003)
- The Matrix Revolutions (November 5, 2003)
The Matrix Series In Chronological Order Of Events
Now, this is the part where it gets real. It is a lot of work, I know that. But if you follow this order, it will improve your watching experience tenfolds. I am sure of that.
Animatrix: The Second Renaissance, Part I and II
Start with this one as it will tell you the origin story of the computer matrix. It will completely bridge the gap in history between the present and the story’s setting.
It will also include the creation of artificial intelligence and the events leading up to the enslavement of humans by machines. And will give you a lot more context to the series.
The Animatrix: A Detective Story
A Detective Story will introduce the main story’s chronology yet is still set within the Matrix. It follows the story of Detective Ash who is on a pursuit within the Matrix only.
He is following the famous hacker Trinity only who has joined forces with Morpheus. This story will take place sometime after the creation of the Matrix. And is a really good watch with noir and anime effects.
The Matrix
Now, start the main movie and you will have a lot more context to anything that is happening. You will also have a little more context surrounding the importance of The One, as well as the why and the what behind the Matrix itself.
The Animatrix: The Kid’s Story
The Kid’s Story is so good and gritty and I absolutely love it. This movie shows Neo’s influence in his new role. The story will focus on a young man who gets out of The Matrix only on willpower.
And his story takes place within the six-month gap of time between the events of The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded.
The Animatrix: Final Flight of the Osiris
Now, this movie has direct implications for the second live-action film. And so does the “Enter The Matrix”, the PS2 game. You can watch the story of the game as well if you want to, but it won’t affect that much.
This story will give you an idea of some of the activities of the ships in the human resistance, and what Zion’s fleet is up to. Without this, some of the conversations in Reloaded require the audience to guess and use conjecture while they listen, which is a lot to ask of people who are only casually invested.
The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions
Now there is a reason I have added these movies together because they are meant to be. They go back to back because the “To be continued” at the end of Reloaded effectively makes them a single film in two parts.
The events of these movies occur six months after the first Matrix. It will feature the ultimate sacrifice of Neo to make peace with the machines.
The Animatrix: Beyond
This happens sometime after the end of the trilogy. It depicts life inside The Matrix for those still plugged in. Beyond follows Yoko who discovers a “haunted house”.
It is filled with anomalies that previous film installments have described as “glitches in the Matrix.” It is a pretty nice and dark movie and you will enjoy it.
The Animatrix: World Record
This movie is really similar to ‘The Kid’s Story’. it shows some of the oppression of the Matrix, establishes some of the rules of the world and remains a little further removed from the main story of Neo.
The timing of this movie is really unspecified in Matrix Cannon. You can watch it before the First Matrix as well. But it makes more sense here.
The Animatrix: Program
This is just a short and not even a movie if you ask me. It revolves around simulated training and samurai culture. You can place it anywhere in the timeline and it won’t make much difference.
The Animatrix: Matriculated
The final entry on this list is another animated short. And this also doesn’t have any clear placement in the Matrix timeline. It follows two humans who try to teach different emotions to the machines.
How Should You Watch It?
The Matrix Watching Order: So, this is how you should watch The Matrix chronologically. Now, there is one thing I must say. Even if the chronological way makes more sense, I think you should watch “The Matrix” first.
Even when you don’t have any context. It is just like Star Wars, where you know that Episode 1 makes more sense chronologically, but still, Episode 4 is the place where you have to start.
Animatrix is a huge spoiler alert if you have no idea what Matrix is. It might also strip you of the pleasure of finding out what the Matrix is a nice way and at the same time as Neo.
Now, I have told you everything you need to watch The Matrix watching order. So, what are you waiting for now? Go and watch the series before the new movie comes out.
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