The Matrix

1999, Sci-fi/Action, 2h 16m

159 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Thanks to the Wachowskis' imaginative vision, The Matrix is a smartly crafted combination of spectacular action and groundbreaking special effects. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Gladiator
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
War of the Worlds
I Am Legend
Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith

Where to watch

Rent/buy from $3.99 Rent/buy from $3.99 Subscription Rent/buy from $3.99

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

The Matrix Videos

View All Videos (2)

The Matrix Photos

View All Photos (39)

Movie Info

Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.
  • Rating:
    R (Sci-Fi Violence|Brief Language)
  • Genre:
    Sci-fi, Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
  • Producer:
    Joel Silver
  • Writer:
    Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $171.4M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, DTS, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Keanu Reeves
Thomas A. Anderson, Neo
Laurence Fishburne
Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss
Trinity
Hugo Weaving
Agent Smith
Joe Pantoliano
Cypher, Mr. Reagan
Gloria Foster
Oracle
Marcus Chong
Tank
Paul Goddard
Agent Brown
Robert Taylor
Agent Jones
Julian Arahanga
Apoc
Matt Doran
Mouse
Belinda McClory
Switch
Anthony Ray Parker
Dozer
Lilly Wachowski
Director
Lana Wachowski
Director
Lilly Wachowski
Writer
Lana Wachowski
Writer
Lilly Wachowski
Executive Producer
Lana Wachowski
Executive Producer
Bruce Berman
Executive Producer
Andrew Mason
Executive Producer
Barrie M. Osborne
Executive Producer
Erwin Stoff
Executive Producer
Joel Silver
Producer
Dan Cracchiolo
Co-Producer
Carol Hughes
Associate Producer
Richard Mirisch
Associate Producer
Don Davis
Original Music
Bill Pope
Cinematography
Zach Staenberg
Film Editing
Mali Finn
Casting
Shauna Wolifson
Casting
Owen Paterson
Production Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Matrix

All Critics (159) | Top Critics (45) | Fresh (140) | Rotten (19)
Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting Full Review… David Hunter Hollywood Reporter Full Review… Keith Simanton Seattle Times Full Review… David Denby New Yorker Full Review… Mark Caro Chicago Tribune Full Review… Danilo Castro Next Best Picture Full Review… Brian Phillips The Ringer Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… David Hogan hoganreviews.co.uk Full Review… George Fenwick Stuff.co.nz Full Review… James Croot Stuff.co.nz
View All Critic Reviews (159)

Audience Reviews for The Matrix

  • Apr 09, 2018
    10/04/2018 - Yes there are some cheesy one liners. But you should expect that. As of writing this, The Matrix is almost 20 years old! The simple fact is, The Matrix is STILL the greatest science fiction film ever made, and doesn't look like it will be beaten any time soon.
    Peter B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 27, 2017
    The Matrix is a masterfully created action film that near-flawlessly weaves a contained story into a complex universe.
    Sean T Super Reviewer
  • Feb 26, 2017
    After having re-watched The Matrix for the first time since I was a kid, I was incredibly pleased to find that it's just as cool watching it as an adult as it was as a kid. The action and choreography are what paved the way for Keanu Reeves' career, as well as the future of action and science fiction movies of the early 21st century... but it's not only Reeves' performance that is exceptional. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne-Moss, and Hugo Weaving all deliver physically disciplined and skilled performances, and it's a privilege to watch. Here we are 18 years later and it's still very relevant today- focusing on the danger of artificial intelligence, and of course, destiny.
    Kevin M Super Reviewer
  • May 11, 2016
    "The Matrix" isn't a perfect film, but it really is close to being one. The Wachowskis show us for the first (and only) time how good they are with original stories that they know is really going to touch the audience in a very deep and fascinating way. It's very smartly put together and the structure and story are great opposite each other. The performances by Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving are great and you believe every moment that these characters are on the screen in front of you. This movie shows an alternate world in a very dreamlike and almost trippy way, and that's the audience wants: something that can really challenge them and make them see everything differently afterwards. This movie definitely managed to do that and can easily be put on the list of the greatest films of all time.
    Lasse G Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides