The original Matrix trilogy has a new streaming home, and it does not require a paid subscription. The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions all became available on Pluto TV as of Nov. 1, according to the franchise's latest distribution update.
The first film, written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, arrived in 1999 and quickly became a global pop culture phenomenon. Keanu Reeves plays Thomas Anderson, a programmer and hacker known as Neo, who is drawn into a fight for humanity's future after being contacted by Trinity, played by Carrie-Anne Moss. Neo eventually learns that his world is a simulation built to keep humans captive under machine overlords who took control of the planet roughly a century earlier. With Laurence Fishburne's Morpheus at his side, he uncovers the truth about the Matrix and develops reality-bending abilities.
The film's cast, pacing and visual techniques, including the sequential still shots used to create its bullet-time effects, helped it become the biggest release of its moment and popularized approaches that later became staples of cyberpunk and sci-fi noir storytelling. The Matrix grossed more than $473 million worldwide against a $63 million budget, enough to secure the two sequels, both released in 2003.
Neither Reloaded nor Revolutions matched the original's reception, but the franchise continued through tie-in media and the 2021 theatrical release of The Matrix Resurrections, which drew generally favorable responses yet earned $160.2 million against a $190 million production budget. A fifth film remains in development: it was announced in 2024, and earlier this year it was reiterated that The Matrix 5 is still in the works, with Drew Goddard set to direct. While promoting Project Hail Mary, Goddard said he was "in my writing cave writing" and would have news to share whenever he emerged.
Sources: Comic Book Resources.