The Animatrix goes before the sequels. Trust me. Characters like “The Kid” (from Reloaded ) make zero sense unless you’ve seen his Animatrix short. Most movie tie-in anthologies are forgettable. The Animatrix is essential.

The Ultimate Matrix Collection (1, 2, 3 + The Animatrix ) isn’t just a box of movies. It’s a complete lore bible. If you’re diving in for the first time or rewatching before The Matrix Resurrections , using this set correctly changes everything.

The 30-minute making of The Second Renaissance .