Is The Animatrix Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Animatrix is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies.
It features a runtime of 102 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Animatrix Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2003, The Animatrix emerges as a significant entry in the Animation, Science Fiction domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Straight from the creators of the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, this collection of short animated films from the world's leading anime directors fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines. Unlike standard genre fare, The Animatrix attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Animation is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Animatrix features a noteworthy lineup led by Keanu Reeves . Supported by the likes of Carrie-Anne Moss and Clayton Watson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Animatrix (2003) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
The Animatrix Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Animatrix is a Animation, Science Fiction film that combines stunning visual artistry with storytelling that appeals to all ages. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Straight from the creators of the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, this collection of short animated films from the world's leading anime directors fuses computer graphics and Japanese anime to provide the background of the Matrix universe and the conflict between man and machines. The shorts include Final Flight of the Osiris, The Second Renaissance, Kid's Story, Program, World Record, Beyond, A Detective Story and Matriculated. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
The Animatrix Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Animatrix resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to animation resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the animation themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Animatrix reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Animatrix?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Animation films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
The Animatrix Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $68.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Animatrix Budget
The estimated production budget for The Animatrix is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Animatrix
- Keanu Reeves – Neo ("Kid's Story") (voice)
- Carrie-Anne Moss – Trinity ("Kid's Story" and "A Detective Story") (voice)
- Clayton Watson – The Kid ("Kid's Story") (voice)
- Pamela Adlon – Jue ("Final Flight of the Osiris") / Manabu ("Beyond") (voice)
- Melinda Clarke – Alexa ("Matriculated") (voice)
Top Highlights
Keanu ReevesNeo ("Kid's Story") (voice)
Carrie-Anne MossTrinity ("Kid's Story" and "A Detective Story") (voice)
Clayton WatsonThe Kid ("Kid's Story") (voice)
Pamela AdlonJue ("Final Flight of the Osiris") / Manabu ("Beyond") (voice)
Melinda ClarkeAlexa ("Matriculated") (voice)
John DiMaggioCrew Man ("Final Flight of the Osiris") / Kaiser ("Program") (voice)
Kevin Michael RichardsonThadeus ("Final Flight of Osiris") / Cop ("Kid's Story") / Agent #2 ("World Record")
Tom KennyOperator ("Final Flight of Osiris")
Rick GomezPilot ("Final Flight of Osiris")
Tara StrongCrew Woman ("Final Flight of Osiris") / Nurse ("World Record") / Misha ("Beyond")
Where to Watch The Animatrix Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Animatrix is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.2/10, and global collection metrics, The Animatrix stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2003 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Animatrix movie hit or flop?
The Animatrix is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.2/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Animation, Science Fiction movies.
Is The Animatrix worth watching?
Yes, The Animatrix is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Animation, Science Fiction cinema.
Where can I watch The Animatrix online?
The Animatrix may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How The Animatrix Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Animatrix
Featuring nine animated shorts set in and around The Matrix, written and directed by the cream of Japanese anime creators, with the Wachowski brothers' blessing, The Animatrix arrives with a weight of expectation similar to Reloaded. However, while it's visually sublime - a magical mystery tour of animation styles- it doesn't fully deliver. Overall, the disc is debilitated by story issues and an overwhelming number of downbeat endings, which place it far from the cathartic exhilaration of the original movie. The Wachowskis themselves penned The Second Renaissance Part 1, a beautifully designed look at life pre-Matrix, using a faux newsreel style to chilling effect as the machines rise. Dark-edged, brutal and less smoothly styled, The Second Renaissance Part 2 shows those machines creating The Matrix. Program - the most truly manga-fied effort - is a love story set in Medieval Japan; artistically startling, but less profound than it thinks it is. An athlete breaks out of the Wachowskis' wonderland through sheer willpower in stylized short World Record. Bouquets for its strange, angular art; brickbats for a confusing story. A Kid's Story, on the other hand, is suffused with a dream-like quality, as Clayton Moore (who appears in Reloaded and Revolutions) tries to escape The Matrix with Neo's help. Until a climax which betrays the internal logic of The Matrix, Detective Story is by far the best of the shorts - a spot-on black-and-white noir about a detective enlisted to find Trinity. Beyond (a group of children exploit a glitch in The Matrix) is slight and atmospheric; while Matriculated (outside The Matrix, humans reprogram a machine) is a visually stunning, frankly hallucinogenic trip which out-Kubricks 2001. Lastly, The Final Flight Of The Osiris, the much-vaunted precursor to Reloaded: a triumph for CG photorealism, but the story is wafer-thin. Verdict - Though undeniably beautiful, overall, the disc is debilitated by story issues and an overwhelming number of downbeat endings, which place it far from the cathartic exhilaration of the original movie. 3/5 - Empire Magazine
Ooooh, yeah, I just ripped into Revolutions for breaking from the way The Matrix and Reloaded looked and now... the Animatrix. And I'm not going to do the same thing. All the segments looked a little different, which I liked. But this comes along and it sort of fills in the backstory of the Matrix world. Almost like the, brothers at the time, sisters now looked at the Matrix and realized that Sci-Fi geekdom was loving it and they had to really explain a history so that the geeks like me had something to sink our teeth into and argue about at the comic book store on Wednesday nights. And then, with the Animatrix, they gave it to us... and THANK YOU.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
