Keanu Reeves’ 2021 box office disappointment, The Matrix Resurrections, is set to begin streaming on Netflix starting May 1. This fourth film in The Matrix franchise will join the first three films on the platform. Interestingly, Warner Bros. announced in early April that a fifth Matrix film is in development, but it will not be directed by Lana or Lilly Wachowski. Instead, Drew Goddard, known for his work on The Martian and Cabin in the Woods, will write and direct the new installment.
Lana Wachowski, who directed The Matrix Resurrections, will serve as an executive producer on the upcoming fifth film. It remains unclear if Keanu Reeves will return as Neo for this next chapter in the series. The Matrix Resurrections was released in December 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously. Despite being released under pandemic conditions, the film fell short at the box office, earning $159.1 million globally against a $190 million production budget.
The Matrix Resurrections had the lowest worldwide gross of all the Matrix films, with the original movie raking in $465.9 million globally and its first sequel, The Matrix Reloaded, becoming the top earner with $738.5 million. The plot of The Matrix Resurrections picks up following the events of The Matrix Revolutions, with Neo finding himself back as Thomas Anderson, the game designer who created The Matrix trilogy of video games. As he grapples with his reality and visions, Anderson faces a choice that could alter his destiny.
Carrie-Anne Moss reprises her role as Trinity in The Matrix Resurrections, while Laurence Fishburne’s character, Morpheus, is replaced by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Despite its disappointing box office performance, the film received a somewhat positive reception from critics and audiences, earning a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For those eager to stream The Matrix Resurrections before its Netflix debut, the film is available for digital rental on various online platforms, including Prime Video’s ad-supported Freevee platform.
Overall, The Matrix Resurrections’ journey from box office struggles to a streaming debut on Netflix demonstrates the evolving landscape of film distribution and viewer preferences. The anticipation for the upcoming fifth Matrix film and the growing interest in revisiting the franchise on streaming platforms suggest that there is still a strong fan base for this iconic sci-fi series.
