The Matrix is without doubt one of the hottest sci-fi films of all time, and listed here are ten different films that you need to undoubtedly watch should you prefer it. The Matrix is far more than simply an motion film, because it makes use of its sci-fi setting to debate deep, philosophical themes which are not often present in different blockbuster films. Nevertheless, The Matrix is way from being the one one which does this, with these ten films pairing completely with The Matrix franchise.
1999’s The Matrix was a revolutionary movie, with it utilizing groundbreaking filmmaking strategies and a singular new story to shortly catapult itself into its place as a popular culture icon. The unique movie was an enormous crucial and field workplace success, resulting in it changing into a trilogy with the releases of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. The franchise even acquired a revival movie in 2021, with The Matrix Resurrections renewing curiosity within the franchise. The story of The Matrix is seemingly over now, however these ten films have captured lots of the similar parts that made the unique The Matrix so nice.
10 Inception
Christopher Nolan’s 2010 movie Inception is thought for its groundbreaking particular results and incredible motion, placing it in the same place to The Matrix. Nevertheless, its similarities to the Wachowskis’ magnum opus run a lot deeper than that. Inception asks lots of the similar questions that The Matrix does, exploring themes of existence, questions on actuality, and pondering on what it means to be human. Christopher Nolan’s movie tells a grand story with large stakes, making it even nearer to The Matrix. Inception is a way more tonally severe movie than The Matrix, however it’s an virtually good match in practically each different approach.
9 Akira
The Matrix is a movie that wears its inspirations on its sleeve, and one among its greatest inspirations was the 1988 anime movie Akira. Akira‘s cyberpunk aesthetic and visible type had an affect on the visuals of The Matrix, with The Matrix usually being described as a live-action anime. The motion in The Matrix additionally resembles that of Akira, that means that viewers can see extra hyper-stylized battle scenes within the 1988 movie. Seeing a movie’s inspirations can enable for a greater understanding and appreciation of the movie, and watching Akira can try this for The Matrix.
8 Ghost In The Shell
Whereas Akira was an influential movie, Ghost within the Shell had an excellent greater affect on The Matrix, with the Wachowskis citing it a number of occasions all through the movie’s manufacturing. Many scenes in The Matrix appear as in the event that they have been straight pulled from Ghost within the Shell, with The Matrix that includes all types of Easter eggs and references to the 1995 movie. The Matrix pulled a lot of its type from Ghost within the Shell, with it having the ability to take the anime sequences and superbly translate them into dwell motion.
7 Metropolis
The Matrix is thought for being a sci-fi filled with social commentary, so it might be a good suggestion to see one of many earliest main sci-fi social commentaries: Metropolis. Fritz Lang’s 1921 movie Metropolis is a German satire that makes use of its futuristic setting to discover themes of sophistication and social disruption. The stylized futuristic metropolis truly is not that too far off from what it offered in The Matrix, but it was launched many years earlier. Metropolis is sort of a century previous now, nevertheless it nonetheless holds up, with it being praised as one of many biggest and most influential sci-fi movies of all time.
6 Brazil
1985’s Brazil is one other stylized sci-fi that’s recognized for its social commentary, though it does take a little bit of a special flip than The Matrix does. Whereas The Matrix is a sci-fi motion film, Brazil is a sci-fi darkish comedy, with it using lots of the signature traits of director Terry Gilliam. Brazil is commonly thought-about one of many biggest sci-fi films of all time, with it being on the identical stage of high quality and notoriety as The Matrix.
5 TRON
The Matrix is all about residing inside a pc, a storyline that TRON mastered 17 years earlier. TRON could also be lighter on the social commentary that The Matrix, however its particular results have been simply as groundbreaking, with the movie that includes some jaw-dropping visuals on the time it was launched. The sequel, TRON: Legacy, can also be an excellent companion piece to The Matrix, and with TRON: Ares in pre-production, it is the right time to get caught up on the collection.
4 Complete Recall
1990’s Complete Recall is one other sci-fi movie that appears at related themes to The Matrix, though it is not as well-remembered because the Keanu Reeves traditional. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Complete Recall, enjoying a development employee who realizes that every one of his recollections are false and have been implanted into his thoughts. Paul Verhoeven’s ultra-stylized filmmaking and social commentary are as soon as once more current in Complete Recall, that means that it might be good viewing for any fan of The Matrix.
3 Blade Runner 2049
Whereas the unique Blade Runner is a good companion piece for The Matrix, 2017’s Blade Runner 2049 is a extra fashionable (and arguably higher) tackle the identical idea. The movie makes use of humanoid androids referred to as replicants to discover what it truly means to be human, with it utilizing machines in the identical approach that The Matrix did in 1999. Blade Runner 2049 is a bit slower and fewer action-heavy than The Matrix, however the movie’s gradual tempo is definitely one among its greatest strengths. A sequel TV collection titled Blade Runner 2099 is presently within the works, that means that there is nonetheless extra to come back from the Blade Runner franchise.
2 Pace Racer
Whereas the opposite movies on this checklist are right here because of their similarities to The Matrix, 2008’s live-action Pace Racer film is right here for a special cause. Pace Racer was additionally made by the Wachowskis, with the movie constructing on a lot of their anime inspirations. The Wachowskis masterfully translate the goofy and campy tone of Pace Racer into live-action, utilizing stylized CGI and over-the-top writing to recapture the sensation of the unique present. Pace Racer has grow to be a cult traditional, however it’s important viewing for any fan of the Wachowskis.
1 Jupiter Ascending
Equally, Jupiter Ascending is one other movie made by the Wachowskis, with it having been launched in 2015. The movie sees the Wachowskis return to sci-fi, with the movie’s large price range permitting the filmmaking duo to create a much bigger world than ever earlier than. Sadly, Jupiter Ascending was a field workplace bomb, with it inflicting the Wachowskis to go on a hiatus after its launch. Whereas Jupiter Ascending was a crucial failure, it’s an attention-grabbing piece of historical past of the filmmakers behind The Matrix.